New Contest

Yep, I have yet another contest for y'all. And yes, it's more jewellery.

To celebrate the upcoming release Bloodlust you can post the word bloodlust or send me an email and you'll go in the running to win a garnet and diamond pendant.

Contest will run from the 1st of August to the 15th of Sept.

Busy days

Well, for the past week I've been flat out with personal stuff. I haven't done any writing for a week! Ugh! Recently I got a new client and finished her page. You can check it out @ www.kelleyvitollo.com

Also, my current MS The Dark Knight - a futuristic, is ending up be longer than I thought. I think this might turn out to be either a catagory or a novel. I have to start work on a another novella I want to pitch for an anthology. I might find myself working on 2 ms's... hmm, am I up to the task. We'll see I suppose.

Writing or lack thereof and my new cover

Well, as you know, I've been waging war with vermon. I've done loads yesterday - and still have heaps to go. I combed mia's hair three times yesterday - but I think I've finally got em all. But still have to comb every couple of days just in case. So this battle has taken up any writing time I might've had. Today, I'm surprised the little one wants anything to do with me. She got up at 4.20am *grr* and has been very demanding of my time. Why? I don't know. I would be running in the other direction if I was her. I just my comb her hair again.

Anyway, to make my day. I got my cover for BLOODLUST I am thrilled and blown away by the quality of cover.

It was done by the talented Dan Skinner. Thank you Dan! Check it out:

aup! There goes the washing machine. Time to do another load. *sigh*

Writing or lack thereof and my new cover

Well, as you know, I've been waging war with vermon. I've done loads yesterday - and still have heaps to go. I combed mia's hair three times yesterday - but I think I've finally got em all. But still have to comb every couple of days just in case. So this battle has taken up any writing time I might've had. Today, I'm surprised the little one wants anything to do with me. She got up at 4.20am *grr* and has been very demanding of my time. Why? I don't know. I would be running in the other direction if I was her. I just my comb her hair again.

Anyway, to make my day. I got my cover for BLOODLUST I am thrilled and blown away by the quality of cover.

Check it out:

aup! There goes the washing machine. Time to do another load. *sigh*

My birthday dinner & news you as a mother hate to hear

Well, it's my birthday on Sunday, but my twin will be in New Zealand for her birthday so we had a dinner to celebrate. We went to hogs breath cafe and I found me and jossilyn having difficulty choosing between the same things. We both wanted the fish of the day & Nachos. I suggested we share So joss said I should order the nachos. No way! I don't want something wholly delicious and fattening sitting before me! I'm trying to loose wieght. So we both ended up with fish. - And she didn't eat all of hers. For $22 I would be!

My brother came and that was great because I rarely get to see him. My husband and my sister's B.friend (whose personality on the most part is almost exactly like my husbands) ordered the same thing. FREAKY!

Also, on a side note. The daycare center told us Mia had lice. *fall over* I hate those buggers. Since we had plans for the night I couldn't get ontop of it right away. So when I stopped by a chemest, got the stuff I needed, put mia to bed and started on my own hair. I found I had some in my hair and was furious. I told andrew to wash his hair but he didn't want to. So I combed his hair, changed the sheets on our bed, and vacummed the lounge.

I thought mia might've only gotten them, but I remember I took a bath with her on monday (which explains how I got it) Andrew then annoyed me because he jumped into bed with the same clothes he had on and he didn't treat himself. So I have an extra load to do than nessacary thanks to a lazy spouse who doesn't understand the tenacity of those creatures.

And this morning I treated her and yuko! I combed her hair, and she hated every second of it, but I didn't care, the faster I got through it the sooner it would be over. I got most of them out, but will re-do her hair tonight. I've went through my hair, and am now thankfully free of those critters, but still have to stay on top of it.

So today, I've been doing loads of sheets, towels and clothes. Pillows are out in the sun. Ugh! I guess the won't be the last I'll see of those things.

I'm still alive!

Yes, I did my first work out via DVD today. Although my little one was upset that I wouldn't pick her up. So inbetween some workouts I chased her around the house, which is just as strenious. Anyway I finished the 60 min work out with some revelations.

