Donna Hatch, Romance Author

Writers Unite to Fight Cancer Fundraiser

2012-01-27T11:48:00.000-08:00

Your presence may save a life!

Next week is the Writers Unite to Fight Cancer Research Fundraiser - an official Arizona Centennial Event taking place at the Arizona Biltmore.

Celebrate Arizona's 100th birthday with 40 authors as we raise money for two Arizona-based Cancer Research Programs:
(1.) Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, collaboratively with Arizona State University under the direction of Robert Waters PhD.
(2.) The University of Arizona Cancer Center natural product research program directed by Dr. Leslie Gunatilaka.

Hospice of the Valley.

Silent auction include original art pieces, wine, sports event tickets and entertainment park passes.

Bring your family and friends for an informative and entertaining event!

Receive personally autographed books from award winning authors. Each guest will take home a complimentary gift bag that will contain a book, educational materials, samples and coupons from vendors.

For more information visit Writers Unite to Fight Cancer

Join me and others striving to find a real cure for this killer disease next Thursday. Register here or here.

Glendale Chocolate Affaire -- Romance and Chocolate, there's nothing better!

2012-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Glendale Chocolate Affaire - February 3-5, 2012

The weekend before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 3-5, is a delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire takes over downtown Glendale to create a chocolate-lover’s dream!

Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, Noon - 5 p.m.
Watch Video

Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well. Chocolate confections will include items such as chocolate-covered bacon, chocolate-covered churros, chocolate-covered twinkies, chocolate-covered key lime pie, fried ice cream with chocolate and strawberries, chocolate-covered crepes and much more.

The Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Arizona’s famous candy makers, Cerreta’s. The candy factory will offer tours all weekend, so visitors can get a behind-the-scenes look at how the chocolatiers create everyone’s favorite candy.

In addition, the festival has become the largest gathering of national romance novelists in the Southwest. This symposium of literary romantics offers fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with authors, as well as the chance to attend free writing workshops given by the experts. I will be there Friday night from 6 to 10 and Saturday from 10 to 6. Stop by and say hello and meet some of my writing friends.

Families with children will enjoy myriad activities, including hands-on arts and crafts, face-painting and a rock-climbing wall. Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available throughout the weekend to take couples or families on a scenic, charming ride through the historic Catlin Court district.

Event hours are Friday 5 - 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. The event is located in the heart of Historic Downtown Glendale, in Murphy Park, located at 58th and Glendale avenues.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire festival was named one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the Washington Post, the Seattle Times and the American Bus Association. The event also was bestowed with the 2003 Governor’s Tourism Award for the Best Special Event in Arizona.

The Glendale Chocolate Affaire is sponsored by Cerreta’s Candy Company, ABC 15, The Arizona Republic, Valley Buick-GMC Dealers, YooHoo, KMLE, KOOL and JAMZ.

Sweet Blog Award

2012-01-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

Author Vijaya Schartz, a fellow author from my Desert Rose Chapter of RWA, and the publicity chair for The Desert Dreams Conference Blog nominated my blog for this Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award. Thank you, Vijaya and Desert Dreams Conference!

The Desert Dreams Conference is an awesome 3 day writers conference no writer should miss. It will be held April 27-29, 2012 at the Chaparral Suites in Scottsdale, Arizona

Keynote Speakers:

* NY Times Best Selling Author Allison Brennan

* Martha Alderson, AKA The Plot Whisperer

* NY Times Best Selling Author Bob Mayer

Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels – from beginner to multi-published – with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level.

*general writing
*career development
*genre-specific
*agent/publisher spotlights
*an agent/editor panel.
*one-on-one appointments with editors or agents
*book signing
*keynote addresses

Check out the roster of acquiring editors and agents along with our keynote speakers and workshops.

Registration deadline is March 15, 2012. Hurry, space is limited and spots are filling up fast!
RWA Member Registration is $235.
Non-RWA Member Registration is $255.
Questions? Please e-mail Desert Dreams Coordinator.

Okay, back to the blog award. As part of this process, I have to nominate ten worthy blogs, and tell my readers 7 things they might not know about me.

