Happy Fat Tuesday!!!

Normally the word 'fat' is never reserved for something good - except for Mardi Gras! This being the last day before the long Lenten season, it's the last day to be merry! In New Orleans, the entire city throws a party. Here in New Mexico, it's on a smaller scale, but it can just as much fun.

The community of Red River, up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, holds week long festivities which include Voo, a life size Voodoo doll that will be taken to the Mardi Gras ball by one of the Krews (teams). This year the theme is Mardi Gras through the Ages, and along with the dances is a parade and, of course, a Cajun Cook-off.

At Angel Fire, there was a benefit for the library that featured costumes, food, music, and a silent auction. Hopefully, this year, the lead float in local parades won't be a snow plow. Funds raised from the float entry fees will benefit a school horse barn project.

David and I have a pressing deadline, so our celebration will be here at home - after we finish our writing for the day. Right now, we're mostly editing each other's work, but we're very pleased with the way Secrets of the Lynx (May 2013) is turning out. Secrets of the Lynx is book number three of our Copper Canyon series, and I've got to say, I particularly enjoy Paul Grayhorse. He's relentless, and passionate, and well, you get the idea. His spiritual connection to Lynx, a discerner of secrets, makes him the perfect former lawman and romantic hero.

So, today, as you read this, David and I will be dancing and remembering that at the end of the day we're not authors - just man and wife - two people who have an incredible passion for each other....and chocolate macadamia cookies.

8 Things I Learned from Doing Community Theater

This weekend was the final weekend of performances for my community theater group's production of the musical GUYS & DOLLS. My hubby had a major supporting role. And though I came to the production late (deadlines kept me from auditioning last November), I was asked to come in to take over a small part and to work backstage after some people had to bow out of the production for medical or job reasons. The music director is a good friend, it gave me some quality time to spend with my hubby at rehearsals.

One of the tenets I try to live by is to learn something new every day (it's a great way to generate story ideas! plus, it keeps the brain cells sharp and rejuvenates the creative energy). So I thought I'd share with you some of the things I've learned by doing theater since I was 5.

1. Theater is a wonderful creative outlet for me. It uses a different kind of creativity than writing does, and the brain, spirit and body need that kind of refresher, I think. Some of my friends knit or quilt--I do theater.

2. I've made some wonderful friends doing theater. Truly, when you spend all that rehearsal and performance time together--when you help each other with quick costume changes backstage or rely on someone to turn on the lights or move your set or have their lines down so you can play off them, it requires trust. Some of our dearest friends have come from our theater family.

3. Romance. The first date I had with my hubby was to view Halley's Comet at the MIZZOU observatory. But we really got to know each other/spend time together/decide we liked each other by doing a couple of shows together.

4. It gives the shy girl inside me a chance to break out of her shell and shine. Julie Miller is a nervous wreck speaking in front of a big group of people. But Annie Sullivan or Maria von Trapp or any number of other characters love to be onstage.

5. Continuing to be involved with community theater helps me keep the skills I learned in college fresh. I was in charge of makeup on GUYS & DOLLS. Loved aging a couple of characters and turning one young woman into a man for the stage. (I said they'd lost some of their original cast and crew, remember?)

6. Doing this show was good therapy for my hubby. He lost 2 brothers last year, and has been dealing with a lot of family responsibilities. Portraying a singing gangster, hanging out with his friends and making new ones, getting the chance to see me away from my computer, were all a much-needed respite and healing process for him.

7. I got story ideas! Suddenly, the previously one-dimensional hero in the proposal I'm currently writing is taking on some of the bad boy hero qualities of the leading men in GUYS & DOLLS. He may not break into song--but he's developing a sarcastic sense of humor. And his defining heroic quality is--like those gangsters in the play--that he's true to his word, no matter what it costs him. My heroine can rely on him (though she doesn't believe that yet ;)

8. It's just plain fun. It wouldn't be much of a hobby if I spent all that time being miserable or stressed. So I got a few bruises--okay, so I got a LOT of bruises moving church pews on and off the stage--but the backstage crew had a blast. We even performed our own rendition of "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat" behind the scenes each time to actors did the big number. And like I said before, the people involved with the production are like family. And those friendships are priceless.


So, what's your hobby? What do you do to escape the stresses of everyday life or to reconnect with friends and family? What hobby rejuvenates you?

I'll give away a copy of one of my backlist titles to a lucky someone who posts a question or comment today. And for you ebook readers out there, be sure to check out Amazon.com on Thursday/Friday--I'm celebrating my birthday weekend by giving away free ebook copies of IMMORTAL HEART.

Spotlight on February Intrigues: Her Cowboy Defender

Go on an exciting ride in Kerry Connor's latest Thriller, Her Cowboy Defender:

From the moment he finds himself staring down the barrel of her gun, Rancher Cade McClain knows Piper Lowry isn't just another stranded tourist. Armed and desperate, she's prepared to do whatever it takes to carry out her mission. A mission she claims only he can help her with. Knowing it would be impossible to walk away from this tempting, determined woman, Cade offers her a place to hide from the gunmen on her trail. Despite his broad shoulders and intimidating gaze, it isn't long before the straight-shooting cowboy realizes he can't guarantee Piper's safety. Even if his heart is beginning to tell him he has no choice but to try.…

Paula's Winner from last week

Congratulations to Tiffany, who wins the $20 Amazon.com gift certificate. Tiffany, email me (click on the "contact" link on my website, www.paulagraves.com) with your email address and information.

Thanks to all the commenters!

Spotlight on February Intrigues: The Lost Girls of Johnson's Bayou

Jana DeLeon delivers her latest spine-tingling read with The Lost Girls of Johnson’s Bayou:

She was only six when she walked out of the swamp after the LeBlanc School for Girls caught on fire. Sixteen years after the terrifying night that stole her memory, a child's scream lures Ginny back into the woods…where a strong arm encircles her. The gun-wielding stranger is Paul Stanton, a cop-turned-P.I., who's come to Johnson's Bayou looking for answers of his own.

Paul has spent almost two decades searching for his missing sister and now, this Southern beauty could be the key to his quest. But someone would rather see Ginny dead than have her memories resurface. And although uncovering the dark secrets of the past could put them both at risk, it's a chance Paul's willing to take if it means finding his future…with Ginny.

Happy Weekend!

The weekend is finally here, and even better (at least if you're in the U.S.) it's a holiday weekend.  We all know what that means--more time for reading!  What are you planning to read this weekend? Anything you're particularly excited about?

Here's hoping you have a relaxing weekend with plenty of reading time ahead of you!

The Harlequin Intrigue authors

From Start to Finish: Book #60

I just finished JUSTICE AT CARDWELL RANCH, the sequel to Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch, that comes out in October 2012. I just realized it is my 60th book.

Usually I’m too exhausted to celebrate. It takes a few days. After living in a book for weeks, sometimes months, it is hard to let go. It is always sad to say goodbye to those characters. Especially these because I don’t think I’ll be seeing them again.

When I start a book, it is really exciting. Everything is new. Anything can happen. It’s my favorite part. Middles are the hard part. The ending is the relief part. If I’ve gotten that far, it’s all going to be all right.

Once a book is done, I look back and think, “Whew, that wasn’t so hard.” Right. Every book is a challenge. Every one at some point becomes a mountain I have to climb. There are days I don’t want to write and would rather clean the toilet.

But once a book is done, I look forward to the next one. I try to take a few days off at least to regroup, clean off my desk, not write.

Right now, I feel like celebrating. Book #60 is done. Wow.

B.J. Daniels