I'm posting about murder over at the Mid-Willamette Valley RWA blog today. Stop by and see how scary I am.

Today's a hard day. We lost our 13 yr old pup - Pumpkin - yesterday. She'd been losing weight steadily for the last month. It was obvious when I came home from San Francisco that something was wrong, painfully obvious when the DH and I got home from Hawaii. We had her in and out at the vet's, tried different things, but in the end, knew anything we were contemplating doing to prolong her life was for us and not her. She was in liver failure, the doctor suspected it was also cancer. Very hard decision to let her go, but we know it was for the best.

The 9 yr old is taking it very hard. The boys don't really understand why she's so upset. I was fine yesterday, but it's hit me today. She was my very first baby, long before we had the kids. And because of that she was spoiled rotten.

These are two of my favorite pictures of her, when she was younger and full of energy. And man, did that dog have energy! I have memories of letting her in the backyard and just seeing a blur of black and white as she ran back and forth. I'm going to miss her unique personality.

I'm heading off to try and work. Not sure how much I'll get done today.

I think as writers we all have those days where we feel like we're running around like crazy people, not doing what we should be doing, not making an impact. Writing's such a solitary endeavor. Aside from the few conferences we attend, our interaction with other writers happen via the internet or email, brief phone conversations or monthly RWA meetings.

Today is not one of those days. :) Last night was my RWA chapter meeting, and I have to say, we had a great meeting. Great discussions, great turn-out, lots of excitement. As the president, I love it when things run smoothly. Our speaker ran a little long, and as a result, our business meeting was abbreviated, but that was just fine with me. The members were chatting about writing, and anytime we can get members excited about something in the industry, I'm happy. It was also a great meeting because I got to see two of my dearest friends - Intrigue author Alice Sharpe - who I have roomed with at Nationals the past few years (except for this year because she didn't go!), and my VP, Lisa Catto - who is my other National roomie, and who also didn't attend this year because she's been in Italy the last month (I know, rough life, huh?) .


These are two women who have been there for me during the ups and downs of writing, and are the two I probably depend on most to keep me sane. I am so thankful for both of them, every day, especially today because they both brought me goodies! :)

Alice found this cute little book in a bookstore on the coast - The Furies - and picked it up for me. It's really just a knicknack to sit on my desk, but considering my debut book, STOLEN FURY, centers around three priceless Greek reliefs of the three Furies from Greek mythology, she couldn't have found a better gift. I absolutely love it. And not to be outdone, Lisa came back from Italy with this gorgeous photo album for me to put all my pictures from my debut in. It's not of the Furies (they are very hard to find, trust me, I've looked), it's of the Muses, but I love it just the same. I can't wait to fill it with pictures from the Dorchester dinner in SF, photos from my first book signings and snapshots of my release party.

And an even more special surprise? Alice brought me (and Lisa) a copy of her August release - Bodyguard Father - and surprised us both because she dedicated the book to "...her roommates extraordinaire." I couldn't have been more tickled (or surprised) and cannot wait to read this book.


So today, I'm still riding the high from all of that last night, trying to work, but wait...my day gets better...


This morning, NYT Bestseller, Allison Brennan, sent me a fabulous cover quote for my debut, STOLEN FURY. Among the things she had to say about the book:

"If you like Indiana Jones and Romancing the Stone, you'll love Naughton's dazzling romantic adventure. This debut sizzles."

Isn't that great? I absolutely love it. Thank you so much, Allison!!

And finally, my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, sent me a link to a wonderful new website she's put together: Romantic Reads. Here's what she has to say about it:

"At RWA, I heard a lot from reviewers and libarians asking how they could get info on upcoming titles, and I know even as an individual, I've been at home wishing I could access so-and-so's cover copy, or that a certain cover image were available on the web. The site is primarily aimed at booksellers, librarians, reviewers, writers and readers really tuned in to the industry. It doesn't cover all our titles; we have a company site for that. But I'm hoping it will be helpful to folks."

The site is gorgeous, and full of lots of great info. Be sure to bookmark it and click on the blog to read about current industry info from a top-notch NY editor.

So, all in all, a really great day. Now I'm off to work on galleys. How's your day going?

Wow, the last month feels like a whirlwind. Thankfully, though, I'm home now from all my trips, re-acclimating to real life (so sad!) and counting down the days until school starts up again (2 weeks...can you tell I'm excited!!!!)

The DH and I had a fabulous time in Hawaii. We stayed in a high-end condo in Waikoloa on the big island, which was absolutely beautiful. No view of the ocean, but it did have a wonderful view of the pool, was close to the King & Queen shopping centers, and was only a 5-10 min. walk to the beach. We didn't "do" anything exciting other than lay on the beach, swim in the ocean, drink like fish and go out to eat. I'd wanted to go see the volcano - which became active again about three weeks ago - but when we learned it was a 3.5 hr. drive one way and another 1.5 hr. hike in to actually see the flow, we decided that was too much time away from our "relaxation" and opted to stay right where we were. The goal of the trip was to relax and recharge our batteries, and that's exactly what we did.