So here are the blogs I found worthy of nomination for the Irresistibly Sweet Award:

Janette Rallison, aka CJ Hill http://cjhillbooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/cover-contest.html

Joyce DiPastena http://jdp-news.blogspot.com/
Sarah Eden http://www.sarahmeden.com/
Laura Fabiani - http://libraryofcleanreads.blogspot.com/
Joyce Moore - http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=732718016594789120
Betsy Love http://sweetbetsylove.blogspot.com/
Danielle Thorne http://thebalancedwriter.blogspot.com/
Bonnie Harris http://bonnieharris.blogspot.com/
Delle Jacobs http://dellejacobs.blogspot.com/
Jaimey Grant http://jaimeygrant.blogspot.com/
Linda Banche http://lindabanche.blogspot.com/

And now for the 7 things you might not know about me:
1. I like cats--kittens are even more fun.
2. I am a harpist and I teach harp lessons.
3. Every morning after I get the children off to school, I go for a walk. (At least, that's always the goal)
4. I hate spiders. HATE.
5. Due to moves in my childhood, I attended 9 different schools.

6. I love cheesecake just as much as I love chocolate--chocolate cheesecake is even better.

7. Currently I'm juggling: a YA dystopian, a YA historical paranormal, and book 3 of my Rogue Hearts Regency series, plotting a new Regency.

Did you learn anything about me or did you already know all that? Any of that relate to you?

Writers Unite to Fight Cancer Event

2012-01-12T00:01:00.000-08:00

Cancer has touched almost everyone, either directly or indirectly. My mother, my nephew, and many friends all have faced or are facing this killer. Some won the battle, but many lost.

A group of authors, including me, have banded together to have a fundraiser to help cancer research and to promote choice when it comes to treatment plans.

Our event is 22 days away and I am very excited. We have 33 authors and 16 vendors participating to raise money for:

Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine Cancer Research Project in Collaboration with Arizona State University under the direction of Dr. Robert Waters.
The University of Arizona Cancer Center Natural Products Research Project under the direction of Dr. Leslie Gunatilaka.

Let's fill the room to capacity! Speakers are:

Keynote Speaker and event medical director Daniel Rubin, naturopathic oncologist
Arizona State Senator Jerry Lewis, guest speaker
Guest speaker Shauna Birdsall, ND, FABN, Director of Naturopathic Medicine

Here is the URL for event registration: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=pywsaqiab&oeidk=a07e5hpulqg0926cf1e

Admission Fee is a suggested $20.00 donation. If you desire to come but do not have funds to pay for the tickets - that is okay. We will not turn anyone away.

Our Facebook is: http://www.facebook.com/events/247043412032164/

Please contact me if you have any questions about this worthwhile fundraiser.

Honoring Those Who Serve

2012-01-09T12:01:00.000-08:00

I just got back from a trip to San Antonio to see my oldest son graduate from Basic Training in the Air Force. As we walked around the city site seeing, it was interesting and really, really great how many perfect strangers walked up to my son as and said either "Congratulations, Airman." or "Thank you for your service."

It's nice to know people appreciate those willing to serve in the armed forces.

My father served for many years in the navy and my oldest brother served in the Air Force. I also have lots of in-laws and extended family currently serving. I just never thought I'd have a son serve. As a mother, I have mixed feelings, of course. Mostly I pray a lot that he'll be safe and that he'll make wise choices.

One of the places we visited, along with the Riverwalk and Alamo, both of which are worth the trip, was a memorial for veterans. A plaque next to one of the sculptures, which was that of a fallen Vietnam soldier, had a poem that touched me. I'd like to share it:

Death At My Door

Day is over as danger hastens

young marines at their battle stations

instruments of war outline the sky

means of death are standing by.

Can it be true on this high hill

forces will clash only to kill?

silence fills the near moonless night

restlesss thoughts of a bloody fight

Endless memories for those awake

meaningfull discussion experience would make

though silent world in which we live

permits only God's comfort to give

Somewhere through the darkness creeping

a date with death is in the keeping

alone I sit and question why

life itself to be born to merely die?

by David G. Rogers

1st Lt USMG

April 30, 1967

To those to serve our country in the armed forces, thank you, and may God protect you.

Mistletoe, an ancient symbol

2011-12-29T07:25:00.000-08:00

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is as ancient as it is fun. No one seems to know the true origin of kissing under the mistletoe, but most sources seem to trace it back to old Scandinavia. It probably stems from pagan rituals, as do most Christmas traditions, even Christmas itself.

Druids believed mistletoe possessed magical powers of healing—even against poison—and helped improve fertility. Other herbology claims mistletoe is both an aphrodisiac and an abortive plant, which might be why some of the earliest customs involved more than an innocent kiss.

In the Celitc language, mistletoe means literally, “all-healer.” Modern medicine cannot prove this, so it probably comes from superstition based on the phenomenon that even in the dead of winter, mistletoe stays green and healthy because it is feeding off the trees serving as its host. Druids performed a sacred sacrificial ritual underneath the mistletoe for the benefit of sick or infertile land and animals.

