Happy New Year!

Wishing you and yours a happy new year!

Michele

The Marriage Recipe--Coming April 2008

Sweet Sensations!

New York loves pastry chef Rachel Palladia’s desserts, and her boss in the A-list Italian restaurant where she works is desperate to make her his wife.

A country girl’s dream come true—untilshe catches her fiancé making love to someone else.

When her ex-fiancé sues her for the rights to her recipes, Rachel heads home to Morrisville, Indiana, to ask Colin Morris—the town’s hotshot lawyer and her former secret crush—for help.

But while they’re working on an ironclad defense, their relationship really heats up!

The two are concocting a recipe for the perfect marriage—except
he’s determined to stay small-town, and she yearns for the big city’s bright lights.

A dilemma, for sure, unless they can cook up a solution…

4 Star RT Review for The Christmas Date

In Michele Dunaway's The Christmas Date (4) photojournalist Tyler is a love-'em-and-leave-'em guy. When he buys a house, he isn't interested in changing his ways. But he didn't count on being captivated by next-door neighbor Kate, a hard-working paralegal studying to become a lawyer. She doesn't have time for love, but the couple's chemistry is undeniable. Despite the disapproval of Kate's nosy neighbor, and the bewilderment of her best friends, the couple tries to make it work in this sweet, compelling romance. —Whitney Kate Sullivan

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I just want to take a moment to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

2007 has been awesome for me and I appreciate your being part of it. Will write more in 2008. I'm off to finish book #20.

All the best,

Michele

More Press

I am featured at The Motivated Writer. Com


Use the link below. I'm talking about my creative space.

http://www.themotivatedwriter.com/12december.html

Press Time!

I received press this weekend. I'm one of the authors featured in a Columbia Missourian article.

Here's the link:http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2007/12/07/passion-writing/

Another review for Hart's Victory

By Carol Carson Monk
Michele Dunaway has done it again with another great book. This is her fifteenth for Harlequin, and her first in the NASCAR series. HART’s VICTORy has it all – wonderful, believable characters and an intelligent, emotional story. When single mom kellie Thompson and her teenage son, Charlie, attend a camp for terminally ill kids, they meet NASCAR driver Hart
Hampton, Charlie’s idol.

Because of his illness, Charlie believes he won’t be around forever and thinks Hart would be perfect for his mom. The two of them have had a longstanding joke that the reason she isn’t dating is because she’s holding out for Hart, the heart throb of the NASCAR circuit. Charlie seizes the opportunity and does his best to see that the two of them get together.
Hart has been in a losing slump and is coming off a wreck on the track. Although he wasn’t seriously injured, he’s been told to stay away for the weekend and do a bit of charity work at the children’s camp. To improve his playboy image and repair public relations at the same time, Hart reluctantly agrees.

When he meets Charlie and kellie he instantly falls for both of them.
In spite of her attraction to Hart, kellie rebuffs his attentions. She is one hundred percent focused on getting Charlie healthy. However, Hart doesn’t take no for an answer. He easily wins Charlie over, then he works full time to gain kellie’s affections. His life may have revolved
around auto racing, but now he sees what he’s been missing– a loving family to share it with.
This book works on three levels – the romance, the NASCAR aspect, and the one I found most endearing, Charlie’s fight for his life battling leukemia. This is a heart-wrenching, emotional roller coaster of a read.

You will fall in love with Hart, just as Charlie and kellie do. It doesn’t matter if you are a race fan, this is one character-driven tale of love and devotion that will keep you reading long into the night. keep the tissue box close.

More fan mail

I have to admit, getting emails from readers makes my day. As an author, we pour our hearts out into our books. We slave over them, crafting every word. We second guess ourselves. We then put the book out there and worry, will the reader like it? Will they think it sucks? Have we done the best job we possibly could have done?

The waiting is sometimes pure torture. Then the reviews come in, and they're good so I feel a little better. Then, if an author is lucky, the emails come in that don't chastize or let you know you screwed up somehow. Instead you get short, sweet little things that make your day, like this one from Melba:

I just read the Christmas Date and I couldn’t put the book down. This book is a keeper. Thank you.

Those type of emails, which means the reader went to my website and used the response form, make my day. Writing is a job. But unlike my teaching job, I don't receive immediate feedback. In my day job I can see my students' reactions. My principals and colleagues stop by and pat me on the back, like they did after the first high school newspaper my students produced this year.