A) I'm not as unfit as I thought I would've been
B) I have no muscle strength whatsoever so I sucked and strained on those parts

So the muscle thing, I plan to do some extra work on. i used to pride myself so much on my strength and after 2 years without gym I suck! lol

So I have 4 workout DVDs, 2 I found that I couldn't do because it was the 4th & 5th volume of a 5 DVD set. Ends up I have to start from the bottom up. So hubby is getting the 1st one for me today. Some of you might be familiar with Jillian Michaels? Well, that is the 5 DVD set. I'm also looking at getting a HULA workout from somewhere since my little one LOVES to try and do the hula from Lilo & Stitch.

Jodie? .... .... Present!

Yes, I know, I haven't blogged a bit recently. I'd made a personal promise to myself to blog every second day, but then got...distracted. I got my edits back for Bloodlust and was totally thrilled with it. Problem. My daughter didn't want me near the laptop. AGRRGHH!! *ripping hair at the roots* This is where I get to say "No, Mia, mummy is trying to work."

Does that work? Nope. So my edits, although I wanted to get to them immediately had to wait. By the time Hubby got home I was drawn tight and said "You are so lucky! When you have deadlines at least you don't have a crying baby in your ear wanting your attention. I mean some people think being a SAHM is a piece of cake but I can tell you now it isn't."

RANT RANT RANT. Yes, it was one of those days where I believe Andrew would've much prefered a set of earplugs.

But on an upnote we bought a christmas tree today. Yes, I know it's early, but does the word SALE explain it? We got a 7ft fibre optics tree for $99. While I was there, I also got some exercise DVDs. It's my effort to get into shape and it's hard to do it when sitting on a stationary bike when Mia wants to do it too. So I thought, doing those moves on DVD will encourage her motor skills and give me a chance to work out. Yes! I'm stoked and plan to start on Monday. I'll let you know if I survive *g*

Ok, time to get my head down and write. Catch ya!


REMEMBER:

The contest: If you want to win a sapphire heart pendant then answer the following question and email me: jodicib[at]gmail.com
The question is: Who are part of the 'Devil's Trio' and what attribute are they each most infamous for?

HINT: Check out the excerpt on:
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/adevilsproposal.htm

Competition ends on the 31st of July. Don't forget to visit my website: http://www.jodicibelle.com for more information.

Sharing a single bed with my girl

I don't know what it is about Mia but sometimes...well more often than not lately she's been getting up in the middle of the night and coming into the room and waking us up. Sometimes I take her into the room and try and put her to sleep - an effort that can both rob me and andrew of sleep. Or I take her to the lounge room for an hour while she relaxes watching a DVD. OR try and get her to sleep in bed with us...which has never worked so I don't see why I continue.

Well, last night she woke up at 12am. She came into the room and I put her up on the bed. When she didn't got to sleep I put her back to bed and lay next to her. She didn't want me to leave so I lay there waiting for her to sleep. Well, she talked and moved around for a bit and fell asleep. But everytime I tried to get out of bed, she cried. So I stayed and spent a restless night avoiding her flailing arms and legs. Gah! It's a bad habit to get into I know, but she cries for ages and keeps andrew awake (who is really a grouch when he misses out on sleep).

Well, I caught up with some sleep this morning since she is away on daycare *yey*. I lurv these moments...

Also remember The contest: If you want to win a sapphire heart pendant then answer the following question and email me: jodicib[at]gmail.com

The question is: Who are part of the 'Devil's Trio' and what attribute are they each most infamous for?

HINT: Check out the excerpt on:

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/adevilsproposal.htm

Competition ends on the 31st of July. Don't forget to visit my website: http://www.jodicibelle.com for more information.

Something fun, something cute and something new

Something Fun:
To provide a bit of variety I've decided to create a free read on http://www.jodiebecker.com check it out under Fun Stuff. This will be updated once a week.

Something Cute:
A new book out that I've read and ABSOLUTELY LOVED is Can You Keep a Secret? By fellow aussie author Rosse Middleton. Link

Can you keep a secret?

I don’t suppose you can.

I’m your secret Santa.

Resist my wicked plan!

It’s winter in Melbourne, Australia and investigative journalist Jesse Fox doesn’t want to participate in the Christmas in July gimmick his boss has instigated. He’s about to turn in hisI really don’t want to play this game note to the coordinator when he receives a mysterious package, which holds the most enticing dare he can imagine. Can he uncover the identity of his secret Santa before her titillating gifts drive him insane?

As an administrative assistant in the biggest television network in town, Penny Lane should have better things to do than run the secret Santa gift exchange and coordinate a weekend retreat in the snow. Yet the game allows her to indulge in her secret fantasy with hotshot Jesse, and as her inner vixen emerges, Penny needs to keep him from realising plain Jane is behind the salacious gifts. Penny must decide if the friendship they share is more important than the possibility of spending the weekend retreat in Jesse’s bed. Exactly what will Jesse do once he uncovers the woman behind the red lace garter and the fur-lined handcuffs?

