BEFORE                                                             AFTER

Oh, and just this Christmas eve, we added to our family.

Bella

Max

As you can imagine, they’ve been keeping us on our toes. I’ve never seen so much puppy pee and poop! We’ve got puppy troubles times 2! But it’s all fun and worth it.

I plan on posting here a little more, though it won’t always be about writing, so consider yourself warned that it may go from a romance writer’s blog to more of a personal one. :)  Anyhoo, it is late so I must trundle off to bed.

I’ve lost count of the number of boxes so far packed with books but there is a method to my packing: Blaze books; historical novels; all contemporary romance not Blaze; self-help books; books on writing; diet books (OMG I have a lot of these and the total sum of help they have offered? Zero. hmmm) reference books; travel books… you get the picture. Here’s the kicker though, I’ve even noted whether they are boxes to store or boxes to open soon after the move. Organised, huh?

Strangely though, sitting here with 10 bookcase shelves empty, I’m only halfway through. It’s quite disheartening. And scary. How on earth do I mix all the his and hers stuff when there is just so much of it?

Eh, I can only laugh and you can only wish me good luck because I haven’t touched the finance section yet

I think she bailed on me when I stopped listening but in my defence, I had good reason. Concentrating on my health, family and work has taken priority. For a long time I wrote at the expense of everything else. There was little balance, if any at all. My weight ballooned, family started wondering if they’d ever see me again and work suffered. But then, I met the man of my dreams and really stopped to assess my life.

So while I have much writing to catch up, I haven’t been twiddling my thumbs. I’ve lost 77 pounds (35kg or 5.5 stone), am in the process of selling my house, have bought a new house with my man and work is back on track. I’m not done yet. I have another 15kg to lose (30 pound or thereabouts) and am starting to prepare for the June move. Needless to say, I doubt much writing will get done but let me just say, the new house has inspired me. I’ll have a new writing nook and the techno wizo man that I love will set me up with new equipment I’ll be mobile and creative. Yay.

Of course, lots of work to do between now and then!

once teeming with life –

now silent.

Still.

Sad.

The firestorm that swept by-

angry, ferocious, hungry-

took but moments.

Indiscriminate.

Random.

The destruction is inexplicable,

twisted metal hides burnt wood.

Blackened remnants of what was.

Inanimate.

Buried.

My heart weeps for those who perished.

Men, woman and children.

Lives lost too early.

Needless.

Senseless.

But from the ashes, hope arises.

Photos spared, keepsakes intact.

Wildlife emerges from the rubble.

Survivors.

Miracles.

Against the tragedy of bushfire –

determined to catch the bug,

we will not surrender.

Brave.

Resolved.

Not all is lost.

Many will rebuild and recover.

What is black will soon be green.

Reborn.

Resilient.

Black Saturday, 7 February 2009.

Touched the hearts of many.

Global citizens band together.

Strong.

United.

Here’s wishing everyone a wonderful, safe and happy 2009. To all my writer buddies, I wish you lots of sales. To all the readers, I thank you for taking the time to support me and I hope you find some golden gems in your TBR piles!

As 2008 draws to a close, I have received 2 more wonderful reviews.

Jambrea over at Joyfully Reviewed thinks that “Glamour Puss rocks the cat walk!” (Thanks to Vivien Dean for alerting me to the review!)

And Night Owl Romance  thought that in Sari, “The rich textures of characters and backdrop pull you into a story that is well-developed.”

With those lovely words, how can one not be motivated to write more?!?! Good thing I’m on holidays and have some time to devote to the next Hybrids book.

Bitten By Books reviewed Sari:

“I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The twists kept me reading long into the night….I can’t wait for the next book!” Read the rest

And The Romance Studio reviewed Glamour Puss:

“This is a powerful tale both in the eroticism involved and in the thought processes of a killer and those who try to find him.” Read the rest

And Romance Junkies reviewed Payback:

“Rose Middleton has given us a fun short story that never loses pace. Alexis and Lorenzo are so caught up in the thrill of the chase and that pot of gold at the end of the line; they at no point prepared themselves for the feelings that would resurface when they have come face to face or for that little thing called love.” Read the rest

But…I caved in and bought a 4th gen iPod nano. I’m addicted to it and to iTunes. My playlist for the gym is 60mins of run-your-ass-off kinda music and I love it. No wonder the weight is coming off, LOL (19.5kgs = 43lbs as of 8 Nov.)

P.S. Yes, I’m back. Properly. No more excuses. I will write. I will blog. I promise.

Sari

By: Rose Middleton | ISBN # 978-1-60202-129-7

Available from Linden Bay Romance
 

Shapeshifting scientific assistant Sari Jones is having trouble controlling the dangerous heat that surges through her blood every time she steps within three feet of her hunky boss, Professor Kai Harrison. But control it she must, or risk losing the one man her heart has come to desire, and the freedom she longs to keep.

It’s a race against time when Kai and Sari are forced to trust one another in the search for truth. The Facility is key, an underground complex where Sari was once imprisoned. Deep in the jungle passions ignite, secrets are revealed, and for Kai the pieces start to fall into place. Sari isn’t human. She’s hybrid. And she’s just what Kai’s been searching for. There’s no such thing as coincidence…

Okay, enough from me. Back to writing…

15000 / 50000 words. 30% done!