As an author, our only real feedback aside from our sales numbers is reader feedback. To have reader stop by the website and drop you a line makes you feel that all your effort is worth it. It gives that positive push when the muse leaves and you wonder if you can really tell a story at all.

So thanks Melba, and all those other readers who let us authors know we've touched you enough to write. You make our day.

Infield Parking

I am now parked at http://www.infieldparking.com/MicheleD

Come stop by and see me.

I got fan mail!

I love fan mail. It's always very uplifting to have someone tell you that your book touched them.

I'm going to share two of them here:

Just finished Harts Victory, what a wonderful story. Charlie is such a strong person and knows what his mom needs. I am glad Hart was so persistent. I go to 10 races a year and am a real NASCAR fan. I have really been enjoying the Harlequin Series. You are a great writer and I am looking forward to Out of Line and Tailspin in the future. Have a Happy Holiday.
Suzanne


Thanks Suzanne! Your email made my day! This book really does have a special place in my heart. I'll be blogging more later on the karma that surrounds this novel but the C.M. it's dedicated to is one of my former students who passed away at age 16 of leukemia in 2006. This is my way to immortalize him a little. It's also a book that I wrote so my daughter could read her first romance--well, my romance. She's been reading the other NASCAR ones as well.

I picked up a copy of 'Capturing the Cop' at the library and can't remember the last time I've laughed so much while reading a romance novel. I love both Olivia and Garrett's character. I'm only on page 71 but I had to write and tell you how much I'm enjoying this novel-it's the kind of book a reader never wants to end. I'll have to track one down for my keeper shelf. I'm a freelance writer--mostly nonfiction--but I did win one of Harlequin's writing round robin contests--which was a real thrill since my heart's desire is to write for Harlequin. I am looking forward to reading more of your books! Sonya

Congrats on winning one of the writing round robin contests! I never won a contest at all. As for Olivia and Garrett, I wanted to end the Grandpa Joe series with a bang, and what a way to do it by setting the book in my quirky city of St. Louis. If you like this one, you may want to search for Olivia's cousin Darci's story in Catching the Corporate Playboy.

Happpy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all the best on this wonderful (yet chilly where I live) Thanksgiving Day!

I know I am grateful that you, my reader, pick up my books and enjoy them! May you have a fantastic holiday.

Michele

Hart's Victory receives 4 out of 5 stars from RT

My friend emailed me the review from Romantic Times BookClub Magazine. Both The Christmas Date and Hart's Victory received 4 out of 5 stars, which is fantastic.

Here is the review for Hart's Victory.

The NASCAR circuit almost takes a backseat in Michele Dunaway's hauntingly poignant Hart's Victory (4). Single mom Kellie's NASCAR enthusiast son, Charlie, is battling cancer. When they attend a special NASCAR camp for terminally ill children, they meet Charlie's hero, driver Hart Hampton. Charlie has a longstanding joke that his mother is holding out on remarrying for HART. After meeting them, Hart starts to agree with Charlie that he and Kellie should be together. What follows is not only a great love story but also the heart-wrenching story of Charlie's battle with cancer. Kelly and Charlie are wonderfully written as a mother and son who share a special bond, but Hart, a truly warm, caring man, becomes the real hero of the story.

You should be able to find Hart's Victory in stores starting December 4. It's already doing great at amazon.com and bn.com

Michele

Harriet Klausner reviewed Hart's Victory

Hart's Victory
Michele Dunaway
Harlequin NASCAR, Dec 2007, $5.99
ISBN: 9780373217823

Single mom Kellie Thompson’s beloved son Charlie is battling for his life against cancer. Charlie is a rabid NASCAR fan; so when a NASCAR camp for terminally ill children is arranged, Kellie insures her child attends.

Charlie's hero NASCAR driver Hart Hampton has been in a slump so is relegated to the charity event for the terminally ill. After meeting mother and son, Hart agrees with Charlie that he and Kellie are perfect for one another. However, she rejects his attention although she is attracted to him; her focus is Charlie. Hart wants both in his life, but though he won the kid over and the mom recognizes he is a caring soul, she still refuses his overtures; Charlie comes in first, second and third.

The romance places second and NASCAR shows up third as the star of this heart-wrenching tale is Charlie as he fights for his life yet wants the best for his mom whom he believes is his hero Hart. The three prime players are fully developed leading to readers feeling deep emotions almost as if they know the ailing child and care for him as much as Hart does. Michele Dunaway provides an angst-laden five tissue box character driven tale.

