Cindy Spencer Pape

STEAMPUNK FAQ

What to ask (or not to ask) your friendly neighborhood steampunk author.  Here are some of the mostly commonly asked questions, how I usually answer and what I’d sometimes like to say.

1)      What the heck is steampunk, anyway?

This is the big one—the one we hear ALL the time. My answers range from snarky (Jules Verne on crack) to oversimplified (science fiction set in Victorian times)For folks my age and over, I sometimes reference the old Wild, Wild West TV show. The long answer, which I never say, is that steampunk is a blend of historical feel and advanced technology. It’s not just a fiction genre, although it certainly is that, but it’s also a mood, a feel, and a thriving social phenomenon. It embodies futuristic technology, sometimes fantasy elements, and a rebellious attitude, along with a return to pride in manufacturing and craftsmanship. Most of all? It’s a whole hell of a lot of fun.

2)      Why write steampunk? And why do you mix fantasy and/or romance elements into your steampunk stories?

Again, because it’s fun. I like writing books that I’d like to read. I love mixing history, SF, fantasy and romance. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s what I enjoy.

3)      What’s the coolest gadget you’ve invented for your books?

Gee, I’ve had cybermen and networked computers in Victorian London. Typewriter, telephone, germ theory and dirigible are all there ahead of their real time. Rings that eject poison darts and clockwork powered artificial limbs. Beyond all of that, however, the coolest creation in the Gaslight Chronicles world is George, the mechanical dog. George is kind of like Mr. Data on Star Trek. He’s exceeded his components and programming to the point where he’s really more or less a living creature.

4)      How much research do you do, or do you make it all up?

Short answer: Quite a bit. Long answer: I do a surprisingly heavy amount of research for my steampunk stories. I very carefully take the key incidents that changed my world from the one we live in, then I follow those changes and decide how they would have effected everything else in the world where the characters live. In my case, the tipping point is twofold: 1) Magic has always existed and been acknowledged, and werewolves, vampyres, etc. DO exist. Therefore the Order of the Round Table was never disbanded in England and still exists, Knights with extraordinary powers who protect England from supernatural threats. 2) The computer was invented in the 1840s, by a man called Babbage, and is called an analytical engine. (There’s history behind this. Babbage in fact, did design this machine, but it was never built in our world.) Since a woman wrote the code for this machine, women in the sciences were catapulted ahead of where they were in our world. I also do a lot of research on clothing, settings, historical events and figures. In Cards and Caravans, I had to tweak the Scottish legal system, since they weren’t really burning witches in the 1850s. But that means I had to know it before I could tweak it. And maybe, in a world where magic was a known reality, those laws might have been a little different.

5)      Have you read… (insert your list of other people’s books that are or may be close to my genre)

Answer: yes, no, maybe. Much steampunk is YA, and I don’t read a lot of that. I also don’t read a lot of hard SF, where it’s all about the technology and the world. I like my character-driven stories and my romance, so that’s most of what I read. I have read William Gibson’s The Difference Engine, which  is one of the seminal works of SF. Also, since steampunk is so maker-driven, there is a lot of self-published and web-original work out there. I read some, but may not have had time to read all of it.

6)      Who are your favorite steampunk authors?

LOL, besides myself? Snark. I love MelJean Brooks, Gail Carriger (except for the book where the main couple breaks up at the end—HATED that one) Kate Cross and Seleste Delaney. There are so many more I need to read, but haven’t yet.

7)      Where can I buy your books? Are they at WalMart?

My steampunk series, so far, is only in e-book. That’s kind of awkward in a community that wants everything to look like it’s 1885. So yes, you can get them at Amazon, or B&N, or the Carina Press website. No, you can’t get them at the grocery store. Sorry. I wish that wasn’t the case, believe me.

8)      How many more Gaslight books will there be? When is the next one coming out? Which characters are in it?

Truthfully? I don’t know. It depends on a lot. Mainly, sales. That’s the hard reality of the fiction business. The more they sell, the more there will be. A girl’s gotta eat, you know? There are two more on the table with my publisher. That’s all I know at the moment. The characters? Well, that’s up to the publisher, too. Let’s just say there’s one more MacKay sibling and a whole bunch of Hadrians who still need happy endings.

9)      Where do you get all your cool steampunk clothes?

