It's been said that electronic publishing is the wave of the future...or some such drivel...so when I got an offer from an E-Publisher to publish my first book (Her Will His Way--a contemporary sensual romance) I didn't consider it a bad move. Afterall, the Kindle and those other gadgets are pretty popular, I figured I'd have a pretty good chance at making a few bucks, not enough to quit my day job of course...although my day job is Mom so I can't ever quit that....but enough to help with my writing expenses maybe pay for a conference or two.  Well....I think I've given a whole new meaning to delusions of grandeur. 

My book has been on the virtual bookshelves for six months and hasn't been doing well. Heck, I've had more people read my blog in a month than I've had total sales....how pathetic is that?  And it's not because I've written a horrid book....it wouldn't have been published if it were horrid...it's because....well, I don't know why.  I've done what I'm supposed to do promotion-wise (guest blogs up the wahzoo, joined different websites, had a contest...etc) but all I seem to get is the equivalent of a pat on the head and a 'ain't that sweet' smile.

So, what happens next? I dunno, I guess I just keep doing what I've been doing...not that it helps.  Maybe I should openly grovel on my blog and plead for those reading to go out and buy my book *inserting link here*  

Maybe I could also ask that those who have read to spread the word that this is an enjoyable book to read.

Maybe I should post an excerpt--different from the one on the website--and give you a taste of what's to come so you'll want to read the whole thing.  And, once you've read the whole thing I'm sure you'll agree with the reveiwers at Joyfully Reviewed and Coffeetime Romance, and Nightowl Romance and Romance Junkies who have all truely enjoyed the book.

Is that enough groveling? Cuz, really, I could do more.

Enjoy the excerpt and I hope you'll pick up the book as well.

Thanks for reading.

excerpt:

“Are you sure you don’t mind closing up for me?” Anita asked her assistant, Berta, as she scooped her purse from the desk drawer.

The young woman waved her off. “No, not at all. It’s only a couple more hours. Besides, I don’t think we’re going to get a mad rush of people wanting carnations,” she said with a grin. “Now, go on and get ready for your date with Officer Hottie.”....

“It isn’t a date. I’m just making him dinner,” Anita said. “He goaded me into it.”

“Yeah, right. And you don’t have the least bit of interest in him,” Berta said with a dubious nod.

“No, I don’t. I can barely even stand the man’s company.” Anita frowned at her friend. “Would you stop with the mmm hmm’s?”

Berta held up her hands and shrugged. “I’m just saying the way he looks at you...you’d have to be blind not to see it.”

“There’s nothing to see. I’ve known Tony for almost twenty years. He’s an arrogant son of a bitch who thinks he knows everything.”

“And you, being so proud, can’t resist proving him wrong. It has absolutely nothing to do with that killer body or those bedroom eyes,” Berta said.

“I’ve never noticed.”

Berta laughed, nodding her head. “Oh, yeah that was convincing.”

Anita grinned and adjusted her purse strap over her shoulder. “I’ll see you Monday.” She made it to the door before stopping. “Oh shoot! I forgot Mr. Jimenez is supposed to drop off some more of his vases.”

Berta stepped forward and placed her hands on Anita’s shoulders, turning her back to face the door. “I can handle Mr. Jimenez. I did work for your grandfather for a couple of years before you took over the place. Now go make yourself sexy for your date. And I want to hear all the horny details Monday.”

“It’s not a date!” Anita said before the door closed behind her. “He tricked me into it. Just like he always does,” she added with a frown.

Damn that Antonio Hernandez! In all the years she’d known him, he’d looked for ways to tease her into some sort of debate, and she would have a determined need to prove him wrong, never realizing until later that he’d been setting her up.

She slid into her car and thought about how he’d cornered her in her grandmother’s kitchen two days earlier. He’d been mowing the lawn and came in for a drink. When he noticed her at the stove, he started speaking in Spanish, smirking when she didn’t respond. .