For the original post and Harriet's blog, go to http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com/

A Guest Post from my Daughter

So every weekday when my mom and I are driving in the deer-magnet we call our car, as soon as I can see the front porch, I'm craning my neck to see if there is a brown box there. And it's not my birthday just yet! I'm looking for a special box.

A Harlequin Box.

I, of course, am talking about Hart's Victory, aka: my first romance novel. I've never read a romance novel (besides to scratch off those cards in the middle of the book) and I'm pretty excited to actually get to read my first one. And here's the cool thing: anyone can read it!

What? A romance novel anyone can read? Well, yes, anyone can read Hart's Victory. Anyone can read this romance novel because there is absolutely nothing in it. No cursing, no sex on the page, if it was a movie it'd be PG at the very most. My response = cool.

Since anyone can read this, I'm doing a book report on it. We're doing a project where we are literally going to try and sell the book to the students in my class and grade. AND: I'm selling my mom's book. To my class. How many kids get to do that at school?

Anyway, the box has still not arrived yet (and I need the book BEFORE October 31st!) and I'm getting rather impatient. And I have to get to bed soon so I can get up go, to church,and come home so I can watch the race. Also, eventually ruin my vocal chords screaming for Carl Edwards (#99) to win. And hopefully, Monday I'll have my book.

- Alison Dunaway

Final note: Hart's Victory is a Harlequin NASCAR novel.

A guest blog from one of my favorite readers

Book 172-The Christmas Date by Michele Dunaway (AR Dec 2007)
Reviewed by Julie Picraux
From her post on eharlequin.com

Over the past few months I have lost my job of 4 years, I have been down a
little with not wanting to do much of anything but read. And read some more,
then read some more. I could blog from here (eharlequin) until Christmas and not have all
the books blogged. It was not until Michele gave me an advance copy of her
December book, The Christmas Date , I knew I had to get back in the swing of
things. I started this year blogging and I was going to finish this year by
blogging.

Six years ago, I met Michele at a Girl Scout meeting. We started a
conversion over a book I had been reading. Since then I have had the
wonderful opportunity to watch Michele grow as a writer. I have also had a
chance to watch Michele enjoy the good times and struggle with the bad
times. Plus being friends with Michele I have had a few benefits, such as a
book dedicated to me ( Emergency Engagement- AR February 05 ) and something
stupid I did in a book (I'm not telling this one). And in this case Michele
gave me an advance copy of her new book, The Christmas Date , which is out
in December.

With some of Michele's books I'm there from the beginning,
however, this is one that I had only heard the idea of the book, but not
much else. To me, this book is one of Michele's better books. It's the right
mix of being light and zany but with enough tension. You could not help but
laugh at the secondary characters. At the sometime relate to them as well.
If you only read one American this December, read this one. It will get you
in the Christmas sprint, and lift your mood at the sometime. Awesome book,
Michele next to Emergency Engagement (AR February 05) and Legally Tender (AR
January 06) this goes on my list as one of my favorites.

Weddings, Funerals and Birthdays

Today is my youngest daughter's birthday. She's already opened all her presents and I don't think we're going to be doing much to celebrate--maybe a trip to Chuck E. Cheese or something for dinner. Her party for her friends will be in a few weeks once things calm down--which really never happens in our life.Last night my oldest daughter and I went to a wedding and reception for Lucy Kate McMenamy while the youngest went on a Girl Scout roller skating outing.

I used to babsit Lucy and her older brother every day after school and over summer break for five years. I started when Lucy was in first grade and left when she was in fifth or sixth. By then she didn't really need a babysitter; I was more the adult to be in the house. Lucy then babysit my two daughters. So I wouldn't have missed the wedding for the world, but my oldest (who is 12) wanted to skip it until her dad called (I'm divorced, btw) and told her that her great-grandmother had died. The funeral is on Monday (tomorrow) and everyone but my children are headed down to Mississippi. We're in St. Louis; the rest in Alabama.

So I went home and picked Alison up between the wedding and the reception as there was about an hour and a half free time. We arrived at the Grand Hall in the Hyatt Union Station and all had a blast. I remember that when I left I really needed this. It's great to watch two young people you know are going to make it get married. It's great to see old friends who knew you long ago--I typed those first books (that will never see the light of day) on their computer during those long summer days. Now they are in awe and thrilled--20 books! Wow!As for my young charges, John is doing his residency and specializing in radiology. He's in Dallas.

