Michele Dunaway's Blog

Link to the New Book on Amazon

2011-07-30T19:49:00.001-07:00

The Latest Cover!

2011-07-28T07:49:00.001-07:00

I have been dying to publish this book forever--it's not a romance, but rather a sci-fi/fantasy mix. You'll find it at Amazon Kindle soon. Details soon.

PS--Cover design by Alison Dunaway

Inside the World of Vampires

2011-07-28T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, here's the link to the new vampire book!

Happy Summer

2011-06-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been a while since I've updated. This past year I took a well deserved sabbatical. After doing 23 books in 10 years, I figured a bit of time off wouldn't hurt. During that time I relocated my mother's household to a senior living facility. My daughter had migraines and we ended up going with Botox to alleviate them. I did a lot of travel. I also finished my eighth year teaching. Now it's back to writing.

To keep up-to-date with me, since I'm not here much, follow me at www.twitter.com/micheledunaway or on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Michele-Dunaway/86212257658

Michele

Inside the World of Vampires

2010-06-25T06:31:00.001-07:00

I am delighted to announce that Inside the World of Vampires is available for online purchase.

Edward Cullen. Bill Compton. Stefan Salvatore. These vampires make women weak-kneed. Inside the World of Vampires dissects the vampire world and what makes vampires so popular. Inside you’ll discover what the vampire world entails, from why vampires are so alluring to how vampires live and love, and how vamps have evolved over time. You’ll peer into vampires’ intimate relationships, their homes, and their jobs. You’ll discover how they struggle with religion and you’ll investigate vampire powers and the secrets of vampire slayers. Featuring interviews with top vampire experts and multiple New York Times Best Selling vampire novelists, Inside the World of Vampires will even show you exactly what goes into creating a fictional vampire world of your own. The book features film, TV and book vampires, as well as some historical folktales. This book will appeal not only to fans of Twilight, True Blood, The Vampire Diaries and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but also to those simply fascinated with vampires and those writers and world creators who want to create the ultimate vampire tales themselves.

You can download this book athttp://www.amazon.com/Inside-World-Vampires-ebook/dp/B003TLMX8E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=books&qid=1277472740&sr=1-1 for your kindle or find it on Smashwords in other formats. That's here: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/17304

New Cover!

2009-11-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

Thrilled to present my cover for Baby in the Boardroom, my Feb. 2010 release.

First Comes Baby…
After her latest boyfriend breaks things off, Kristi Jensen can’t help but wonder
what’s wrong with her. As if that isn’t bad enough, her parents are pressuring
her to find a husband. So the unluckyin-love executive does the next best thing:
she asks Mitch Robbins, her tall, dark, traffic-stoppingly gorgeous personal assistant,
for a kiss.

But She Gets More Than She Bargained For.…
Corporate Rule #1: Never date your boss. Too late. Ever since they spent the night together, Mitch is more in love with Kristi than ever. And when she suggests they start dating to
thwart her matchmaking father, he’s only too happy to oblige.
That’s before he learns he’s going to be a father.… With his new family’s future at stake, can he forgive Kristi’s deception?

And will Kristi realize in time that Mitch is the man she’s been waiting for all along?

News!

2009-09-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

I'm delighted to announce that I've been tagged to write The Complete Idiot's Guide to The World of Vampires. Look for it in July 2010.

What works for me

2009-08-09T17:48:00.000-07:00

What works for me…

Might not work for you. It’s a concept I’ve been mulling lately as I get ready to teach another year of school, where I have to individualize learning to best reach all my students. I was thinking about this concept as I read an article in a writing magazine that said, “write every day, even if it’s for 20 minutes” and also gave other such advice as “keep a journal”.

It’s great advice, sure. But I don’t do either and I’m a published author of 21 novels. I write in big spurts, and then will go weeks and sometimes months without writing a thing. That “20 minutes” the author advises is spent doing all those things I didn’t do during that intense focus on writing.

But that’s me. My big on and off spurts are how I balance and prioritize my time, and that’s what I’ve learned works best for my life. During the school year my priority is on my family and my teaching job. Writing is third. Over the summer, I can easily make writing number two and devote 40+ hours a week to my craft.

To me, writing is like dieting. For some, Jenny Craig works. For others, it’s South Beach. For someone else it’s Weight Watchers. Others are naturally skinny and don’t need to do a darn thing. The same holds true for writing. There are plotsters, pantsters, and there are those who create scrapbooks, those who make scrapbooks, those who interview their characters, those who enter contests, those who sell the first time…the list goes on. Everyone is different, which is logical. As each writer should have a unique, individual voice, each writer will have his or her own individual writing style and system, that, through trial and error works for him or her.

This system, or process, is personal. I see too many writers get bogged down in the “how” they should be writing and trying to follow some system or formula and thus they lose the actual writing. If something isn’t working after a few tries, perhaps it isn’t for you. Just because it works for NYT best selling author or your critique partner doesn’t mean that the approach is perfect for everyone. I know writers who get up at 4 AM to create before their family wakes. I’d die if I had to get up at 4 AM. When my alarm goes off at 5:25 for work, it’s too soon. I know writers who run every chapter by a critique partner, and there are many writers like me who do that only on rare occasions.

Don’t be afraid to do some personal assessing and figure out what works best for you. Try new things and techniques, but don’t lose faith in your abilities or talent if they fail to work. Remember, what works for one person doesn’t mean it will work for everyone. So reassess and find something new. Writing should be a happy time—a creative and pleasurable escape into your mind. So just like trusting your own inner voice with your story, don’t be afraid to take advice, but don’t be afraid to trust your gut if it tells you that advice isn’t for you. After all, just as it’s your story, it’s your process. There is no one writing process answer for everyone except for passion, persistence and putting your fingers to the keys.

