Delicious things

I've decided to ignore the fact that I haven't posted on this blog in ten months. No big deal! I had my reasons (break-up and MFA, hello!). I'm sitting in my yard listening to Astrud Gilberto, sipping a delicate rosé, working on my new romance novel, and trying to catch up on all the romance news I missed during my hiatus. Whoah! July, August, and September will be the best months ever because Tessa Dare's much lauded debut series hits shelves. I've pre-ordered mine--how about you? And what's this? Debuts from so many other amazing writers: Courtney Milan's Proof by Seduction from HQN in January 2010, Sarah Lindsey's Promise Me Tonight from Signet in February 2010, Maggie Robinson's Tempting Eden from Berkley in summer 2010!

There is so much to be thankful for right now. Sun filtering through the bamboo above my head; my sweet sweet new man; plump raspberries and rainier cherries to pick for breakfast; my friends who are achieving the success they deserve; the drive, passion, and time to write romance again; frilly gingham sundresses; mojitos with lavender-infused simple syrup.




Are you feeling as summery and full of love as I am? I hope so!

Yay Courtney!!!

Golden Heart Nominee for Breath of Honor Courtney Milan's PROOF BY SEDUCTION, about a rigidly logical marquis who uses the scientific method to save his heir from the clutches of a fraudulent fortune teller, only to fall for her and discover that the one hypothesis not susceptible to proof is love, to Ann Leslie Tuttle at HQN, in a good deal, at auction, in a two-book deal, by Kristin Nelson at Nelson Literary Agency (World).

Once Upon a Bed...

That was the title of a (very) smutty book I found between Herodotus and Plutarch in the shelves of my high school history homeroom when I was fifteen. Needless to say I smuggled it back to my house (I've often wondered who left it there). It's also where I will be eating dinner tonight with my smoking hot romance-writing friends Delilah and Moira. No, not in a classroom...on a bed. Delilah is taking us to Supperclub where we will recline roman style and feast our eyes on a naughty burlesque show--we are erotic writers, after all.

The conference is going very well. I placed second in the Hearts Through History contest and I'm thrilled because my friend and critique partner, Courtney Milan, took first. Yay, Courtney! I've received quite a few requests for Filigree and Shadow from agents and editors and that's really the whole point of the conference so Lenora is a happy girl.

Tonight we're off to karaoke at The Mint (one of my old stomping grounds) with a bunch of ladies including the lovely vixens Lacey, Eden, and Shelli. Bliss!

I'll try to remember to bring my camera this time because my cell phone takes blurry photos.

Kisses,

Lenora

I Left My Heart In...

Every time I go back to the city by the bay I contract a severe case of nostalgia. The rows of candy-colored Victorians; the salt-tang in the air; the beckoning racks of polyester prom dresses at Thrift Town; the sea bass, mango, and butter appetizer baked in a large mussel shell at Sushi Zone. But this trip I won't have time for thrifting or sea bass and I won't even get to see my friends who still live there. Every second will be spent at the RWA National Conference. Because my life is so insane right now I haven't spent much time preparing for the conference. Maybe that's a good thing. I also haven't had time to feel nervous.

Courtney was blogging about pitching the other day and I realized that I haven't practiced my pitch for Filigree and Shadow and I started to get a bit panicky. I don't have a problem talking to strangers since I'm accustomed to being on stage and I actually like schmoozing. But none of that will help me if I haven't memorized the salient details of a succinct pitch. So that's my goal for today.

Why is my life insane, you ask? I was hired a year ago by Portland State University to compile and edit a document and it's due at the print shop tomorrow. And it happens to be over 1,200 pages long. And it's not finished yet. Waahh!! I've been snatching a few hours of sleep on the couch in the student lounge here and there but otherwise I've been glued to my chair all bleary-eyed and malnourished for the past four days. So I haven't had time to polish my pitch, or dry-clean my conference dresses, or have my bangs trimmed, or any of the other multitude of preparatory rituals I should be undergoing.

OK, this is getting a little bit whine-y. I better sign off and return to editing (oh, how I wish I was working on romance and not government accreditation procedures).

I hope your conference preparations are going more smoothly than mine. I can't wait to meet all my internet writing friends in SF! See you in a few days...

Lenora

Velveeta

My friend and I went to happy hour tonight at a slinky new bar. I knew it was my kind of place the second I saw the crimson velvet chaise lounge inside the front door. After a few glasses of rosé I couldn't resist stretching out upon the velvet and pretending I was the languishing heroine of a Victoria Holt novel.

I ate mac and cheese with the very fancy name of Käsespätzle composed of egg noodles, swiss cheese, and carmelized onions. Mmmm. Speaking of cheese...is my new blog photo cheesy enough for you? It was taken during a publicity shoot in China. Please tell me if it's over the top. I don't want to give anyone indigestion.

In writing news, I have exactly 27 days to finish and polish Filigree and Shadow before the RWA national conference where I will be be pitching it to agents and editors. I thrive on mad scrambles to meet nearly impossible deadlines. So here goes...

Winning Ways

I guess I should come out of hibernation to mention that Filigree and Shadow took first place in the San Diego RWA chapter's Spring Into Romance contest.

I don't expect anyone is actually still reading this blog since I've neglected it for so long. I don't have much of an excuse since school's out for summer. Guess I'm still unwinding from finals week. Also I started an internship at an amazing radio show.

More good news!

Huge congratulations to Shelli Stevens who just inked a two-book deal with Kensington and chose Laura Bradford as her literary agent.

It seems like the good news in the romance world just keeps rolling in!