A New Contract (2 actually!)

This has been one of those crazy years where nothing turns out the way I would like it to. While I do have to first and foremost be thankful for the fact I will soon hit five years of being cancer-free (October 25th), today is actually the day when I learned I had colon cancer. Talk about a real downer, but I'm still here.

My latest release, McCade's Miracle, co-authored with Nancy Fraser was digitally re-released on October 1st by eXtasy Books and I couldn't be happier. It's nice to see Miri and Matt back. If you love reading about the 1860's and the era of the paddle wheel with a sensuous love story thrown in, then this is your ebook! Check out the cover right here in the blog.

I also signed a new contract (2 contracts to be precise) with eXtasy Books and will be reprising the Zodiac Series. Twelve heroines who give a new meaning to the phrase "What's your sign?" There will be the last eight novellas with the next release to come out on January 30th. And to add to that, I will be starting a new series of six novellas entitled Unconventional Angels for Unconventional Relationships, which will premiere in February.

I am so excited to be writing steady again. I can't begin to tell you how it stabilizes my life. Earlier this year I lost my grandfather. He was my afternoon Pepsi and snack guy. I'd bring both to the nursing home where he stayed and we'd talk, laugh and eat. He died suddenly and while it wasn't expected, he was 90 years old. Then a few months later, I lost the four legged love of my life. My girl Cassie. She was a 16 year old shepherd-golden with a personality I'd never seen before in a dog and not sure I ever will again. I stayed with her to the bitter end when the vet had to give her the final shot. It ripped my heart out but I knew it was for the best.

For a time I wandered through the house, sure I could hear the sound of her collar, listening for the sounds of her breathing at night, and positive I was losing my mind when I heard all of it. Right now I'm comforting myself by taking care of one of the three dogs my daughter and son-in-law have. Miss Mugs as I fondly refer to her, a name I tagged her with the first time I saw her, though her given name is Maizee. She's the closest thing to being like my old girl Cassie. Except she's only five years old(G). She's laying at my feet as I type this, snoring quite soundly (though a proper lady does not snore!). She's the one in the middle of the photo above.

The world has once more righted itself on its axis for me and I'm back to the business of writing. I hope you will all stop more for more updates as I pen the novellas for both the Zodiac Club and Unconventional Angels. And you can find out more about my books at www.extasybooks.com and www.devinedestinies.com as well as my website.

Take care, and enjoy whatever you are doing today! Patti

Back in the saddle again

Yup, I'm back. Thought you'd seen the last of me for awhile, didn't you? But I had you all fooled. This year life took on a few new interesting twists and it really put me behind the proverbial eight ball. I've come to terms with everything and ready to plunge ahead.

You know how it is. Everything is going along wonderfully, then all of a sudden life takes a sharp left turn and you find everything is upside down. I had that happen in February when my grandfather unexpected passed away. Once things settled down, I threw myself back into my writing and moved forward.

Good news, requested revisions from Mill and Boon Medicals on Book One. Done and sent. Better news, Book Two done and sent to Mills and Boon Medicals. Headed off to the RWA National Conference in New York at the end of June. Met old friends,made new ones and had fabulous editor appointments. Best news, by the time I came home I had five requests for my new paranormal. And more news,the rights reverted to my former writing partner and I on our historical time travel and we resold it. McCade's Miracle will come out in ebook form on October 15, 2011 from eXtasy Books.

And then life hits you upside the head with a two by four when you aren't looking. Three weeks ago I had to put my best furry four-legged friend of sixteen and a half years to sleep. Cassie had been by my side through thick and thin. Literally. She was my stalwart companion when I was diagnosed with colon cancer. She never left my side when I would arrive home chemo appointments, staying with me like velcro. She took care of me whenever my hubby left the house and even when he was home.

