Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July weekend to all my U.S. readers! It's supposed to be a hot but gorgeous one here in the Northeast. Hubby and I are going away for the weekend with another couple, and I'm still debating whether or not to bring my laptop. Part of me wants to unplug...part of me wants to work on my YA project!

Do me a favor: when you listen to the national anthem, really pay attention to the lyrics. They still give me goosebumps.

I'll see you back here on Monday with some pictures from our weekend...until then, enjoy!

Monday Mentionables: Summer Vacation Begins!!

“Sometimes it pays to stay in bed in Monday, rather than spending the rest of the week debugging Monday's code” ~Dan Saloman

First off, a big congrats to my cyber-writing comrade, Charity, whose YA novel The Geek Girl's Guide to Cheerleading was a winner in the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence Contest! And how do I know this? I was flipping through my latest issue of Romance Writers' Report when I saw the full page announcement of all the winners. I love seeing fellow writers recognized nationally!

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Second, dance of elation because today is the FIRST official summer vacation for Yours Truly! (Well, I mean, school ended last Friday, but I don't count the weekend. Today was the first weekday I didn't have to get up with my alarm clock!)

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Third, I'm making decent progress on my YA novel, tentatively now titled All the Girls. I abandoned the idea of making the heroine psychic, even though I really liked the idea and it's requiring a lot of rewriting to get rid of all those bits. But after some serious thinking, I decided I did want to go more mainstream/contemporary, without the paranormal aspect - even though I know paranormal is still hot-hot-hot!

We'll see...my goal is to finish my second revision this week (a lofty goal, but I'm on page 60 of 114, so it's possible) and to then finish a third revision and send out query letters by the end of July. I really want to see what kind of feedback I get from agents and editors, because I really have no sense if what I'm writing is marketable or not...

OK, I'm off to write and revise. Happy Monday :)

Friday Fun Facts: July/August 2010 Writer's Digest

"You have to really love what you're writing about to write a really good book..." ~Charlaine Harris

Sharing the latest news from Writer's Digest ~ this month's issue focuses on memoir writing, which isn't really my thing, but they always have some interesting articles for all writers. Among them:

"Based on a True Story" recounts one writer's chance encounter with James Frey, the infamous author of A Million Little Pieces who was lambasted by Oprah for fabricating large parts of his memoir. Many people called him a fraud, among other things, but the author of this article doesn't feel that way at all. She argues instead that all memoirists fabricate to a certain extent, because they are writers telling a story. (By the way, I don't agree with her. Because Frey couldn't sell his story as a novel, he marketed it as a memoir, which in my mind suggests much more "truth" than a novel does. If all of us seeking the elusive contract simply lied to get it, where's the integrity? But I digress...)

"Emerging as a Writer" talks about the value of MFA creative writing programs. While they require absolute devotion of huge amounts of time and energy (and money too, I'd guess, though the article doesn't mention that), they're also greatly rewarding. They allow you to surround yourself with fellow writers and delve really deeply into your own strengths and weaknesses. Not sure I'd ever go through with getting my MFA, but I wouldn't mind taking a class or two.

"In Her Blood" discusses the tremendous success of author Charlaine Harris, who writes the Sookie Stackhouse series (basis for the TV show "True Blood"). I've read some of her books and really liked them, even though I'm not a big vampire fan. Interesting to find out that she took exactly one creative writing class in her life and also that she spent many years writing "cozy mysteries" before she broke out of her own mold and tackled paranormal. And while she definitely credits the vampire/paranormal trend with boosting her own success, she also says giving herself the freedom to do something different, something she really wanted to try, added to it as well.

There's also an article called "Raising the Stakes" that I haven't looked at yet, about adding tension/stakes to your story. Definitely looking forward to that one!

Thanks again to the editors of Writer's Digest for producing another helpful issue!

Writers' Wednesday: Two Nice Reviews

“Be happy. It's one way of being wise.” ~ Sidonie Gabrielle

I love the casual reviews I get from readers every now and again. The other day on one online forum I frequent, a fellow author wrote "Woo hoo - those "One Night" books are a hoot! I love them - didn't realize they were yours, Allie!" (I'm not exactly sure what she means by a "hoot" since they're love stories, but it sounds like a positive response).

