FEBRUARY 2012
My dear Readers:
Well what a winter it has been so far here on the North Fork of eastern Long Island. Now that February has begun I hope we won't pay for our wonderful mild weather, or "Carolina" winter as I like to call it. It's in the low 50s as I write you, and a lovely sunny day. I have a flock of robins that come to my electrified bird bath, and robins are not a usual bird for us in winter.
I don't have a great deal to report right now. I spent the month do my own personal re-writes, and sent the manuscript into NYC in late January. They have promised to have their comments back to me by February 6th. Since none of the publishers are paying just on delivery and acceptance these days, but waiting until the book is in production, any re-writes required of me that I am willing to do have to be done before the editor can issue a request for the check. With luck I will see my check just in time for taxes. LOL! Can't keep "uncle" waiting now, can I. You all know Small's Law #1, don't you? Never mess with GOD or the IRS! I also wrote the outline for Book II in this new series. The idea came to me in the middle of the night. I actually got up at almost 4 a.m. in the morning, put on a toasty robe, went into my office, and wrote the first draft. I refined it over the next few days several times, and faxed it into my editor today. I don't do any of my work on a PC that is connected to the internet so I couldn't just hit "send". The manuscript for this second book in the series which will be due to my editor right after July 4th is titled FRANCESCA.
The first book in this series, BIANCA, will be published in October 2012. And in 2013 you'll have 2 books in this series. In the meantime I hope you will satisfy yourselves with all the reprints coming out this year. "The World of Hetar" series is being done in a mass market edition by HQN, the Harlequin imprint. LARA came out in January. Next up will be A DISTANT TOMORROW in March. Kensington is redoing DECEIVED now with a beautiful new cover. They have kept the book in a Trade edition. You can check the Coming Attractions on this site for all of this year's releases both new and re-print.
On the home front I don't believe I have introduced you to the new woman in Tom's life. As my regulars know my son and his wife separated in January 2011. Tom filed for divorce in March of that year. Megan also has a new man in her life who has been living with her since last June. It's sad, but these things do happen. Tom has gained custody of their 4 children, but the legalities drag on. We are hoping that by spring of this year it will all be settled and the divorce granted. But back to Tom's lady. She is actually his old college sweetheart before Megan. Her ex suffers from Megan's difficulties. Her name is Tiffany. She is lovely. We like her very much. And she moved in with Tom last August. She has 2 little boys now one just 5 and the other 2/1/2, Lucas and Liam. So we now have 6 grandchildren. Tiff is a wonderful support to Tom, a terrific cook, a natural nurturer, and I'm happy to say the kids love her dearly. We hope when the dust settles that everyone will be happy. In all of this my main concern has been for Chandler, Cora, Sophia and Evan. So now Tom's household consists of 6 children (one away), 1 old dog, 1 sneaky rabbit, and 5 cats.
On the beastie front Ginger Dawg is dying slowly. She has been with Tom for amost 17 years, his first dog, and he loves her dearly. He is having a tough time letting go as I know many of you will understand. Releasing a beloved family member is not simple or easy. But now waiting in the wings is "Karma". She's 8 weeks old, a mix of Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mastiff and who knows what else. LOL! She's almost ready to come home from our wonderful shelter where she was one of 6 puppies, 4 males, 2 females, born to Echo, who was dropped off at our shelter "in the family way". At least Echo's former owners thought enough of her to bring her to safety although if they had had her neutered they would still possess a dog. None of Echo's puppies will leave our shelter before being spayed/neutered which every responsible pet owner who isn't a breeder should do for the health and safety of their animal. Hopefully by the time Karma comes home to her forever family Ginger Dawg will have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She was a wonderful dog.
George and I survive. I am anxious to go back to work again. I'm not one for being idle. So until next month I wish you all much good reading, and ask you say a prayer for our military where ever they are based. God bless from your most faithful author......