Lucy works for the Hyatt hotel chain as a banquet manager and her husband is an executive sous chef. They met at work when they were both in Kansas City--now they are on the east coast. He's eight years older. Sounds a bit like some of the books I've done but probably without the conflict. All was beautiful--the church, the flowers, the 55-pound wedding cake that the Hyatt chef in Austin carried up in boxes (unfrosted) on the plane. She then used the St. Louis kitchen to put it together.Working for the Hyatt and having the reception at the Hyatt meant that everyone pulled out all the stops. In two days Michael and Lucy are off to Hawaii for 10 days.

As for me, this morning, life was back to normal as my two daughters got into a fight before church.However, while I was there last night, parts of my next story wrote themselves in my head. The muse clicked and put the ideas where they were supposed to be. What about my hotel manager Hank being asked to be teacher Jolie's date? He owes her one, and she needs to dig up a guy for a family wedding. I like it.As for the pastry chef idea, I just did that in The Marriage Recipe, out in April 2008.

Michele Dunaway
Hart's Victory (Harlequin NASCAR) Dec. 2007
The Christmas Date (Harlequin American) Dec. 2007

The Other "NEW" Cover

I have two books out this December, my NASCAR book Hart's Victory and my Harlequin American. I'm thrilled to present the cover for the American! I just got it today.

Michele

Catching up

No, I haven't disappeared. I've been just a tad bit busy. There's a lot going on right now. First, we have a new kitten named Winnie. We got her at the end of June so she's now been in our household about a full month. She's a terror yet the cutest thing.

Second, I've been trying to get caught up. After RWA (that's me signing above left), I traveled to Manhattan, KS, for a journalism workshop at K-State. I teach journalism and this gave me a chance to learn InDesign and Photoshop a lot better.

Third I've been trying to get my second NASCAR book finished. It's due to my editor Sept. 4 and before that I had to write a Harlequin American partial. My kids also wanted to go to the local county fair, and I had laundry to do, and school registration, yearbook camp...

You get the idea. It's almost autumn. School starts for me Wednesday.

Hope all's well with you and more later, I promise.

Michele

More RWA pictures

RWA was a grand time. I came home with a nasty cold, however, and simply can't breathe. I think it's from all the heat (98 degrees outside) to AC (68 degrees inside) changes.

The top picture is of me (on right) with my friend Wendy Etherington. I first met Wendy when she and her husband lived in St. Louis. Each of us had maybe one or two sales at the time. Wendy is doing gangbusters and writing three HQNs with Liz Allison in addition to writing for Harlequin Blaze and Harlequin NASCAR.

The next pic is of the Harlequin NASCAR authors in Victory Lane. Too bad it's empty!

Below that is a picture of my lifelong friend, Carrie Donald. Carrie and I have known each other since our sophomore year in Mrs. Folsom's English class at Kirkwood High. She was in my wedding and I in hers. She lives in Garland, TX, where she is a music teacher. We were out celebrating my birthday, July 14.

The next picture is all of the NASCAR authors all glammed up after our dinner at Craft Dallas, July 12. From the left: me, Helen Brenna, Jean Brashear, Abby Gaines, Barbara Dunlop, editor Marsha Zinberg, Anna Schmidt (hiding), Ken Casper, Wendy Etherington and Nancy Warren. Amazingly enough, Wendy, Anna, Helen and I all celebrated birthdays within days of each other.

The next three pictures are taken the night of the Harlequin party, Friday July 13, at the Fairmont Hotel. The first is of me and my wonderful editor, Beverley Sotolov. When you read my books, she's had a behind-the-scenes hand in making them so great. The next is of my friend Dawn Temple, who writes for Special Edition. Her first book comes out in October, so buy it. The bottom picture is of Sandra Marton, one of the top Harlequin Presents authors and my inspiration. Sandra's book The Sexiest Man Alive remains one of my all time favorites. I thought if I could write a book half as good I'd be satisfied. (PS--if you like sexy, alpha male heroes, her books are the best.)

Okay, that's it for today!

Michele

Texas Motor Speedway

During RWA, on Thursday, a group of the NASCAR continuity authors toured Texas Motor Speedway as part of our research. We wore our Harlequin NASCAR hats. I'm on the far right.

