Someone suggested that my tagline for my latest book ("Undercover FBI agent vs. Midwest Mom: Mom wins") would be a great idea for a movie -- of course, I'm not sure about that. My books are a bit unconventional to say the least, so I'm not sure Hollywood is ready for older heroes and heroines in a tiny town in the Midwest who battle treason and suspicion.

This person suggested I have my agent shop the movie rights. Ha! I don't have an agent. I've never even looked for an agent. I considered it once, but haven't bothered. I'm selling plenty of books without one, so ....

I wonder if I should be pursuing more success, though. I'm comfortable with my publishers -- all small press, all supportive, and all with editors I appreciate (and who appreciate me). Should I dip my toe back in the Query Letter water and seek out a bigger publisher or a bigger audience? Or be happy to be where I am?

Questions, questions, for a Monday .... I think I'll put them on my To Do list and consider them later. Right now I have a new release to promote and another book to write.

Jenyfer is an American currently living in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and two children.

In addition to being a mother, domestic goddess, and author, she also quilts and drinks a lot of wine to distract herself from her Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie addiction. Her third book ALL THE WAY HOME with Cerridwen Press is coming in March 2008.

Here's what Jen says about Here to Stay, her current release with Cerridwen:

I wrote Here to Stay after a visit to Asbury Park, New Jersey in March. The weather was so cold and bleak and the houses along the shore looked so forlorn and decrepit, I couldn't help but write a story to go with the surroundings. I've always loved to look at old houses and think about how I'd like to fix them up but this was the first time I was inspired to write an entire novel!

I give you: Shelley Munro, who like me, just sat down and threw everything into a pot, to see what she came up with. Here's her story:

"One morning I woke up with an urgent thought on my mind—if I didn't start writing I'd never realize my dream of publishing a book. I think the stars were aligned that week because I came across an advertisement for a romance writing course and also a magazine article about Romance Writers of New Zealand. I believe in fate. I enrolled for the course, sent off my check to join RWNZ and started writing my first book. I didn't plot or plan but instead took everything I liked, tossed it together and started to ferment a story. My plot ingredients included New Zealand, romance, rugby, aromatherapy, mystery, stalkers and a dash of chocolate. Playing to Win is the result. Thrilled to finish, I immediately sent off my story and waited impatiently for my contract. I was crushed when I received a rejection. However, this story does have a happy ending. I sat down and wrote more stories, attended conferences and networked on the web. I learned about editing and rewrites, I submitted this story and others to publishers. Iworked really hard and fate, along with a determination to follow my dreams, won through. "

Shelley writes tales of mayhem and murder with a liberal sprinkling of bodies. Shelley also writes hot paranormal and contemporary tales for Ellora's Cave. You can visit Shelley to learn more about her books at her website or blog and also at MySpace.
 
Website: http://www.shelleymunro.com
Blog: http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelleymunro
 
 
Here's a blurb from her book, Playing to Win

Professional rugby player Lane Gerrard is used to women throwing themselves at him, but a scurrilous tabloid article naming him as father of a child sends his temper soaring. The woman he confronts doesn't fit the blackmailer profile. Kate Alexander is attractive with an enchanting innocence, enticing. A total stranger. Her feistiness draws his unwilling admiration, but the child…he is the image of Lane.

Kate can't deny her son's similarity to the sexy man at her door but no way will she hand him over without a fight. Kate doesn't possess money but she can shower her son with love. With public speculation rife, Kate reluctantly works with Lane to discover the truth. They grow closer as distrust slowly turns to mutual fascination, but the tabloid articles bring out a stalker. Mild pranks escalate into danger, and suddenly Lane realizes Kate is a woman he could love. With Kate and her son, he could have a family. Now, with his heart on the line, this is one game he's playing to win.

Excerpt: http://www.shelleymunro.com/books/playing-to-win
 
Buy link: http://www.cerridwenpress.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419912320
 

I've known Maggie for a few years now. We were struggling unpublished authors together, and sold our first books at about the same time. With every book she writes, I find out more and more about her ...

Here's Maggie in her own words:

I used to say I wore different hats at different times, but it goes deeper than that. When I’m in Mom-mode or wife-mode, I’m completely immersed in my family. When I’m writing romances and mysteries, I am in author-mode. I get a tunnel-vision that doesn’t include meals or appointments or sunshine. My reporter persona puts me in another zone. Every week I have editorial deadlines for a weekly newspaper in coastal Georgia, and when I’m in reporter-mode I become so absorbed by my articles that they crowd out the stories in my head.
 
That kind of total absorption, of soaking up everything around you, until you become integrated in the surroundings is a plus for a writer, but it plays hell with schedules and real life events. I had lists for everything until I realized that the important things always got done. Now I follow this simple prioritization scheme: family, books, job, everything else. Somehow it all works out.
 
My first book, House of Lies, came out in 2007. That romantic suspense featured a bird watcher and an ex-CIA agent. My second romantic suspense, No Second Chance, was just released as an ebook and will come out in print February 29, 2008. I have a mystery which will come out in hard cover from Five Star in June 2008. In For A Penny features a divorcee whose errant golf ball lands on a dead banker. Be sure and visit my website for more information about me and my books, www.maggietoussaint.com. Also, my blogs are consolidated at www.myspace.com/maggietoussaint .

My inspiration for No Second Chance came about this way .... once when I was a kid, I snuck into my cousin’s horse pasture and hopped on her pony. I rode him bareback all over the field – no saddle and no bridle - galloping randomly through knee-high grass. When my daughter became interested in horses, I understood completely what it was like to be mad for horses. Later still, my husband and I found ourselves with a horse in need of a special home. We found a place for him where he could be used as a therapy horse for chronically ill children. That experience got me to thinking about horses no one wanted, and I learned of the great things Day’s End Farm Horse Rescue does. A portion of the proceeds from this book will benefit this worthy cause. Check them out at www.defhr.org.

Here's the blurb for No Second Chance, my 'horse' book:

Hope Farrier rescues unwanted horses, but she’s saddled with debt. Without help she’ll lose Second Chance Farm, the first home she’s ever known. An endowment brings the promise of future relief and the presence of shrewd business manager, Devlin Temple.
 
Trouble is Devlin has his dreamy blue eyes on more than her bottom line.

Playboy Devlin Temple lays a trap for the thief that’s fleecing his company. When his cousin sets his cap for Devlin’s job, Devlin needs Hope’s help to secure the CEO position. In her arms he finds the solace he craves, but their blossoming romance prompts the thief to raise the stakes.

Will Devlin and Hope pay the ultimate price for love?
 
Here's a link to an excerpt of No Second Chance: http://www.maggietoussaint.com/no_secondchance.html