Thrift shops. (I’m short, so a lot of skirts are floor-length on me, so I cheat there.) Renaissance festivals. The vendors there tend to be awesome, but pricey, so build your wardrobe a few pieces at a time. Catalogs and online companies like Victorian Trading Co., Pyramid Company, Corset-Story and Holy Clothing. Finally, there’s the custom vendors. That’s where things get really pricey, but really, really, cool. I’m not very crafty, but honestly, if you can sew, you have it made.

10)  Last question:  How do you come up with the ideas for all this far-out stuff?

Usual answer: No idea. I just have a wild imagination. Snarky answer #1: I’m just twisted like that. Snarkier answer: The idea fairy leaves them in my shower and under my pillow, so I find them when it’s least convenient.

Thanks so much to Amber for having me here today. Everyone have a great weekend!

*****

Contest: In conjunction with the release of Cards & Caravans, Cindy is running a contest for a $25.00 gift card to the e-book distributor of your choice, plus the chance to name a character in the next Gaslight Chronicles story. To enter, visit the “Contact Cindy” page on her website and send her a note. Mention which blog you saw this on and some little detail about the post. One entry per person per blog post. The complete rules and a list of post locations and dates are available on the “Contest” page on Cindy's site.

*****

About the Book: Cards & Caravans is book 5 in the Gaslight Chronicles steampunk romance series, and releases from Carina Press on March 18. Find out more here.

Blurb: Belinda Danvers isn't a witch. But that won't stop them burning her at the stake...
Connor McKay can tell at a glance that Belinda's magickal powers are minimal at best. She can't be guilty of murdering village children. There's something suspicious about her arrest and lightning-quick sentence. Unfortunately, telling anyone how he knows would mean revealing his own powers. He's been sent by the Order of the Round Table to help and he can't just let her die.
Escaping from jail and running from vindictive villagers in her grandfather's steam-powered caravan is more excitement than Belinda's had in years. And despite the danger--or maybe because of it--she loves the time spent with her sexy rescuer. But there's more to his magick than he's letting on...
There's something going on that's bigger than the two of them. It's time for good to make a stand.
Review: 4 Stars from Romantic Times: “All the trappings of a good steampunk novel are here..but most enchanting of all is the love that develops between the hero and heroine.

*****

About the Author: Cindy Spencer Pape firmly believes in happily-ever-after and brings that to her writing. Award-winning author of 16 novels and more than 30 shorter works, Cindy lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, two sons and a houseful of pets. When not hard at work writing she can be found dressing up for steampunk parties and Renaissance fairs, or with her nose buried in a book. Catch her online at:

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com (http://bit.ly/ybxKjP )

Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/

Newsletter group: http://yhoo.it/ni7PHo  

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/gjbLLC

Guest Blogger - Cindy Spencer Pape

Please give a warm welcome to a multi-talented author and an all around great person - Cindy Spencer Pape

When was your first sale? June of 2006. So almost 5 years now!

What does your family think of your writing career? My boys are in college now—they mostly think it’s funny and kind of cool. They have no interest in reading my girly books but some of their friends, or friend’s mothers do. Mostly they like it when I get checks. My father is proud as punch, and when my laptop died between my first and second sales, it was my dad who rushed to buy me a new one. My husband is ENORMOUSLY supportive, and has put up with a lot of frugal years while I’ve pursued this career. But no, he doesn’t read my books unless I need help with a fight scene, military protocol, or something like that. He does a great job with out of the blue ideas though.

Who are your books published with? So far: Carina Press, Ellora’s Cave, The Wild Rose Press, Total-E-Bound, and Resplendence Publishing. My agent and I are working on revisions with one other new publisher and she has another full manuscript out on submission.

Do you have critique partners or beta readers? I do. I have one critique partner who reads nearly everything I write. We send snippets back and forth almost every day. I also have a local group, a mixed bag of Science Fiction, fantasy, horror, YA, and romance authors, who meet every other week. They’re wonderful for keeping me on my toes and not letting me fall into lazy ruts.

Where do you dream of traveling to and why? Everywhere. Seriously, one of my strongest beliefs is that the one who goes the most places, meets the most people, and tries the most things, wins. Unfortunately in my life, careers and finances have never cooperated, so most of my travels have been through books, my own and others.

Does travel play in the writing of your books? Often. I like setting books close to home, like my Urban Arcana series, set in Detroit, and my Geek Love series, set in a fictional small town in southern Michigan, but I also like to play with other places and settings. Thank heavens for tourism bureaus and other local information being available on the web.