Bachelor CEO Review--Genre Go Round

2009-07-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

http://genregoroundreviews.blogspot.com/2009/06/bachelor-ceo-michele-dunaway.html

Bachelor CEO
Michele Dunaway
Harlequin American Romance, Jul 2009, $4.99
ISBN: 9780373752690

In Chenille, Iowa, Chase McDaniel is the only one of his siblings who loves working at the family firm, McDaniel Manufacturing. He knows his grandfather will retire soon and expects to be named the next CEO; as he has earned it. Instead his grandfather orders him to take a year long leave of absence to determine whether this is what he wants.

While on his enforced vacation that is more of a prison sentence Miranda Craig of Chicago replaces Chase at the company. He is attracted to her from the moment he saw her bent over with a flat tire, but is also angry with her for taking his indispensable place. When his grandfather becomes ill, Chase returns home to take charge of the company, but Miranda battles with him every step of the way including falling in love.

BACHELOR CEO is an amusing family drama starring a matchmaking grandfather who worries that his “heir” to the business has no life so he decides to make his grandson find one. The romance between the two wannabe CEOs is jocular as they follow the classic path of meet, fight, detest and love. Although neither Chase nor Miranda is very deep beyond the job competition, fans will enjoy their gender war wondering who will be on top in the boardroom and the bedroom.

Harriet Klausner

Bachelor CEO Review--Rebecca Savage

2009-07-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Bachelor CEO
Reviewed by Rebecca Savage

Pure satisfaction. When the last two words of a book can make you grin like a fool, you know the book brought emotion to the table and carried it all the way through from start to finish. The emotions weren’t always pleasant. Not all things in life are pleasant, and happily ever after isn’t always achieved with ease, but the hardships make the sweetness all the better after the turmoil.

Such is the case with Bachelor CEO by Michele Dunaway.

The woman knows how to pen a novel that grips you from start to finish. Chase McDaniel is one heck of a guy, an alpha male who knows what he wants and hot fight for it. Not that he doesn’t get a bit lost along the way. All men do. And women, too. But he knows how to win in business and in life, and he refuses to quit.

Miranda Craig has no idea what’s about to hit her when she runs into the brick in the form of Chase McDaniel. She’s feisty, and she’s been trained to handle every situation in a company, but dealing with a man like Chase is a tough job. But someone has to do it, and she finds being with him more stimulating than anything or anyone she’s ever dealt with.

But can they work together and figure out who’s boss? And someone does have to be in charge…right?

Don’t miss Michele’s latest release, or any future releases, or anything you can dig up from her past publications. Check out her work. You won’t be sorry.

Facebook part 2

2009-06-20T12:37:00.000-07:00

I said I'd given an update on Facebook, once I was on it for a while. I've discovered that unlike Twitter, which I remember to do about once a day, if that, I really enjoy Facebook. I'm on it two ways. One is my personal page, and the other is a page where anyone can be my fan, which is at this URL: http://tinyurl.com/r8hkd7

On my fan page I've got pictures of my book covers from other countries and a bunch of pictures not on my website. I talk about my books. On my personal page, I don't have that many pics and mostly I keep up with people and post stuff that might be relevant or interesting.

I'm having tons of fun with Facebook. Remember that statement that being friends with your exes is a bit strange? Well, I'm friends with my high school boyfriend and my first college boyfriend, and it's been cool to catch up with what's going on in their lives. I've found most of my college pals from UMSL.

Mostly, it's been a great way for me to keep track of my former students, a bunch of romance writer friends from all over the country and my journalism buddies. I'm up to date with all my best friends from high school. I'm up over 110 friends and if I added everyone I knew, I'd probably go insane, even though I have my feeds set up on lists. But I like to read everything. While I don't play mafia wards, do pillow fights, or take half those quizzes, it is rather fun to read everyone else's results. I'm enjoying viewing pics of my former student Ryan and his wife's trip to Alaska. I keep track of Peter, who is serving in Iraq.

The only downside is that Facebook is such a time suck. Being home for the summer, I check it several times a day for someone is always posting something and often chats pop up from people I haven't talked to in years, and we gab for a few minutes.

But what's been really fun is that I just wrote my first Facebook chat into Under Doctor's Orders, my latest Harlequin American Romance. Chandy talks to her brother Chase (hero in Bachelor CEO, coming in July) and then when he types something she doesn't like, she says she has to go and disconnects. I loved it. Texting and Facebook will play a role in this story, for that's the reality of how people communicate these days.

For example, I haven't talked to my best friend Susan, who only lives here in town, since she got back Friday night from her week-long adventure being at mom and me boy scout camp. But from Facebook I know she survived the bugs, the extreme heat, the torrential downpours, life in a tent and is now at home--which is quiet since her husband gave her a break and took her boys to his mother's for the weekend. I'll call her later in the week--and let her enjoy the silence and a nap in her own bed.

Facebook & Twitter

2009-06-07T12:37:00.001-07:00

Feel free to be my fan on Facebook at www.tinyurl.com/r8hkd7 and at Twitter at www.twitter.com/micheledunaway

New title

2009-06-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

My February 2010 release has officially been titled. It's now called BABY IN THE BOARDROOM.

New sale

2009-05-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Michele announces that she's sold another book to Harlequin American Romance. Tentatively titled Under Doctor's Orders, it will be published in 2010.

