Just around the corner

What's just around the corner? Spring! This week we've finally gotten some warm days, and although the snow isn't entirely gone, it' s been banished from our yard, at least.

The buds on the pussywillow are starting to show just a hint of gray. That, and the fact that the dog comes in with mud up to his elbows tells me we're thawing out! And driving by a local lake this morning, I saw a pair of bluebirds sitting on a nesting box. The robins are back and staking out territory, and I heard a Great Horned Owl the other night.

No sign of any crocus or other bulbs peeking through the still-frozen ground. I keep telling myself that it's still early, but I'm ready for Spring!

Romance is in the Air

Here's a bit more from Romance is in the Air~

Whispers in the Wind by Sherry Jones

Grace Belden looked her sister’s desperate face before her gaze dropped to Claire’s nine-month’s worth of swollen belly.

“I need a physical presence at that location, Grace. I wouldn’t ask but…” Claire’s voice trailed off, but Grace knew the words she’d left unspoken as well as the wording in the vendor contract.

“Only for you, Claire, because you are my baby sister who looks like she’s ready to pop.”

Grace gave a sigh over her designer outfit she’d not had time to change, however, she turned to reload the cart with the afternoon’s required supplies. “And because after today my life will never be the same.”

“Oh, pray tell me the reason, Older Sister O’ Mine.” Claire settled deeper into her chair to prop her feet up on a stool.

“Your sarcasm pains me, but I’ll tell you anyway. I whispered my heart’s desire into the wind, which, according to Madame Zelda, means that my wish will come true. She’s a nice lady. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.”

“Very poetic. I hope you wished for a date.”

“A romantic stranger would have to drop from the heavens. There is no suitable date material in Maydale, Texas. That means for today, you are my only date. On that note, I’m off feed the world.”

She guided the snack cart from the vendor’s supply area to the main circuit of the park. Lord, it had been years since she’d done this job. Her parents had owned the concession contract then. She lifted her face to the afternoon sun and breathed deeply, though her tired feet protested the long walk.

I’m waiting for you, Grace.

“What?”

Irritation knitted her brows into a frown. She’d go put in a vacation request Monday morning. A person who heard voices in the wind clearly needed a break.

The Red Hat by Robin Bayne

"Can you believe this woman?”
The voice came from behind her. Meg stiffened in her cinema seat. The scents of popcorn and tacos floated around the theater as the previews began, and she relaxed.
“What is with that hat?”
The voice came again, slightly louder this time. Someone was upset with her hat! It wasn’t that tall. What was his problem? She shifted lower in the seat, but that hurt her lower back. Theme music flowed from the speakers as she felt her friend’s gaze on her.

“Don’t worry about him. Just watch the movie. Think about that appointment you have tomorrow with your first sale customers.” Tina patted Meg’s arm then ripped open a box of Sno-Caps. Meg nodded and tried to ignore the man behind her, thinking all the time that his voice sounded slightly familiar.

* * * *

Joe Dalton entered the model home slash sales office the next morning, prepared for a meeting with the builder about materials he needed for cabinetry on lots ten and eleven. The smell of hot coffee greeted him as he headed directly for the house’s modern kitchen. As he passed the library off the main hall, he peered in, but didn’t see the real estate agent he usually chatted with. Instead, on the oak credenza behind the sales desk, sat a red felt hat with a small feather tucked in its trim.
The red hat he’d seen at the movies last night.
Now, he really needed that coffee.

Excerpt: Will You Be My Valentine?

Here is an excerpt from my story, found in By Grace Publishing's Romance is in the Air.

The chime that indicated someone was at the delivery door sounded from the back of the store.
“Wait one minute, Jack. I have a great idea, but I have to take this delivery first.”
Beth returned in a few minutes with a selection of chocolate flowers.
“How about these? They’re my favorites. They’re pretty, women love chocolate, and they won’t be hurt by the cold.”
“They’re perfect. And I know she’ll like them,” he said, eyes twinkling.

(c) 2008 by Susan Atwood

Is February really gone?

It's March! I can't believe it! I thought February would never end - and not just because we had an extra day this year. The cold and snow and cold and wind and more cold and ice and... you get the picture.

There is an upside to the cold. An article on the front page of today's paper says pests like the Japanese beetle won't have survived. The funny thing is, I just had a dream about beetles on some pink roses. Odd, because the only rose I have is a red climber, growing on a trellis on the side of the house.

Today is beautiful-- a real herald of the warmer weather to come. The breeze is from the south and I'm itching to work in the garden. Unfortunately, the ground is frozen solid. I tried to pull some mulch away from the creeping lemon thyme that someday will grow between the pavers in the Book Garden, but it is just a frozen blob and I'm afraid I'll damage the plants underneath.