Something new:
A new blog is out with several romance authors (also Divas) that is worth having a look at: Http://strictlysirens.blogspot.com

Bestseller list

OMG! I just found out today that my first manuscript - His Unexpected Bride is It's #8 on the best sellers Fictionwise, #7 on the Romance bestsellers list, and #6 on the New Concepts Bestsellers list. Thanks Jen!

It's so awesom I'm speechless. And to add on that I'm now available (in ebook) at AMAZON. Wahoo!

Dare I hope this will make it in print?? I hope so. But then we'll see. It comes at the right time coinciding with the release of my lastest Historical A Devil's proposal


Also remember The contest: If you want to win a sapphire heart pendant then answer the following question and go to http://www.jodicibelle.com/contact.php to answer.

The question is: Who are part of the 'Devil's Trio' and what attribute are they each most infamous for?

Competition ends on the 31st of July. Don't forget to visit my website: http://www.jodicibelle.com for more information.

Another release and contest

To celebrate the Release of my newest Historical 'A Devil's Proposal' I'm giving you a chance to win a sapphire heart necklace to honor the color of my hero, Ransom's, eyes.


So, how do you win? Well simply answer the following question and send it to jodicib @ gmail.com.

The question is: Who are part of the 'Devil's Trio' and what attribute are they each most infamous for?

Competition starts on the 7th of July and ends on the 31st of July. Don't forget to visit my website: http://www.jodicibelle.com for more information. (and check out the new header. Much more romantic don't you think?)

Bloggers new look and QUEENSLANDER!!!

Well, after a bout of procrastination - I have finally updated my look. No template here. As you can see it looks alot like the BECKER site, but then, that one is my fave ;)

On the writing front I've got my troops under attack and wondering how to make this scene more frightening. I am feeling a bit of fear as Knightly but I gott put that smoothly on page. Hmm, maybe I should go and get an old Dean Koontz novel and try and remember what he did that worked for me.

See, writing in different sub-genres of romance really has new things to offer and stretches your skills. I would suggest anyone that writes to at least branch out into one other sub-genre of romance. It's a blast!

Now, if y'all are wondering about the QUEENSLANDER yell, well let me clear it up for you. Our sport of choice in QLD & NSW is Rugby League. It's like rugby union except without the gazzilion kicks and those scrummy type things were the ball goes down and everyone steps on the tackled guy. (As you can tell - I don't watch union) ANYways. Once a year we have the State of Origin which is the best players who originated from QLD take on the best players from NSW. It's a tri-match so it's game 1 - 3wk break - game 2 - 3wk break - game 3

To make it even every year they switch where it's played. QLD NSW QLD then the next year: NSW QLD NSW

So, for the last 3 years NSW have been kicking our asses but this year...this year. WE WON!!! Finally, despite a few dubious calls from the video ref QLD managed to bring the fire and came back to win. Now bear in mind, these games are often VERY tight and the crowd are into it. It's an awesome thing to experience, and the whole of QLD and NSW stop what they're doing 3 times a year to root behind thier team. Because it's not just a game. It's everything we are.

Also, here is a piccy of my daughter on the night. Please note what it says on her jumpsuit:

I sold

Yep, I finished BLOODLUST and sent it off the Cobblestone. I'm so glad I was accepted and thrilled to be apart of their budding family. I know alot of talented writers are a part of their list and I'm now thrilled to be in the ranks. I look forward to a long and fruitful career there.

Furthermore, I have a new website. Since I'll be writing anything that isn't historical or sweet under Jodici Belle, I'll be using Jodie Becker - a pen name that I'm most comfortable with. You can check out my website here: http://www.jodiebecker.com

I'm now working on another futuristic and about to knuckle down and get some serious writing done. With me and my daughter sick, I haven't been able to be very creative, but I think I should be soon.

On another note, I ordered some CD-Rom books from Amazon.com about the US military because I need them for my current book. Since I live in QLD I find that alot of the stuff I want are not available here and I have to order from the US. It takes 2months to get here by standard so I ordered the next one up which means it'll get here 17-25July. *sigh* I was hoping it would get here sooner, but in the meantime I can use the interent *sigh lovingly* I love the internet. *g*