Facebook

2009-05-10T08:24:00.001-07:00

I have recently discovered Facebook. I’ve been on it since 2006, when my daughter made me a page. But I never did anything with said page. That changed this week, when I finally got my yahoo email working again and my Facebook password changed. Suddenly, I was online.

Then I had decisions to make. Exactly what type of a page did I want? As writers, we put ourselves out there all the time, such as through our websites and blogging. I have followers on twitter that I don’t know; people who read about what I’m doing that day. I read over 150 emails a day in regards to my job and writing. So I decided to keep my Facebook page invite only and my profile private.

I figured it just made sense. When I looked at who had friend requests waiting for me, I discovered it was friends and former students and a few writer buddies. Then I looked at to whom I was sending friend invites. This could be my window to all those people whom I never seem to get a chance to talk as much as I’d like because life is so busy. I’m either teaching, writing or being a mom. While I love picking up the phone and hearing someone’s voice, there aren’t very many extra minutes in the day, and my friends are equally as busy. Now I can read my wall.

I’ve already reconnected with my best friends from high school who I get to see every so often and who send me all those fun emails. I miss them, and dedicated my March book to them. I’ve found former students. I haven’t befriended my prom date or ex boyfriends since that seems creepy, although my daughter tells me it’s quite common. As to making another Facebook page for my books and fans—that’s something to think about for another day.

So I’m in the modern world, but keeping it close. If you want to follow me, catch me on www.twitter.com/micheledunaway. Or keep reading my posts right here on this blog or twice a month at www.harauthors.blogspot.com or visit me on the forums at eharlequin. That’s me out there. Facebook’s me “in there”, my tiny window into what once was my world, and I’m liking it.

RT's Review of Twins for the Teacher

2009-04-30T07:31:00.000-07:00

4 Stars

TWINS FOR THE TEACHER (4) by Michele Dunaway: A wary elementary school teacher, a sexy widower and sweetly rowdy twins make this a warmhearted family romance with adorable characters and a realistic plot. Widower Hank Friesen manages a new resort and enrolls his children in the local elementary school. While he's not looking for romance, he becomes enchanted with teacher Jolie Tomlinson. Jolie, still cautious after her bitter divorce and her own personal tragedy, finds herself falling for the kids and their very sexy daddy, but can she put her past behind her? —Pat Cooper

Rebecca Savage's Review of Twins for the Teacher

2009-04-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

Michele Dunaway has captured the spirit of the classroom teacher and all her worries. Jolie has to deal with a principal who should tell her students, their parents, the faculty and staff to mind their own business, but instead the principal is a busy-body and worries about the wrong things in life, both personal and professional.

On top of that, Jolie has had a tragic past. She’s in her thirties, and Hank is in his forties, also a tragic past. They’ve moved on, or so they believe, but they’re only surviving, until they find each other. They realize they’ve been simply existing, and they want more. They want to come out of the darkness of their past sufferings.

Jolie is a teacher and wants to be a mother. Hank is a father and wants to be a husband, again. Can they put their past behind them and take their friendship to the next level? They think they can, but then the dark moment hits them right between the eyes, especially Jolie. But if anybody can fix it and make it better, it’s Hank Friesen, but does he want to…after what Jolie let happen to his son…

Michele does a great job with the book, these characters, and the setting and plot. Her book is a charming, easy read, and I found it quite relaxing, even if I am a teacher and at time I wanted to pummel the principalJ

Yes, I know

2009-04-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

I know, it's been months since I blogged. I've been mostly over at the harauthors.blogspot.com and that's kept me busy. I had a trip to Phoenix, and that took tons of my time as I took my students. I promise to do better!

New Cover

2009-03-20T00:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the cover for July's Bachelor CEO!

Interview with Michele Dunaway

2009-03-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

In celebration of her 20th book, Harlequin American's Twins for the Teacher, enjoy 20 questions with Michele Dunaway You can find the original interview at www.harauthors.blogspot.com on the March 12 date.

1) How did you make your first sale and how long have you been published? In 1999, I attended the RWA conference at the end of July in Chicago and had an editor appointment with the new American line editor, Melissa Jeglinski, who said “send it.” She bought Temporarily Yours four weeks later. She told me she hadn’t bought a new author in several years, and she brought three new authors into the Harlequin family as a result of RWA. Retitled A Little Office Romance, my first book came out in Oct. 2000. So yes, I’m one of those lucky ones you hear about who sold on the first try. This month’s Twins for the Teacher is my 20th book. I am working on revisions for #22.

2) What advice would you give a new writer just starting out? Follow your own voice. It’s seen me through a great many things.3) You can erase any horrible experience from your past. What will it be? I have one that immediately comes to mind, but it’s hard to explain. In a nutshell, my senior year of college I lost a guy whom I thought was my ideal because of a bunch of flukes and twists of fate—such as dating his best friend—who’d I met in another city two hours away while on vacation at the lake. I had no idea these two knew each other. Eke. It was a mess. But my friend Karen told me a few years ago that had I been "together forever" with either of them, I’d never be a writer or published. And she’s right. I’d be a soccer mom, probably not even teaching. I did base one of my characters on Rick , so he’s a ghost now as, once I write my characters, they disappear from inside my head. It’s like I have to give those voices life…and then they leave. I can’t even remember which book certain characters are in, and often can’t even remember the characters’ names once the book is out on the shelves. As for writing, I dread the day the voices in my head stop talking.

4) Describe your writing space. I built the house where I live in 2003, and when I went searching for floor plans, I wanted a first floor office. I’m in what the builders call a living room. It’s open to the foyer and dining room and has a great view of outside. I’m on five acres.