But getting back to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Its earliest uses are linked to its symbolism of peace. Supposedly warring parties would lay down their weapons and declare a truce while in the presence of mistletoe. Quarreling couples would kiss and make up underneath a sprig of mistletoe. This probably led later to the tradition to simply kissing anyone “caught” standing underneath the mistletoe, which later led to interesting--and not always innocent--situations. Until recently, the young man would traditionally pluck off one of the white berries after kissing a girl. When all the berries were plucked, the kissing, at least while under the mistletoe, also ceased. Reportedly, maids in a boarding house would wait under the mistletoe, get kissed, and then the men were expected to pay a shilling.

At one point, the "kissing bunch" became a Christmas decoration in England early American homes. The kissing bunch was constructed of two hoops tied into a round frame, then decorated with ribbons, holly, apples, oranges and other bright fruits. In the center of the frame rested figures of the infant Christ, Mary, and Joseph. A sprig of mistletoe hung below this.

In my Christmas Regency novella, Mistletoe Magic, there are lots of plots that center around a magical mistletoe kiss, but the end result is not what anyone expected!

So the next time you need a good kissing, stand under a bunch of mistletoe in the vicinity of a person you’d like to kiss, (bring your own mistletoe if necessary) and expect a kiss. Throat-clearing may help. But remember, no berry plucking or shilling paying necessary!

2011-12-28T12:23:00.000-08:00

On December 31, the price goes up, so don't wait.

DESERT DREAMS WRITERS' CONFERENCE 2012
Believe in the Power of Your Dreams

April 27 - 29, 2012
Chaparral Suites Resort - Scottsdale Arizona

Keynote Speakers:
NY Times Best Selling Author Allison Brennan
Martha Alderson, AKA The Plot Whisperer
NY Times Best-selling Author Bob Mayer

Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference provides authors of all skill levels – from beginner to multi-published – with the tools necessary to take their writing to the next level. Sessions will include general writing, career development, genre-specific, agent/publisher spotlights, as well as an agent/editor panel. There will also be one-on-one appointments with editors or agents, a book signing, and keynote addresses.

Conference registration includes:
Workshops Friday afternoon and all day Saturday
Two-hour workshop Sunday morning
One-on-one appointment with editor/agent (based on time of registration and availability)
Friday evening mixer
Dinner and keynote address on Friday
Editor/Agent panel
Saturday luncheon
Participation in Saturday book signing
Saturday evening dinner and brainstorming session
RWA early registration (through December 31, 2011) is $215.
Non-RWA early registration (through December 31, 2011) is $235.
Prices increase $20 on January 1, 2012. Registration deadline is March 15, 2012.
For more information about workshops, speakers, agents, editors, registration, hotel reservation etc. visit:http://www.desertroserwa.org/conferences/Phoenix-Romance-Writers-Conferences.php
You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, for all the latest news and updates on Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference 2012.
Follow the Desert Dreams Blog for insights, useful tips, and speakers interviews from now until April 2012 at:
http://desertdreamswritersconference.blogspot.com/
Hope to see you all there!

12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what with with that crazy song The 12 Days of Christmas? I mean really, what's with all the birds and the funky people?

Here's the meaning behind all those bizarre lyrics:

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ in the manger.
-Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
-The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.
-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
-Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
-The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
-The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
-The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

So the next time you hear that song, remember those who were not allowed to openly worship their faith and be grateful for those who paved the way to religious freedom today.

Merry Christmas.

Identity sunglassees giveaway

2011-12-22T14:35:00.000-08:00

Attention catslady: You are the winner of the Identity sunglasses, but you left me no way of contacting you. Please email me at donnahatch29@gmail.com so I can arrange for delivery of your prize.

Regency Chocolate

2011-12-22T00:01:00.000-08:00

I am a chocolate lover. I'm not exactly a connoisseur I guess, because I pretty much like it all. And I prefer milk chocolate over dark chocolate which I hear is proof that I'm not a real expert on it. I just like it sweet and decadent. :-)

But what was candy, and more specifically, chocolate, like in Regency England? They had quite a variety, actually. These were not the chocolate drops like we buy today and they were not like a box of Russell Stover chocolates. But there WERE candies and specifically, chocolate.

In Savoring the Past: The French Kitchen and Table from 1300 to1789, culinary historian Barbara Ketcham Wheaton cites a respected 1750 cookbook that specialized in desserts: "There are also some chocolate candies: the still familiar diablotins -- flat disks of bitter chocolate, thickly sprinkled with nonpareils, chocolate "olives" (which we call chocolate truffles), and a conserve of chocolate, which turns out to be very like fudge."

