Update...

Hi readers! Sorry I haven't written in a few weeks. Between Blogger's technical difficulties, birthdays, and family reunions, I've fallen a bit behind in my blogging. This weekend I'll likely be offline again. The hub and I will be spending some quality time at the lakehouse to celebrate our fifth wedding anniversary. My laptop, which I do most of my work off of, is spending a few nights with the computer doctor to get everything working right again. As soon as we return from north Alabama on Sunday, I'll be putting together the new Character Q&A competition, open to all published entrants. Until I get my online work rolling again, I'm also catching up on my TBR pile. Right now I'm enjoying Larissa Ione's Eternal Rider. Love that Horseman, Ares!

What's on your summer reading list, Cozies?

May Newsletter

My exclusive May reader newsletter released today to mailing list subscribers. It includes a character interview from the heroine of award-winning western romance Blackest Heart as well as important new links to my new review page, tornado relief and royal wedding recaps. If you aren't a member of my mailing list, see it here for a limited time only.

As mentioned, the character Q&A section will repeat every month with a different hero or heroine from my backlist. Next week I'll introduce one of my favorite heroes. If you haven't subscribed to my newsletter, you can do so with the pink button on the sidebar of this blog. It won't take but a few seconds of your time. And down the road if you wish to unsubscribe, doing so is quick and easy.

Tornado Relief: How You Can Help

Hi Cozies! As many of you know, I live on the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Last week, I was lucky to be far enough south not to be involved in any of the dangerous April weather that brewed through several southern states, including Alabama. My family had several close calls. We're very thankful not to have lost loved ones because so many other people have. Over 300 people have been killed and many more are still missing or have lost homes and all possessions. If you have the means to do so, I ask that you take the time to donate to those here in the south who are in desperate need. Here's a few ways you can help....

1. American Red Cross is providing relief and shelter to storm victims. You can make a donation to the Red Cross by visiting their donation page or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. By texting "REDCROSS" to 90999, you can also make a $10 donation.

2. The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is providing support for storm victims as well as mobilizing feeding units. To donate to the Salvation Army's tornado disaster response, visit http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/, click on their donation page and designate "April 2011 Tornado Outbreak." You can call 1-800-SAL-ARMY or text "GIVE" to 80888 to make a $10 donation. Checks can be made out to...

Salvation Army Disaster Relief
P.O. Box 100339
Atlanta, GA 30384-0339

3. The Humane Society is on the ground searching for and aiding lost or injured pets and other animals. Visit their webpage to learn more about their relief efforts and how you can help.

4. Feeding America helps food banks provide food to communities affected by the recent tornadoes. To make a donation to Feeding America, visit its online donation page.

5. Specifically for the state of Alabama, you can donate directly to the Governor's Emergency Relief Fund, which provides additional recovery assistance to Alabama residents who have exhausted all other coverage provided by relief organizations, government programs and insurance. To donate, visit the online donation page.

6. And finally, the Toomer's for Tuscaloosa initiative is branching out to nearly every state. Donate needed items such as water and blankets and find out how you can take a more active role and volunteer here at their new webpage.

If anyone knows of any other ways to help, please feel free to mention them here in the comments. And thank you to those who have already reached out to the people of the south by donating!

Go to Your Happy Place...

Hi Cozies! Well, it's now May - and isn't this year going by in a whoosh? As mentioned a few weeks ago, I'm focusing on a second contemporary romance which takes place in my hometown. Coincidentally, my mother lives on the shore where I placed my heroine's home so my brainstorming episodes are now a very tangible experience. The picture you see here was taken by my mother over the weekend on the bay. Anyone who has read my first contemporary romance (the one I've been revising) knows the significance of the phrase "Fairies dancing." In younger years, I spent many summers at my family's lakehouse, Sunnyside. Every morning we would eat breakfast on the sun porch and watch the rays hit the water at exactly the right angle so they flashed and glowed on the lake's surface. In the picture above, you can see them doing so. As a girl, I vividly remember them as "fairies" dancing on the water. These mornings on the lake (and now on the bay) are some of my favorites. It brings me back to that serene place where heaven and earth intersect and all is well. I guess you could say it's my happy place!

Cozies, today I want you to tell me about your happy place! Where do you go when you need serenity or inspiration? Tell me what makes it special.