5) Are you a cat or dog person? Cats all the way. I have five strictly indoor, one indoor/outdoor, and one feral outdoor who adopted us. I had a dream the other day that I found and rescued a bunch of stray kittens, but luckily it was only a dream. I’m a sucker for kittens.

6) What comes first: the plot or the characters? The characters. As I said, I suddenly hear them and see them in my head, and their story comes next. And they never do what I want them to. I thought it was just me, until some NYT best selling writers admitted talking to their characters and even interviewing them. Then I felt much more normal.

7) What is your work schedule like when you are writing? I write in big spurts. I will go days and weeks without writing anything new. Then when I sit down to write a book, I’ll work 12-14 hours straight and write every day. Even if I can only do six hours when I get home from work, I’ll write.

8) Do you re-read your books once they're in print? I did for the first four books but really don’t anymore. I did reread Hart’s Victory because it’s my all time favorite—I wrote it for my daughter. I admit to getting a rush reading line edits, when I go “Wow, this is good. Who wrote this?” and realize it’s me.

9) What books or authors have most influenced your own writing? Harlequin Presents. I’ve been reading those since high school and always wanted to write one. My all time favorite remains Sandra Marton’s The Sexiest Man Alive. I laughed straight through it. I also loved Nora Roberts’ McGregor Brides and Grooms, which inspired my Grandpa Joe character. As for Presents, an author friend sent me a Harlequin newsletter from Australia and there I was with greats like Penny Jordan. When my Harlequin Americans are out in Australia and New Zealand, I’m out as a Mills & Boon Sexy author. So in a way I made it.

10) What did you do career-wise before becoming an author? I’m still doing the day job. I teach high school English and journalism and love it. Advising the newspaper and yearbook keeps me on top of the pulse of kids today, which keeps me young. I think. I'll be a featured speaker at the Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association in Phoenix this April.

11) How has the American Romance line changed since you first began writing for it? My first book A Little Office Romance was crazy and funny and different. The heroine was between jobs, so she’s “hired” by her best friend Chelsea to break up her brother Alex and his girlfriend. Julia’s playing Alex’s temporary secretary—and she’s in a disguise until he jumps into the pool on a business trip to save her (she fell in) and comes up only with her wig. That type of plot is too far fetched now. Also, I did a princess continuity for my third book. Ditto to that.

12) If you were stranded on a deserted Island what kind of hero would you want with you--A Cowboy, a Viking Warrior, a CEO, a Forensics investigator, a Chef or an Accountant…and why? This is a trick question. Is the island fully stocked and equipped with a year worth of provisions and comfort? Because I write the CEO books for Harlequin American (Bachelor CEO—the July Men Made in America coming in just a few months) so I’d want the CEO since those are my favorite types of heroes. However, if this was an episode of Survivor, he probably wouldn’t last a day, unlike a few of the other guys up there. Unless the CEO was Chase…who is my hero in Bachelor CEO. He competes in triathalons and loves camping. He might stand a chance.

13) What did you want to be when you grew up? Exactly what I am right now. Seriously. I am truly blessed.

14) What was the hardest part of writing your book? The middle. It’s like going up hill. I hate middles. I’m so happy when I’m on the downward slope.

15) Describe your ideal dream date: Dale Earnhardt Jr. Too bad he doesn't know I'm his dream date.

16) What helps inspire you when you write? Do you have any ‘rituals’ (like music, candles, a favorite scent) that helps you find your writing zone? No. I’m rather boring. I often don’t even play music. When I do the same CD plays on repeat for hours. I hardly hear it.

17) Have you ever made a crank phone call? Once in high school I called a guy (he was a senior and I was a junior) and pretended I’d met him at the party that weekend (which I wasn’t at). We talked for 15 minutes before I hung up. It’s amazing how you can convince guys of anything. My friends were impressed—they thought the phone call would be like 30 seconds. He even wanted to see me again.

18) What is your dream car? Porsche 928S In high school I used to have cars hanging in my locker instead of magazine pics of guys. Let me tell you how many random guys came up to my locker to admire the sports cars. I wasn’t a dummy. Who wants to look at their competition? So girls—get the Jonas brothers out of your locker! Same with Edward!

19) If you were locked in a closet for one hour who would you want in there with you? Can I mention Dale Jr. again? I’m so glad NASCAR’s back. Whoo Hoo. Go #88 and #99.

20) Wow. Is this question 20? Yes! Thanks for reading this! Be sure to drop by http://toberead.wordpress.com/ on March 19. Susan Vaughn interviewed me, and I shared my first sale story there.

Interview Schedule

2009-03-09T20:19:00.001-07:00

Don’t miss the series of online interviews I’m doing this month!

Check out 20 Questions with Michele Dunaway at www.harauthors.blogspot.com on March 12.

March 18 Susan Vaughn will post an interview at http://toberead.wordpress.com/ and you can check out ten things I’ve learned through writing 20 books at my agent’s blog March 19 http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/

Then you can catch me again at www.harauthors.blogspot.com on March 20.

Watch this blog—Bachelor CEO cover will be going up soon!

Twins for the Teacher Review

2009-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

Twins for the Teacher
By Michele Dunaway
Harlequin American
March 10, 2009
ISBN-13: 9780373752553

Reviewed by Christy Janisse

This is a milestone book for Michele Dunaway in a milestone year for Harlequin. Twins for the Teacher is Michele’s 20th book and Harlequin is celebrating 60 years. Congratulations to Michele as well as her publisher. Not only for the momentous books/years but for publishing such a terrific book!

