Bye Bye 2010

Just got back from Whistler yesterday (where many of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games events were held), and the drive was beautiful.

This time of year it's kind of rare to have a perfectly clear sunny day up in the mountains, but that's what we had. We left the snow-capped peaks of Whistler-Blackcomb behind us and drove down the gorgeous Sea To Sky Highway back into Vancouver, passing breathtaking scenery like this:

And this:

Unfortunately my hubby didn't make the trip with us, because he threw out his lower back two hours before we were supposed to leave, so I took the weasels by myself. We had a small, stupid accident on the way home, shattering my rear window which I then had to bang out of the frame and cover with plastic wrap before I could drive the rest of the way home. After a long ordeal with my insurance company and the body shop/glass people, I learned I won't have my vehicle back until sometime next week. But, no one was hurt, and that's the important thing.

2010 was a busy year for me in terms of releases, and I'll have two more in 2011. In fact, my Carina Press editor just e-mailed this morning to say I can expect edits for Deadly Descent shortly, and I'm both excited and a little nervous.

It's been a year since I wrote the story, and I'm sure there will be lots of thing that jump out at me when I look at it this time. It'll be interesting to see what changes my editor has in mind, and I hope I can make the book even stronger. I'll inform you about the release date when I hear anything.

I'm also 75% finished with the draft of my paranormal romantic suspense that I'm tentatively calling The Coven Leader, and hope to get that wrapped up in the next month or so. Once that's done, I'll need to plot out the second one and dive back into book 2 of the Bagram Special Ops series, Crash and Burn. I've got lots to do, and this year I've got to make sure I'm more disciplined at the keyboard. Hello, New Year's resolution! *cough*

Here's hoping all of you have a happy and healthy New Year, and that 2011 has all sorts of wonderful surprises in store for us all.

Kaylea :)

Happy Holidays!

I want to wish all of you a very happy and healthy Christmas season and a joyous New Year. Things have been mighty hectic around our house lately, and I've been super sick the past three weeks with a very tenacious strain of bronchitis so it's been tough going. I think I'm on the mend now, but I've torn some abdominal/intercostal muscle attachments on the right side of my ribcage and that's slowing me down a lot. Whee!!!

On the plus side, I got word from my Carina Press editor that my manuscript with them will officially be titled Deadly Descent, and I'm pretty pleased since that was my favorite of the suggestions I sent them. I've also received my first few reviews for Absolution, and thus far people seem to be liking the story so that tickles me.

In other writing news, I'll admit I've been a very bad, bad girl recently. I think I've written only a couple thousand words in my latest WIP over the past two months. That's inexcusable and I know it. *hangs head* I'm having serious trouble getting my words flowing, and I hope I figure out what the problem is sooner rather than later! My New Year's resolution is to finish this story and get to work on the second of my Bagram Special Ops series for Carina.

We've got an action packed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day ahead of us, then on the 27th we're heading up to Whistler to stay with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law (one of my best friends that I used to play ball with, and she married my hubby's brother) for a few days. Then my dad has rented us a place right in Whistler so after we visit with the hubby's side up there we'll spend a day or two with my dad, step mom, sister, step siblings and their kids. Should be fun!

Please remember to count your blessings this Christmas, and don't forget to send out some love to our troops stationed overseas, in harm's way and far from their families this holiday season. Let's hope 2011 is good to us all!

Merry Christmas,
Kaylea :)

Come Meet Anna Leigh Keaton

Today I'm at Writers Gone Wild  hosting a rare appearance by award-winning erotic romance author Anna Leigh Keaton. Come on by and meet her, say hello, and read all about her upcoming release with Carina Press.

Hope to see you there!

Absolution Release Day Giveaway

Absolution, the 5th and final book in my military romantic suspense series with The Wild Rose Press releases this Friday, and I'm giving you a chance to win a copy. This is Luke's story, and in my opinion, I've saved the best for last :)

It's an emotional ride and even a tear jerker, but I hope the book makes you fall in love with my favorite hero too. He's just so tortured and brave, despite all the sins he's committed in his life. He and Em have both been through hell, so if anyone deserves a shot at a happy ending, it's them.

Stop by Writers Gone Wild anytime between now and Friday night to enter the contest. Just leave me a comment and I'll choose a winner this Saturday, December 11th. Good luck!

He's Ba-ack!

As an early Christmas present to me, the Boston Red Sox are this close to resigning their hunky captain for another season. Yep, Jason Varitek is all healed up and staying put for at least one more year. I couldn't be happier about it! Maybe hubby will take me down to Seattle to watch Tek when the BoSox come to town and I'll actually get to see him behind the plate this time. Not that I'm complaining about last time. I won't forget that wink anytime soon ;)

We've been super busy here getting the place ready for Christmas. Had our annual holiday bash last night, and even Santa came and made a special guest appearance for the throng of kids here. Though we've got our standard 5 trees and the humongous arbor decorated inside, hubby went crazy this year out in the yard. We've got all kinds of figures out on the front lawn and garden, and he almost bought one of those annoying computerized things that synchronizes music and lights. I'm sure our neighbors are very grateful he decided to pass on that. I know I am.

In terms of writing, I'm pretty sure I'm on the naughty list, and not just because I sold that erotic romance novella a couple weeks ago! Nope, I've been procrastinating like crazy with my WIP and I'm not sure why. Have to push through that and get my mojo back, because I've got a lot of projects to finish in the next year if I want to keep up any kind of momentum. I'm seeing a writing friend tonight for some girl talk over tea with a side of plotting, so I'm hoping that will jump start my muse again. And next weekend I'm hosting the Greater Vancouver RWA chapter for our Christmas shindig, so that's always awesome. But...you should see my calendar for December. It's nuts. Way more so than usual. Everyone in our house is designated with a different color highlighter, and the entire month is so packed full with color it almost gives me a headache. I try not to look at it too often because it just makes me tired thinking about all I have to do this month. Wish me luck!