Ever since returning from San Francisco, it feels like all I do is write and run. Which I love. But now, I’m carving some special time out for reading. It’s not just any book I’m making time for. It is a release I’ve been looking forward to since her last book came out one year ago. She’s my favorite author and the woman who inspired me to write–Sandra Brown.

Here is a synopsis from Smoke Screen:
When newswoman Britt Shelley wakes up to find herself in bed with Jay Burgess, a rising star detective in the Charleston PD, she remembers nothing of how she got there…or of how Jay wound up dead.
Handsome and hard-partying, Jay was a hero of the disastrous fire that five years earlier had destroyed Charleston’s police headquarters. The blaze left seven people dead, but the death toll would have been much higher if not for the bravery of Jay and three other city officials who risked their lives to lead others to safety.
Firefighter, Raley Gannon, Jay’s lifelong friend, was off-duty that day. Though he might not have been a front-line hero, he was assigned to lead the investigation into the cause of the fire. It was an investigation he never got to complete. Because on one calamitous night, Raley’s world was shattered.
Scandalized, wronged by the people he trusted most, Raley was forced to surrender the woman he loved and the work to which he’d dedicatd his life. For five years his resentment against the men who exploited their hero status to further their careers–and ruin his–had festered, but he was helpless to set things right.
That changes when he learns of Jay Burgess’s shocking death and Britt Shelley’s claim that she has no memory of her night with him. As the investigation into Jay’s death intensifies, and suspicion against Britt Shelley mounts, Raley realizes that the newswoman, Jay’s last sexual conquest, might be his only chance to get personal vindication-and justice for the seven victims of the police station fire.
But there are powerful men who don’t want to address unanswered questions about the fire who will go to any lengths to protect their reputations. As Raley and Britt discover more about what happened that fateful day, the more perilous their situation becaomes, until they’re not only chasing after the truth but running for their lives.

Sounds like the “2008 Thrillmaster of the Year” has done it again. I’m only twelve chapters into the book but I’m hooked. And I’ll finish it just in time for another important book release next Tuesday… If you’re in the mood for an engaging Romantic Suspense/Thriller, be sure to check out Smoke Screen!!!

Romance Writers of America, approximately a 9500 member organization, hosts a national conference for its members (both published and unpublished writers). San Francisco was my second national conference to attend. And boy did it seem even busier than last year…if that’s even possible. The conference kicked off with a 500 author Literacy signing where all the proceeds were donated to the cause. I saw Rita Nominee Jade Lee (who I met at the Arizona conference back in April). She’s a hoot. Love her.
Another author I reconnected with but from last year’s national conference and who I like to call my “mentor” was Teresa Southwick. She used to be a member of the local chapter but lives in Nevada now. I met her in an elevator last year and have stayed in touch since. Such a sweetie!!

And finally, here’s a picture for fun. Sherrilyn Kenyon brought with her two live male characters from her book, Acheron. By the end of the night, I think most women there had their picture taken with them.

The next three days consisted of workshops (either on an aspect of the writing process or career advice), meeting new people, and hanging out with friends. I had an appointment with an editor from Harlequin late Friday afternoon. Back in May, appointments with editors and agents were available online on a first come first serve basis. I knew exactly who I wanted to meet with but didn’t see the editor’s name. One month later I checked again and it was there with only a couple slots left. Who was feeling lucky then?? Even though I was a little nervous, my two friends who already knew the editor both said she was really nice. Because there have been stories of agents or editors who do sit there stony-faced and make you lead the whole conversation. So knowing I didn’t have to meet with a statue and feeling confident in the research I’d done over the line and confident my story was exactly what she was looking for, I felt good heading into the meeting. And judging by her request I send in my full manuscript, I’d say it was a success. I’m elated to say the least!!!
So overall, between the appointment with a fantastic editor and my first half marathon completion, I’d say San Francisco will always have a positive ring to it.