Twins for Teacher is Michele’s best book yet. Normally I’m not the type of person who loves stories set with ready made families. However, Michele’s talent shines through with the way she has woven this tale.

The back cover blurb will give you a taste of the fantastic story:

Getting involved with her students' father is a definite no-no, but elementary school teacher Jolie Tomlinson is finding it hard to resist sexy widower Hank Friesen.
And she's falling in love with his ten-year-old twins, too!
Hank moved to Missouri to make a fresh start, but he never imagined that life as a single dad would be such a struggle. Good thing Jolie's on hand to ease the transition. It's been five years since his wife's death, and no woman has been able to hold his interest—until now.
It could be a second chance for both of them. But first Jolie will have to tell Hank about her past—if she ever wants them to have a future.

The characters in Michele’s book are real life, three dimensional and I totally fell in love with each and everyone. This is a sweet love story, a tale of triumph over the past, and fantastic family merging that will have you flipping pages quickly and wishing it wasn’t over at the end.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-07T20:41:00.001-08:00

Okay, it’s almost Valentine’s Day. I have to admit, I’m a party pooper. There are no decorations in my house, and except for the cards my kids buy to give their friends, we don’t do anything special. In fact, I try to avoid the holiday and have found that by doing so, it works out better.

You might find this weird, given that I’m a romance writer. As I write this, I’m trying to remember if I’ve ever even used Valentine’s Day in a book. Maybe, but if so, it’s a blur. Not like the ones I did for Christmas, like Unwrapping Mr. Wright and The Christmas Date. Those are crystal clear.

Since I’ve spent all but nine years of my life single, most of my Valentine’s days have been as a singleton. They’re filled with all sorts of mishaps. There’s Steve who sent me flowers, and the florist never delivered them. So here’s poor Steve waiting for me to call all gushing…and that didn’t happen. He finally asked me, all disappointed, a day or two later what I thought of his gift. I had no idea what he was talking about. Oops.

Then there was the Valentine’s Day that I was supposed to go to dinner. Gene scheduled dinner at eight at this really posh restaurant, but I was chaperoning a school dance that night. I told him that, reminded him, and basically I ended up double booked as the dance didn’t end until nine and once I got there, I found I couldn’t leave early as I’d hoped. We ended up eating at ten-thirty—crammed in a table near the restaurant kitchen door. Oops. Thank goodness he didn’t mind and forgave me, although it wasn’t the evening he’d planned.

You have to admit, Valentine’s Day is a lot of pressure, especially for the guys. A romance hero would get it right, but somehow, in my life it doesn’t work out that way. My favorite Valentine’s Days was spent with my friend Jenny. Here we were, two dateless losers. I was young, next-to-broke and not about to be paid for another week, and really, we had not much to do. So she suggested Bingo. She was going with her mom and grandmother, and invited me along. I was down to my last $25 and here we were in our 20s—everyone else was at least 50. The hall was full of intense bingo players, and we sat with Jenny’s mom and grandmother and their bingo friends. They tossed bingo markers my way, and we were off. Except for playing in grade school, and one time watching my parents in eighth grade, I had no idea what “real” bingo was like.

It was wild. It went fast. We had a pile of “bring your own” snacks on the table, and plastic cups filled with beer or soda from the bar. The women around me were watching a minimum of ten cards. I had three—all I could afford and all I could manage. And then it happened. I had all but I-27 for bingo. The woman next to me leaned over and put a clear square tile over the number. “The minute you hear that, you yell,” she said.

Two numbers later, I was shouting BINGO! I won $100, which was a lot of money and a very nice way to tide me over to payday. That was a very good Valentine’s Day indeed—and I’ve never played Bingo since.

This year I’m spending Valentine’s Day in the back row of the FHHS auditorium, where the drama club is doing a 7 PM showing of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. My thirteen year old daughter is meeting friends, and since where I work is 45 minutes from my house, I’ll simply hang out with the other teachers present while she goes and pretends not to know me. Sounds perfect to me.

So now it’s your turn. What’s your best memory of Valentine’s Day? How are you spending it? Do tell….

Happy 2009!

2008-12-30T21:19:00.000-08:00

Everyone have a wonderful start to the new year!

Twins for the Teacher!

2008-12-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

Here's my new cover for my 20th book, out in March 2009!

New Title

2008-10-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

We've settled on a title for my July 2009 Harlequin American Romance. Unless something changes, it's going to be called BACHELOR CEO.

Up next is Twins for the Teacher, my 20th novel. I hope to post the cover soon!

Michele

Back cover copy for My March Release

2008-10-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

My March 2009 release marks my 20th book for Harlequin. Another American, this one is called Twins for the Teacher. Here's the back cover blurb:

Will She Break Her Golden Rule?

Getting involved with her students’ father is a definite no-no, but elementary school teacher Jolie Tomlison’s finding it hard to resist sexy widower Hank Friesen.

And she’s falling in love with his ten-year-old twins, too!

Hank moved to Missouri to make a fresh start, but he never imagined that life as a single dad would be such a struggle. Good thing Jolie’s on hand to ease the transition. It’s been five years since his wife’s death, and no woman has been able to hold his interest—until now.
It could be a second chance for both of them. But first Jolie will have to tell Hank about her past—if she ever wants them to have a future.

Another Tailspin review

2008-08-24T12:59:00.001-07:00

Tailspin
By Michele Dunaway
September 2008
Harlequin NASCAR
ISBN: 978-0-373-21794-6

Reviewed by Christy Janisse

Irony is a funny thing. When I received Michele’s newest release, Tailspin, I was dealing with my husband’s truck accident.