From left to right are Helen Brenna, Wendy Etherington, Ken Casper, Harlequin's Marsha Zinberg, Abby Gains, and our trip organizer and write extraordinaire, Jean Brashear.

My daughter and I had an interesting week. On July 3, we attended Live on the Levee in St. Louis and stood 4 "people" rows from the Goo Goo Dolls. The concert was fantastic. We had an absolute blast! The opening band was Lifehouse and they were good.

We saw the Goo Goo Dolls the night after the Police concert, a group my daughter loves. We were in the 22nd row for that one.

For 4th of July we watched the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Arizona Diamondbacks.

So we've had a lot of fun lately!

Release update

Here's a quick update on my book release schedule:

In December 2007, two books--
Hart's Victory, from Harelquin's Stories Set in the World of NASCAR series.
The Christmas Date, from Harlequin American Romance.

In April 2008, one book--
The Marriage Recipe, from Harlequin American Romance

I have two more books in the 2008 NASCAR series and will post those dates and official titles when I know them!

Michele

My very first sale

I was asked the other day to share my very first sale story, so for posterity, here it is:

I sold my first book as part of an editor appointment at the 1999 RWA national convention in Chicago. It’s rather funny. I have never owned a watch, so I showed up early like they say you are supposed to, checked in, and when some rather harried and stressed out volunteer told me to get in line and go in, I did. I was so nervous that I asked the editor if I could read her my pitch. Before I began, she said, "What line?" in this rather tired tone. See, she'd been moved to the line that spring and had tons of people trying to pitch her stuff for her old line.

So I said, "Harlequin American" to which she perked up and said, "Really?" and I said, "Yep," and named two top authors who had helped me know she was the right editor to whom to pitch. The statements were true, although both authors had simply been kind enough to email me the information since I was a fan who loved their books. (We've since become friends.)

But before I could read my pitch, that harried volunteer was back. Seemed she'd put me in early, so I was in someone else's time slot! When they realized I was next, RWA just swtiched us since I'd already started. So I read my pitch, the editor requested it, and then we had about five minutes of chat time. So she asked me what Harlequin American books I'd read in the line lately (uh, none), so I named the Judy Christenberry book I'd picked up in the goodie room the day before. Then we talked about the lines direction--much safter.

I got home from conference, mailed the book within the week, and in the middle of September (yep, that’s all it took), I got the call--and wasn't home. There was a 212 area code on my caller ID on a Friday afternoon. I had a local chapter meeting and everyone told me I'd sold, but I refused to believe it until I'd heard it directly.

So I got the call Monday at work, and went screaming out into the office--the school nurse where I taught thought someone was dying. The funny part is, during that call, the editor she said, “I met so many people that day, can you remind me who you were?” So I replied, “The one in the wrong time slot” to which she replied, “I remember you!”

But I sold my second manuscript right before convention 2000 and A Little Office Romance came out in October 2000, so I guess my mishaps turned out okay.

(I never did tell her about the tray of dirty breakfast dishes that my purse caught getting off the escalator--and upended--after leaving that appointment. I don't claim to know anything about those)

Michele

My Newest Cover!

I am so excited to share my newest cover! Meet Hart Hampton, driver of the Elementals Chevy 413 car for Hampton Racing. You'll find out more about him when his book arrives in stores next December. (Just in time to stuff him in your stocking.)

Until then, enjoy the romance and happy summer!

Michele
(PS--Hart's Victory is my 15th book for Harlequin! I'm excited to celebrate a milestone with such an awesome read and hunky guy!)

School's Out

As I write this, my classroom is quiet except for a bit of music playing over the smartboard speakers. The desks are empty. Out the window, a group of custodians is cleaning up the toilet paper decorating the courtyard trees. School let out today at 11:25, and by 11:25 tomorrow school will be officially over for the 2006-2007 school year.

Over the summer my room will be cleaned. The desks will be removed to be replaced with tables. I'm teaching all journalism courses next year and am thrilled with the change. I'll also sponsor the school yearbook and the school newspaper.Summer is the time when I make my goals. I'm not really a "New Year" type of person. My new year begins in June, when I finish up, say goodbye to seniors I'll miss dearly, and turn my attention to renewing myself and recharging my batteries. My personal goals that I've set for myself include working my way up to running 3 miles and biking at least 40. Okay, 20. That's a good number. I live by the Katy Trail, a rail-to-trail, so I'll ride that a lot. My daughters and I all have bikes to ride.

