Fall is Upon Us—Time for Updates
September 15, 2024
This month has been a fantastic one. Why? The publishing of Green Eyes & Dimples, of course!
The next story, Bourbon Neat, is progressing. I have an idea for a serious confrontation involving Connor during a murder investigation. This will happen after he and Maggie have a date or two. I'm loving the title. How about you?
A year ago, I submitted Sparks Fly for consideration to the Firebird Book Awards in the Romance category. It received an Honorable Mention but no award. Accidental Attraction was the 2023 1st Quarter Firebird Book Awards 2nd place winner in the Romantic Comedy category. Playground Antics was the 2024 1st Quarter Firebird Book Awards 1st place winner in the Romantic Suspense category. I bring this up because I submitted Green Eyes & Dimples to the 2024 3rd Quarter Firebird Book Awards in the Romance category. Please wish me luck. I believe the story is a strong competitor. I should learn the results around 25 October. You'll receive the news as soon as I know.
Do you recall my Blog post entitled "Story Ideas…Where Do They Come From??" dated February 17, 2023? Green Eyes & Dimples is a combination of the 4th of July idea and a promise to a friend. What was my promise? After he offered his family name for the mayor of Playground Antics on a Facebook post, I couldn't bring myself to use it for such a dishonest villain. I promised him my next hero would be an Air Force brat (like him) and a volunteer youth soccer coach (he's a soccer enthusiast.) Voila!
Bourbon Neat is a twist on the St. Patrick's Day idea and a late-night idea of my hubby, Mike. It's turning out quite well.
The May Basket Day idea spawned a couple of things. First, I created story beats for an AutoCrit challenge and may eventually write the story. Second, for another challenge, I wrote a May basket scene for a future Garrett and Leigh story that ties into his promise to her in Victorious Love. He promised to teach her about May Basket Day, and it would be their first tradition as a married couple.
That leaves the President's Day and Labor Day ideas for me to execute. I may leave the latter as an unwritten idea but work on the former. It strikes me as the more unique idea of the two.
So many ideas, so little time! LOL!
I sure hope you enjoy Green Eyes & Dimples. My editor had wonderful comments for me after her first editing pass.
- I totally love this story! It hits all the buttons, from romance, to intrigue to family, to more romance! I love the way it starts out with Tracie being with her twin niece and nephew, and the way it works towards everything from there.
- I am particularly charmed by Nicky and his loans of Tiny and Snuffy, this says so much about what wisdom there is in little children. And I like the way it brings Matt and his father closer together.
- Even the sex scenes impress me, there are too few "new" couples who bother with protection these days and I'm happy you kept it an important part of the budding relationship.
- All in all, a charming story.
I think I have a knack for this author gig!
Happy reading!
Elaine