Sorry to take so long to report but I did run the San Francisco Half Marathon on Sunday. And it was awesome!!! The race day atmosphere is an incredible feeling. 16,000 racers all joined together, proving to themselves and others that they set a goal and could reach it. Here I am pre-race in front of the Bay Bridge. It’s about 6am and the sun is still below the horizon.
Looking back, I would’ve worn a pair of light gloves because coming from triple digits in Texas, I wasn’t used to the middle to upper 50’s. The most incredible momement occured about five miles into the race when the course led us onto the Golden Gate Bridge. I pulled my cell phone out of a little zippered pocket I had on my running skirt and called my husband. He thought the race was over and asked how I did. He couldn’t believe I was calling him in the middle of the race but was glad to share such a special moment with me. It was a good thing I called when I did because the next four miles running across the bridge and back were pretty brutal as far as the wind was concerned. I saw some official race pictures of me on the race’s website and my knees turned red they were so cold. But after getting off the bridge and running the last 3-4 miles, I actually picked up my pace. I ended with a time of 2 hours and 6 mins. Not bad for my first half marathon. Here’s the post race pics.
The three other ladies with me were my conference roommates. Thanks for coming to the race Tracy, Nikki, and Dawn!!
But I can’t forget to mention my friend who was extremely disappointed she couldn’t run the race with me. My inspiration and great friend, Robin Bielman! And also a big thanks to Ted for support and taking pictures!

Now don’t feel too sorry for her. This tough cookie has already ran 4 half marathons!!! And I’m sure that won’t be all. I hope your foot heals quickly Robin so you can get back to running for exercise. I know how much you enjoy it.

In the mean time, I’ll contemplate if any other races will be in my near future.

Tomorrow, I will run my first half marathon in San Francisco. The weather is cool compared to the triple digit weather of Texas. We’re talking 50’s at night and 60’s during the day. Here is a picture after receiving my registration packet.
Looking over the race course, I was thrilled to see I’ll be running over a bridge!!!
No, not this one but close. I’ll actually run 4 miles (over and back) on the Golden Gate Bridge.

There is some disappointing news to report. My friend Robin, who was supposed to run the race with me, is injured. And it’s not a case of wimping out. It’s a real bonafide injury. You can’t tell from the picture but she’s in a boot (and also pouting because she’s completely bummed she’ll miss the race).
I will definitely miss her beside me but I know healing the tear in her arch is much more important.

On a side note, the writing conference is going great!!! I’ve met more wonderful people and have absorbed as much informaton as possible. But I’ll post more about the goings on later.

After running for five “official” weeks and still loving it, I’ve decided to join a local running club. I’ve set a goal of another half marathon for the beginning of winter. And if I know myself, the cold wimps me out. I’m not as motivated to run when I’m inside my warm house. So I felt that if I were a part of, and somewhat accountable to others for my running, I’d be more motivated to participate. (Also the fact that I paid to join the club is motivation as well).
I could be hasty in my committment level because I haven’t even ran my first half marathon yet but even if the race doesn’t go well, the experience preparing for it has been worth it and I don’t see myself not running. It’s who I’ve become and who I want to be.
I think about San Francisco every day now, my thoughts divided between an unbelievable writers’ conference and the race. It’s funny how the two are tied because when I run, I think about my appointment with an editor or the manuscript I’m revising and when I’m writing, I think about San Francisco which makes me think about the race and how I need to run more to be better prepared. Craziness! I know.
But after August 3rd, the two will separate and go their own ways. I won’t have to try and accomplish both in the morning since I’d much rather wake up early, early than stay up late. Which will help me devote more time to each, I believe.

Hope everyone’s summer is going well.

During the fourth week of officially training for the San Francisco half marathon (totaled 42 miles this week), I’ve come up with three reasons why I might not be ready for the race. Heat. I’ve been running in the heat lately. Summers in Texas are just plain hot…even at night it doesn’t always get below 80. I worry my lungs won’t be prepared for running in 25 degree cooler temps. Which leads me to my second concern. Wind. Depending upon how much wind blows off the ocean, the temps could feel even colder than they are. Which could make breathing harder. I’ve ran in cold temperatures before, but I was also training in the colder weather. No such luck this time. And the third reason why I might not be prepared for the 13.1 miles of San Francisco are the hills. Even if you haven’t been to there before (which I haven’t) you know about the monster hills. On TV, even walking up them appears daunting. I haven’t checked out how much of the course has hills but I do know, we’ll be running over the Golden Gate Bridge.

At least that part will be flat.