“It’s a shame you have so little respect for your heritage,” he said, shaking his head. .

“Just because I don’t speak Spanish, doesn’t mean I’m any less a Mexican.” .

“You can’t even make a simple plate of migas,” he said, gesturing toward the mess of eggs sticking to the skillet. .

“I can cook as well as you,” Anita returned..

Tony stepped closer, caging her in against the counter, a mischievous gleam in his dark brown eyes. .

“Yeah? Prove it. You can cook me dinner Saturday night.” .

Wisps of black hair draped his forehead. The smell of freshly cut grass clung to his skin, mixing with his own musky scent. She silently cursed her libido for reacting as if she’d been hit with a flamethrower. .

“I don’t have to prove anything to you,” she said, glaring up at him..

Tony’s smile was crooked and every bit as cocky. “That’s what I thought.” He leaned in, his mouth inches from hers. “You’re afraid to be alone with me,” he said in Spanish. His smile spread when her eyes hardened. “Prove me wrong,” he said, switching back to English. “Saturday night. My place.” He stole a kiss then caught her arm when her hand came up to slap him.

“You only get to do that once,” he said then left her alone in the kitchen..

From September 15 to October 15 the nation will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. I'm not sure when the holiday started or rather, when the nation decided to acknowledge it, but for as long as I can remember, there was always a celebration in my hometown.

Every third weekend in September my family (and I mean everyone in my family) would attend a three day "Mexican Fiesta" held by the Mexican Heritage Society in Port Arthur.  At that time, was held in the parking lot of the local strip mall (can't remember what the name was, but there was a Woolco there...Geez, how old does that make me?)  

Anyway, the festivities would start on Friday evening and consist of mostly food booths....what better reason to go to a fiesta I ask??  The food was so totally awesome! made by local families and the money raised for the Heritage Society and the Hispanic community. They also had a pagent to crown a queen (done on Saturday evening), mariachi players, Calpuli dancers, tamale eating contests (which my brother Dave won once) and a street dance (literally since we were in a parking lot) by bands from Victoria Texas or Corpus Christie and other towns.  Most of the people attending either sat on the gates of their pickup trucks or brought lawn chairs to sit in, circling around an area designated the 'dance floor'.  My brothers and sisters and cousins and I used to jump in when the band played The Cotton-eyed Joe....one of the few dances we could do without a partner. Occasionally we were allowed to work a food booth or drink cart...always fun when you're a kid. (and on a side note, I had my first kiss at the fiesta, but I won't say who he was or my age at the time.)

Nowadays the fiesta is held at the Port Arthur Civic Center and  (imo) isn't the celebration it used to be. It's lost a lot in it's transition (mostly the tradition).  Sadly though, because of Hurricane Ike, the fiesta was canceled this year.

Anyway, if you've never been to an actual Mexican Fiesta, you should go. Aside from the one in Port Arthur, Brownsville also holds a week long celebration called Charro Days. It's held yearly at the end of February to celebrate the sister cities of Brownsville, Texas and Matamoras, Mexico.  I've never had the opportunity to attend this party, but one of these days I will. Especially since I've introduced it in my current WIP, House of Cards (soon to be sold...uh...once I finish it. )

So, how do you plan to celebrate Mexican Independence Day and National Hispanic Heritage Month?  I know....why not curl up with a hot Latina Romance?

Set in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas Her Will His Way is a lovestory you won't want to put down with characters you won't want to let go. Available now at Cobblestone Press for only $3.99

(oh, come on, you knew I was going to pitch my book)

Okay...I can't think of a song title for my title so I just went for the actual reason I'm writing my blog....feel free to find a song that matches.

Why am I outraged? Take a seat...this may be long.

My daughter has a friend named Holly. Holly is one of the sweetest, kindest, well-mannered young ladies you will ever meet and she is a very good friend to my daughter.  Holly has one minor annoyance though...she has the tendancy to say "Sorry" a lot....and not because she has anything to be sorry about...it's just one of those automatic responses like "Hi, how are you?"  