What does that have to do with this new book? That is exactly how Michele opens the book and brings the main protagonists together. Immediate connection. Brilliant! Something that almost everyone has had to deal with at one point or another.

Terri Whalen lives, breathes and loves NASCAR. Almost as much as she loved her beloved truck – which she built with her dad. When the vehicle is destroyed by a construction crew at her friend’s wedding, her life takes a new course – in the way of Max Harper.

Max Harper is a divorce working his way up on the fast track of his company and raising his young daughter. While learning the ropes in each department of his company, he encounters a furious Terri. The image he forms of her over the phone is immediately shattered when he meets her to give her the check for her totaled vehicle.

But it doesn’t end with the check. Max’s company sponsors a NASCAR driver, and as fate would have it, the two cross paths on neutral ground – and the chemistry is a flammable as the pit row fuel canisters.

However, neither Max nor Terri want a relationship. Max because of being stung by a narcissistic ex-wife, and Terri because of the thought of a ready made family.
So they agree to keep it light and take things one day at a time. That is until the ex-wife shows up with plans to reunite her family.

Michele has written a wonderful story full of family, friends, in-depth NASCAR experiences and characters you will love. This is a can’t put it down until the last page read! Don’t miss out on the action and the love!

Review Time

2008-08-24T12:59:00.000-07:00

Tailspin-Michele Dunaway
Tailspin
Michele Dunaway
Harlequin NASCAR, Sep 2008
ISBN: 9780373217946

The asphalt company was at fault for wrecking her truck. Rocksolid Insurance offers to provide Charlotte based personal trainer Terri Whelan with the market value of her vehicle; she rejects their offer; demanding they fix her customized special NASCAR race fan truck that she and her dad upgraded. A beleaguered customer service employee forwards Terri’s call to Max Harper, a Rising Stars program trainee; he accepts the call because he believes a real customer complaint would prove more beneficial in his training than the tapes he has been given. He agrees to look into her demands.

Terri meets Max and his twelve year old daughter Mandy over a commercial the adults are both indirectly involved in. Terri and Max are attracted to one another, but his first interest remains rightfully so his tweener. Besides Mandy’s mom, Los Angeles drama queen Lola knows that what Lola wants Lola gets and she wants Terri gone; not that she wants Max back.

This entertaining contemporary romance stars two likable lead protagonists, a strong positive support cast, and a mom who offers no redeeming values. The lead couple is a wonderful pairing from their first telephonic encounter. However his ex-wife trying to destroy their relationship fails to come out of the starting gate let alone make it around the oval to the finish line. Still overall TAILSPIN is a fun second chance at love for him and first time for her tale.

Harriet Klausner

The Cupcake Recipe

2008-04-30T05:19:00.001-07:00

It’s been a month of fun! If you missed the cupcake recipe, it's below. (And scroll further to see all my upcoming covers.)

So for the last recipe, I’m going to give you an egg-less cupcake recipe that I use. Yep, there are no eggs in these and they are quick and easy to make. This recipe comes directly from Hershey, my all-time favorite company as they make chocolate, my diet staple. I make these and don’t even frost them. You can using the brownie frosting recipe (on my agent’s blog) but I like them just dusted with powdered sugar or left plain.

1 ½ cups all purpose flour
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt.
1 cup water
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 375. Line muffin cups (2 ½ inches in diameter) with paper baking cups (I have also used silicon just fine and had them stand alone on a cookie sheet). In medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla, beat with a metal whisk just until batter is smooth and ingredients are well blended. Do not over whisk. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 16 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost as desired.

And for one last really awesome cookbook that I couldn’t live without, find the Hershey’s 100th Anniversary: 100 Years of Hershey Favorites at http://www.amazon.com/Hersheys-100th-Anniversary-Years-Favorites/dp/0785331646

So that’s it! I hope you have fun this month baking with Rachel and that you enjoyed both The Marriage Recipe and the romance. I don’t have any more Harlequin American novels out until January 2009, but don’t forget my two NASCAR books. Out of Line debuts in June.
Michele

The Brownie Recipe

2008-04-30T05:19:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite pastimes is baking. I love to cook. I have a full set of All Clad pots hanging from the rack in my ceiling. A trip to Williams Sonoma is a trip to nirvana. I always find a pan I must add to my collection. My brother is a chef, and he wishes he had my kitchen, which I sadly don’t use as much as I should.

So what does this have to do with writing? My latest book is about a pastry chef who has to return to her hometown and enlist the help of the boy next door to help her save her recipes. It still amazes me that I made an intellectual property case sexy. I’ll thank a good friend, a media lawyer who once worked with Oprah, for the great media law class I took as part of my MA degree!

When I created Rachel’s character, I had an excuse to cook. As a mother of two with a full time teaching job (who also is on a permanent diet—aren’t most of us?) I don’t dig out the recipe book as much as I used to. I’m not sure why, especially since I’m a firm believer that anything you bake yourself does not go straight to your hips—and it’s all those ingredients with words I can’t pronounce that cause weight gain.

So since I was researching, I pulled out my cookbooks. I made pumpkin bread, cupcakes, cookies, and some of my old favorites like chocolate cake! I also got to think back to college, when I would bake constantly—for the way to a guy’s heart was through his stomach—and my brownies and chocolate chip cookies were legendary.