I'm also attending a journalism advisers' workshop in Manhattan, KS. I'll be at RWA. I'll be writing at least 2 books by August, and the first three chapters of another. The summer calendar is mostly blank, but it's going to be very busy.I'll try to do some gardening, will live quite a lot at Six Flags, and will see the Police and Goo Goo Dolls two days apart when they come to St. Louis for their respective concerts. I'll also simply sit around and relax. Hopefully I'll read a lot of great books. That's the plan, anyway.

As May ends and we move into June, as the AC goes into high gear, as spring slides into summer, be sure to enjoy every minute.

Michele

Recent News

From left to right, Connie Brockway, me, Alexa Hunt (aka Shirl Henke) at MORWA's after-the-meeting book signing.

Sorry not to have posted in a while. So much has been going on lately! First, it's the end of the school year so I'm busily preparing for that. I have different teaching responsibilities next year and will be taking over all the journalism classes and the school newspaper.

In writing news, I'm proud to announce that cataromance.com named Emergency Engagement its 2005 Harlequin American of the year. Yeah, I'm finding out about 18 months later, but it's still exciting news as it's not a contest I entered.

I also heard that Legally Tender is up for best cover in the series category at http://www.covercafe.com/contest/2006/coverintro.shtml

That's kind of fun too for someone had to nominate me first. I had nothing to do with it. I have a 1/10 chance of winning.

That's pretty much it. I've been writing a great deal, and will promise to post more things more frequently!

Michele

The Best Seller List

Thanks to all of you who bought Nine Months' Notice. The book was #9 on the Borders Group/Waldenbooks series best seller list for the week ending 4/14.

Michele

Another Sale

Okay, when it rains it pours, and in this case, I'm out dancing in it. Feast or famine? I'm thilled to be feasting.

I'm pleased to announce that not only is Nine Months' Notice, my April Harlequin American, out on the stands as I write this, but that I have just accepted a contract with Harlequin for my 20th book. This sale means I'm no longer a teenager (hanging at 19), but have jumped into my 20s. I will be writing another NASCAR continuity book for the 08 Harlequin Special Releases. I'm in such good company as Ken Casper, Gina Wilkins, Abby Gaines, Wendy Etherington, Jean Brashear and others.

Writing for Harlequin is a dream come true. Getting to write 20 books in 8 years is simply beyond belief.

PS--I'll be posting about my New York trip tomorrow. Check back here or www.harauthors.blogspot.com

Michele

Happy Easter!

Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter weekend.

Michele

New Release Dates

I heard from my editor and here is my schedule thorough May 2008:

Nine Months' Notice (4 stars from RT), out April 2007 (so look for it next month)!

Hart's Victory, my NASCAR continuity book, out in November 2007.

The Christmas Date (formerly titled Picture Perfect), out in December 2007.

Sweet Sensations (will have a new title), out in April 2008 as a Harlequin American.

Out of Line, another NASCAR continuity book (I'm with Gina Wilkins, Jean Brasher, Ken Casper, among others), will be out in May 2008.

After that, another Harlequin American not yet scheduled.

Michele

New Sale!

Hi everyone,

I'm delighted to announce that I have been invited to be a part of the 2008 Harlequin NASCAR continuity series books! This is my 19th sale to Harlequin and I'm still pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming! Out of Line will be a May 2008 release.

Michele

Fear of Flying

I have to admit, I have a fear of flying. I have nothing against airplanes once I get up in them or how little time they get me from point A to B, but I simply just don't like getting into a tin can and zooming 30,000 feet above the world. Perhaps it's something about being two feet or four wheels on the ground. (Of course the irony is I have been in 17 car accidents and never once had a bad flight.)

Anyway, one of the seniors at the high school where I teach is a pilot and he invited me to go up in the air with him. He chose a beautiful spring-like day and the two of us, plus his flight instructor and my daughter took to the skies to fly to Dexter, MO, which is down near the Missouri Bootheel. Our purpose: Chris is working on his high performance rating (which means he can fly bigger and more powerful aircraft). Our destination: Hickory Hollow restaurant for their ribs.

We went up in a Cessna 182. I had headphones on and I could hear all the conversation between Chris and Jeff, his flight instructor. I have to admit, I didn't understand much of it. But as both explaned to me later, pilots have to be able to multi-task. We took off at sunset and headed south. After one little, drop your stomach oops due to twist, not pull, we were off. It was the most relaxing flight of my life. Even though it was a clear day and a beautiful night, Chris flew most of the way with "foggles" which allowed him to practice flying instruments only in bad weather. Our landing was fine, once the lights at the airport finally clicked on and stayed on. I found it interesting that the airport was deserted, but by using a code only pilots know we could hang out in the lounge until the shuttle came and picked us up. Flying is a complete world.