There were also ices, ice creams, and custards flavored with chocolate, though of course Wheaton adds that, "dipped chocolates... were not invented until the nineteenth century."

Unfortunately, there aren't any chocolate recipes included in the two dozen or so Wheaton reprints. Although this is a book about France and not England, many French chefs employed by aristocrats decamped for England after the revolution, so it makes sense to use it as a resource for writing Regency Romance Novels.

"In 1657 the first chocolate house was opened in London by a Frenchman. The shop was called the The Coffee Mill and Tobacco Roll. Costing 10 to 15 shillings per pound, chocolate was considered a beverage for the elite class. 1674 - Eating solid chocolate was introduced in the form of chocolate rolls and cakes, served in chocolate emporiums.

1730 - Cocoa beans drop in price making it within the financial reach of those other than the very wealthy."

It was a known fact that the French were always savvy in their cooking and invited into British society long before the French Revolution. As an example with our chocolate discussion, in 1657 (a long time before the revolution) the first chocolate house was opened in London by a Frenchman. The Brits were reputedly horrible cooks and even today, most culinary schools are extentions from French culinary cuisine. When the Brits did roasts during medieval times, the French already had fine cuisine. The French like to think they were born with the skill of cooking.

Chocolate houses preceded the coffee and tea houses and many had drank chocolate hot. In fact, many authors say quite definitely that up to the through the Regency period, chocolate was a drink and that it was not much used in cooking and not eaten by hand. However, since we have better access to more records and period papers, many old "facts" have been exploded. A large part the information about chocolate is not so much exploded as in need of a footnote. I have only tasted modern block baking chocolate and not 18th century chocolate but I don't imagine plain chocolate was any sweeter then than now.

The Spanish started adding cane sugar and flavorings such as vanilla and spices to cocoa beverages which caught on across Europe at the very beginning of the 1600's. So they realized the potential of chocolate with sweet. And I'm certain people experimented on their own, which of course unless it was recorded no one would know about. The problem with a lot of recipes back then is that most of them had ingredients but lacked amounts, as it was assumed how much was needed/used. Which makes it difficult to replicate, obviously.I like my chocolate pretty sweet. There are those that prefer it very dark and hardly sweet at all. I would think drinking chocolate in those days would be similar to drinking coffee. Some people prefer black coffee; others like theirs fairly sweet and with cream. It always amazes me that anyone would like coffee without sweetener, but they do, and even say they could not drink it any other way. Maybe the caffeine in chocolate gives a rush that people craved just as they do from coffee.

They did have ways to sweeten chocolate,( honey is eons old, after all,). Sugar was also sold in bulk and was not as refined as it is today. The chocolate we know and love had to await further refinements of sugar and chocolate as well as stabilizers or emulsifiers. It is from this later development that most historians date eating chocolate. When one considers all that had to be done to the chocolate and the amount of sugar required to make it palatable, it's a wonder they made anything chocolate!

Without a doubt chocolate is indeed an art. Refined sugar is key, cocoa butter (the emulsifier we use, anyway) is key and temperature is crucial. The temperature of your own fingers and body affects rolling, molding and shaping. Trial and error is what you use now, so back then, even more so.

So the next time you enjoy fine chocolate, spare a thought for the science, and art, that goes into its creation.

Interview with YA author Betsy Love -- WINNER

2011-12-20T14:52:00.001-08:00

Congratulations, catslady. You are the lucky winner of the drawing for a pair of Identity sunglasses. Please contact me at donnahatch29 (at) gmail (dot) come and I'll put you in touch with Betsy who will send you your sunglasses.

Thank you to everyone else who stopped by and left a comment.

Interview with YA author Betsy Love

2011-12-16T00:01:00.000-08:00

Today my guest is the very talented and fun Betsy Love, Author of Identity, her new novel. One lucky commenter will receive a pair of Identity style sunglasses. Welcome, Betsy. How long have you been writing?

Betsy: Since I could hold a pen/pencil in my hands. I used to watch my mother writing and knew that I wanted to do that, too. Her loopty-loops fascinated me. I learned that these meant words and words are power. When I started school I couldn’t wait to write my own stories.
Donna: What was it like when you first got “the call?”.

Betsy: It was actually an email. And I cried, I danced around the house and couldn’t wait to tell anyone who would listen. Next to having a baby, it’s the most exhilarating experience.

Donna: Mine, too. I love the comparison to having a baby—it’s almost as much work and certainly takes all my heart and soul! So tell me, what do you find fulfilling about writing your genre?