Case in point, she's been to my house several times. The first time she came over she asked something frivolous like, "where's the bathroom". I pointed it out and she said, "Okay, sorry. I;m sorry. I didn't see it. I'm sorry."  Seriously...three sorrys in one breath.    I just smiled and said it's okay.  It took a while to realize, this was just Holly. She says "sorry" in every breath. 

Anyway...Holly runs cross-country track at school (she's a junior in high school). A few weeks ago she was riding her bike home after practice (like around 5 or 6 in the evening). Needless to say she was very tired. She crossed the street to get home, moving safely into the designated bike lane, however she was facing on coming traffic. Shortly after she crossed the street a woman came around the corner in her car and hit Holly. I don't know exactly how hard, but Holly managed to break the woman's sideview mirror (guess she used it to stop the car from taking her head off) and she sustained several cuts and bruises along her body, including a gash on her shin, a black eye, busted blood vessels in her left eye (whcih thankfully did not affect her vision) and she no longer has a bike because it was ruin, so I'm guessing--pretty damn Hard! 

Now as you may be guessing, Holly's first reaction was to say "Sorry." Amidst her crying and bleeding all she could say was "sorry" over and over....and over.   The woman, of course called the police to make the report. However, the asshole cop did not ticket the woman and told Holly it was HER fault for going against traffic.  Uh....hello??? She was in the fricking BIKE LANE!! What the hell was this stupid woman doing in the bike lane!!! 

Okay...sorry...when Holly told me this I was completely livid!!   I mean, how stupid can that cop be??? He was probably related to that same jerk who killed someone's dog because he spent twenty minutes ticketing the guy for speeding when the guy was trying to get his dog to the vet. And on top of it saying.."It's just a dog!" 

Now, the fact that this jerk cop told Holly it was her fault was bad enough, but now, the woman is apparently suing Holly for damages to her car!  Can you F**KING believe that???  I told Holly if it came down to that (because they were afraid it would with Holly's "addmission of guilt" sorries) that my family and I would all stand up for her as character references.  But it just so pisses me off that this woman...and if I knew who she was I'd egg her house every day!...has the gall to sue them for a $50 sideview mirror. Forget about the fact that Holly had to miss school, was laid up in bed for a couple of days, couldn't run track for a while and was totally traumatized...and still more so because of the lawsuit...this stupid woman needs a new mirror!  Sofrickinwhat if Holly was going against traffic...that is still no reason this woman should have gotten off scottfree and be allowed to sue!  And if she wins??  So wrong!!   Makes me wonder if everyone who rides a bike against traffic in the bike lane and gets hit by a car will be the one to get sued. Heck, I saw two elderly people riding their bikes against traffic in the bike lane....I coulda gotten a two for one lawsuit!

Arizona has a stupid motorist law where a person can be fined if they drive across a flooded road and have to be rescued...but what about the stupid people who drive 2 ton vehicles in the bike lane!! 

Okay...rant over for now. 

And, for the record...and to any cops who may stumble upon this...I love cops, have the upmost respect for them, even write about them in my work....but...sometimes I'll come across one in the bunch that makes me question my respect.  So...apologies to those of you who aren't stupid jerks. 

What a day...and it's not even half over (on the West coast, that is).  This morning, much to the shock of my husband, I crawled out of bed at 7:30. These last couple of weeks I've been sleeping in til around ten-ish...mainly because I don't get to bed until one or two in the morning and I tend to sleep in two hour spurts. I got up at 7:30 because (1) I was hoping to do some writing while the kids were still in bed (they sleep in too) and (2) I'm trying to get back onto a regular sleep pattern because school starts in a few weeks and I'll have to get up at 5:30.