And then last night I received this lovely email from one of the women at the Ladies' Literary Society, where I spoke a couple of weeks ago:

"I finished your latest book last evening and it is THE BEST YET! I really enjoy your writing and spoiler here so I deleted it... The happy ending really gave me a lift after an extremely stressful day. Thank you!"

They both made my day :)

Monday Mentionables: Win a SONY eReader!

Hey all, yesterday was my day as featured author over at Tilly's Greene's blog, and every comment during this ENTIRE month enters you to win a SONY eReader...so hop on over, read, and comment if you'd like! (I have to admit: reading comments from people I don't know, who've read and enjoyed my other books, is still such a thrill :)

*****

I'm pleased to say that we have found homes for all 6 kittens that have been growing up in and around our garage these last few weeks! Can't believe how big they've gotten: check out these pictures!

Stretched out in a flowerbox (apparently the towel-lined boxes weren't good enough. or dirty enough)

Sometimes, flowerpots are even preferable to flower boxes...

And even better with a friend

Of course, exploring the world outside is nice too...

Writers' Wednesday: Working on Galleys, and an Upcoming Signing

So this week, I'm working my way through my galleys for Summer's Song, which releases in print the first week in November. Galleys are the final chance for authors to read through the work before it goes to print for good. Usually when I read galleys, I find quite a few minor errors. But this time (so far), only 2. I'll admit it's tough sometimes, though, to read through a story that (1) you finished writing a while ago and (2) you've probably read a zillion times before. So yes, it's tedious. But once it's done, it'll be ready for release November 2, so mark your calendars!

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And speaking of marking calendars, for any local readers, I have a book signing at the Borders in Middletown (Galleria Mall) on Saturday, July 10th, from 2-4 pm. One Night in Napa will be available in print for the first time! Hope to see some of you there...

Monday Mentionables: What's Selling, Who's Buying...

One basic rule you often hear in the writing world is never to write to a trend. What does this mean? Well, if you're a new writer, don't just jump on the "right now" bandwagon. If vampires are selling in 2010, and you decide you can write a vampire story as good as any out there, the chances that agents and editors will still be buying them in 2011 (if you're a relatively fast writer) are kind of low. Consider that an agent has to pitch your work to a publisher who then will take anywhere from 1-3 years to release it in print. Trends usually fade more quickly than that.

That's why those in the know will tell you to write what you really love, while considering market trends but not following them as gospel. It's also really tough to predict what the next "big thing" might be, which brings us back to the "write what you love" camp.

But here's my latest dilemma: my YA originally was a straight contemporary. Then I looked at the market, thought about how hot paranormal is right now, and decided to give my YA a small (really small) paranormal twist. A few members of my local writers' group really liked the idea. Then I shared the premise with a few online writing friends. Almost 100% of them said they were getting tired of paranormal and didn't think it would still be selling as strongly in the next year or two.

Agent Kristin Nelson reported something similar , that while YA paranormal is definitely still hot, she thinks readers/publishers/agents are getting a little bored by the flooding of that genre.

But then a friend of mine just attended the Long Island Romance Writers' luncheon conference, and she said that every single agent and editor there still wanted paranormal submissions, either in romance or YA.

So what's a girl to do? Looks from these few reports that the jury is still out on what's new, next, and on its way out when it comes to YA.

Sigh.

What do you think??

Friday Fun Facts: I'm Famous! (Well, Sort Of...)

So here's some exciting news, faithful blog readers: a couple of months ago, the publicist for Samhain contacted me with a somewhat strange request: a Brazilian TV station wanted to do an interview with me. Why? Well, this was during the 2-week period when my debut novel One Night in Boston was being offered as a Kindle Freebie, and the producer was doing a piece on the new iPad and wanted to include an ebook author. It didn't hurt that I live outside of NYC, either, which is where their affiliate station is located.

Soo.....a reporter and cameraman came to my house and filmed me! Very cool, and they were both very nice (and spoke English quite well). It was a little bit of a surreal experience, but I guess it turned out OK, because they included about a minute of the interview in their eventual piece on the iPad. Long story short: I finally got the online link for it, and I'm sharing it with you!

Now, it's in Portuguese, so you'll mostly have to just follow the visual (unless you happen to speak the language). And if you want to skip forward to my part, it's around the 3:45 minute mark (but why would you? the whole thing is about 5 minutes long, and it's a kind of cool intro to the iPad craze). Yes, I did get to use one, and it was very cool. If it wasn't so much $$, I might actually consider buying one (since I still don't have an ebook reader). The quality was AMAZING.