Next year Chris will be in Warrensburg, MO, working on his degree in aviation. He wants to come out of college a commercial pilot. As for me, did you know Colin Morris (from Legally Tender) is a pilot? I didn't either, but he is and I've got some wonderful material now researched for the book. Coach Stroh, a PE teacher at my school, says he's going up with Chris next.

All I know is that neither my daughter nor I had no fear flying with him. If I'm ever rich and famous and need my own pilot, I'm going to snatch him up.

Michele

The Best Laid Plans

Today I thought I'd blog about how I finished my most recent Harlequin American and shipped it off before deadline. I've alreay started my next book, and need to have 3 chapters done for my editor's approval (since the book was bought on synopsis) by April first. I'm already half way there. I thought I'd talk a bit about the writing process.

But what you got above is all that's going to happen. One of the reasons I love the American line so much is that realist characters find love in all sort of places. I love that fantasy. I fall in love with every one of my heroes, and wonder where they are on days like today when my daughter wakes up with a cough and a 101.5 degree fever, meaning I call in using my last sick day of the year. From here on out, any day I miss is going to be very, very costly.

I'll take my youngest to the doctor, pray we don't have another strain of flu (she lost a week earlier this year and lived in my classroom's back office for 3 days since I had to work and she couldn't go to school) and while not at the doctor, I'll lose myself in my work in progress. I've got my older child home, too. I take her into the district where I work, and as I had to pick her up early for a doctor appointment for me at 3:30, it's just not worth making the 60 mile, 1.5 hour round trip for her to go a partial day. My youngest is also not up to two car rides.

So, I'm not feeling like a very good parent at this moment for one, while the other I'm waiting on her hand and foot and worried. I'm a single parent--the ex lives several states away so I do 365, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day at all times. Have for years. It's days like these that get ya.

So like the Robert Burns poem says, the best laid plans often go astray. Today a sub is in my room, my student presentations have to be postponed, and like my current American heroine, I'm simply going to roll with it. She's feisty, like me. For today, I'm going to lose myself in creating Rachel. She's a pastry chef, recently transplanted to her home town after finding her fiance doing a few unsavory things with the sous-chef.

Since it's too early to drink wine, I'm following her example and have a pan of milk chocolate brownies cooking in the oven (yes, at 7:34 AM CST). There have to be some perks to parenting!

Michele

How a cover comes to life

I've always said that covers are like giving birth. You don't know what you're going to get until it comes out. Harlequin American has been doing some fantastic covers lately (I'm still with both Kathleen and Linda--moving to Toronto and finding that hot guy on her cowboy book. I'm single--I can do that, ha ha).

Above is my cover for my April release, Nine Months' Notice. I received the cover pdf via email about a week ago. At Harlequin American, here's how the cover process works (at least for me). It may vary for the other authors, but I'm betting it's 90 percent the same.

First step is completing an on line art fact sheet. These can be done up to a year in advance. For example, I completed this art fact sheet in either September or October this year. I haven't done one yet for my November American, but I have for my NASCAR book. The art fact sheet asks for all the pertinent details like hair color, height, etc., basically how the characters look. The sheet also asks for the setting of the story, any important landmarks, and three important scenes. We also answer some questions that allow us to describe the mood of the book and how the characters grow and change. If we have an idea for the cover, we can include that in this section.

Then we're done. That's our part. I don't submit pictures or anything like that, letting the art department take it away. From what I understand from a Harlequin workshop I went to, Harlequin holds a meeting with the editors, marketing, and art people. Then they brainstorm what they want. Someone writes the text. Models come in and are posed so that pictures are taken, and then the artist uses a computer to create the art. This is why some covers look so lifelike--because those people really exist out there and they were actually posed into that position so the artist had something to work from. Just like Disney brought in real lions for The Lion King, Harlequin brings in real people.

From there, they take it away, editing, fixing, and tweaking until satisfied. Then, around three to four months before the book debuts, I can request the cover be sent to me and I open it. There in full view on my computer screen is the cover of the book I sweated over and loved writing. I print it out, hold it, and show it off. Hence, the birth of a baby analogy.

