Before we begin I want to wish everyone a happy healthy new year. Now, that the niceties are out of the way it’s time to review 2009, and look ahead to 2010. In 2009 I resolved to read a book by each author that was invited to the DFW Tea Readers book club dinners. I started out great, but failed to follow through for the year. I also wanted to complete a challenge from one of my Yahoo groups that was to read a book with a certain word in the title. Again, I started out great, and again failed to follow through for the year. To read more of LOOK BOTH WAYS….REVIEWING 2009 and PLOTTING 2010 please click here. Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

In January this year, my friend Gloria will come to my home for three days while we review the ten personal and ten professional goals we set for 2009 and set our goals for 2010. She’ll reassure me that Shattered, my 49th novel and the eight book in my Bitter CreekM series, which hits bookstores on December 29, will sell like hotcakes. I’ll drink lots of hot tea, eat lots of Hershey’s kisses (with almonds) and angst about whether my readers will like Kate and Jack’s story, which they’ve been waiting to read for two years. (I know, finally!!!!) Gloria and I became friends at a Romantic Times writing conference and we’ve shared these sessions–at her house one year and my house the next–for the past fifteen years. It’s amazing how much more you accomplish when you write down your goals and check in once a week with a friend to see how you’re doing during the year. Every goal you write should be stated as though it has already occurred. It should also be something within your control and achievable during the year. I’ll share a couple of mine from last year with you, so you can see what…

New Year’s is a day of reflection and recovery in some cases and most certainly resolutions. Here are a few I’ve heard from family, friends, book club members and other readers for 2008. Read more…As a book club member I vow to read at least ONE book of each author chosen within the month of their appearance. I’m planning on reading more books outside my comfort reads, maybe I’ll even try a vampire book To read other books in 2008 including mysteries, maybe even a cozy To make more time for reading by not forcing myself to finish a book that isn’t working Go to book signings and not feel too shy finish the Jane Austen books before watching the miniseries on PBS Masterpiece Theatre and so on… As for me, I plan to keep on reading and not ever feel guilty for “skipping the filler” when it bogs down. I am also, gulp, get rid of a few books. Yeah, right! What’s your resolution for 2008? Is there a genre or author you’ve avoided? Do you plan on pruning your library? Tell us! Visit FreshFiction.com to learn more about books and authors.

“Good Vibrations” in Red Sage Secrets Volume 21: Primal Heat is my first erotic romance novella. I had a blast writing it, and I’m thrilled to share the story with readers. My heroine, Lexi O’Brien, is funny and practical and dead-set on her goals. She’s about to give notice at her quirky aunt’s love shop where she works so she can enter a competitive MBA program. In the past, mixing her studies with dating has caused Lexi’s grades to suffer, so she’s decided to remain celibate for the next two looooooooong years. Then Gage Templeton, her favorite out-of-customer, shows up as she’s about to close shop for the night. Lexi realizes this might be her last chance to see him…and her last chance for some hot loving before she straps on her chastity belt. So she does what any bright girl in her position would do–she modifies her goals. Lexi’s new goal is to share one wild weekend with Gage and then go merrily on her way. However, Gage has other ideas. Unknown to Lexi, he was raised in her city and is moving home. He has no intention of settling for a short-term affair. So…Lexi’s plans are turned upside-down….