It’s been a snowy winter so far where I am, and I’ve been using all of the winter weather to get plenty of work done. I love to be out in nature when writing—even if “nature” means writing in my car in a sunny spot at the local park! I know it sounds a little crazy, but it gets me away from other distractions and the feel of sun on my face reminds me summer is right around the corner! My winter “work uniform” includes pair of alpaca-fur fingerless gloves, which have come in handy as I create the second book in the Coral Cove series (title to be announced – hopefully soon!):
“Author” time runs differently from “reader” time, however, which is why, although I’m currently writing the second book, the first Coral Cove book, All I Want Is You, is now available for preorder at both Amazon and Barnes and Noble and comes out the last Tuesday in May. Once again, the cover art team at Avon has outdone themselves. I think this might just be my favorite cover ever – although it’s a tough call because the cover gods have blessed me many, many times.
Winter is for friends and family, and I spent a lot of time with both this past Christmas season. Here’s a fun picture from the annual Romancing the Holidays booksigning at the West Chester, OH Barnes and Noble, where author friends Lori Foster, Jules Bennett, and I were photobombed by none other than Santa himself! (photo courtesy of Lori Foster)
December also marked the re-release of Wildest Dreams a book I am mega-excited to get to introduce to readers who missed it the first time around. A sweet reader friend, Marcie, even brought along a copy of the original edition so I could get a picture of both the old and the new side-by-side. And is the new cover gorgeous or what? Again, thank you Avon art department!
Here' something fun! Back when I was writing Wildest Dreams (first published as In Your Wildest Dreams in 2005) I took a research trip to New Orleans accompanied by my best friend, Robin. We put a fun travelogue with lots of pictures on my website, and I've just now had the travel diary added again, so I hope you'll check it out. (Random observation: I have better hair now. I was only highlighting then - and now I color all the way ;))
I stayed close to home for the holidays, however. Other festivities included an annual holiday luncheon at Lori Foster’s house for readers and authors, and local publisher Samhain kindly welcomed me to their holiday bash as well. I myself hosted a game night with girlfriends, and well … let’s just say it’s a good thing I can write because drawing is clearly not my forte. This is me drawing a dog in a kennel – I would have given him all four legs, but I was in a hurry! ;)
Of course, now that the new year has begun, much of the fun and games have given away to more taxing times! While I love creating heroines you can root for, heroes you’d like to meet in real life, and sweet and sexy stories that bring them together, some of my writing duties are less than thrilling…
Maybe you’re working on your taxes too. Maybe the post-holiday blues are getting to you. If so, come visit my Facebook page, where I’m currently giving away a signed book EVERY WEEK to someone who comments on one of my posts. No hoops to jump through, no tricks or games to play—just come join in the conversation with my readers and me. It’s easy and fun, and we can all use more of that!
In the past few weeks, many of my readers shared with me on Facebook their “wildest dreams” for 2014. Being a positive thinking sort of chick, I believe that if you have faith and give the best you have to give, you can get everything you want from life. Being able to share my books with so many people has been a dream come true for me, and I wish the same joy in life for everyone reading this.
What’s next for me? In March, I’ll be attending the Public Library Association’s conference in Indianapolis, where I’ll be signing books and speaking on a romance panel – hope to see some of my librarian readers there! In May, I’ll be heading back to the Big Easy for Romantic Times convention. And right after that, All I Want Is You will hit shelves!
But for now it’s back to the business of a cold, snowy winter May you all have a warm and cozy season filled with lots of wonderful books!
Toni
P.S. I’ve been out and about on the internet. If you’d enjoy learning more about what I read, advice for writers, and the stories behind the stories, do check out the following links (and, of course, come join me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram!)
Toni recommends upcoming romance novels at USA Today