I think that is one of the hardest things I'll ever do in my life is to stand there, cradling my big girl while the life drains out of her eyes and her body. I told my hubby I wasn't going to leave her, I would be there for her til the end and I was. No the house is alittle too quiet, alittle too furless and alittle too empty, even though we have a six year old cat (otherwise known as Annoying Rodent) to keep me company. But it isn't the same.

In time, I'll be open to getting another dog. Or puppy, or dog, not sure what. At this exact moment, I can't fathom the idea of wandering out back at 2:00 a.m. in my pj's with a winter coat thrown over it extoling the virtues of "Hurry up and go potty" in twenty degree weather with snow flying. (I'm sure you all get the picture and are nodding your head at this point)

So instead I've thrown myself back into my writing (and protecting the keyboard from errant kitty paws and undistinguishable symbols on the screen). Be right back, Annoying Rodent has decided it's more important that I hold him rather than chat with you all....

Ok, I'm here again. Cat is content for a minute. Back to writing, that's where we left off. I'm working on a light paranormal (requested at conference) and am diligently heading toward the proverbial finish line (Sept 1st). Then it will go out on submission. After that, I'll start something fresh and new and enjoy the process of creation all over again.

It's a vicious cycle you know. You write, you submit, you either get accepted or rejected. Then do it all over again and again and again. Torture at its best (and worse).

I don't write because it's easy (cause it's not), I don't write because I have to (because I don't), I write because I love what I do. I love to create a heroine and hero that I (and readers) will fall in love with. That's what it's all about. Writing a book that you can't put down, no matter what. One that holds you spellbound, way past your bedtime, or forgetting that you needed to do laundry, start dinner, go to the store. That's my goal.

My other goal is hitting the five year in remission mark come this October 25th. So far I've lost a few more body parts than normal due to complications after surgery along the way. But I'd like to keep the ones I have left. I need them (G). Ok,not the extra pounds that are somehow glued to my hips. Those could go any time and I'd be very happy.

I guess what I'm saying is tough times will knock you down. It's up to you to get back up and get back on that horse. If need be, super glue yourself to it. Tie a rope around your middle and wrap it around the saddle horn. Just don't give up.

Till next time and yes I promise there will be one. Keep on dreaming and keep on believing.

Taking Stock

Good afternoon everyone! Well, this week I decided it was time to take annual stock of my life. I have a tendency to do this every year right after my birthday and this year was no exception. A year older, not sure if that means I'm also a year wiser too! What it does mean is that 365 more days have passed and what have I accomplished?

I know that in the past 365 days I have kept myself as healthy as I can, baring a few unexpected surgeries, a few more missing body parts, a few more added pounds (why is it never less pounds), and a few more book contracts.

Literally a year ago August I told myself I would be New York published by the time September rolled around this year. That didn't happen. I could probably come up with a millions why, but the truth is it didn't. What did happen was I signed a 12 book contract for a series of contemporary novellas with eXtasy Books called The Zodiac Club. The first two are now out, Midnight Seductions and Candid Seductions just released this past Thurs, Oct 15th. I did sign a contract with eXtasy Books for a new series of paranormal novellas to be written with Stephani Hecht. The first will be out Oct 31st entitled Salem's Seduction. And I sold an erotic short story Coffee, Tea or Mimi to Noble Romance which came out in May 09. And I finished up a two year stint as President of the Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America. I have been on our local board 11 out of the past 14 years now.

That being said, I think it is definitely time for Patti to focus on Patti. Don't you agree? Am I discouraged that I didn't sell to New York? Of course I am, but it won't stop my from trying again. Am I discouraged that I didn't sign more contract this past year? Heck no. I am very grateful for the ones I did sign. And add to this taking care of myself, my hubby, my kids, my four-legged kids and running mt household. It's a full-time job on top of my full-time writing career. Can I ask for more?Sure, but then I would sounds greedy (G).

Till next time, I hope you are all staking stock of your lives and enjoying every minute of every day, doing what you love. I know I am.
Patti