July? Tomorrow is freaking July??? OMG!

Summer should be fun, right? The kids are out of school. We’ve all saved a little time to either get away or relax for a bit at home. The 4th of July holiday is just around the corner here in the U.S. We should all be in a party frame of mind, don’t you think?

Yeah…doesn’t seem to be working out for me.

What a mess this week is! A million things to do–and that’s before packing the family up for a week at the beach. Interviews and pages to write and ads to finalize, etc. Things are definitely stacking up…like the laundry. How can a handful of people make so much dirty laundry so quickly? Does this stuff multiply in the hamper? Ironing? Who has time for that? I’ve had sales people at stores giggle at me because I’ll walk past something cute, bunch it up in my fist, and if it comes out wrinkled, say, “Nope, this screams ‘iron me’.”

In my head, I know that I’ll manage to get it all done before our flight leaves Friday morning. When and how…eternal mysteries at this point.

On a totally unrelated note (so you can see how my brain is NOT firing on all cylinders today), I’ve got some news that might be of interest.

The new cover for the trade version of BOUND AND DETERMINED, which will be released March 2009, is final. I’m MUCH happier. And a buy link at Amazon here.

I’ve also seen pre-order links for TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS at Target, Overstock.com and Books-A-Million, if your purchasing preference leans toward any of these places. Let’s see… What else? Oh, a cool new countdown widget on both the Shayla Black and Doomsday Brethrensites, as well as book widgets. I think they’re purty. :-) And speaking of those book widgets, there will be a contest around them in July, so stay tuned. VERY shortly (as in no later than Wednesday), I’ll have a very cool new book video for TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS, so I’ll share that as well.

The print version of THE LADY AND THE DRAGON has a link for purchase to Barnes & Noble now. But no, still no print book version information for A PERFECT MATCH or DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY.

In general site news, the FAQs are up at the bottom of the About Shayla page and the printable book list is now available and up to date from both the Shelley and the Shayla sites.

Um…I think that’s it for now. I’m headed back to the tales of magickind. Their world makes more sense to me at the moment…

Really? It’s already July? *sigh*

First, I’ll confess that I haven’t been blogging because I’ve been busy writing. I’ve joined a Fast Draft group. For non-writers, that means you commit to writing a certain number of pages (usually more than you’re comfortable with) and you have to report your pages at regular intervals, often daily. In a usual week, I write between 25 and 30 pages. Last week, I wrote 48. I’m behind on SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, which is due September 15…and I’m only on page 66. Knowing that I need to start hauling or I won’t make it, I’ve really been hunkering down with the story and, I’m sorry to say, neglecting my blog.

That aside, I received a very interesting email over the last week that accused me of tormenting readers and being a closed sadist. It was all tongue-in-cheek, but it made me think. Okay, now I’ll admit that I enjoy tantalizing with excerpts now and then. Speaking of which, I owe you all some here… But I digress. The truth is, sometimes we’re tormenting ourselves just as much. For instance, I wrote something yesterday that I did not expect–and totally loved. I was so excited that I called a friend to say, “OMG, you are never going to believe what just happened!” I’m really enjoying SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW so far. These characters are just so THERE for me. Easy to access and see in their heads and hearts (unlike some characters on my upcoming schedule. Hunter comes to mind… Quiet bastard.) And the plot has taken a few little juicy twists I didn’t totally foresee–and it’s only chapter 3! The scene I wrote yesterday made me hot, made me cry, made me wince. It even made me wonder what’s going to happen next with 2 characters in particular.

Now, I’m not telling you all this to torment you more, though I’ll probably be accused of it. The point is, when I write something I find so fun and luscious, do I want to wait another 15 months to share it with you? No. Do I have to? Yep. *sigh* So honestly, I don’t try for more than good-natured tempting every now and then. Not when I understand your pain.

Gang, if you’re still waiting on your prize from the 10 Years Ago Today blog, I’m really sorry. Life has been hell lately. TOO MUCH going on. I’m hoping to get caught up on that by this weekend. I did pick a grand prize winner. Congratulations to Samantha Yasui. She has received her prizes, as have the first few commenters. I promise I will get to the rest by Sunday.

Now onto the frequently asked questions. You will see this new addition to the site soon. I’m adding questions to the list of questions and answers as I think of them. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

Q: I prefer print books. When will your new e-books be coming out in print?
A: If there’s no information about a print book next to the listing on my website, then I don’t have a print date for the book. Unfortunately, I can’t give you a specific answer as to when a print book might be available. The sole discretion to print an eBook rests with the publisher, and their decision to do so is based on eBook sales. As soon as I receive new information, I will update my site. In the meantime, you’re always welcome to contact the publisher directly via their website. They like hearing from readers. 

