Things I have to be grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. My family, significant other, and friends.

2. My health and general well-being, and that of those I love.

3. The kindness, generosity, and valor of others, whether it’s the troops overseas, police and firemen here at home, or the woman at the mall who holds the door open for you when your arms are full of bags.

4. The fact that my dream of being a published author came true this year. Well, sort of. The book won’t be out until May 2007, but it’s in the works right now. 

Realizing a dream is a wonderful thing. I hope everyone gets to experience it in their lifetime, especially if you’re a writer. There’s nothing better than getting that call when an agent or editor tells you that you sold your first book. Here’s to my agent, Kelly, for believing in Karma Girl and making it happen.

5. The little things in life, from sleeping late to finding an extra $20 in my jeans’ pocket to eating Mom’s turkey on Thanksgiving. Little things mean more than you think.

What about you? What are you grateful for this year? Inquiring minds want to know …

Finished Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas. It’s the last book in her “Wallflower” series.

It’s about Daisy Bowman, the last unmarried wallflower. She’s a whimsical, fun-loving woman, so you can imagine her horror when her father decides to marry her off to Matthew Swift, his business associate. But Matthew has secretly been in love with Daisy for years, and she soon realizes that there’s more to him than just business …

It was an entertaining read, but not as good as the third book (and best) book in the series, Devil in Winter. I just didn’t feel there was enough focus on Daisy in Scandal in Spring. There are lots of long passages that aren’t told from either Daisy or Matthew’s point of view, and the main conflict is resolved “off-page.” Plus, the last chapter ends from the point of view of another character.

Still, it’s a good, solid series, and if you like historical romance, you’ll really enjoy it.

One thing I liked about the “Wallflower” series is that it didn’t drag on forever, unlike Robert Jordan’s “Wheel of Time” books. Kleypas set out in the first book with four characters, she stuck to her plan, and she delivered in every one of the books. That’s what a series should really be. I might reread the “Wallflower” series one day, but I doubt that I’ll slog through Jordan’s thousands of pages of overdone description once I finish it the first time.

What about you? Are you sad when a series end? Relieved that it didn’t go on longer? Inquiring minds want to know …

Out of all the holidays on the calendar, Thanksgiving is definitely my favorite. 

It’s about three things — food, family, and football — and it’s one of the simplest holidays around. All you have to do is cook a little bit (or a lot if you like), show up for the family shindig, eat too much, and spend the rest of the afternoon on the sofa in a semi-comatose state watching grown men fight over a football.

It’s perfect. 

There are no presents or cards or chocolates to buy at Thanksgiving. Nothing to wrap, no gift receipts to keep up with, no crowds to fight at the mall (although I would advise you to go to the grocery store early this week). It’s practically stress-free, especially if you’re only making a few dishes like me.

I also just like the idea of taking a day to reflect on the many things that I have to be grateful for, instead of worrying whether my significant other will like the sweater I bought him for Christmas. (Probably not). Or how many family gatherings I can hit on Christmas Eve (current record is three). 

What about you? Do you like Thanksgiving? Or are you already thinking about Christmas? Inquiring minds want to know …  

There was a good post this week over at Romancing the Blog that talked about how people who read romance will read other genres. And how people who don’t read romance tend to turn their noses up at it. And what we can do to change this.

I started thinking about genre fiction in general and how all categories have their lovers and haters. Fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, chick-lit, etc. According to many people, you shouldn’t write or read any of these — because they’re just genre crap. The only books that are good books are non-fiction memoirs or literary fiction.

Whatever. 

I love genre books, whether it’s romance, fantasy, or something in between. I like the conventions of genres — finding the magic ring in a fantasy book, figuring out who the killer is in a mystery, getting a happy ending in a romance novel. I’m not going to pick up a book on the history of ancient Rome any time soon. What I will be getting is the new Parker novel by Richard Stark.

People who look down their noses at genre fiction (including romance) don’t know what they’re missing — a wonderful time. It’s their loss.

What about you? Which genres do you love? Hate? Do you ever read outside your comfort zone? Inquiring minds want to know …

I have cover art … and it totally rocks! I really love the cover for Karma Girl. I think it captures the comic-book and romance/chick-lit spirit of the book at the same time.

It is just too cool.

Kudos, kudos, kudos to the Berkley artist or artists who designed this. You are my favorite person right now.

This isn’t quite the final version of the cover, though. I think there will be a little more tweaking, plus they  have to add on a cover quote from (drumroll here) … MaryJanice Davidson. Yep, that’s right, MJD of ”Undead” series fame is blurbing my book. Hooray!

What about you? Do you love the cover? Hate it? Would it make you want to pick up the book? Or run away screaming in the store? Inquiring minds want to know …