As it is, though, for now I'm content to enjoy my little 15 minutes of foreign language fame (although I hate, hate, the way I look in the video...I'm so vain hahaha) Hope you enjoy it too!

Writers' Wednesday: And the Winner Is...

I almost forgot! Thanks to everyone who posted comments over at Eclectic Writer over the weekend, in response to my author interview. I'm giving away a signed copy of my latest release, One Night in Napa, to... Charity!

Charity, email me your mailing address to tboniface@frontiernet.net and I'll get that in the mail to you!

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And just because they're cute, here are some new kitten pictures, about 5 weeks old. All developing their own personalities now!

Monday Mentionables: Win a SONY E-Reader!

Last week I participated in not one but TWO book signing/speaking events. Wednesday I was in my hometown talking the Ladies' Literary Society (which is celebrating its 130th year!!). Though I did speak for a bit about my background and my books, it was fairly low-key. Most of the women were 60+, with two 90-year old members! It was their end-of-season luncheon, which meant we just ate and chatted. I did sell 14 books, though, so that was nice.

And then over the weekend I was at a Barnes and Noble with 5 other romance authors, mostly from the Southern Tier RWA chapter. Lovely, lovely women! I sold 6 books, which was OK since it was pretty slow overall (nice weather + a local music and food festival drew most people away, I think). It's always nice to chat with fellow authors and also make connections with bookstore managers. I highly recommend it!

Finally, I need to mention fellow Samhain author Tilly Greene's AWESOME June giveaway contest. She's giving away both a SONY e-reader and a box chock-full of goodies from the recent RT Conference, to two lucky people who leave comments on her blog this month. She's featuring one author each day (I'm June 20th - I'll remind you again before then!), and every time you comment, you're entered into the contest.

Click on the button below for more info...and happy Monday!

Friday Fun Facts: Win a Print Copy of One Night in Napa!

OK folks, just for kicks (and to reward my faithful blog readers), I'm giving away a signed print copy of my latest release, One Night in Napa. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on yesterday's guest blog post over at Eclectic Writer. Janet Lane Walters is a fellow member of my local RWA chapter, and she was kind enough to host me, so I'm showing the love by encouraging you all to hop on over and check her (and me) out!

I'll let this contest run through Sunday at midnight, so comment away! The winner will be announced back here on Monday! (US only please, since shipping outside the US gets pricey...sorry...)

Writers' Wednesday: An Invitation to the Ladies' Literary Society

“What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote.” ~E. M. Forster

Today I'm in for an interesting experience: I'm a guest at the Ladies Literary Society in the town where I grew up. Sounds like I should be wearing gloves and a hat, right? Actually, it's a book club that's been around for 100+ years, so that notion isn't far off. I didn't know much about it until one of the members asked me to attend as her guest. Their theme this year is "Author Author" and each member chooses an author to read and discuss each month. While I think their tastes usually run to the classic literature end of the spectrum, I'm looking forward to sharing some info about the romance genre and what makes it so appealing, so commercially successful, etc. Yes, I brought books and bookmarks and business cards and a lot of stats on recent market sales, famous romance authors they may or may not know, and more :)

So...I'm off to prepare. I'll be back with a full report on Friday - and always remember, fellow authors, what I say about taking the opportunity to get your name out there!

God Bless the U.S.A. by Lee Greenwood

Writers' Wednesday: The Pros and Cons of Writers' Groups

So I've been thinking a lot about writers' groups the last few months. When I first decided to take the plunge and consider writing for publication, about 9 years ago, I looked around online and found a wonderful website where you could both take writing courses and join an online group. I took just one course (the intro one, I think), but I ended up joining 2 groups, and I will be forever grateful for the people I met there who helped shape my writing and my awareness of the writing world. There, I learned to take and give criticism, to do research about publishers, and to share beyond just the writing with a core group of fellow scribblers, some of which I am still in touch with today.

Then, about 3 years ago, I contacted my local RWA writers' group and found another support network, this time filled with local women who were writing in a similar genre - some published, some not. I continued to learn, to share, to socially interact with new faces - these in person instead of in cyber world, which was refreshing.