Q: Why the long wait for Luc’s book, DELICIOUS?
A: The delay in publication is two-fold. First, I currently have multiple books under contract with multiple publishers. I elected to carve out 2008 to focus on my Doomsday Brethren series and get the first 3 into readers’ hands before I doing anything else. I will begin writing Luc early in 2009. The other delay simply comes from the process a print publisher goes through. I’ll turn this book in during the spring of 2009, but Berkley then has to begin their process, which means it’s usually another 10-15 months before a book hits shelves. I promise this book is important to me too!

Q: Will you read and critique my manuscript and/or help me market it?
A: Unfortunately, deadlines prevent me from reading all the work of even my close friends and those I’ve chosen to mentor. I wish you the best of luck in pursuing publication, but I’m unable to assist you at this time.

Q: How can I find your out of print titles?
A: Your best bets are sites like www.hardtofindbooks.com and www.half.com. Be aware that some BOUND AND DETERMINED and STRIP SEARCH will become available readily again (with all new covers!) in spring and fall 2009, respectively.

Q: Will Wicked Ties and Decadent ever be made into eBooks?
A: The answer to this question is much like that of the first question—that decision lies solely with the publisher. Again, you’re always welcome to contact the publisher via their website.

Q: Will you ever write historical romances again?
A: It’s not in my plan currently, but I’ll never say never…

Q: I watched the book video for Decadent and I love that song. Who sings it?
A: I don’t know who sings it, but a man named Dan Gautreau is the composer. I love the song too!

So that’s what I’ve come up with so far, but wondered if you all had any questions of me that you just had never posed. If so, hit me with them. I’ll add them to the FAQs. If your question is added to the site, I’ll throw in a prize. I’ll send you a list of options, and you can even choose!

Happy Tuesday!

My hubby (RAH) has this bad little habit of bringing in the mail…and putting it in his home office, otherwise known as The Abyss (which usually looks like a hurricane hit it and a tornado came behind it as clean up). It’s his domain, and I simply shut the French doors so that people who come to my house don’t think that we live in a FEMA disaster zone. But I happened to walk in there this morning to ask him a question. I realized that, in addition to the boxes of my bookmarks sitting on the floor, ready to be mailed out to bookstores everywhere, there were 2 new, unopened boxes. Addressed to me.

Me: “What is this?”

Him: “I don’t know. But they’re heavy.”

Me: “You didn’t open them?”

Him: “No. I figured you ordered something.” *insert eye rolling here*

Me: “No. When did these come?”

Him: *Shrug* “A few days ago?”

Me: *Starting to fume* “A few days ago? You’re not sure?”

Him: “I don’t keep up with your mail.”

Me: “Then give it to me when it arrives, and I will.”

So I get out the magical scissors, and he does help me pry one box open because it’s got about a whole roll of tape holding it closed. And what do I find?

OH MY GOD!!!!

To say I’m excited is an understatement. After lots of work on the book, then copy edits, then galleys–all of this non-stop since February–I’m so excited to be holding the advanced reading copy (ARC), which is the nearly-finished product, in my hand!

I want to share the excitement too! One lucky winner will receive an ARC, mailed out on July 15. If you’re interested in winning, I’d love to hear what you’re hoping for or hope will happen in this series or whose book you’re most looking forward to and why. You can poke around The Doomsday Brethren for clues. Can’t wait to hear from you!

I was shopping with some family and friends recently. Everyone there was either there for shoes or purses. Like $400 shoes and purses. Coach bags and shoes with names I can’t even pronounce. I guess this is a really girly-girly kind of thing, and most women are into this. I’m really hard on shoes. And after many years of dance, I have lousy feet and refuse to wear anything uncomfortable. And I’m really functional when it comes to purses. If it doesn’t have an easy place for me to stow make-up and phone, keys, money, etc. – a place where I can just reach in and feel around and find the exactly pocket I keep them – PLUS I have to be able to fit a book in there, as well as a pad and pen, and anything else I deem necessary at the moment. I LOVE functional multi-pocket backpacks. I know, I know… Not the height of fashion, but together with my low-heeled sandals, I am happy! Am I alone here?

You’ve probably been wondering where I’ve been (and if you commented to my 10 Years Ago Today post, you’re wondering where your prize is and who won the grand prize). I had a trip scheduled to San Diego (gorgeous weather) and had no computer with me. I got back late Wednesday, totally exhausted. You were supposed to know that. RAH (Romance Author Husband) promised to blog that for me. And he did. He just put it in the wrong place.

I’m back now and apologize for the lengthy absence, although unintended. I do plan to start getting prizes out today and over the weekend, so watch for emails from me.

While I was gone, I saw and did lots of cool things, including a tour of the USS Midway aircraft carrier. Amazing! And an evening at Sea World. I go with 2 guys and I’m the only one with the guts to ride the rollercoaster? Go figure…

Now that I’m back I’ll be diving into the writing of the second Doomsday Brethren book, SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. I’ve also got some cool things that, once I get the green light, I’ll show you.

Happy Friday!