What do you think makes a good story? In romance, particularly, you need a heroine you can relate to, a hero you can fall a little bit in love with, and a set of circumstances that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Also, the sex needs to be tempered with emotion. Love, not just passion, is at the heart of any romance story, erotic or otherwise.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? It varied from day to day. Even as an adult, I tried several other careers, from wildlife biology to politics before I settled on “author.”

What are your favorite TV shows? Right now? Castle, Big Bang Theory (what can I say, I’m a huge geek), Primeval, and Torchwood. And Jeopardy is a daily fix.

What songs are most played on your Ipod? Actually my MP3 player is a Sony, and my e-reader is a Nook. (wink) Probably Whiskey in the Jar and Fields of Athenry, just because those are songs I have on several different albums by several different bands. I listen to a lot of Irish pub music and Celtic punk rock.

What would we find under your bed? Dust rhinos. Lost socks. Random ponytail holders and pens—two things I leave everywhere. A box full of purses I rarely use, my husband’s mandolin, and a suitcase full of paintings done by his grandmother. Far more than we could ever find places for in the house, but we CAN’T throw them out!

Tell us about your current release. With pleasure! Photographs & Phantoms is a novella connected to my Gaslight Chronicles series at Carina Press. It’s available as a FREE download to celebrate this week being steampunk week at Carina. You can find it here http://bit.ly/f4Y09s. I had loads of fun writing it, and hope you enjoy the snippet below. Also, if you’re interested in my steampunk/fantasy world, the full length-novel Steam & Sorcery is also available from Carina Press. http://bit.ly/e8E6Lt

Where can we find you on the web?
Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com/
Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/
Newsletter group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cspapenewsgroup/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cindy-Spencer-Pape-Books/102207923194253
Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/cindyspencerpape

Anything else you’d like to say? Amber, thanks so much for having me here. It was great to meet you at Romanticon last fall, and I’m delighted to call you a friend!
Amber: Awww, I'm thrilled to call you friend too.

Photographs & Phantoms
A Gaslight Chronicles Novella
Available as a Free Download from Carina Press
April 25, 2011
Click here to pre-order.
Blurb: Brighton, 1855

As a member of the Order of the Round Table, Kendall Lake is overqualified to be investigating strange phenomena at a seaside photography studio. But since the photographer is related to the Order’s most powerful sorcerer, Kendall reluctantly boards a dirigible to Brighton.

Amy Deland is haunted by a shadow that appears in some of her recent portraits. In each case, the subject died within days of the sitting. Does she have her grandmother’s gift of foresight, or has she somehow caused the deaths?

As Kendall and Amy search for answers, their investigation draws them together in a most improper way. But it seems the evil presence in the studio is determined to keep them apart…


Excerpt: PG

A young woman in a simple but attractive navy day dress stood in the doorway, waving away the customers. She was hatless, with shining, honey-brown hair in a simply braided coronet. She looked up at Kendall and quirked one neat brow above a pair of remarkable eyes, so deep a blue they were almost violet, and lifted one corner of her full mouth into a half smile. “Good afternoon, sir. Why don’t I believe you’re here for me to take your portrait?” The accent was almost American, but softer and with a faint French overtone that matched the name Deland.

“Because your neighborhood tends to discourage clients with full wallets?” He found himself returning her dry tone and wry smile. A neatly lettered sign on the door said simply A. Deland, Photographer. “Or perhaps just because I’m a trifle older than the bulk of your clientele?” He’d glanced past her into the small foyer of her studio—most of the portraits hanging on the wall were of children, or families at the very least.

“True, though I do wedding and funeral portraits also, and landscapes. Perhaps you’re about to be married?” She crossed her arms under her rather impressive bust and leaned against the doorframe. The sailor-style blouse and slim hoops of her skirts allowed her more freedom of movement than the tight bodices and wide crinolines currently in vogue among Kendall’s social circle. Even in such understated clothing, he found her enchantingly feminine—except for the lines of strain that bracketed her soft lips and creased the corners of her eyes.

“Not that I’m aware of, Miss Deland.”

“And you are…?” Amusement twitched briefly at the corners of her lips.

“Sorry.” Good God, he’d been staring like a gobsmacked lad. He held out his hand. “Kendall, Lord Lake, at your service. I believe Lord Drood told you I was coming?”