Anyway, this morning, because I was still somewhat asleep, I took one of my son's ADHD pills....thankfully only one because it so didn't mix well with the two cups of coffee I had.   Man...I haven't been this hyped up in thirty years when I used to do hits of speed in order to make it to work after being out all night! Hey...I was 20...and finally getting to be a teenager and let loose after having to be the "good girl/caretaker" of everyone!  Anyway...that only lasted about a year.  I was never much into being a follower. And the crashes weren't much fun either.

So anyway...having all this synthetic energy at least helped me get a few things done...mainly catching up on emails and contest judging...because I was able to somewhat focus better. Although...I also kept bouncing from one job to the next so I was major-multitasking (but completing the jobs)...guess I don't have ADD because those pills are supposed to make you more singularly focused...as they do to my son in a catatonic kinda way...me...I was jittery and bouncing off the walls!

Although, and I don't know if the pills are supposed to do this too, but they also left me with a f*ck it mentality (with a bit of a vindictive slide..hah)  Which is good because I just got my rejection letter from Dorchester for the American Title contest.  I was preparing for it ever since I heard they would be sending out letters but it still stung.   Their comments are checked boxes of why they rejected the story. There's a Strong Suit side and a Weak Suit side. On the strong side they said my pacing is good. On the weak, the story didn't hold their interest.  *sigh*   As I said, I read the letter, said "whatever" (along with a few less colorful metaphors ) then filed the letter under G for garbage.  It's their loss really, my book FORGET ME NOT is good and when it publishes it's going to sell big. And now, I won't submit anything else to them...ever. (okay...that's the vindictive/bitter side of me speaking...but they will definitely be at the bottom of my list.)

And you know what really burns my hide?  I've had several people read this manuscript--wrtiters and non-writers--and even a published author who gave me a wonderful quote--and each person has said they couldn't stop reading!  So...what's the deal? Isn't it the point to publish a book that the consumer won't want to put down?

Whatever!

Of course, now that Dorchester has rejected me I'm not holding out much hope that the editor who requested the full last week will want to buy it. Such is my luck with this publishing biz. I don't think the powers-that-be like me much.   

I wonder if I should offer up a sacrifice?  Maybe I'll run to the mall and pick up some Godiva chocolates...of course my luck..the ptb's are diabetic.

As a writer and a Gemini, I'm considered to have double personalities. So, I thought I'd sit down with myself and ask the questions you're all dying to know!

So....I'm here today with Terri Molina enjoying a cup of herbal tea...

Terri: Uh...excuse me...Herbal Tea?? Do I look like I drink Herbal Tea?? Where's the coffee?

Sorry. She's having coffee (like she needs the caffeine ) I'll have the tea....anyway....let's get started with the interview.

So, let's start with the most often asked question: When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

Terri: I don't think anyone really decides to become a writer...they just do. But, my wanting to become an author began about 12 years ago when I decided I finally wanted to share my work with the public. It was shortly after my Aunt Gail and Uncle Tony died (within a couple of hours of each other on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day). My first novel was actually a dedication to them. I sat at the computer every night for two months and wrote the first draft of my novel, then put it away and spent the next two months writing the first draft of my second novel. I never dreamed I'd ever complete them...but I did. Crazy, huh?

Why did you choose the style or the sub-genre?
Terri: Style? There's a style?  Actually, the first novel I tried to write was a family saga (explained above). I never completed it, but I may return to it one day. Anyway, a couple of years after "training" myself to write I decided to try my hand at writing a suspense. I'd been a big fan of Nora Robert's single titles (Montana Sky being my all time fave!) and just loved how she mixed the suspense and romance into such a great story, so I thought I'd give it a shot. I took an incident from my (younger) life and expanded it with What If..... To be honest I didn't consider making it a romance, it just kind of happened. My second book, which is Dark Obsession, also a romantic suspense but with paranormal elements, happened the same way. (Chalk it up to a traumatic childhood----uh, therapy anyone?)

What's your favorite line from one of your books?
Terri: Hmm....I guess the one in chapter one of Dark Obsession where Ray thinks "Great, thanks to too much bourbon and Bruce Willis, I'm talking to dead people."