In the spirit of cooking, since I can’t send you any cookies virtually, here is my brownie recipe:

Four tablespoons butter, melted
One cup sugar
One teaspoon vanilla
Two eggs
One-half cup flour
One-third cup Hershey’s Cocoa
One-fourth teaspoon baking powder
One-fourth of a teaspoon salt

Heat oven to 350. Grease a 9-inch square pan. In medium bowl, stir butter, sugar, and vanilla together. Add eggs, and with a wooden spoon beat well. Stir together flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to egg mixture, beat until well blended. Spread batter into a pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until brownies begin to pull away from the pan. Cool completely in pan. While cooling, make frosting. To make frosting, in a small mixer bowl beat 3 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon light corn syrup or honey, one-half teaspoon vanilla until blended. Add 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 cup milk; beat until smooth and of spreading consistency. Add additional milk, one half teaspoon at a time, if needed. Spread over cool brownies and cut brownies into squares. (PS—you can add nuts and/or chocolate chips to the batter before baking).

Enjoy the brownies and the romance!

Michele Dunaway

Rachel's recipe #3

2008-04-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of the first post celebrating the release of The Marriage Recipe, I am giving you another yummy recipe that both Rachel and I use, one for sugar cookies. Trust me, these are the world’s greatest and easiest sugar cookies.

By the way, if you go to http://freshfiction.com/blog/ tomorrow, April 21, I am blogging about what food reveals about characters.

This recipe is modified from Just a Matter of Thyme, which is at Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Just-Matter-Thyme-Collection-Satisfying/dp/0740765345 (and while you’re there, don’t forget to pick up The Marriage Recipe if you haven’t already).

Sugar Cookies
Main bowl
1 cup butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup cooking oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Side bowl
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Using a mixer (stand preferred), cream together 2 sticks butter, 1-cup-powdered sugar, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1 cup cooking oil until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs, one at a time, and beat after each. Add 1-teaspoon vanilla. Set asideIn the side bowl, using a fork or sifter, blend together the flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda.Add the ingredients in the side bowl to the main bowl a little at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then turn mixer to high speed and beat until light and fluffy. Using two teaspoons, spoon out quarter-sized dabs of dough and drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Take a glass, wet the bottom and dip it in a bowl filled with one-quarter inch of sugar. Press each dough blob lightly with the glass (once it has sugar on it, you do not need to rewet each time, just dip in sugar first before each cookie). Feel free to sprinkle on sprinkles or extra sugar at this time once cookies are flat. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6-8 minutes or until the sides are a light golden brown. Transfer to a rack and let cool.

Tailspin Cover!

2008-04-15T07:18:00.000-07:00

Here is my new cover for September!

Rachel's Recipe #2

2008-04-14T05:14:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Dump all of the following into a large stainless steel bowl of a stand mixer:

3 and one-half cups flour
3 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 and one-half teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon all spice
1 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 cup oil (not olive)
1 16-ounce can of pumpkin
two-thirds of a cup of water
4 eggs

Mix together until blended. Be sure to get the stuff at the bottom. Pour into a greased angel food cake pan (the one with the hole in the center but not a bundt pan) and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until a tester inserted comes out clean. (Times may vary; check in 5 minute intervals after 45 minutes.) You may also pour into small or large greased muffin cups, but start checking for doneness after 20 minutes.

Rachel's Recipes part 1

2008-04-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

As you know, the heroine in The Marriage Recipe is a pastry chef. Thus, to entice you to read (and to cook!), today I’m going to whet your appetite with one of Rachel’s favorite recipes. In fact, all month I will be blogging about food. If you follow me around (sort of like a virtual pub crawl), you'll pick up four recipes and one blog on characters and food. I will be at http://toberead.wordpress.com/ on April 14 with the next installment.

So back to that recipe.

Gooey butter cake is a St. Louis tradition and favorite. There are two ways to make it—with the evaporated milk, flour, etc., or the just-as-good cheat/shortcut version using cream cheese. Here is how you make that second gooey butter cake (the easy version).

1 box yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter—melted

Blend these together until smooth (it will be thick). Press into the bottom of a 9x13 greased (Pam is fine) cake pan.

8 ounces softened cream cheese (use the bar, not the spread stuff and do not use fat free)
2 eggs beaten
2 cups powdered sugar

Blend softened cream cheese, the 2 eggs and the powdered sugar until creamy and smooth. Don’t worry if there are a few cream cheese lumps. Spread this mixture over the first mixture pressed into he pan. Bake for 325 for 40-45 minutes until the cake edges are light brown. There may be a few brown patches on the cream cheese mixture—if there are, you are also done. Do not let the cream cheese mixture get more than a few or it’s overdone The middle will sink a little upon cooling. Cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. It gets tastier being one day old—so making it the night before is actually recommended.

News!

2008-04-02T12:16:00.001-07:00

I am delighted to announce I've sold 2 more books to Harlequin American Romance!

NC!

2008-04-02T12:14:00.000-07:00

Over my spring break I got to leave the rainy and floody weather in St. Louis and fly to North Carolina. As part of my day job as adviser to an NSPA All-American yearbook (that means it's pretty good), I'm also the holder of the purse strings. This year it's bid time--we are seeking a three-year yearbook printing contract. So I've been touring yearbook plants among other things.

On my trip to Winston-Salem, I flew into Charlotte, and got a rental car. That was an experience in itself as first I went to the wrong counter (oops) and then at the correct one, the woman tried to put me first in a car I didn't want. I'd driven that model before and sworn never again. So then she tried to sell me a more expense one. Uh, no thanks, even though I wasn't paying rental, I was paying for gas. Finally I told her to downsize me, and she put me in a Chevy Cobalt. I was fine with that--I averaged 35 miles highway.