Cindy Spencer Pape is in the House

Today please give a warm welcome to Cindy Spencer Pape (who I've probably hugged and gushed over by now at RomantiCon). Please excuse me Cindy if I make a fool of myself, but I am a big fan of yours. :0)

1. Where do you dream of traveling to and why?

Sigh. Everywhere. I’d love to see the British Isles, the rest of Europe, the pyramids, Australia, Asia, Mayan pyramids, you name it. Why? Well, old things appeal to me, and some of the ancient structures of the world are high on my wish list to see. I also love natural beauty, especially beaches, and as a former wildlife biologist, I’d love to see some of the animals I know from zoos in their natural settings. Does travel play in the writing of your books? Occasionally. I don’t think about it as such, but I try to set the book wherever the book needs to be set.

2. Where do you research for your books?

Well, since I can’t afford to travel yet, my two primary sources are the internet and the library. I DO try to use academic sites, serious history organizations, for example, or local travel bureau information rather than the less reliable Wikis and such.

3. What does your family think of your writing career?

They’re mostly very supportive. Shortly after I sold my first book, my computer broke, and my father ran out and got me a new one so I could keep writing. My sons think it’s cool, even though they have NO interest in actually reading my “girl books”. My husband is my biggest supporter, always there to give me an ego boost when I’m feeling low. He’s been willing to put up with the slow climb to actually making money, and I absolutely couldn’t do this without him. Does your significant other read your stuff? Only if I beg. If there’s something I’m having trouble with, he’ll pitch in and help, (a passage involving military stuff, for instance—he read that and fixed it) and he’s available to bounce ideas off of—and really quite good at it. Do you have critique partners or beta readers, then? I do. I have another erotic/romance author I send stuff back and forth with on pretty much a daily basis, and I have a local critique group, a mix of romance, horror, and SF/F who will read anything BUT erotic.

4. Do you hear from your readers?

Not as often as I’d like. I’m always so thrilled when I do—it still amazes me that anybody actually buys my books and reads them. It’s such a rush. What kinds of questions do they ask? If they ask a question it’s usually “Are you doing a book about so-and-so?” or “When does the next book in this series come out?”

5. What do you think makes a good story?

It has to grab you and pull you in. I read romance because I want to take a break from reality and go someplace where I know there’s going to be a happy ending. For romance, what I need is a heroine I can identify with, at least a little, a hero I can fall in love with, and a plot that makes the two of them work for their happiness. And of course, the HEA is NOT optional in my world.

6. Morning Or Night Person?

Absolutely NOT a morning person, though I’m occasionally forced to conform to the rest of the world.

7. What would we find under your bed?

I’m writing this before Romanticon, though by the time it posts, Amber, you and I will both be there. Stored under my bed: a suitcase storing antique paintings done by my dh’s grandmother—there are too many to have on the walls all at once. A plastic bin of purses and tote bags, and my dh’s mandolin. Well, there are also dust bunnies the size of rhinos, and usually a missing sock or two, maybe a couple dog toys that get kicked under there. This week, I also have stuff I’m getting together for Romanticon.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? THANK YOU! Without you, I couldn’t do what I do, and I’m very, very lucky to be able to tell stories for a living. I really do love to hear from you, and here’s where you can find me on the web:
Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com/
Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000270304390

Tell us about your current release(s). I have two that came out this last week!

Just for Jess (Immortal Cravings #3)
Release Date: Oct. 5, 2010
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Buylink: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8720-50-just-for-jess.aspx
Blurb:
Vampire Jessamy Maitland is a classic workaholic, until her friends team up to buy her a weekend with the incredibly sexy vampire Dermott McMahon on his luxurious private island. Dermott is determined to get Jess to kick back and relax, so he’s enlisted the help of three lion shifter friends.

Jess finds herself faced with three days of no phone, no computer and four sexy, horny males, all determined to wait on her hand and foot and show her a scorching good time. Naked. Together. In ways she’s never imagined. With those odds, what’s a vampire to do? There’s nothing for it but take them up on their offer and discover that sometimes it’s okay to play.

* * * * *

Motor City Witch (Urban Arcana Book #2)
Release Date: October 4, 2010
Publisher: Carina Press
Buylink: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/9FA8421E-7235-456D-ABF3-174B4C1ACA81/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=6B85B3A2-3E88-4734-A98C-3EA23B6CD294
Blurb:
She’d left magic behind.