Betsy: My problem is I don’t write in just one genre. When I started writing Identity I just wanted to tell a story. I love to read in so many genres, and I’ve tried my hand at most of them. The most fulfilling part of writing is when you get a card or email and your reader tells you how much your story meant to them.

Donna: I have the same problem. So, what motivated you to write your current book?

Betsy: My mother started reading a story to me that had a similar plot. She never finished it. One day I was talking to my eleven-year old daughter and telling her about that story. I was bemoaning the fact that my mother never finished it. In her amazing wisdom my daughter said to me, “So write your own ending.” And I did.

Donna: Good for you! What is more difficult--writing the book or promoting the book? Any tips for success?

Betsy: Both are difficult! But I’d have to say promoting. Making sure your book is in the public eye, keep your name out there, those are all things that need to be done every day. I’m not great at it, yet.

Donna: Me, either. So tell us what you are working on now.

Betsy: I have a sequel to Identity that I worked on during NaNoWriMo. As the deadline loomed closer and I still had 28,000 words left to go in two days (call me crazy!) I decided I was going to push through. The first day I managed over 12,000 words. The second day I pushed even harder and got almost 16,000. I’ve never done that before, and I’ll NEVER do that again. I ended up writing about silly things that may or may not make it into the final version. For instance, when I made a plot shout out to my Facebook friends, one of my dear respondents suggested writing about a three-legged dog. Another person suggested I name the dog Cheetos (I had a craving for them during that time). When I was writing that ridiculous scene, I thought, “Yeah that’s gonna go!” But the more I thought about it, the more I realized I could actually incorporate it into the plot. I have several other works in progress across as many genres.

Donna: What’s the craziest, bravest, or stupidest thing you’ve ever done?

Betsy: The stupidest would have to be the time I was on a three-way call with my ANWA presidency having an important meeting. Stupid me left my two youngest boys 2 and 3 years old alone in the other room watching television. I should be safe in my bedroom, right? WRONG! While I was discussing our upcoming writer’s conference, my two little darlings were dive-bombing the kitchen floor with the five dozen eggs I’d just gotten from Costco. Luckily I have pictures somewhere.

Donna: Oh, the woes of mother hood. Okay now here's the power round:
Favorite food? Mexican (especially fish tacos or sea food enchiladas)
Favorite dessert? Brownies or cheese cake
Jeans and T-shirt, or designer clothes? I can afford Jeans and t-shirts, but I’d rather wear designer clothes
Guilty pleasure? Sh…don’t tell, I love to play World of Warcraft. I have a level 82 druid.
One word that describes you? Sweet
Favorite flower? Stock—they smell AmAzInG!!!
Favorite sport? Whatever my boys are playing at the time

Donna: Tell us about your new book, Identity.

Betsy: While vacationing in Mexico, two similar-looking young women find themselves caught in a chain reaction of mistaken identities. Amelia is a wealthy heiress and business owner, and Savannah is a sweet Mormon girl deciding whether or not to serve a mission. When they end up on the same flight to Phoenix, Savannah and Amelia unravel the sequence of events that wreaked havoc on their trips, and they make plans to resolve the subsequent misunderstandings. But their flight is cut short when the plane crashes, killing one of the young women and plunging the other into a world of intrigue and deceit where identity means everything.

Donna: Sounds so exciting! I can’t wait to read it. I expect an autographed copy :-) Thanks so much for being my guest today. Betsy's great new novel is available in both paperback and ebook--both for Kindle and Nook on Amazon. It was great getting to know you better.

Here’s Betsy’s Author bio: I’m a mom, a grandmother and wife (not necessarily in that order). I have 8 children who have given me 14 grandchildren to date. I’m married to my biggest fan and support. I graduated with a Magna Cum Laude in Secondary Education and English. Currently I get to be a full time writer. I substitute teach from time to time and love being with teens.

Website: http://betsyloveldsauthor.blogspot.com

http://identitynovel.blogspot.com

Now, for the giveaway, leave a thoughtful comment (more thoughtful than "great interview" please) and you'll be entered in a drawing to win a cool pair of Identity-style sunglasses.
Drawing will take place on Monday, 19 December.

GIVE THE GIFT OF ARIZONA DREAMIN' -- A GLORIFIED GIRLS NIGHT OUT

2011-12-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

Want to give some Arizona Dreams for Christmas?

*HOLIDAY GIFT SPECIAL*

Purchase tickets for Arizona Dreamin' 2012

by MIDNIGHT on December 25th, 2011

for just $30 each!

($5 off the regular price)

PLUS we will email you a

printable Gift Certificate

to put under the tree!

***CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE***
or use the direct link
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ZQNYRX6ESWVJJ

Happy Holidays from all of us at Arizona Dreamin'!

Chocolate Giveaway Winner

2011-12-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Jackie of La Mesa, CA for winning a Godiva Chocolate. Thanks to everyone for entering my chocolate giveaway contest to celebrate the release of my new Christmas Regency Romance short story, Mistletoe Magic.

20th Annual ANWA Writers' Conference coming soon

2011-12-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

The Faculty for the 20th Annual ANWA Conference to be held February 23 – 25th is very exciting. I hope many of my writing friends will be able to enjoy Time Out for Writers with us at the Mesa Hilton Hotel. (The photographs match the names starting on the left top row, going on down to the right bottom.)

Anita Mumm is a Literary Assistant at Nelson Literary Agency. She is thrilled to bring her love of language,   writing, and other cultures to her position at the Nelson Agency. Anita Mumm will accept queries. Her class is on Thursday evening. Tell Me More: Whetting an Agent’s Appetite with your Query or Pitch, followed by a critique session.

Brent Whiting has worked as a crime reporter for newspapers in Las Vegas, Phoenix, & Avondale. He teaches English at Glendale Community College and online at the University of Phoenix. Brent Whiting will share his expertise for: Great Opening Lines – Grabbing the Reader’s Attention. Writers get only one chance to grab a reader’s attention. How to write a catchy introduction and clear thesis.

Conrad Storad is the multi-award-winning author of more than 40 nonfiction science and nature books for young readers. His newest title is: Arizona Way Out West & Wacky. Conrad Storad will present two classes: 1. Read Me A Story! Reading aloud to cultivate the art of listening; and 2. Making Non-Fiction Fun! a Writing Workshop.

Deirdra Eden Coppel is an award winning artist who started her career in 2001 as an art director for a private publisher. She is an also an author and mother. Deirdra Coppel will teach two classes: 1. Writing Business Sense: Designers, Illustrators, Pricing & Legal Aspects; and 2. The Amazing Future of Illustrations: EMC- Multi-media Content.

Donna Hatch is an author of Historical Romance and Fantasy Romance. She began writing at the tender age of eight. Her writing awards include the Golden Quill and Golden Rose. Donna will share: 7 Secrets for Writing Romance: Romance is more than a meeting, a kiss, and a marriage proposal. Discover 7 secrets to writing a romance, what clichés to avoid, and what today’s market craves.

Jane Dystel, President of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, whose goal is to offer financial and contractual advice to its clients, as well as editorial guidance and support. Jane Dystel will be accepting queries at the conference and will teach: “Soup to Nuts: going from idea to book.” She will also discuss the importance of a social media platform and provide time for questions and answers.

Janette Rallison is the award winning author of 18 novels and has sold over 1,000,000 copies, including her latest books: My Unfair Godmother, and under the pseudonym C. J. Hill she wrote Slayers, which recently hit the bookshelves. Janette Rallison’s class is Using Internal Thought to Create Characterization: When writing a book, voice is all important. How to strengthen your characterization and voice through your characters’ internal thoughts.

Joshua J. Perkey is a Senior Editor for the Ensign and Liahona magazines. On the side he writes fantasy novels and closely follows publishing trends. Joshua Perkey’s class is Writing for Magazines. Ever wondered how to get published in the Ensign? Ever wanted what it takes to publish in a national magazine? This two-hour workshop will teach you how to craft articles for human interest magazines including Church magazines such as the Ensign, New Era, and Friend.

Joyce DiPastena is the author of two medieval romances and is a two-time Whitney Award finalist. Her third romance will be released in early 2012. Joyce DiPastena is an expert at: - Breathing Life into Historical Research. Whether you write romance, mystery, or straight fiction, this workshop will teach you how to turn historical facts into a living, breathing world for your readers.

Larry Brooks is the author of “Story Engineering,” and the creator of Storyfix.com, a leading website for novelists and screenwriters. He is also the author of five published thrillers. Larry Brooks will teach: Why Your Writing Process Counts: Working Smart vs. Simply Working. A look at the many ways writers complete a successful “search for story” through fundamentals and principles.

Linda Mulleneaux, Managing Editor at Walnut Springs Press has worked for almost 20 years as a writer and editor in the fields of marketing research, technical training, and LDS publishing. Linda Mulleneaux is Accepting Queries. Her class will be The Critical Skill of Self-Editing: Focusing on What Agents & Editors Really Care About. You can get published—you’ll just have to operate on your “baby.” Perfect your prose and streamline your story.

