I know most people are staying close to home for the holiday with gas prices so high. We’re having our usual family get together. Unfortunately, it is only going to be in the 70s so I doubt if the water will be warm enough to go swimming. If we sell our house, it will be our last summer here, so was hoping we could go swimming. We might have to eat inside because thunderstorms are in the weather forecast.

In the past, we’ve driven somewhere to watch fireworks but last year we stayed home to watch fireworks from our backyard. Many people around here have their own firework displays.

Whatever you do to celebrate, I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th! I’m off to make potato salad, then homemade ice cream.

Last night we went to Frisch’s to eat and then went to the movies. We enjoyed watching “Nim’s Island” starring Abigail Breslin, Jodie Foster and Gerald Butler. Abigail plays a delightful character named Nim. Her father is a scientist and when Nim was a toddler, her mother died. Nim loves to read books about her favorite literary character, Alex Rover - the world’s greatest adventurer. But Alexandra, the author of the Rover books, leads a reclusive life in the big city. When Nim’s father goes missing from their island, Nim wants Alex to help her, not realizing her book character is actually written by a woman scared to step outside her apartment.

Sara and Amanda both liked it. I think it’s a fantastic movie seeing a child becoming so self-reliant while her dad is gone for 4 days. I liked how Nim believes in herself. She needs to make big decisions when a cruise ship full of people comes to her island. She draws on incredible resources to get them off her island. I love seeing a character being very strong who is also a girl. It’s a message of self-reliance for girls not to be afraid and to realize girls can accomplish great things.

It was neat watching Nim jump on the back of a sea lion, a trained sea lion and go underneath the water and above the water. The movie is filled with lots of imagination and adventures!

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What I’m Reading Now: LOST IN PARADISE BY ALLIE BONIFACE. I just started reading it but already feel vested in the main character.

My writing progress today: I barely started chapter 11. I’m hoping to still get some written tonight!

My “Romance Writers Report” arrived in the mail yesterday. “Love Your Voice” is a great article by Julie Rowe in the July issue. Julie writes, “Voice is an author’s trademark;it’s the one thing that sets them apart from other authors. Its value is unparalleled.” And I love where she says, “Voice is an extension of who the writer is. In effect, voice is a writer’s personality on paper.”

I recently received a lovely rejection letter from senior editor, Kathy, at The Wild Rose Press. My Whitney in Charge book doesn’t fit their romance guidelines which I understand because of the mainstream appeal. She mentioned this about my voice, “I like your writer’s voice and I’d love to read more of your work.” I’m thrilled she likes my voice!

My cyber friend and author, Donna Alward, is mentioned in Julie’s article. Julie writes, “A strong voice provokes emotion from the writer as you are writing. Donna Alward, author of THE SOLDIER’S HOMECOMING, says that her first sale came with the book that made her cry while she wrote it. When she tapped into her own powerful emotions, her voice became more evocative and engaged the emotions of a writer’s other two audiences: the character and the reader.”

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The June blog winner is Anne Berger from New Mexico. CONGRATULATIONS, ANNE! She will receive a print copy of Lori Foster’s book.

I used my brain to add up the number of comments and was surprised I had 91 for June. I thought that couldn’t be right so got out my calculator. And I was right - Lea writing about Australia helped with the number of comments and the sell of our house. Thank you for all the great comments! Be sure to check back for the July giveaway. I have no clue what it will be yet.

Writing Progress: I jotted down bits of dialogue for Chapter 11 but that’s it.

Tom learned at his hospital session yesterday that he needs a caregiver 24/7 for two weeks after he’s discharged from the hospital. He could go to the nursing home but would rather come home. I want him home with us, too. I need to be at the hospital when they show the therapy I need to help him with, so I hope everything goes well.

Here is the photo taken of the authors attending the 2008 Reader and Author Get Together given by Lori Foster and Dianne Castell! I noticed some authors are missing. Can you pick out your favorite authors from the photo? I know it is pretty small and blurry. The photographer emailed this one to me.

I just noticed my website designer, Amy Knupp, is in back of me to the left side when you look at the photo. She’s a tiny blonde! She writes for the Superromance line at Harlequin. I’m the one with the dark hair on the far right. My friend, Shelley Galloway, is in front of me in the red blouse. I can’t believe it’s over but was nice having it in the beginning of June.

Tomorrow I’ll draw a winner for Lori’s book!

Good news - I have chapter ten done. Tom’s hip replacement surgery is coming up so quickly - it’s next week. Today he’s going to a session at the hospital about the therapy after surgery. He had one pre-op appointment on Friday with his cardiologist and tomorrow he has an appointment for another pre-op with his regular doctor. I’m glad he’s getting it done because he’s been in so much pain for a long time.

Go to The Long and Short Of it today (Sunday - last day) to vote for what you think is the best book after reading the reviews. I voted for Sarita Leone’s book, VINEYARD MAMBO published by Whiskey Creek Press. This is on my list to read this summer. Click here to vote! Vineyard Mambo is also a Fallen Angel Reviews Recommended Read!

BLURB FOR VINEYARD MAMBO:

Mambo. Merlot. Murder.
Who killed Milton Falls’ nastiest neighbor? And why? Anna Romeo, vineyard owner and librarian, wants to know.

Used to be doors went unlocked, neighbors visited on porches and gossip centered around who had the biggest zucchini. Now that murder’s come calling all bets are off. Arson, burglary and cryptic tea leaf messages fill Anna’s days—and nights—with love, mystery and adventure.

Can Anna unlock the key to the murder that’s got everyone on edge? And, more importantly, can she do it quickly enough for the annual Zucchini Festival to go on as planned?

Only time—and a bit of luck—will tell.

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I meant to get this posted earlier but had trouble with wordpress - very strange. I am not a technical person so not sure what was wrong.