When do you find time to write?
Terri: I don't...it finds me. I'm a stay at home mom, my kids are all in school so I have the whole day to myself. But my inspiration usually hits late at night or when I'm in the shower. Go figure.

Your first publication is a contemporary erotic romance and an AWESOME story. (shameless plug) Was it hard (no pun intended) to write outside of your comfort zone?
Terri: Actually, yeah. When I'd been asked to write the book (by an editor--now formerly from Kensington) she had three stipulations. (1) it had to be contemporary. My books and future books are all suspense/mystery (2) it had to be erotic. She had read my other books, LOVED the "sex" and wanted me to made the new story even HOTTER (3) the story had to be 60-65 pages. That may sound like a lot, but it isn't. I was completely out of my element. But I managed to get the story done. You may have heard of it....Her Will His Way, now available at Cobblestone Press??

What do you do when you're not writing?
Terri: I pretty much just take care of my family. I also like to read and I'm currently putting together my summer reading list. I also try to keep up with my friends all over the US. Oh and on weekends we play Karaoke Revolution with the kids....the American Idol edition...it's a hoot!

What are your goals as a writer?
Terri: Hmm....I'm not really a goal making person. But, I guess if I had to make one it would be to write what I most enjoy reading and not worry if it's ever going to get published. Is that a goal? Oh, and I'll let you know when that's working out for me.

Oh...but I do have a goal I'm currently working on. Trying to hit 10,000 readers in a month. Yeah....it's a bit lofty,  but ya never know....with the great reviews I've been getting and more word of mouth...it could happen.  (have I mentioned I can be a bit of a dreamer at time??)

Uh....yeah.  Moving on.  I know you are an active member of RWA, what are some of the things you have done with RWA?

Terri: I joined RWA in 2004 (after an agent I queried wrote on her rejection letter "RWA is in Houston-JOIN") and figured, even though I'm basically a shy person, I needed to jump right in if I wanted to be published like the rest of them. I went to my first National conference in Dallas that year and was instantly recruited to work the Lit signing. The following year, Angie Platt grabbed me in Reno and it was a given that I work again in Atlanta. I served a year as president of the NW Houston chapter before our family moved to Az. I'm still a member of the Houston chapter as well as the one here in Phoenix (and I've already been asked to serve on the board here....I think I liked it better when I was shy.) Haha 

Is that where you found your critique group?
Terri: Yes, in Houston. I was a member of two groups actually. Both long standing members asked me if I'd like to complete their small groups. I still critique off and on with them via email. I was recently asked to join some ladies here in Az, but I haven't decided yet. I really don't like having too many people read my work because of that "too many cooks in the kitchen" thing...it can get very confusing and you just can't please everyone. And, especially because I don't always write to a formula.

I noticed on a few websites you will give a writer feedback on their posted samples. It's been said  you're a very straightforward person, some would say blunt, especially when it comes to critiques.

Terri: Straightforward? I guess at times I am...but those who actually know me would find that statement extremely amusing. Lol
However, I don't offer my opinions or feedback on someone's work unless I am asked and I will not give dishonest feedback when the whole purpose is to learn. I've been doing this a while, I've been cut to the bone by harsh critiques. I [was] even told (by another writer) that I'd never get published and I would never say that to anyone. So when I offer my suggestions (which is all they are) I do so with the intention of helping that person see what they could do to improve their manuscript and get it ahead of the slush pile.

Is it hard for you to receive critiques of your work, especially if you don't agree with them? How do you handle that?
Terri: Of course. It's hard for anyone to receive critiques on a work you spilled blood for.
I don't take them personally unless they're delivered as a personal attack...in which case, I'll vent to a friend or two and wait for them to "talk me down" from my anger. But a critique, whether delivered by me or you or anyone, is just an opinion offered to help. I listen to all the feedback I'm given on my work...I don't necessarily follow it unless it's said more than once.  But, the bottom line is, the book belongs to the author who wrote it and only he/she knows what story they want to tell.
Now...enough of those questions! Ask me something fun!