Once upon a time, Elise Sutton had been a powerful witch and paranormal enforcer. Once she’d been madly in love with Fae lord Aidan Greene. But when Aidan had considered his duties more important than their relationship, the love affair ended badly. Shortly after, while on the hunt for a rogue demon, Elise was brutalized and almost killed. Months later she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. To protect her child—and her heart—Elise decided to live a nonmagical life.

Until she meets Aidan again, and he assumes Dina is his daughter. When Dina is kidnapped by a racial purity movement, Elise turns to Aidan for help. The icy facade she has built around herself shatters at Aidan’s touch. Together they have to hunt through the human and faery worlds to find Dina...and to discover whether or not they have any kind of chance at a happily ever after.

Road Trip

I’m about to embark on a road trip with my DH. He’s my true life hero. He knows how much I hate to fly so he offered to drive with me. It’s a ten hour journey and I tend to get cranky when in the car for long periods of time, IF we get stuck in traffic. On our last trip in July what should’ve been a six hour trip turned into nine when we got stuck in NYC. It took us three hours to move two miles. I was driving and let me tell you it wasn’t pretty when we emerged. :o)
So where are we going? To RomantiCon, Ellora’s Cave conference for their readers, authors and aspiring writers. It runs from October 7th thru the 10th this year and I’m thrilled to be going. I’m armed with loads of giveaways. If you happen to be in the Richfield, OH area do stop in on Sunday for the Book Fair and say hello. I’ll have goodies during my book signing too.
As the time draws near I’m starting to grow nervous. It’s not shock that I’m a terribly shy person. I tend to be the one hiding in the corner afraid something stupid will come out of my mouth. I try to blend in the background taking in everything others are saying. I rarely offer an opinion on anything. This is where my husband comes in handy. He’s a social butterfly. He’ll strike up a conversation with just about anyone and offer his opinion whether or not you want it. (This is where I cringe) LOL
I know I’ll be surrounded by great friends like Regina Carlysle, Fran Lee, Cindy Spencer Pape and Anny Cook just to name a few.
For someone who suffers from stage freight as much as I do you’d think I was crazy to agree to host a reader based workshop with Fran Lee. I’ve thought about backing out many times, but I couldn’t do that to Fran. She’s such a wonderful person. I’m going to overcome my fears and move forward. BUT if you hear about a red-face blubbering idiot chances are it was me. LOL
I’ll be sure to take lots of pics to share with you. For those who adore the cavemen as much as me, I’ll be sure to get them too.

Until next week!

PS...don't forget I'll have few special guests so check back and show them some love.

Regina Carlysle - Eagle's Refuge

Today I'm featuring a dear friend of mine who is busy visiting with her DH. This book, along with the first two are MUST READS! Let's hear it for Regina Carlysle and her newest SIZZLER





Eagle's Refuge







Book three in the Texas Passions series.

When Callista Hill settles in tiny Morgan’s Creek, she vows to make a better life for herself. She never figured lust and screaming-hot orgasms were part of the equation. One look at the local bar owner and she’s flooded with the need to have him in her bed. He burns her to ash with every erotic touch, bringing her sex-starved body achingly to life.

The instant dark, moody Mac Moreno claps eyes on Callie, he knows he wants her. Her lush curves turn him inside out and have his libido racing from zero to sixty in three seconds flat. Burning up the sheets with this sassy, sweet lady brings him back to life. But when her stalking ex hunts her down, will Callie run?

Not if Mac can help it.








An Excerpt From: EAGLE’S REFUGE
Copyright © REGINA CARLYSLE, 2010
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.
Chapter One