I've been blessed to have some wonderful covers. (They are at www.micheledunaway.com Click on backlist.) The full cover text of my April cover is below if you want to see a larger image and read what it says on the back cover.

Thanks for taking part in this "birth" with me. My April book is child number 14 for Harlequin American since my first book debuted in October 2000. I still pinch myself every time that I get to do this.

All the best and happy weekend,

Michele

Sneak Peek!

Hi all,

Thought you'd like a sneak peek at what the cover of my April release, Nine Months' Notice is going to look like! Here's the back cover copy:

She'd Ended Their Perfect Affair…

Jeff Wright never saw it coming. One minute he was in the midst of a white-hot office fling and the next the lady was over him and leaving for Kansas City. He had no idea what went wrong....

For A More Permanent Arrangement!

Tori Adams wanted it all. Two years with Jeff had been long on passion but short on commitment, which is why she’d planned on a new start. But she hadn’t intended to get pregnant, and that was about to complicate her life in ways she hadn’t foreseen. Because the man who’d been a good boss and amazingly passionate lover would pull out all the stops over the next nine months to show what a doting dad and devoted husband he could be!

Soundtracks of our lives

Last night the Kings song "Slipping to Glide" came on the radio and I turned up the volume. That's the ultimate driving song and I first heard it in high school, when I was with friends riding to go somewhere. Didn't matter where, we were all hanging out and driving was one of the coolest kids in the school and it was just awesome being in his circle. Ah, those little moments.

My students are currently doing music projects. One of the things they have to do is find a song that has a deeper meaning and is designed to make the listener reflect and change behavior. They will then teach the song to the class, dissecting it as readers do a poem.

So I thought about songs and their influences. Here are some of mine and I'll post others as I think of them:

Ultimate driving songs: The Kings, "Slipping to Glide", Roger Hodson "Had a Dream"
My all-time favorite rock bands: Supertramp, Genesis, U2, Depeche Mode, INXS
Music I listen to a lot: 80s
Song that is my mantra: Richard Marx, "Satisfied"
Best break up song ever: Toto, "I know I can't hold you back now"


Michele

Flu season

My daughters have the flu. One would think that being off from the day job means that I'd get more writing done, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

I get less.

I do get a little more reading and TV viewing done. Being sick means wanting Mom in the room, and also wanting Mom at your beck and call. You know, more water. More food. More medicine. More hugs. More back rubs. That kind of thing.

My concentration is not on my lastest work. Instead, I'm distracted and worried. Not focused at all.

The flu last on average 10 days. Usually kids start to feel better about day 7. I'm there with one, two more days with the other.

Wish me luck.

What am I reading?

Since I'm currently revising two books, on the side I'm reading historical romances. I just finished Victoria Alexander's A Little Bit Wicked and Terri Bribin's The Earl's Secret. Both were excellent and if you like regency era romance, I highly recommend these two.

Once I finished, I turned my attention to rereading Hart's Victory, my November 2007 Harlequin NASCAR book. I'm really happy with it and currently I'm tweaking a few things.

At the day job I'll be reading book reports (about 75) while my 9th grade students read To Kill a Mockingbird and my 11th graders read Arthur Miller's The Crucible. Both are classics, and excellent as well.

Okay, chat at you more later and sorry so short! My daughters have the flu, and it hasn't been pretty.

Michele

Happy New Year!

It's the new year, and I'm thrilled that 2007 is here. The previous year was a blast, but it also had a lot of roller coaster moments and I'm hoping that those are all behind me now. (PS--above that's my cat Wiggy, short for Wiggly--her brother is Wu. She's starting 2007 with a snooze.)

As for me, though, second semester has started at my teaching at job and I'm working on revising Hart's Victory (my November 2007 Harlequin NASCAR release) now that my editors have seen it and made comments.

That's an interesting misnomer that the book simply goes into print the way an author writes it. The editor plays a very vital role. Once I submit the book, she reads it and then sends me what is known as a revision letter. This letter suggests changes I can make to strengthen the book. Often times my editor is right on the money. She's found little things that I've missed because I'm so close to the work. I'll make those this weekend and then finish up Picture Perfect, the manuscript I'm writing for Harlequin American.

So it's like now that January is here I'm getting my act together and getting back to the daily grind. The days are getting longer now and I'm starting to have a little more energy. Hopefully you, too, are finding the start of 2007 is something grand.

Michele