Linda F. Radke President of Five Star Publications, Inc. has 25 years of publishing experience and countless     international, national and state awards in publishing, marketing and writing. Linda Radke will accept queries     and is teaching two classes. 1. Publishing: Traditional Publishing, Partnership Publishing & Self-Publishing: Finding a Home for your Book and 2. It’s All in the Pitch – Marketing and Publicity: The difference between marketing and publicity.

Lisa Mangum, Assistant Editor at Deseret Book/Shadow Mountain graduated from the University of Utah in 1997 and immediately began working for Deseret Book. She is the author of the Hourglass Trilogy. Lisa Mangum is accepting queries and will teach two classes. 1. “Kaboom,” Went the Coastal Monkey Factory: Starting Your Story with a Bang. 2. Making the Leap: How to I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Slush Pile.

Marsha Ward, is the founder of ANWA, and member of the ANWA executive board. Her book Trail of Storms is the Award-Winning Finalist in the “Western Fiction” category of the “Best Books 2010″ Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. She writes Westerns with heart and grit, plenty of humor, great adventure and tender moments. Marsha Ward is not teaching a class this conference but I want my readers to know who leads the American Night Writers Association fearlessly forward.

Matt Peterson has operated a freelance copywriting business for the past four years. He specializes in blogging, social media website content, by-lined articles, email marketing, and more. Matt Peterson will present: Freelance Copywriting: The Perfect “Day Job” for Writers How you can use your writing skills to pay the bills (while you continue to work on the next great American novel.)

Peggy Shumway has twice served as a family history consultant for the LDS Church and has written several sagas about her ancestors. “Your Grandfather Did What?” Crafting a Family History That Reads Like Fiction. Who says family history has to be boring? Create family chronicles using the same techniques as fiction writers.

Sandra Hendrickson is a music educator, songwriter and author. She studied music in college and attended many songwriting workshops to develop her music skills. Sandra Hendrickson will instruct: “It Just Takes Time.” A class on creative songwriting that will motivate you to dig a little deeper, learn more skills, and challenge you to be a better songwriter.

Sara Fujimura is a world-traveler, Girl Scout leader, an anime con mom, musician, and is infinitely fascinated by deadly diseases. She weaves all these together to create non-fiction articles and essays. Sara Fujumura will present two workshops: 1. Contracts, Kill Fees, and Serial Rights, Oh My! A crash course in magazine writing; and 2. Cooking Up Some Chicken Soup - How to Write Fun, Inspirational Personal Essays.

Serena Freewomyn provides freelance copy writing and web content development, with an emphasis in search engine optimization and provides social media management services. Serena will teach two session of: Social Media for Authors Twitter, Facebook, and blogs, provide authors valuable ways to expand their readership base. How you can know that you’re utilizing the right tool for your target audience.

Wendy Peterson hails from a long line of teachers. Imparting her love of language and literature to her students ignites her passion. Wendy Peterson’s workshop will be: Poetry: A Spicy Slice of Life. Like spices in food, poetry makes life interesting, more flavorful, richer. Write poetry using easy-to-get-started and simple-to-understand ideas.

You won’t want to miss this exciting conference. For more information and registration visit: http://anwawritersconference.com/

For Questions email Cindy R. Williams or Patti Hulet at: anwa-events@anwa-lds.com

Chocolate Giveaway

2011-12-07T08:43:00.000-08:00

My newest story, a light, fun Regency Christmas short story entitled Mistletoe Magic is available starting today. Download the ebook here. If you like it, please leave rate it and leave a review.

To celebrate, I'm giving away Godiva chocolate!

At the Christmas Eve masquerade ball, Evelyn plans to lure the charming and handsome Michael underneath the mistletoe and show him just how much she likes him. With a single, earth-shattering kiss, she's certain he'll finally realize she's the only girl for him. Little does she know, her childhood friend, Colin, has the same plans for Evelyn. Neither her crush on another man, nor her near escape from falling through the ice in a frozen pond will stand in Colin's way. They'll both need the magic of a mistletoe kiss, but only one of them will succeed in their plans.

To celebrate the release of Mistletoe Magic, I'm giving away chocolate!!! Romance and chocolate--the best combination! Win this yummy Godiva chocolate tree with white snowflakes. Just leave the title of my new story, specify if you want milk chocolate or dark chocolate, and you will be entered in my drawing. Be sure to leave me your email address so I notify you that you've won.

Note: flattery may increase your odds of winning :-) Sorry, contest is limited to US and Canada addresses only.

So to recap, in the comments section put:

* new Christmas story title
* choose milk chocolate or dark chocolate
* your email address (only to notify you that you've won--no Spamming, I promise!) If I have track you down because you didn't give me you email address, I'll be grumpy.