Mac Moreno leaned back against the corral fence and looked out over land that now belonged, in part, to him. A year ago, he would never have imagined such a thing but with Joe Morgan’s death, the White Eagle Ranch had been split into thirds, leaving his half sister Leah, half brother Dash and himself with a legacy that was pretty overwhelming to a guy who’d scratched out a living alone for most of his life.
Heavy noonday sunshine beat down on him. Mac swept the battered straw cowboy hat from his head and mopped his sweaty brow with a bandana he kept tucked in his back pocket.
Damn hot today.
A savage shriek ripped through the air. Mac squinted at the violently blue Texas sky and watched a lone eagle glide through that vivid palette to land on the roof of the barn where it pierced him with an unblinking gaze. Eagle and man shared a moment of utter communion. No doubt the bird of prey wondered what the hell a nobody like himself was doing out here laying claim to this land, this ranch.
Mac had asked himself the same question a million times over the past few months. Sending his gaze over the immediate area, taking in the stately ranch house in the distance, the corrals, the barn, he wondered about the fickleness of fate. His mother Elena had been the housekeeper for Joe Morgan thirty-odd years ago and on one hot Texas night, she’d slept with the boss and wound up pregnant. That event had ended her employment at White Eagle Ranch and she’d moved on to clean the houses of wealthy folks in the town of Morgan’s Creek, scratching out a living as a single mother until the day she’d died.
Mac’s jaw tightened.
As he shifted his gaze to the side of the barn, memories assaulted him, bitter and ultimately humiliating. He’d been sixteen, a gangly kid who knew full well the rich, powerful Joe Morgan was the father who’d never claimed him, never wanted him.
“What the hell are you doing here, boy?”
Mac swallowed hard. His hands were shaking but he didn’t want his father to see so he shoved them in the pockets of his jeans and tried like hell to look cool. “Looking for work, sir.”
Joe scowled at him. He was a big man with a shock of white hair and as intimidating as hell. This was the man who didn’t want him, didn’t speak to him on the streets of Morgan’s Creek, the town that bore his name. The big man looked down and then up, taking him in, sizing him up, and Mac knew Joe Morgan didn’t like what he saw. Nope. He didn’t measure up but had he thought he would? He’d been fooling himself.
“Aren’t you Elena Moreno’s kid?”
“Yessir.”
Silence fell. Mac sucked in a breath and held it. What the hell had he been thinking? Had he imagined his dad would call him son and hug him like he meant it?
Suddenly Mac felt stupid and dumb and more on the outside than ever before.
Why would the all-powerful Joe Morgan ever in a million years acknowledge a poor Mexican kid from the wrong side of the tracks? To most of the town, Mac was nothing but trash. He had no hope of college and could lay claim to no kind of future. Hell, his mom had saved for years just to buy him a class ring so he could remember his high school days. Dumb thing but it made Elena proud to do it. She’d saved every dime so he could have a couple of new pairs of jeans at the start of every school year. She’d worked her fingers to the bone, scrubbing toilets and polishing floors, to give him the bare necessities of life. Joe Morgan had never contributed. Not once.
In the distance, a horse galloped across a pasture. Pretty Leah, his half sister, the legitimate child of Joe Morgan, was out riding her beautiful mare, her ponytail whipping out behind her like a shiny flag. Resentment welled up deep inside him. His heart tightened and frustration dug steely spurs into his belly. She had everything. He had nothing. The fact that she didn’t know he was her brother wasn’t the issue. Mac was so jealous he wanted to just die.
He was the unacknowledged bastard kid of a rich dude who apparently hated his guts.
Mac focused on the older man and wanted to kick his own ass. His being here was stupid, ridiculous.
Joe shifted his stance and gave him a fierce look. “Think you’ve got what it takes to be a cowboy, kid?”
The spit dried in Mac’s mouth. “Yessir.”
“Well, I don’t think so,” he drawled. “Got plenty of hands and they don’t need to be babysitting you. Now you get on out of here, kid. You don’t belong here.”
Mac watched him walk away without a backward glance, standing there, his eyes burning like hellfire from tears. Then he turned and ran as fast as he could to the old beat-up truck he’d borrowed from a friend. Slamming the door of the truck, he rubbed his stinging eyes before driving away.

And the Winner Is...

Cindy Spencer Pape! Please contact me at: amberskyze at aol dot com to collect your prize!

Sorry I'm a day late posting the winner. Life has been crazy! My daughter got a job, so grandma is babysitting on top of working the day job. I'm cleaning up last minute things at work because I start my two week vacation tomorrow! YAY! Time to get caught up on reading, editing, shopping and all the Christmas stuff I've pushed aside.
Yesterday my younger daughter L and I baked cookies for the DH's Christmas party at work today. We may have eaten more than he took to work. Oh well. LOL
Having a house full again takes a lot of adjusting.
Today my son and I will go pick up the toy box for T and donate clothes to the Salvation Army. More baking is in order too. I swear one of these days I'll get out to buy something for the DH.
And I can't forget Survivor is on tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing what Russell will do.

Happy Thursday!

New Releases - Carnal Reunions!

Today a group of talented authors are celebrating releases. Check out the Carnal Reunion authors releases today: http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/53.html

Fran Lee, Taylor Tryst, Paris Brandon, Cindy Spencer Pape, Anny Cook, Regina Carlysle, and Tessie Bradford. You can't go wrong with any of these wonderful authors!