Okay. Tell us something interesting about yourself no one else knows.
Terri: Oh...uh...well....hmmm....when I was thirteen I stayed the summer with my aunt and uncle in Angleton (Texas). We went to New Braunsfels for a week (where the rapids are). I lied and told them I knew how to swim. It wasn't until I fell into the deep end of the swimming pool and nearly drowned when they realized I couldn't. Luckily my aunt was sitting right there and reached in to grab me....by my hair. And that is also one of my most embarassing moments.

When I was a kid, I used to love having birthdays. I don't know why...it's not like we actually celebrated them (we were too poor and apparently they weren't that big a deal to our mom). 

Anyway....like most people, once I hit that 25 yr mark, I pretty much stopped counting them.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't mind getting older. I mind it very much!  But...there isn't too much I can do about it.

Even though I don't actually look forward to getting older, I do kind of sorta look forward to my birthday because my kids do. And it's not just about the cake and ice cream for them....though that's a big part of it. They enjoy the thought of celebrating a day in which someone was born.  That's how I"ve always approached their birthdays-- as a celebration of their arrival into the world. 

I'll be celebrating my &*^% birthday tomorrow (June 17)...the same birthday as Barry Manilow!! Hey...if ya gotta share a birthday with someone, who better than your Idol...right??   My kids keep asking me what I want for my birthday, but for the life of me I can't think of anything.  I never can, really. I'm not very materialistic so there's never anything I really 'want'.  Of course, what I wish for can't be delivered (yeah, you guessed it...a book contract).  But, who knows?

Anyway...I was checking the history of June 17 to see what crazy events happened on that day. Aside from my and Barry's birth, there really wasn't anything newsworthy. But, here were a couple of unforgettable moments. One of the more memorable ones being:

June 17, 1994 O.J. Simpson doesn't turn himself in on murder charges, Los Angeles police chase his Ford Bronco for 1 hours, eventually gives up Sadly, I remember watching this.

June 17, 1988 Microsoft releases MS DOS 4.0 Wow...I really feel old!..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

June 17, 1978 Ron Guidry sets Yankee record with 18 strike-outs  Uh, I'm not a Yankee fan...but I'm sure there are some out there who care about this.

June 17, 1972 5 arrested for burglarizing Democratic Party HQ at Watergate  My brother used to blame me for this....he's always been weird.
 
June 17, 1970 Edwin Land patents Polaroid camera ... which I thought was cool...although I make a point not to stand in front of one.

June 17, 1962 I was born!! Oh and at the 62nd U.S. Golf Open: Jack Nicklaus shot a 283 at Oakmont CC PA although, only my husband (and other golf enthusiasts) would actually care.

Oh...but I did get an early birthday present yesterday. I got a 4 Star review from ECataRomance!!  You can find it here::

http://sensual.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=783

Okay...not so much a mystery...but it's a tour. A virtual Blog Tour, that is.

To celebrate Cobblestone Press's two year anniversary as well as help generate new sales, fourteen authors (including myself) will be doing a virtual blog tour.  Meaning, we're each guest blogging on each other's blogs.  (that really makes sense in my head) 

Since I have two blogs I'll be posting ther appearances at both places. (This place being one of them).  It's your chance to meet some great new authors and find some great new books. Including Cobblestone's new collection called The Vampire Oracles. (beware...they're HOT)

Now, as the handful of you who actually stop by to read my blog know, I tend to theme my blogs around song titles or lyrics. So, if you like to try to guess the name of the song or the artist who sings it, then hunt me down the week of June 7-21 and tell me the answer.  It's kind of like playing Where's Waldo.   Who knows....you may even enjoy the blog post. (it's been known to happen)

As an added bonus (in case you missed my bulletin post) during the same 14 days I'll be holding a contest. To enter, just go to my website, sign up for my newsletter and in the comment section, tell me what the most romantic gift was that you've ever been given by your significant other. 