Week 3 training was as I suspected-not on target or schedule.
I still ran 35 miles and one day was 10 but it should have been at least the same as week 2 totals. Oh well. More work to come this week. I’ve started to notice a comraderie between runners. Like motorcyle riders here in Texas who wave to one another when passing (as kind of a ‘hey we both share a common interest in motorcyles’), runners are turning out to be the same. Faces have become familiar to where more words can exchange between myself and another runner besides an initial greeting (hi, hello, morning, evening, etc). Now we’ve progressed to, “Are we done yet?” “How many you got today?” (miles) “Not somethin we see everyday” (referring to the loose cows)

Is there a unique comraderie in something you do? Any unique gestures or words to exchange?

I’m so excited!!! I have an appointment scheduled with an editor from Harlequin. I will meet with her in San Francisco at a conference I’ll attend. I can’t believe it either because I signed up so late. Oh well! Hopefully, it’s a meeting with Fate.

I know…a little dramatic but it’s the little things in life that release the butterflies into the air and into our stomachs. Even though I’ve already had the pleasure of meeting with an editor before, it’s still a nerve wracking experience. We (as in writers) all have this huge fear that editors or agents are these inhumane creatures from another planet when they’re actually great people. The woman I met with before was very nice, genuinely interested, and did a great job of putting me at ease. I hope this appointment coming up goes just as well.

Have you ever had an appointment, job interview, meeting with someone you’d never met and were nervous as all get out? What did you do to prepare?

In week two of my half marathon training, I stepped it up a notch. Here’s the mileage breakdown:
M-6 miles
T-6 miles
W-6.5 miles
T-6.5 miles
F-6 miles
S-8 miles
S-6 miles

Yep, 8 hours 37 minutes recorded on my watch and 4549 calories burned over those 45 miles (it actually averages out to less than 100 calories per mile because some of those eight hours were spent walking during the cool down). If you’ve read my Ache post, you know they weren’t all ran in painless bliss. Some of them down right hurt.
Due to the holiday weekend, I have a feeling that week three will total out several miles less even though I have to run 9 miles this weekend. My hubby will no doubt want to grill a bit and kick back.
My top five things I want to do over the 4th of July weekend are (in no particular order) 1) Get as much writing done as possible. I’m working on revising and editing Destiny’s Flight. An editor from Harlequin has the first three chapters so I’m working on polishing the rest in case she requests it (a girl can dream big right?) 2) Spend much needed time with my hubby. He’s been working so hard lately. We’ll finally have some alone time to just hang out or go on a date. 3) Run. No surprise here. 9 miles this weekend baby! 4) Eat something grilled. Whether it’s hamburgers or brautworsts or steak, sometimes I just crave that barbequed piece of meat. 5) See some fireworks. It’s the 4th of July. How could I not?
What are your plans for the holiday? Anyone taking a vacation or because of the high gas prices are you staying home?

Ok, what happened today during my run might sound stereotypical of Texas but it’s not something I’ve seen.

Within the first ten minutes of my run, I came along the first curve and saw about 6-8 cows standing on or by the running path. They hadn’t made it over to the bike path yet so I jumped over to it just in case. Not that a cow would do anything. They were waayyy more enthralled with the lush green grass in between the two paths to care about anything or anyone else. It’s just, you know, they’re big animals. I wanted to give myself at least some form of a head start if they did decide to do anything.
There were other people around biking or running by, just looking at them. One man, who was dressed in running atire, seemed to be investigating the fence line and where they escaped from. I kept running and eventually noticed a sign along the fence that had the owner’s phone number and name. So the next woman I saw, who happened to be nomadic (okay, fine–homeless) had TWO cell phones. One was in her lap and the other was in her hand (she was sitting on a bench). I know how much cows cost because my dad has some so I asked her to give the phone number a call. She said she would do it but didn’t punch in the phone number. Hhhhmmmm. So when I came back around, I asked her if she spoke to anyone. She said no. So when I reached the cows again and saw they were still out, roaming a bit further, and no one trying to round them up, I called the number myself. A man answered within two rings and said he would send someone out immediately. He was very appreciative that I called.
Have you ever called an owner about a lost dog or pet? If so, what was the owner’s reaction?