Christmas Craft Diaries

Dear Diary,

Today I finished the The Christmas Stocking. Cranberry damask with black velvet cuff and woven trim with black chord. Very pretty, and more "me" than the blue one of last year. This time, with the Stocking Exchange, mine won't be the ugly duckling in the brood of other custom crafted swan-pretty stockings.

YA UF pics and such

Today I have a couple pics for you, and the pith and blather in my head about them. ^_^

*drum roll please* These are the Fulsom Alternative hoodies. Harmonic Threads designed the graphic for me from my specifications, and Trophy House of Muskegon printed them.

I think they are bitchin promo items for contests, thank you gifts, as well as a great way to get the word out. Walking billboards. Snort. These shirts turn heads and we get questions about them all the time. (Yes, they are available for order--hoodies or T-shirts--contact me at aerought@gmail.com)

The Fulsom shirts are designed after the sweatsuit Avery comes home in after her disasterous first almost-date with Thorn. Full moons + open air parks + werewolves = trouble. Ever punch a werewolf in the face? Avery did. ^_^

On the front is the "Property of Fulsom Alternative NIGHTBRREDS" design. On the back is the question Avery asks herself. Are you freak...or human? There's much to endure, so many lies to sift through and a whole lotta hot smoochin before Avery finds her answer.

You'll have to read the book (when it's published) to find out!

TEMPTED

*sigh* I just finished TEMPTED, by P.C. and Kristin Cast last night. It was a one-day read-athon and a helluva ride! Quiet a few twists, and I loved seeing things from the other characters POVs, though I do heart me some Zoey. One of my major annoyance character seems to have bitten the dust and I must say, Woot! And the ending shocked me. I flipped pages hoping for a sneak peek of BURNED. No such luck. Dammit.

I hate waiting. *sob*

I guess not having to wait is one of the bonuses to writing your own stories. Instant gratification. You can type, THE END, and then turn around, open a new file and type Chapter One right afterwards. That's what I did. although, I now have more than one Chapter One going. The follow up to DRENCHED is in the works, currently titled SPITFIRE, and I started a guy-based older-teen YA currently titled Black Moon Syndicate: Zain's Fall.

I guess I'm addicted to YA. The reading, and the writing of...

Sticking my neck out ... kinda

Well, for third time EVER I'm entering a writing contest. This one is for YA/Kid lit queries, the prize is a 30-page critique of MS. Interested? Check here for more details:
Kidlit Contest

Pray for me, y'all cuz you know how I agonize over the query writing/submitting/rejection part of the writing game.

Sooches!

There's a BIG contest going on!

Here Are a list and photos of the prizes you can win so far and they are YUMMY!
Don't forget to drop and enter to win a Book A Month for 2010 and a Cupcake Care Package!

Wednesday - October 21st - still available

The Cupcake Station - 1 Dozen beautiful cupcakes shipped to your door.

Our in-house
baker uses the freshest ingredients to create luscious cupcakes from scratch every day. Our delectably smooth buttercream icings are the finishing touch on our wide variety of tantalizing flavors, which are perfect for a birthday, bridal or baby shower, corporate event or any type of gathering.
Let us help you make your next get together a sweet success. There's definitely plenty to tempt your tastebuds at the Cupcake Station!

Things That Make Scents - Soy Cupcake Candles

Who could not resist trying to lick some icing off of these beautifully real looking cupcake candles? It's too bad to because they smell even better! Made with %100 Soy Wax. Surprise that special someone with a delicious cupcake soy candle.

Kelly'z Kreationz

Win a Hand Made Cupcake Hat.

Home of the original crocheted food scarves !Welcome to my sweet side where you can induldge without the added calories or sugar.Take a look see if there is anything you can't live without.

Thursday October 22, Prizes

We specialize in vintage inspired aprons for adults and children. The apron styles are all ORIGINAL Boojiboo designs, we make our own patterns to ensure a perfect fit, do not be fooled by imitations. Make sure you own the original apron with the sweetheart neckline, flared skirt, and fitted bust!!!

Cupcake Candle - Smells yummy!

Win an amazing art piece as a bag - I want it and I am very jealous of the winner!

Making messenger bags and custom orders, we have been working with duct tape for several years now. This has given us the experience needed to design items with the structural integrity to endure daily use.

Sleepless in Scotland

By Karen Hawkins

In the fourth book in the MacLean series, the older of twin sisters tries to save her twin from running off with a Maclean, ending up trapped herself.

No Choice But Seduction

By Johanna Lindsey

In Johanna Lindsey’s sizzling Malory novel, Katey Tyler uncovers a kidnapping plot—but doesn’t realize her heart will be taken prisoner as well.

Really Cute Bandana

Visit the Giveaway - http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/cupcakegiveaway.htm

Status update

DRENCHED is complete! Over 102-K in just over two-months. Some may say possessed, many have said obsessed *cough* hubby and kids *cough*, but my gf Candice says, "Obsession is a lazy man's term for dedication." So, yeah, I was waaayy dedicated for two months.

The first elemental story has been told, Water has been learned, controlled in the steamy late teen YA UF. Up next? SPITFIRE. Oh, yeah! Hot stuff ^_^ Avery and Thorn's relationship will almost combust. The crush she shares with Sayre will be taken to higher, hotter darker heights. A new and nasty character will make himself known. the plot thickens, lines blur in the heat. Who to trust? Who will live through it? Mwua ha ha ha ha

SNIPPET:

SPITFIRE: Chapter One

A Halloween Masquerade Ball. Fun, right? Not so much. Dancing, drama, death.

Blood cascaded from the hem of my black gown as I strode away from the cops still talking to witnesses. Anger, hot and prickly chewed through me, from core to crinkled silk. I couldn’t believe how lax things were at Fulsom Alternative Academy. They just let human’s get bitten by vampires? So.Not.Right. He should’ve had a long, long life--human life, that is, not an immortal bloodsucking one. Thorn, my totally gorgeous werewolf boyfriend, shouted something at me, but his voice hardly pierced the crackling haze of anger chattering in my skull.

My best friend Kelsey, her pumpkin orange skirt whipping behind her, ran to catch up. “Avery, the police still want to talk to you. Where are you going?”

Heat rolled off my skin, drying the blood to a tacky, crusty mess over my furled fists. My jaws hurt so bad from holding back sobs I could hardly answer. “Let the police deal with Biter Bitch Barbie. I’m getting some answers.”

She stopped dead, her beaded strappy heels skidding in the grass. “Are you going to Aspen?”

I sucked in a hot breath, glared daggers at the lit window on the bottom floor of the Nightbreeds’ high school. “Damn right I am.”

Update

Yes, it's been a very long time. The summer was hell. My father had a massive aneurysm, then lingered in the hospital. He became cognizant enough to know he didn't know what he was doing, lost enough to not call me by name, but he did see my deceased brother at the foot of his bed. Then, he suffered two heart attacks and died. After that, mother became depressed, my brother went to finding comfort in libation and drug, my sister became very angry. Needless to say, I was never happier to see a season turn.

After losing my dad, I learned a few things. I'm stronger than I thought I could be. And, time is a fickle bitch. I decided to write the kind of story I've always wanted to, try my hand at the genre that has always beckoned. In two months, I have over 80-K and am tying things up in my first YA urban fantasy.

I'll be posting more about the book, pictures, taglines I'm chewing on, etc soon. Until then, get ready because a new breed of shifter is on the way!