On June 21 I'll choose the best story and post it on my blog(s). The winner will recieve their own original print of The Pillslily (the picture Antonio gives to Anita in my book, Her Will His Way) 

By the way,  the artist of the drawing, Ara Hagopian's work can also be found at The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. 

Good Luck to you all!

Last month my book Her Will His Way came out with the Electronic Publisher Cobblestone Press and, although there are many out there who automatically think Electronic Publishing? Is that even really published? I have to say, I am very pleased and proud to have made my first sale with them.  And, in it's first three weeks on the net, Her Will His Way was listed as one of the top ten bestsellers!! (Yay me!!   heh)

I was totally floored by his words as he didn't have to do this.

Anyway, here is what he wrote:

HER WILL, HIS WAY is a delight to read, it's a romance written with a lot of wit, moving personalities and a deeply-entrenched respect for family history and cultural traditions. In fact, Terri cleverly uses culture as a tool to aid her romantic plot, a nifty story that leaves the reader intrigued till the end. Great writer, wonderful book. Can't wait for the next!"

Well, week one has passed since the release of my novel Her Will His Wayand so far, I'm guessing, sales are going well.  I won't know anything until my first royalty check comes in...then I'll have to do the math....or have my son do it.

But, although big sales for this book will help emmensely with getting my foot in the door with another agent, I've been getting great feedback and am very proud of the work I did on it.  (and, so far, no one has called me on the Spanish) heh

Her Will, His Way is my third completed book but the first to get published.  My other two (Forget Me Not and Dark Obsession) have been close but no cigar.    They're still out there though , one with an agent one with an editor....(send some good luck my way!!)  If they both get rejected than I'm going to submit to either Cobblestone or Samhain publishing...which are both online publishers and very much up and coming (and hopefully they'll love the books as much as I do).

I'm still trying to complete book four, House of Cards, but it's been put aside for the past few months because I don't have any me time to do much writing. This month alone we have two baseball games a week, my daughter has had two physical therapy sessions a week (the days we aren't doing baseball), but as of yesterday has stopped those. We've been trying to buy a house and finally got it, so we'll be moving in this weekend and spending the rest of this week packing and all of next week cleaning the rental we're in *sigh*. Plus I've had several doctor appointments this month and, unfortunately I just found out I'm diabetic--like I didn't know that was coming.   when you have a family history like mine...) and Friday I'll find out if my heart is healthy. Again, part of the family history.  

Anyway....Back to my book.

With Her Will, His Way being an online book, the best way to up my sales is by 'word of mouth'. But word of mouth can't happen without your help.  So, if you read my book and loved it (as I know you did ) Please tell your friends and family and their friends and family and their....well you get it....

If you haven't ordered it yet, just click here. There's an excerpt posted at the link...just make sure you're over 18  

And, please, let me know your thoughts on the book as well. I'd love to hear from you!!

Have a wonderful rest of the week...month...year...

Sneak Peak:

Chapter One

"Are you sure you don't mind closing up for me?" Anita asked her assistant, Berta, as she scooped her purse from the desk drawer.

The young woman waved her off. "No, not at all. It's only a couple more hours. Besides, I don't think we're going to get a mad rush of people wanting carnations," she said with a grin. "Now, go on and get ready for your date with Officer Hottie."

"It isn't a date. I'm just making him dinner," Anita said. "He goaded me into it."

"Yeah, right. And you don't have the least bit of interest in him," Berta said with a dubious nod.

"No, I don't. I can barely even stand the man's company." Anita frowned at her friend. "Would you stop with the mmm hmm's?"

Berta held up her hands and shrugged. "I'm just saying the way he looks at you...you'd have to be blind not to see it."

"There's nothing to see. I've known Tony for almost twenty years. He's an arrogant son of a bitch who thinks he knows everything."