Sigh. Patience, I know. But it's really hard to be patient on a lovely day like today.

Blurbs!

Here are the blurbs for the three stories in By Grace Publishing's release Romance is in the Air!

Whispers in the Wind by Sherry Jones

Overworked Grace Belden hears whispers in the wind. Could Braden Colter be her voice of destiny?

Will You Be My Valentine? by Susan Atwood

Beth is perfectly content with her plans for Valentine’s Day---a date with an old romantic movie and a hot pizza. Why does she feel a stab of jealousy while helping her new neighbor choose a Valentine’s gift for the woman he is planning to ask for a date?

The Red Hat by Robin Bayne

Joe can’t believe the annoying woman from the theater was the new sales rep—could he learn to work with both her and that hat?

The anthology is available now at www.bygracepublishing.com

Romance is in the Air

Romance is in the air, and I can prove it!

Just take a look at the fabulous cover for By Grace's February anthology!

Coming soon!

www.bygracepublishing.com

...coming soon from By Grace

And speaking of By Grace Publishing, the February release is Romance Is In the Air. This anthology features three short stories, including my contribution "Will You Be My Valentine."

I am honored to be included in the same release as By Grace authors Shara Jones and Robin Bayne.

The anthology will be available on February 29th!

www.bygracepublishing.com

...And the Winner Is...

Denise Patrick!

Adopting Alyssa is the 2007 CAPA winner for Best Inspirational Romance!

Congratulations, Denise.

Don't miss Kelly and Jason's heartwarming story from By Grace Publishing.
And Strikes Don't Matter, Denise's January release from By Grace, features Kelly's best friend, Gina.
www.bygracepublishing.com

A Valentine Surprise

Valentine's Day is always fun... but even more so when that special someone sends you a Valentine. My daughter was surprised to get a note from the school office telling there was "a surprise" waiting for her. This beautiful rose was waiting... and the card was signed: To my favorite babysitter!

How sweet!

The Winter Garden

This is the time of year that my fingers start to itch to get in to the garden. During Saturday's trip to the local home improvement store for some paint, I got sidetracked into browsing the display of seed packets, looking for something interesting.

Luckily, a couple of weeks ago, I came across some bulb kits on sale. My favorite for this time of year is forcing paperwhites. Easy as plopping the bulbs in a shallow container and adding water.

We are also fortunate to have a small, sunny alcove off the kitchen which is now the haven for all the plants I rescued from the garden. It's the perfect spot for the bowl of paperwhites. If you start now, you will most likely have blooms for Valentine's Day.

Two New Books!

Two of my favorite authors have releases this month: Award winning author Nell Dixon's Dangerous to Know is available at Moonlit Romance.

www.moonlitromance.com

Nell has also gotten a rave review for Be My Hero, which was released by Moonlit Romance in 2007. http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/bemyherodixon.htm


And later this week Denise Patrick's book, Strikes Don't Matter will be released by By Grace Publishing. I had the privilege to read it as Denise was working on it, and it's too good to miss!
www.bygracepublishing.com

And don't miss her book Adopting Alyssa, a 2008 Eppie Finalist and 2008 CAPA nominee!

January Freeze

Old Man Winter is back - and with a vengence. I knew the warmer temperatures were too good to last. We're going to be below freezing for the forseeable future -and we're expecting snow this afternoon into tomorrow.

January Thaw

Yes, it's came. Yes, it was early. Way early. Yes, it made a mess.

When you've had snow on the ground since Thanksgiving and suddenly the temperature climbs to the mid-forties... can you say swamp?

Naturally, the run-off freezes during the night. Yesterday morning, after a few showers, the roads, (steps, deck, patio, driveway) were solid ice. My husband called twice on his way to work to make sure our daughter did not drive herself to school. We skated together in the van in a ballet of skids and slides as drivers slowed for stop signs but didn't allow the cars to lose their momentum. One scary moment at a notoriously slippery intersection, but all was well.

Two New Contests!

There is a brand new authors' blog for Moonlit Romance and By Grace Publishing, and there are two contests running right now.

Here is the new link: http://uniqueenterprises.blogspot.com/

Check out the new features: a contest and an e-magazine with free short story each month, and bi-monthly University Fridays for aspiring authors.


What better way to cure the after-the-holiday blues than with a little romance?

Happy New Year

A new year filled with hope and promise. A chance to "do-over" the resolutions that lasted about a week last year.

With renewed grit and determination, we'll see how long I can stay the course. I have already bent one resolution slightly: take the dog for a nice, daily walk. With the temperature hovering in the low teens and a wind chill in the single digits it just didn't happen. We did have a long game of tug-o-war with his new tug-o-war rope which is attached to a small, but heavy, not to mention smelly, rubber tire.

Best wishes for a Happy New Year.