I'm Blogging at Helen's Heroes!

Today I'm blogging at Helen's Heroes blog. I do hope you'll stop by http://helensheroes.blogspot.com/2009/06/mondays-hero-derek-from-sapphire-and.html and leave a comment.

I'm blogging about Derek Tremaine. He's the hero of my new release, Sapphire and Gold. Here's a peek at him ---------------->

Sapphire and Gold's Official Release is Today!

It's finally here! Today is the official release date for my first sale, Sapphire and Gold! I am sooo excited! I do hope you will enjoy Derek and Alexandra's story.

If you would like to buy it as a digital book, go to http://www.thewildrosepress.com/sapphire-and-gold-p-1287.html?zenid=85aed8cdffbd4fe81cd86e275443e608.

Sapphire and Gold is also available in paperback through:

• bn.com http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sapphire-And-Gold/Penny-Rader/e/9781601544759/?itm=2


• amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Gold-Penny-Rader/dp/1601544758/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246028033&sr=8-1.

Here's a blurb and an excerpt of the story.

Blurb

In 1752 Philadelphia, Alexandra Whittaker overhears the man who has raised her--and intends to marry her--admit to kidnapping her. She then uncovers a locket containing a portrait of herself as a child. Confused and frightened, she flees, heading for Williamsburg, Virginia, the place inscribed on the back of the locket. On her way out of Philadelphia, she stumbles across a bear and ends up in the river.

Sea Captain Derek Tremaine is guilt-ridden over the disappearance of a small girl left in his care as a youth. Always searching for her, he hears she may be alive and travels to Philadelphia where he discovers an unconscious young woman in the river. She bears a strong resemblance to the mother of the missing girl who has haunted his dreams. He is drawn to assist and protect her as she sails with him to Williamsburg in her hunt for answers about her life. But will the truth give them peace and allow their growing love for one another to blossom? Or will it drive them apart?

Excerpt

The last vestiges of pain ebbed. She opened her eyes and thought she caught a fleeting glimpse of concern cross his handsome features. Her fingers felt along the bandage on her brow. "What happened to me?"

"You fell into the river and hit your head. Max and I pulled you out."

"Max?"

"My dog. Come, Max."

The Newfoundland eased his large frame between his master and Alexandra. She gasped in surprise--he outweighed her by at least three stone! She tried to sit up.

The man assisted her. "Easy now, lest you cause yourself further injury. Mayhap you should lie still." Impatience crept into his voice again.

She winced at his mild rebuke and lowered her gaze, only to realize she was clad in her bed gown. "Sir, has a woman been caring for me?"

"Nay." Amusement glittered in his eyes. "Women are not allowed on vessels. They bring bad luck."

Heat flooded her cheeks, but she forced herself to continue. "I'm--" She cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm not wearing my pink dress."

"Aye, that is true." He nodded, his expression unfathomable.

Sapphire and Gold Is Available In Print!

I am soooo stoked! I just checked bn.com and Amazon.com. Sapphire and Gold is already showing as available! (The official release date is June 26, 2009.) I gotta get some copies ordered so I can hold it my hands because I don't think it will really be real until then.

In case you want to order a paperback copy, here's the link for bn.com http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/results.asp?WRD=sapphire+and+gold&box=sapphire%20and%20gol&pos=-1

And here's the link for Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Gold-Penny-Rader/dp/1601544758/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1244642204&sr=1-3

Finish Your Shift

I recently listened to a writing workshop given by Jodi Thomas. One of the lessons she learned as a teen and applies to her writing keeps playing in my mind: Finish your shift. Translation: Finish your book. If it's completed, rewrite it. If it's rewritten, submit it.

I love doing revisions, doing research. It's the new stuff that comes hard for me. Getting those words on the page in the first place, that's my struggle.

While listening to Jodi's workshop, I realized that as a kid I loved working on various projects, but sometimes I didn't finish them. Who am I kidding? Most of the time I didn't finish them. I think it's because if I finished it, it would be done. Over. Completed. Then what? I didn't have a money tree in my yard, so I made projects last as long as I could.

I think it's the same with writing. If I finish the story, then what? I'll have to create a new one. Then the fear sets in. What if the words won't come? It's almost easier not writing, than risking the words not coming.

Why Romance?

If you have a couple minutes, please come visit me while I blog on the topic "Why Romance?"

Bits & Bytes: Romance...the Writer's Way http://warawriters.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there!

One Year and Two Days

Exactly one year and two days ago I received "the call." Actually, it was "the email." The Wild Rose Press wanted to contract my historical romance, Sapphire and Gold. I just about fell out of my chair. I work for an accounting firm and we were hot and heavy into tax season. I was just taking a quick peek at my email and saw the title of my book in the subject line. Of course, I had to read it.

After I danced around my office, I had a horrible thought: what if it was an April Fool's joke? Feeling like a fool, I emailed my editor and asked her straight out if it was a joke. Nope. She loved my book and had totally forgotten what day it was.

So, after a couple rounds of edits and proofreading, my release day is approaching. Sapphire and Gold will be published on June 26, 2009. Once I get past the current tax season I will figure out how to post my beautiful cover here, as well as the blurb and an excerpt or two. If you are curious and want to see the cover now, you can find it on my website. I promise to get some content onto my site...after tax season.

Free Read

I'm tickled to announce that my free read, A Colonial Valentine, which is a prequel to my soon-to-be-released novel, Sapphire and Gold, is available!

If you want to read my short story, this is the link:
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=180&products_id=1143

If the link won't work, go to thewildrosepress.com. On the left side of the page, go to "Free Reads." At this moment, mine is listed at the tippy top.

Here's a tiny blurb of A Colonial Valentine:

It’s Valentine’s Day and, despite pinning bay leaves to her pillow, no one has asked Laurel Whittaker to be his valentine. When handsome Jared Montgomery walks into her father’s apothecary shop, will he join in the Valentine’s Day merriment?