The Clock is Ticking...

I'm on deadline and therefore, deeply stressed. See ya back here in a few days.

Clive Owen Wednesday

Who doesn't love a man who loves to shop? Just me, or is Clive looking a little thin these days?

24 is back!

And I'm giddy with anticipation!

Recommended Weekend Reading

I've always been fascinated by dreams, and lately I've been immersing myself in young adult novels. So it's little wonder that Lisa McMann's WAKE captured my attention the minute I started seeing the cover pop up on the Internet. And what a cover! Done in black and hues of purplish blue, it's dark, dreamy and seductive. This is one cover that's pretty indicative of what's waiting for the reader inside--a story that's part mystery, part fantasy and part romance told in spare, dream-like prose.

Here's the Amazon description:

Not all dreams are sweet.

For seventeen-year-old Janie, getting sucked into other people's dreams is getting old. Especially the falling dreams, the naked-but-nobody-notices dreams, and the sex-crazed dreams. Janie's seen enough fantasy booty to last her a lifetime.

She can't tell anybody about what she does -- they'd never believe her, or worse, they'd think she's a freak. So Janie lives on the fringe, cursed with an ability she doesn't want and can't control.

Then she falls into a gruesome nightmare, one that chills her to the bone. For the first time, Janie is more than a witness to someone else's twisted psyche. She is a participant....

That premise is freakin' awesome and the book doesn't disappoint. I read it in two sittings and enjoyed every minute of it.

Friday News

It's the start of the new year and I have lots of exciting projects (exciting to me, anyway) in the works.

The Whispering Room will be out in March. This is my third MIRA thriller, which is hard for me to believe because it seems like I was still working on The Dollmaker just yesterday. The Whispering Room deals with the concept of the 'evil' gene which suggests that the propensity for violence can be passed down from one generation to the next. "Therefore, in some families, the desire to kill is as inherent as blonde hair or blue eyes." Plus, there are snakes. Lots and lots of snakes.

I'm also slowly whittling down the remaining books on my last Intrigue contract. SHOWDOWN will be out in July (I think). It's set in West Texas along the Mexican border, and I describe it as a kinder, gentler NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. A sort of RED ROCK WEST meets LONE STAR. The hero's name is Cage Nichols. Need I explain my inspiration?

Once I turn in the final draft, it's back to polishing and revising my first-person, paranormal suspense, which doesn't yet have a home, but I have high hopes for it.

Lots of other irons in the fire including a possible continuing character series for MIRA and a young adult.

Also, you know, go on a diet and exercise more, yada yada yada...

I have a new trailer in the works for THE WHISPERING ROOM. Until it's ready, here's a little something I whipped up myself using Movie Maker.

Happy Birthday, Elvis

From an old neighbor.

Damages

I only caught a few episodes of the F/X series Damages last year, so over the holidays, I Netflixed Season 1 and watched it straight through in like a day and a half. I was all pumped for the first show of the second season last night, but I have to say, I was a little disappointed. Maybe it's because they had to spend so much time setting up the new story lines, but I found my attention wandering a bit (note to self: start next book with a bang).

However, I am fully on board with this season's cast additions, namely William Hurt and Timothy Olyphant. Okay, mostly Timothy Olyphant. I've been a huge fan of his ever since Girl Next Door. I even thought he was great in Hitman, bald head and all.

In addition to his role in Damages, Mr. Olyphant is also currently starring in my latest work-in-progress. I love my job.


Here's the awesome theme song by the VLA

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