Sounds like it might be Alaska, doesn’t it? But Moosup is a town in Connecticut.  I’m giving a talk at the Aldrich Library in Moosup the evening of Tuesday, August 26–yes, that’s this week–at 6:30 P.M. My topic? The romance genre.  How I came to write romance, the history of the genre, a peek into its future, and I’ll read a few pages from  my next book, The Ice Prince.  I’ll also be happy to answer questions.

So, if you’re in the area… do stop by. I’d love to meet you, and to say ‘hello’ to those of you I’ve been lucky enough to meet before.

Today, the new computers I ordered arrived, one for my husband and one for me. I’ve spent the past two hours setting up mine and I’m nowhere near finished yet… and I have to do his next.

I keep reminding myself of how wonderful it’ll be when both are up and running…

Sandra

     Here’s how my week has gone so far.
    I’m going to write a new, very exciting mini-series about four brothers. Or maybe 6 and 2 sisters. Or maybe 6 brothers and 3 sisters.  Three for 2012. Or 4. Published in consecutive months.  Or every other month.  Do I sound indecisive? Maybe. 

At least there’s nothing to think through about the rest of 2011. THE ICE PRINCE, Anna’s book, comes out in the USA in November. THE REAL RIO D’AQUILA, Isabella’s book, comes out here in December. And, right, April 2012 is taken care of, too. I have a sheikh book (sigh) out then. Still no title but I’ll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, back to the new mini-series…

Last week, I attended the Romance Writers of America annual conference in New York City. What an exciting, wonderful week it was! Lunch with the Presents editors and writers at the absolutely charming Le Chat Noir. Dinner with my editor at the elegant Waldorf Astoria. (What a gorgeous place and oh, what food!) Dancing and nibbling and drinking champagne at the incredible Harlequin Black and White Ball at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Shopping with friends. Talking with friends. Relaxing over drinks. Jane Porter’s tea at the Plaza. My annual wine and pizza party after the Literacy Signing. Susan Stephens lchampagne treat at The View cafe atop the Marriott Marquis.

It was, truly, a week to remember… and we even managed to do some business, too.

Did you know that last month, I ran a contest exclusively for subscribers to my newsletter? I said that if they sent me an email marked ‘contest,’ I’d enter them in a drawing for an autographed hardcover copy of my latest book, NOT FOR SALE.
And wow, did we have entries!!! So many that I had to create a special e-mail folder to hold them all.
My assistant chose the winner blindly, and that winner is… Nadine! Congratulations, Nadine! I’ll be contacting you by e-mail for your mailing address.
Thank you all for entering. I just wish everyone could have won, but I promise, I’ll be running other contests.
By the way, if you haven’t yet subscribed to my newsletter, why not do so now? You’ll get information on my latest books, on my appearances online and in person, and, from time to time, I’ll run contests just for you.

I’m blogging in two different places today: at I Love Presents and  at Harlequin Presents. And here's a special  contest JUST  for those of you who comment at either (or both!) blogs: a signed copy of my best selling Presents, BLACKWOLF’S REDEMPTION. Just stop by, let me know what you think of NOT FOR SALE or any other of my books, and I’ll  enter your name in my special  drawing.
Couldn’t be easier!

Oh, the shock of going from 85 degree F temps and bright sunshine to 35 degrees, grey skies,  and… snow! I know I shouldn’t complain. We missed all the real  storms this winter. Well, all but one that dropped a foot of snow here in Connecticut right before we left for the  warmth of the Florida Gulf Coast, but coming home–which is a joy, of course–to   WINTER… 

Brrr.  Not such a joy.

But the daffs are poking through the soil, the robins are in the back yard, and there are buds on the trees. The bottom line? Spring is, more or less, here!

I’m a writer but there are times pictures speak louder than words. I’d rather show you the beauty of the Gulf Coast than try to describe it so here, courtesy of my son, are some photos I hope you’ll enjoy.

Have you ever seen a manatee? I bet you’ve heard of them: big, seal-like mammals that live in warm southern waters and, some people think, were the creatures that gave rise to ancient sea lore about mermaids–though after seeing a manatee close up, you have to figure those sailors were pretty desperate to confuse them with women!

We’ve wintered on the Gulf Coast for several years but never were fortunate enough to see these gentle giants in the wild until now. The weather was a little cool so they’d gathered where the water was warmer. We counted at least 30!

Manatees are not only gentle, they’re slow moving. Sadly, they’re often injured by boats. If you’re boating in waters that are home to manatees, please keep to a slow, careful speed.

I was sitting outside just now, in the lanai at our place in Florida, my feet dangling in the warm water of the pool. My husband came out with drinks and cheese and crackers. We switched to chairs and, as we drank and nibbled, we talked about where to go for dinner tonight.

Then we realized that dinner was on the minds of others, too. A Great White egret–big and beautiful–landed on the shoreline of the canal behind the lanai. He stepped into the water–he moves with great elegance–poked his long yellow bill into the water and came up with a fish.

A minute later, a Little Blue Heron came gliding in, announcing his presence with raucous squawks. He chose a spot a few feet from the egret and he, too–or maybe ‘she’, I can’t rell–began pulling tidbits from the water.

More squawks. They came from a kingfisher as he landed in one of the plam trees. He sat very still, head cocked as he watched the canal. Then he e plunged into the water and flew back to the tree with a fish in his beak.

I know one thing for certain. Wherever we go for dinner tonight, I’m not going to order fish. Or fowl.