That's it. Good luck!

Legal stuff: Limited to US and Canada addresses only. Odds of winning depend on the number of entries received. Void where prohibited.

Kissing Under the Mistletoe

2011-12-03T00:01:00.000-08:00

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is as ancient as it is fun. No one seems to know the true origin of kissing under the mistletoe, but most sources seem to trace it back to old Scandinavia. It probably stems from pagan rituals, as do most Christmas traditions, even Christmas itself.

Druids believed mistletoe possessed magical powers of healing—even against poison—and helped improve fertility. Other herbology claims mistletoe is both an aphrodisiac and an abortive plant, which might be why some of the earliest customs involved more than an innocent kiss.

In the Celitc language, mistletoe means literally, “all-healer.” Modern medicine cannot prove this, so it probably comes from superstition based on the phenomenon that even in the dead of winter, mistletoe stays green and healthy because it is feeding off the trees serving as its host. Druids performed a sacred sacrificial ritual underneath the mistletoe for the benefit of sick or infertile land and animals.

But getting back to the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Its earliest uses are linked to its symbolism of peace. Supposedly warring parties would lay down their weapons and declare a truce while in the presence of mistletoe. Quarreling couples would kiss and make up underneath a sprig of mistletoe. This probably led later to the tradition to simply kissing anyone “caught” standing underneath the mistletoe, which later led to interesting--and not always innocent--situations. Until recently, the young man would traditionally pluck off one of the white berries after kissing a girl. When all the berries were plucked, the kissing, at least while under the mistletoe, also ceased. Reportedly, maids in a boarding house would wait under the mistletoe, get kissed, and then the men were expected to pay a shilling.

At one point, the "kissing bunch" became a Christmas decoration in England early American homes. The kissing bunch was constructed of two hoops tied into a round frame, then decorated with ribbons, holly, apples, oranges and other bright fruits. In the center of the frame rested figures of the infant Christ, Mary, and Joseph. A sprig of mistletoe hung below this.

In my new Regency novella, Mistletoe Magic, coming soon from Smashwords, there are lots of plots that center around a magical mistletoe kiss, but the end result is not what anyone expected!

So the next time you need a good kissing, stand under a bunch of mistletoe in the vicinity of a person you’d like to kiss, (bring your own mistletoe if necessary) and expect a kiss. Throat-clearing may help. But remember, no berry plucking or shilling paying necessary!

Harp Obsession

2011-11-30T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you've read my books, you may have noticed that I have a thing for harps. A harp can be found in all of my books. In The Stranger She Married, I mention a harp standing in the corner of the music room. In The Guise of a Gentleman, a harpist plays during the wedding breakfast. In Queen in Exile, my heroine is a harpist. If I ever get Courting the Countess published, you'll see that the heroine is a harpist.

So why the obsession with harps?

It began when I was about 12. I had just started a new school, and the teacher announced that a harp teacher had offered to teach harp lessons to any student at the school who was already in the school band.

Something came alive inside me that day. Every cell in my body woke up. I knew then that I had to play the harp. Somehow.

After class, I went to the teacher and said, "I don't play in the band, but I really, really want to learn to play the harp."

She said, "Go talk to the band teacher. Maybe you can work something out with him."

So I did. I told him the situation. He listened patiently, then asked me, "Do you know how to play any instrument?"

I shook my head, sickened that I might miss out on this opportunity. "The piano, but only a little."

"How long have you played the piano?" he asked.

"About a year."

He thought, and said, "Okay, you can play the keyboard in the band."

I think I must have yelped out loud, or as much as a painfully shy new kid could. This was my chance. I was now in the band. Which meant I was eligible to take harp lessons.

The harp teacher taught me harp lessons once a week that school year, and even let me borrow her Lyon & Healy harp a few weekends a month to use for practice. I loved it! When we moved at the end of the year to a new state, I pestered my parents into letting me continue to take harp lessons. I took lessons for years on and off, despite moves, family changes, and financial problems.

This picture is a Lyon & Healy Troubadour harp, much like the one I first learned to play.

Years later, I no longer play for weddings or in church. However, I teach, and I still love playing for my own enjoyment. It relaxes me and quiets the noise in my head.

Here is a picture of the harp that I play, a Lyon & Healy 85 petite. It's a little smaller and a lot lighter than a full-sized concert grand, but it has a lovely sound and fills my soul with peace.

Not coincidentally, when I write, I listen to one of three things: my cats purring, instrumental new age piano music, or harp music. There's nothing like it. It's almost magical.

Does music play a role in your life?