"And you, being so proud, can't resist proving him wrong. It has absolutely nothing to do with that killer body or those bedroom eyes," Berta said.

"I've never noticed."

Berta laughed, nodding her head. "Oh, yeah that was convincing."

Anita grinned and adjusted her purse strap over her shoulder. "I'll see you Monday." She made it to the door before stopping. "Oh shoot! I forgot Mr. Jimenez is supposed to drop off some more of his vases."

Berta stepped forward and placed her hands on Anita's shoulders, turning her back to face the door. "I can handle Mr. Jimenez. I did work for your grandfather for a couple of years before you took over the place. Now go make yourself sexy for your date. And I want to hear all the horny details Monday."

"It's not a date!" Anita said before the door closed behind her. "He tricked me into it. Just like he always does," she added with a frown.

Damn that Antonio Hernandez! In all the years she'd known him, he'd looked for ways to tease her into some sort of debate, and she would have a determined need to prove him wrong, never realizing until later that he'd been setting her up.

She slid into her car and thought about how he'd cornered her in her grandmother's kitchen two days earlier. He'd been mowing the lawn and came in for a drink. When he noticed her at the stove, he started speaking in Spanish, smirking when she didn't respond.

"It's a shame you have so little respect for your heritage," he said, shaking his head.

"Just because I don't speak Spanish, doesn't mean I'm any less a Mexican."

"You can't even make a simple plate of migas," he said, gesturing toward the mess of eggs sticking to the skillet.

"I can cook as well as you," Anita returned.

Tony stepped closer, caging her in against the counter, a mischievous gleam in his dark brown eyes.

"Yeah? Prove it. You can cook me dinner Saturday night."

Wisps of black hair draped his forehead. The smell of freshly cut grass clung to his skin, mixing with his own musky scent. She silently cursed her libido for reacting as if she'd been hit with a flamethrower.

"I don't have to prove anything to you," she said, glaring up at him.

Tony's smile was crooked and every bit as cocky. "That's what I thought." He leaned in, his mouth inches from hers. "You're afraid to be alone with me," he said in Spanish. His smile spread when her eyes hardened. "Prove me wrong," he said, switching back to English. "Saturday night. My place." He stole a kiss then caught her arm when her hand came up to slap him.

"You only get to do that once," he said then left her alone in the kitchen.

Jerk!

Anita laid her hand against the quiver in her stomach. It was the second time since she'd known Tony that he'd kissed her. The first time was after he had the nerve to tell her to break off her engagement to Paul.

Arrogant bastard.

It didn't matter that he'd been right about her ex-husband. Antonio Hernandez had no right to tell her whom she should or should not marry, and she'd told him so with a slap across the face.

She spotted the state trooper's car and felt the flutter of anticipation settle in her stomach.

So what if Tony is a handsome man, she thought. And so what if the taste of him had stayed in her senses and sent her hormones in an uproar. It didn't mean she would go against her principles and date a Mexican. It's not that she's prejudiced; after all she's full-blooded Mexican herself. But she had seen how domineering the men in the Valley are to their wives, and she refused to allow a man to tell her what to do. The dinner tonight was to prove a point, not become a couple.

He'd called her a gringa, she thought with disgust. Just because she'd been raised in Chicago and didn't know Spanish or how to make tamales didn't make her any less Mexican did it?

Regardless, it was her own pride that had her agreeing to cook him dinner. He told her she had lost all respect for herself by losing respect for her heritage. Maybe it was true, but it wasn't because she didn't respect her heritage. She had come back to the valley hadn't she? Okay, so maybe inheriting her grandfather's flower shop had been a deciding factor, but it wasn't the only reason. She'd also come here to take back what was stripped from her when her parents decided to raise her in Chicago.

She'd spent every summer in the Rio Grande Valley from the time she turned twelve until she married at twenty-one. It was only natural that she would return when her life was such a mess.

And it had nothing to do with Antonio Hernandez!