Logan's Redemption by Cara Marsi

This story about a bad boy from the wrong side of life is anything but typical. Cara Marsi embroils Logan and Doriana in a twisting, intriguing plot that keeps the reader propped up in bed with a penlight long after everyone has tucked in.

From family squabbling to industrial espionage, this is a story about how way goes on to way, how each choice we make in each age of our lives -- each lover, each fear, each time we turn away from someone or reach out a hand, each right decision -- how these things change us personally and change the rest of our lives and our families lives.

When Logan and Doriana meet again, they know they can't go back ... and as the plot unfolds and tangles, mixing old unhealed hurts, hard heads, broken promises and unspoken lies, it seems impossible that they might have a future.

RWA National Conference - part II

Wow - what a whirlwind of a week. It will take me some time to get my head together, but I know I had a fabulous time. "Cheers!" to everyone who helped make this happen - from the organizers, speakers and volunteers to the members and attendees who make it all worthwhile. I've organized events in the past and raise my mug to those who managed to pull this off. (especially year after year).

The workshops were wonderful. I attended so many, the days started blurring! But I loved getting all the handouts spiral bound with the blank notes pages with between each class so at least my note are clear ;)

I especially loved Jane Porter's class on the Alpha Hero - she almost had me in tears a few times ... ok okokokokokOOOOK. ~ goosebumps *and* tears. ~ so there! She's one of the most engaging speakers I've ever had the privilege to workshop with and once the plastic quits smoking, I'm headed to the nearest brick and mortar to see what I can find of her backlist.



... just one more, because I just can't resist the primal alpha male.

Other favorites included the Chilling Villains workshop by Karen Rose and Madeline Hunter; The Men We Love by Tami Cowden; and I had a surprise favorite in a two hour class on real life hostage negotiation and how to use it in fiction by Angela Knight and her husband Michael Woodcock. I'm not sure why I went since I don't write contemporary, but I'm glad I did, and I hope that if I ever get nabbed, that Officer Woodcock is on duty.

The scheduling was just as tough as it could be. There were so many good workshops, it was really hard to pick. I hated missing Mary Buckham's workshop, but I did get a chance for a short visit, at least long enough to let her know the piece she helped me with in a recent online class finaled in the Sizzle contest.

I had an incredible time visiting with Leah Braemel who is every bit as delightful in person as she is online. But I have to admit that I was something of a bad influence as I was determined to be sure she had the full Texas Experience and so I tempted her away from the conference a couple of times. Even so I managed to meet Red Garnier and many wonderful people from all ends of the earth that it's going to take me a month at least to catch up with everyone.

I think I'll go for a long ride tomorrow!

Sue L

RWA National Conference

Leah Braemel is here and we're having a great time here in Dallas.

After spending the morning at the conference in workshops about creating spunky heroines and conflict, we skipped over to Fort Worth's 'Northside'. We had lunch at Risky's and discussed the morning's classes over a couple of cold brews.


I think Leah was getting a little carried away with it all. ... what do you think? ;)

Shameless Brag

A wonderful surprise waited for me in my inbox this morning, my scoresheets returned from the Ohio Valley Romance Writers Sizzle Contest. They had sent word a couple of weeks ago that I finaled with _Thunder Jewel_ in the 'Sizzle' category, but it was really nice to get the scoresheets and see what the judges had to say.

I try to do a several contests a year, and don't have a lot of experience yet with the RWA contests, but I like getting the feed back from 'fresh eyes'. These judges did take the time to explain their scores and I greatly appreciate that, especially in combination with the comments returned with the scene.

So I'm off to Dallas next week for the RWA National Covention where I'll be pitching Thunder Jewel as well as a couple of others - so wish me luck!