Since the hubby asked me not to work on our week away, I took eight books with me - not out of the norm for me on vacation. How many did I read? Only two, and one novella on the flight home. (Both of Roxanne St. Claire's newest Bullet Catcher Books and Cindy Gerard's latest novella, Desert Heat - all three were great.) In all actuality, I was too stressed to read. You see, I'd printed out Stolen Fury for the DH to read on the beach, per his request. He'd read the first four chapters a while back, but not the entire book. So while he read, all comfy and kicked back in his beach chair, I pretty much sat chewing my nails (and drinking to stay sane). It was nerve-wracking! Especially because he kept putting the book down and heading off to swim. Now, you have to know my hubby. He's not a swimmer. Not really. He likes the water, but swimming isn't his favorite pasttime. So finally, at the end of my rope, I just asked what was up. Did he not like the book? Was it not holding his attention? What was the deal?!

His answer? "It's hot! And we're here with friends! I have to keep heading off to the water to cool down!"

Okay...that answer made me smile. :) The DH got brownie points for that one.

I would definitely go back to Waikoloa. The beaches are beautiful. Hapuna Beach up the road from us was white sand with that turquoise blue water you associate with the Caribbean. The Hilton Waikoloa resort was gorgeous and definitely a place we want to visit again with the kids. (It's so big, they have a tram that travels from one end of the resort to the other!). And the weather was just perfect.

So here are a few pics from the trip...

View from the Hilton Waikoloa putting green at sunset.

The DH and I at the Hilton Waikoloa.

My Henna tattoo. It's a dragonfly. I wanted a fury, but they didn't have one. :(


Dinner in Kona.

Dinner at Roy's in Waikoloa.

What I love most about Hawaii is that all the islands are different. Maui is completely different in landscape and lifestyle than the big island. Both are gorgeous in different ways. Next year I want to try Kauai, so if you know of any great places to stay, I'm all ears.

Okay...later this week I promise to post more pics from San Francisco. I have a whole bunch I didn't get up before I left on vacation. As for me, I'm back to work on Stolen Seduction. My week away did wonders...I love this book! (Tomorrow I'll probably hate it. LOL)

Have you been to Hawaii? What's your favorite island or resort?

I was going to post pics from San Fran today but quickly realized if I posted all of them, this post would never end! So I'm going to do it in sections. These were all taken Wednesday night at the RWA Literacy Signing. 500 published authors all in one room. So much fun.

Me, RS Ballantine author (and double Rita finalist!), Allison Brennan, and my roommate, Kendra Elliot.

Me with Pocket RS author Cindy Gerard. While in SF I got my hands on a copy of an arc of Cindy's new book - Show No Mercy - and I hate to say...I've already finished it. AWESOME!!!! I love this new series!

Me with fellow Dorchester author, Gemma Halliday.

Me with a few of the girls from the Portland chapter - Harlequin authors Lissa Manley and Leah Vale.

The lovely Wild Rose Press author, Paty Jager (and MWV chapter-mate!).

The beautiful and talented Superromance author, Terry McLaughlin.

RS Pocket author Roxanne St. Claire and me. Not only does she write fab books, but the woman is so tan, she makes me look pukey white. I'm guessing this is a plus to living in Florida. :)

Me, Pocket author - and PRO mentor of the year (!!!) - Karin Tabke, Kendra Elliot and Joan Swan.

And if you haven't seen this yet...the Today Show did a feature on the RWA Convention while we were all there. Take a look at it...very cool stuff! (My editor made it into the footage toward the end.)

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25966976#25966976

Tomorrow...pictures from the Dorchester dinner.

Home Again, Home Again

I have so many things to say about RWA National, I just don't even know where to start. However, instead of blogging about everything all at once - like how fab my editor is, how funny Chris Keesler is, how the two of them bicker back and forth like the characters in my book (maybe why my editor bought the book in the first place?), the lit signing and everyone I met, Cindy Gerard's new book (which I already fan girl gushed to her via email about this morning - oh, Lord), Leslie Langtry - OMG...hilarious!!!!, the workshops, the parties, my annual embarrass Elisabeth moment, the sleepless nights and early mornings and everything in between, I'm simply going to discuss one topic today.

My CP - Joan Swan. Who was nominated in the Romantic Suspense category of the Golden Heart.

Isn't she adorable?

You see, Joan and I have been CPs for years, but this was the fist time we actually got to meet in person. You know how you can have this totally amazing connection with someone online, and when you meet them it's stiff and awkward and not at all what you expected? This was so NOT that experience. From the moment Joan picked me up at the airport, it was like we'd known each other our whole lives. I cannot say enough good things about this woman. She's smart, funny, smiles all the time and she's just got the most amazing attitude I've ever seen. And her book ideas???? OMG...write them now, Joan!!!! I've loved her writing for years, but now I love the woman even more, and I cannot wait to read her next book and hear her scream when she sells. It's only a matter of time.

This is Joan and I just before the awards ceremony. Tomorrow I'll post more about the conference - and more pics as well.

Have you met your CP face to face?