Now, however, I'm in the position of trying to decide whether I should continue my membership in the local group (my origial online groups disbanded a while back, sadly). While I am still a member of RWA, I attend the local meetings very infrequently (both because of my busy schedule and because I didn't feel I was getting out of them what I needed/wanted to). The membership fee for the local isn't much, so it's not the money. But I rarely attend meetings anymore, so I suppose I should consider why that is, and whether I'd be better served seeking feedback and support elsewhere.

I think part of it is that at the last few meetings I went to, attendance was super-low, and most of the discussion was either (1) gossip in small groups around the table or (2) critique that was decidedly biting. The former I can deal with; the latter, not so much. I am a huge fan of providing and gaining feedback - and indeed, for a while I attended critique group every other week (though it was an hour drive one way). I liked the camraderie, the laughter, and the learning. A couple of our members besides myself are published, and it's wonderful to hear their insight. But somehow over the last few months, it stopped being both fun and beneficial. This is probably more because of where I am in my writing pursuits - thinking about switching genres, published with a well-established small press whereas many of the other members are not published - than anything else. Still, I'm starting to think my needs might be better met somewhere else.

Absolute Write is a wonderful resource, and a place where I've been spending quite a bit of online time. I think what I most appreciate about it is that there is a wide variety of writers hanging out there, from the well established/multi published to those still learning the craft from the bottom up. I find that my questions are better answered, my writing better critiqued.

So what about you? What do you look for in a writers' group? Online support, or in person? Or both? Does it matter what genres people write, or the level of their experience? Or do you prefer to go it alone?? I'm interested - please share!

Monday's Mentionables: More Cute Kitty Pics!

"No matter how much cats fight, there always seems to be plenty of kittens." - Abraham Lincoln


Woooo - weee! What a week it's been! I've graded 240 student papers in the last 7 days, and my eyes are about ready to fall out of my head! But today was the last day of the semester (for my college students; the high school ones are with me for another month), so no more heavy-duty papers until September!



Obviously, I haven't done any writing of my own lately. But my YA book is simmering, oh yes it is, and I hope to get back to it soon enough. Also this week, though, I want to talk about writers' groups - what they can do for you, and when it's time to think about cutting loose and finding a new one (or going it solo). I'd love to hear your input on that!



Until then, enjoy some new pictures of the kittens living under our porch - they're 3 weeks old and discovering their legs...too cute!

Meet Author Jeffrey Leever!

[Readers, pay attention to the information at the end of this post, for a chance to win an autographed copy of Jeffrey Leever's new book!]

Dark Chocolate & Dark Mystery by Jeffrey Leever

When I see Allie’s heading above with the website’s name and the hearts, for whatever reason the first thing I think of is dark chocolate – and the fact that studies have shown it’s good for the heart. One of the things I like to do at my book signing events is to have some dark chocolate available at my table. Besides the enjoyment I get from occasionally eating the inventory, there is a bit of a tie-in with the title of my first book, Dark Friday. People seem to like it enough that I’ve continued the practice at events for my latest mystery novel, The University.

My palate, of course, has been telling me for many years that dark chocolate is “good.” Researchers at The Journal of the American Medical Association and elsewhere seem to agree. Apparently, small portions of the dark stuff lowers high blood pressure. The antioxidants present in dark chocolate (but not white or milk chocolate, sadly) tend to devour the kinds of destructive molecules that cause high blood pressure like a sumo wrestler at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Only sweeter.

Whenever I give people a square of Ghirardelli’s Dark or a Dark Hershey’s KISS, I always tell them, “A dark mystery novel is good for your heart, too.” I get some surprised looks on occasion. Then I talk about something that I can’t prove with a medical study but nevertheless believe: Dark mysteries that also manage to have a heart are good for the soul. They’re also a great choice (whether authored by yours truly or someone else) to give to a person who thinks they aren’t a reader, or someone who usually struggles to make it through a book.

I believe in fast-moving, heart-pumping, easy-to-get-through stories. I also believe in writing novels that include all the requisite stresses, twists, chills, and thrills of the mystery genre, but that have some real-world meaning beyond just the plots themselves. Books that can move people, occasionally leave them crying (and I don’t mean in fear), or make them want to talk through certain topics with others afterward. My favorite reviews and reader comments are when people notice this aspect and/or are surprised when I “take them there” amid all of the chaos.

My most-recent book, The University, deals with a college student who is trying to figure out why his best friend disappeared. He ends up battling a cult group. And falling in love. Meanwhile, an investigative journalist cracks an unsolved murder case from two years ago and helps a former police officer find redemption in the process.

