Deadline around the corner...

The Cover Art request is done. The formatting is almost finished. Grace's Possibilities will soon be on its way to Desert Breeze Publishing. I am so blessed.

A bit of spring, last year's crop of ducks. I love itty-bitties, otherwise known as ducklings...

Yesterday was Chocolate Cake Day...

I made cake to celebrate. Such a hardship.

Yes, there really is a Chocolate Cake Day. I didn't make it up for my book. I saw it and thought, "Oh, what a yummy holiday..." All my stories start with what if...

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390265090&sr=8-1&keywords=laurel+hawkes+chocolate+cake+for+two

Sneak peek for another like on FB...

Over on FB, I received another Like:

https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes

To say thank you, I'm giving another sneak peek into Grace's Possibilities, which is due to Desert Breeze Publishing on February 1st. The fourth full length novel in the Endless Possibilities series will be available in June.

This is the last paragraph I typed before posting this:

"I don't suppose he does. Not a particularly pleasant fellow, not even on the best of days." Benjamin waited for the boy to meet his gaze, albeit from the corner of his eye, and handed over the reins. "Take good care of him."

Pirating sites...

The last few weeks, I've been dealing with removing my work from pirating sites.

Two types of sites:

1. Offers work for free, without the permission of the author/artist. No one makes money.
2. Offers work for a price, but without the permission of the author/artist. The site takes all the money.

I've found my books on both.

Neither one is honest.

Is it only me who finds it disturbing that they steal a Christian romance?

It's stressful to have to consider the legalities and deal with sending out "Cease and Desist" letters and consulting a lawyer. I would rather be writing.

Some authors don't bother. I considered that route. However, I have the right to protect myself and my work. Others do not have the right to use me and my work anyway they want. I'm learning a lesson in standing up for myself. I do what I'm able and endeavor to turn it over to God. Some days are easier than others.

God is in control. :-)

Chocolate Cake for Two...

The next novella in my Holiday, USA series is available at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cake-Two-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HYLK0P8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390265090&sr=8-1&keywords=laurel+hawkes+chocolate+cake+for+two

This is the yummy cover:

Sharing links...

Thank you to all those who create a place to check things like grammar! I needed to know about "each other's eyes." Typed in "grammar," followed by the phrase and was given a list. I chose this one:
http://www.grammar.cl/Notes/Reflexive_Pronouns.htm

Writers In The Storm blog shares some tips on Writing Life:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/9710/

God bless.

In the throes of writing and editing...

Jacaranda blossoms from last year. Spring is coming. Something peaceful and inspirational...

Challenge from FB...

Gail Delaney posted page seven of her current WIP and tagged seven other authors, including me.

This is part of page seven of Grace's Possibilities.

The past year never saw a truly warm day. She shivered, unable to remember the last time she'd been warm.

The year before she lost George at Waterloo. Before that day, she waited for news of him. The year before that, George married her to save her. How like him. He lived who he was in his soul. A knight, slaying dragons for his lady fair. Not only for his lady fair but for king and country.

Duty, honor, courage. A warrior.

In all her childish dreams, she never fantasized about a man fighting to rescue her. Her father cared for her, but always wished she'd been a son. When her mother died of influenza Hannah became her father's apprentice in his tailor shop, despite her young age. He preferred to pass the shop to a son, but Hannah would do. His sudden death, three years before, almost cost her the shop, but Benjamin saw to the necessary legalities, ensuring she did not lose her source of income and the only home she knew. Helping her, solidified Benjamin's decision in his course of study.

From the time she was a small child, there was only ever Benjamin for her. Gentle, patient Benjamin. Benjamin who hated violence and conflict. Benjamin who always smoothed every bobble and bump, who cajoled her from her tears.

George and Benjamin. Opposites in too many ways to count, and yet, in truth, simply two sides of the same coin. Both courageous in their own way. Both determined to right any wrong. Both made of a metal hidden behind a smile and prowess and diplomacy respectively.

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Sneak peek at Grace's Possibilities...

Because a new person liked my FB author's page, yesterday I gave those who check there the first paragraph of Grace's Possibilities.

Benjamin Thorn stared at the bottom of his glass. He glanced at the empty bottle beside him, as empty as all his dreams for the future. His best friend married his other best friend, right from under his nose. Backstabbers.

Cover to my second novella...

Over on FB, yesterday, I posted the cover to my next novella... I posted the two covers created and invited people to vote on their favorite. Here they are:

Informative links...

I don't Twitter. However, I know plenty of people do, and Jenny Hansen offers some tips for cleaning up a Twitter account and why:
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/do-you-clean-up-your-twitter-account-3-easy-tips/
Another Writers In The Storm Blog post, this one about query letters. Wish I'd read this when I first queries. I was rejected on my query letter alone. Once I learned a few things, I agreed it was awful.
http://writersinthestorm.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/query-letter-pet-peeves-agents-speak/

Holley Gerth wrapped up the year by announcing a new God-Sized Dreams website:
http://holleygerth.com/celebrating-a-year-of-your-god-sized-dreams/
http://godsizeddreams.com/

Genesis 5020 listed her top 10 books for 2013:
http://5020genesis.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/top-10-books-ive-read-in-2013/

And a link that made me smile to Beth Trissel's blog "One Writer's Way."
http://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/nobody-really-cares-if-youre-miserable-so-you-might-as-well-be-happy-cynthia-nelms/

God bless.

No resolutions... only gifts...

I've never cared for the sound of resolutions... they sound so... grim. Granted, they also sound determined. However, I'm changing something in my life I need to change. I don't want it to sound grim. Determined? Yes, but more. I want it to be something I look forward to because it's making my life better. So, I'm giving gifts to myself.

This year, instead of making a list for the whole year, I'm starting small.

January 1st

This month, I'm tackling my health. I'm going to cut eggs from my diet as much as possible and I'm making sleep a priority. With only two things on the list, I think I can do this.

It goes without saying (but I need to say it for me anyway) these are not the only two things on my To-Do list. However, these are two things I'm making a conscious effort to be aware of and make an effort to improve.

Here's to a New Year and new adventures.

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