I logged into my email tonight and saw I had a new email from 1&1 - my domain provider. To be honest, I normally delete the emails because they are asking me to refer friends and such. I spam people enough with my books, they don't need me spamming them as well that I think they should use 1&1.com Note: Awesome provider. I've NEVER had a problem with them!

Before I clicked delete, I noticed the subject line: Domain Renewal Notice.

What?! I just did that. Surely they are wrong.

I'm finally in the writing groove again. I find I go through spurts. And for 2 years now in a row, March-May I don't write. Odd. But it must be something about that time of the year. I'm overly busy with school functions and I do spring cleaning.

As I move back into gear, I find I'm working on 2 projects. 

ARRANGED LOVE - A funny, quirky story about two people being set up by their crazy parents. 

UNFORGETTABLE - A novella length story in a new series I hope to launch soon called The Gentleman's Club. 

Have been interested in Bidding Wars, but just not sure? I thought I'd share Chapter One with you. 

Chapter One

As the realtor’s car pulled up to one of the most stunning houses Molly Harper had ever seen, she knew: this was it. This gorgeous home was going to be hers. Sometimes you just knew things right away. It was love at first sight—the believable kind.

Molly climbed out of the midsize sedan and gazed up at the beautiful two-story colonial-style home. The house was a pale yellow with hunter green shutters. The railings on the wraparound porch were white. The paint was starting to chip off some, but in her eyes, it was one of the things that added character to a house. And unless the inside had no flooring and holes in the walls, she was certain that this was what she’d been looking for.

Tall trees surrounded the home, leaving plenty of welcoming shaded corners. The bushes needed a good trimming, but a little landscaping would fix that. Turning a little, she studied the property lines. The neighbors’ homes weren’t too close to make it feel as though they could see everything she did, but close enough for them to be there in an instant if you needed them.

Diane smiled at Molly and began to walk to the front door that would lead into what Molly was certain would be her dream home. As she stood on the front porch, her phone rang in her purse. A quick glance at the screen showed her ex-husband was calling. Rolling her eyes, she quickly stabbed the reject button.

Coming July 15, 2013 - Wanted: Wife. A few years ago I had a short story in an anthology. The publisher closed and I got my short story back. The story was well liked, so I expanded it! And now a much longer story will be coming your way soon!

Help Wanted: A Wife

Darcy White can't believe she's answering a help wanted ad from someone looking to hire a wife, but she's hit rock bottom and is on the verge of being evicted from her apartment. When she learns that the guy she had a crush on in high school is the one looking to hire, she'd be crazy not to live out her fantasy.

Steven McDonald needs a wife, or at least a fiancée, before his grandfather retires or else he won't inherit the family business. He knows not just any woman will do, and in a desperate attempt to find a solution, he places a help wanted ad in the local paper. The day Darcy White answers it, his dreams begin to come true.

As Darcy and Steven pretend they're engaged, they make a promise to keep things platonic. But the more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep their hands off one another. With his grandfather's retirement approaching, and the possible end to their fake engagement, can Steven and Darcy admit their feelings to not only themselves but each other?

I feel about like this little block guy over there. What day is it and am I missing something?

The kids are out of summer vacation. They've been home since the 22nd of May. Since then I have no idea what day of the week or date it is. And on top of that, the husband took a few days off as well, totally messing up any normalcy.

Is it Saturday, Wednesday, Friday?! HELP! 

My normal everyday schedule will be on hold until August 7th when the little ones return to school. Getting much of anything is going to be tough this summer, but you know what, the kids are only here for a short time before they too are adults. *sigh* Its sometimes hard to remember that. When they are laying on the floor crying about some little thing. You can't help but think, I can't wait until they are grown up -- or even a teenager.

I imagine you've been siting here anxiously waiting for an update on my first attempts at a flower garden, right? Okay, well I'm going to keep living in my bubble world where it's true. :) Original Post HERE

I moved my creeping phlox from the main flower garden. It wasn't doing well. And in its place, I planted lobeilia (the blue flowers). The creeping phlox is now in a very sunny area and I assume happier. It didn't regain blooms. Guess I'll see how it is in the spring.

My mystery lillies are finally blooming. So excited. When we bought the house last year, these had been chopped down for whatever reason. They are so pretty. Shame on the landscapers. 

Enjoy the photos. I just might be getting this gardening thing down. 

Welcome to Sinful Saturday! Below you will find 7-10 sentences from my newest release, Bidding Wars.

He was close enough now that she felt his warm breath touch her skin. Opening her eyes, she saw his focus was on her lips—his mouth inches away. If she made the slightest movement, she’d taste him. 
She ached to grip his shirt and pull him to her. If they kissed, it would be passionate and ignite a fire deep within her. She hadn’t kissed another man since Steven. Could Luke be the first? 
She pushed up on her tiptoes. She was going to do it. Reaching out, she was about to wrap her hand around his neck. Her gaze was locked on his, and it was as though they were moving in slow motion. 
“Sheriff, you in there?” A man pounded on the door, sending it flying open.

Wow! What a month. Two releases. I'm worn out. Thank goodness summer vacation is around the corner and I can relax. Oh wait, I'm a writer, I don't really get to relax too much!

Today is the official launch day of Bidding Wars, my first full length sweet. This book is very dear to me and I hope that its well liked by readers. This was one of those stories that literally hit me out of no where. And this so far has been the hardest story I've had to find a home for. Yes, I write erotic, and my Brookfield series is pretty tame, but still sexy. Well this story is very sweet. The intimate scene is pretty much closed door. It's cracked just a little. And this just might be why it was so hard to find a home.

Trust me, I don't think it's because it was a bad story. This one is full of my own passion. But, sex is in right now and I think it was hard for some houses to take a chance on it. And you know what, that's perfectly fine! I'm very pleased with who the story ended up with.

With the release of Bed, Breakfast, and You, I decided it was time for a GIVEAWAY!

So, what will I be giving away? 
Your choice of any book in the Brookfield Series AND a Starbucks gift card. You need a nice beverage while you read, right? Now if you've read them all (and I'd like to think you have), we'll of course work something else out if you're the chosen winner.

But for now, it's simple, feel out the rafflecopter below. Currently, I am thinking there will be not 1, but 3 winners! And who knows, as the week goes on, I may add more. 

Don't laugh. But you see that photo? Its my first attempt at a flower garden. The area is more shaded then I had thought. It's right next to my front door and my door has sun on it all day. This little spot...not so much. Only early morning sun. So yes, those are fake flowers in the pot on top of the frog. I didn't want to commit flower murder.

Planted are impatients--that I bought my mistake. Guess it was a blessing in disguise since these are shade flowers. And also in there is creeping phlox. I've had these flowers now for a little over a week and I hope the garden perks up soon. 

I think I may have to move the creeping phlox, because the flowers are falling off and these flowers like their sun. I'll give them a little longer and then move them. Hopefully by the end of May I can update with a more full and flowery garden.

Got any gardening tips you can share?