It’s a story that’s both dark and has a good heart. Give it a try sometime if you have the chance.

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JEFFREY LEEVER (www.jeffreyleever.com) is on virtual tour this week with the Omnimystery family of websites (http://jeffrey-leever.omnimystery.com) and is giving away a free copy of The University. He lives in Blue Springs, Missouri, with his wife and daughter. Like Allie, he loves pets. He owns a turtle (Frodo), a newt (Gingrich), a rabbit (Neo), and a cat who showed up in 2008 and has never left (Sebastian).


About The University

Ah, college life at Tremont University. A place for learning. Partying and dating. And murder.

When investigative journalist Kevin Gibson lets his cousin, a former cop, talk him into looking into a student's disappearance at Tremont University, he gets more than he bargained for. A former student — injured in a brutal attack two years ago and in a coma — may hold a critical piece of information that can solve the mystery. Meanwhile, an attractive coed continues to hide a very dark secret.

Tremont junior Brett Duncan is determined to find out what happened to his best friend, who's gone missing. Along with his girlfriend Ciera Kindle, Brett is drawn into a cunning world few know exist -- a conspiracy involving faculty, students, and some well-connected people in high places.

Beneath the campus’ Hallmark-card exterior lie many secrets, and a pulse-racing mystery with plenty of chills along the way.

*****

Want to win a copy of The University? Just visit Jeffrey Leever's tour page and enter this pin # (unique to Allie's Musings): 4637. Good luck, and thanks for visiting with us here today!

Writer's Wednesday Becomes Thinker's Thursday This Week

Well, I was just trying to be cute and clever with today's blog post title... :)

But really, I'm hosting author Jeffrey Leever right here TOMORROW on his blog tour, so please join me back here for a chance to find out all about his new book, The University, and have a chance to win it!

Monday's Mentionables: A YA Excerpt

I actually had a chance to do a little work on my YA novel over the weekend (amid TONS of papers to be graded, but that's another story). So I thought I'd share an excerpt. This one happens about 1/3 of the way in, when the main character, Annie (who is psychic and can hear dead people inside her head) decides to suggest a way for the girls at her new school to rein in their hard-partying boyfriends. Of course, she's just met Mr. Dreamy, which complicates things more than a little. (If you recall, this story is loosely based on the Greek play Lysistrata, and this is one of the first times it's referenced.)

Hope you enjoy it!

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The whole rest of the night, I’m floating. Nothing can bother me. Not the tight knot of tension around the dinner table, not the English paper that’s due tomorrow, nothing. I think of Manuel kissing me, winding his fingers through mine, and my heart squeezes until it feels like it might burst. I haven’t been this happy in a long time. I even offer to do the dishes and haul the garbage to the curb for tomorrow’s early-morning pickup. Outside, the sun is settling into the hills, and it’s turned a little cool. I don’t care. I wrap my arms around myself and breathe in the scent of freshness. Of possibility. The leaves are beginning to turn all these burnt orange and red colors, and they’re so gorgeous they take my breath away. I stand at the end of our driveway for a while and just take it all in.

My good mood lasts until almost eleven, when Heather pops up on You’nverse. “Hey you there?” she types.

“Yeah.” I click the Print button on my computer and wait as three pages of my paper slide out. There. A pink paper clip in the upper left corner, and I’m done. Now I can curl up under the covers and dream about –

“I wanna kill myself.”

The paper falls from my hand. “What?” My fingers slip on the keys.

“Not really.”

“Oh. What’s up?” I know she’s still upset about Bradley-and-the-prank, but it sounds like the guys are getting off pretty easy, with just a week’s suspension. The administration at school might bring in the drug dogs, or try to crack down for a while, but I’m betting everything will go back to normal after too long.

“The college recruiters called Bradley today.”

“And?”

“All of them are pulling their offers.”

I stare at the computer screen. That does suck.

“How is he?” I type after a minute.

“Won’t even talk to me.”

“How’s Tom?”

“Still in the ICU.”

I sink onto my bed and pull the laptop onto my crossed legs. Kenny was right when he said What a total mess. Maybe this is more serious than I thought. I mean, the five guys who got caught during the prank don’t fall into just one social group, as far as I can tell. Bradley and Derrick are starters on the football team, but Les is a brain in the drama club, Philly’s the cool, dangerous guy with the pimped-out car, and Tom’s the stoner who makes everyone laugh. I’m beginning to find out that in a school as small as Parker’s Point, there’s a lot of crossing over.

Which means that this fiasco didn’t just cut the legs out from under one clique. It pretty much cut the legs out of the school.

I still don’t know what to say to Heather, who’s filled the chat box with “????????????”

Then my eyes fall on the stack of books on my desk. At the very top is the copy of “Lysistrata,” the play about the women who stop the war between Athens and Sparta. I read it over the weekend, when I was avoiding Manuel and Mom and pretending to escape to ancient Greece.

Now I’m wondering if those women were onto something.

“Here’s a crazy thought,” I type.

“What?”

“Maybe we can change things.”

“Change what things?”

All the partying, I want to say. And the ridiculous pranks. But I don’t want to come across like a total prude.

“It’ll be like a social experiment.” There. Dad would be proud of that.

Dad… The happiness in my chest from Manuel is replaced by the sting of loss.

“What r u talking about?”

“There’s this story,” I begin to explain. “Well a play actually. About a bunch of women who got their men to stop acting like idiots.”

“How?”

“They refused to sleep with them until they cleaned up their acts.”

The screen stays blank for almost a minute. I wonder if Heather thinks I’m totally insane.

“Forget it,” I finally type. “Stupid idea.”

“No not really. But who’s gonna do it? I mean, every girl in the school?”

She raises a good point. There’s no way two hundred girls are just going to drop their boyfriends – especially if their boyfriends aren’t the ones acting like idiots in the first place. What did Lysistrata do? I pull out the play and begin flipping pages. She just kept talking to the other women until she convinced them to listen to her. I shake my head. I don’t think I have that much power here.

Then my gaze falls on the blue sheet of paper still lying on my desk. Winter Formal. Two months away.

“How about no girl goes to Winter Formal unless the guys stop partying at the Cove?”

“R u kidding? Winter Formal’s amazing.”

“U said most guys spend the night drinking and puking in the bathroom. What’s so amazing about that?”

There’s another long pause. I can almost see Heather thinking it over, her face frowning and her blue eyes filling as she thinks of her super-star boyfriend reduced to a common felon.

“OK I’ll talk to some of the girls.”

“I’ll talk to Charise.” She has connections with the smart crowd, seniors included, ‘cause she’s taking a lot of advanced courses and electives. I cross my fingers. If we’re lucky, some of them might get a kick out of reenacting a centuries-old play. Brainiacs are like that.

“C u tomorrow? Talk more then?”

“Yeah.” I shut down the computer and return to my fantasy of kissing Manuel. This time, though, we’re in my bedroom instead of on the back porch, and his hands go to places they never went this afternoon. I pull a pillow into my arms and pretend it’s him I’m holding. Then I sit straight up. What the hell am I thinking? This brilliant idea to cut off all the guys in school includes him. No more kissing. No more walks home. Definitely no invitation to Winter Formal.

I feel like the biggest fool in town.

Friday Fun Facts: A Litter of Kittens!

"Cats are dangerous companions for writers because cat watching is a near-perfect method of writing avoidance." ~Dan Greenburg

And now for something completely unrelated to anything writing: last Friday, hubby and I discovered a litter of brand new baby kitties underneath our front porch. And yes, we were completely surprised! I had seen a cat hanging around about a month ago, but I thought she just belonged to a neighbor and was wandering. Nope.

Turns out she is a very affectionate, very young mama (that I'm guessing was dumped, because she loves people, so she was probably someone's pet) with a litter of six. She managed to wedge herself through a gap in the boards of our porch, and now she's raising her babies in a warm, dry, safe place.

But what to do with them? I actually mentioned them to my students, a couple of whom might be interested in adopting. I do volunteer at a no-kill shelter, so that might be a possibility. As it is right now, I'm guessing the kittens are around 2 weeks old, so we'll keep them here, feed mama so she doesn't have to spend her time hunting, and take it from there, I guess.

Want to see some pictures? They're so tiny - last week all 6 could've fit in the palms of both my hands!

Writers' Wednesday: Blog Hopping

We're heading into the last couple of days of my blog tour for One Night in Memphis (the audio book) and One Night in Napa (print release celebration)...so please check out the links below and join me! Lots of goodies to be won... ;)

Spotlight Author at The Long and the Short of It

Blogging with Nicole Zoltack

Blogging at The Perils of Pauline

Happy Hump Day!