I spent the first night in Mooresville, meeting in the hotel lobby happy hour a whole bunch of Lowes project managers. These are the guys who are in charge of opening stores and reconfiguring stores. They live all over the country and this was their two-week corporate meeting. The next morning it was off to PIT: http://www.5off5on.com/welcome.html

I'm a NASCAR fan, but even I didn't know that you can actually attend school to learn how to be a pit crew member. PIT also does a lot of "think inside the box" workshops for business executives. They even put my book cover on the front page of their website.

I also got to go on a shop tour of Red Horse Racing. What impressed me the most was that the race shop owner himself stopped what he was doing and gave us a personal tour. That's me with one of David Starr's trucks above.

I also got to very briefly meet Jeff Hammond, champion crew chief, who is a partner in PIT. He's a very busy guy and extremely nice.

The day was fabulous. I can't thank them enough. The funniest part was at lunch--where everyone found it quite "interesting" that I'd never had hush puppies and didn't even know what they were. Being me, I in turn asked them if they'd ever had toasted ravioli or gooey butter cake--which are local to St. Louis. No one had Ah, see, those regional differences. Since everyone was so wonderful, I've had a bakery ship them a gooey butter cake; they'll get it next week.

And, if you are curious about gooey butter cake I sent them, you can go here: http://www.hollyberrybaking.com/

Happy end of the month!

Michele

Out of Line Cover

2008-01-02T11:25:00.001-08:00

All I can say is wow!

Michele

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T12:54:00.001-08:00

Wishing you and yours a happy new year!

Michele

The Marriage Recipe--Coming April 2008

2007-12-27T09:10:00.001-08:00

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

2007-12-27T09:10:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-12-23T17:50:00.000-08:00

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

2007-12-16T08:36:00.001-08:00

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!

2007-12-08T14:13:00.001-08:00

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

2007-12-02T13:30:00.001-08:00

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

2007-12-02T13:30:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

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

Come stop by and see me.

I got fan mail!

2007-11-22T07:25:00.001-08:00

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!

2007-11-22T07:25:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

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

2007-10-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-11T21:15:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-17T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

2007-07-16T11:43:00.000-07:00

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.

2007-07-09T09:32:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-16T05:48:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-06-06T19:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-05-30T12:32:00.001-07:00

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

2007-05-12T12:49:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-04-07T16:26:00.000-07:00

Wishing you and yours a Happy Easter weekend.

Michele

New Release Dates

2007-03-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-03-12T09:13:00.000-07:00

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

2007-03-03T07:04:00.000-08:00

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

2007-02-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-20T05:09:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-01-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

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

2007-01-11T11:45:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-01-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

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!

2007-01-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

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

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-24T14:11:00.000-08:00

I just want to wish you and yours a joyous holiday season. I'm taking a little holiday break to do some writing and some R & R, so I'll post again once 2007 is here!

Michele

Permission to say no

2006-12-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

The holidays are upon us. I'm finishing my second to last day of teaching before winter break, which starts this Friday.

I have set a goal for the holidays: giving myself permission to say no.

I'm going to start by saying no to buying those extra presents that will destroy my budget. No, I'm not being scrooge, but rather you know those last minute impulse gifts that you really don't need--you've already bought the perfect gifts and think that they aren't enough. They are.

I'm going to say no to all eating more than I should. If my goal is to slim down, I have to practice my resolutions now, not starting Jan. 1. I'm also watching my favorite movies while I walk on the treadmill, saying no to being a couch potato.

I'm going to say no to things that sap my writing time. I'm on deadline, and the week after Christmas I'm going to do three 12-hour days Monday-Wednesday to kick a lot of my November 2007 American out. I'm leaving my calendar blank and rewarding myself by doing fun things on Thursday and Friday. Thus, I'm also saying no to crowds, doing my returns a little later in the week.

The holidays are draining, and I'm usually sapped by the end of them. This time, I'm saying no to stress (somehow) and I'm going to enjoy them. That means catering a dinner (hello Honeybaked Ham) rather than cooking. I like to cook, but the goal is to see everyone, not have me over a hot stove. Catering will give me time to do what is most important, spending time with those I love. I'm saying a big yes to that.

Michele

Under Orders

2006-12-17T16:23:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Dick Francis's book Under Orders. I've been a Dick Francis reader for years. I loved Banker and Bolt, and have read many of his other works. He's very prolific. A writer friend of mine, Eileen Dreyer (go to www.eileendreyer.com), and I were discussing Dick Francis's writing a while back. Her comment was that Dick Francis can lay everything out on the dining room table, but you won't see it until he's ready for you to see it.

Under Cover, which is set in England in the racing world and uses Sid Halley, a former jockey turned detective, didn't disappoint.

Michele

Blogging

2006-12-13T17:13:00.000-08:00

My agent has a great blog on well, blogs. http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/

While I'm not able to blog every day, having a blog has been a fun experience. Because of this blog, I've been able to reconnect with one of my former eighth grade students, and that has been a great experience! I always love hearing from former students. After all, we spent nine months of our lives together, at least one hour a day, and it's great to hear that they've turned into successful adults. (Not that I ever had any doubt, except for maybe a few.)

I also blog over at www.harauthors.blogspot.com

Blogging takes a lot of time. I'm here in my computer chair 15 minutes after I'd planned to start on something else. I admit to really liking blogs. Here I'll tell you a little about me, some background on my books, and a bit about what I'm reading. I promise to be frank and forthright, but not necessarily an open book. (A girl should always have her privacy.) I'll try not to bore you with laundry lists or how I spent my day. I'll also try not to hit you with endless promotion. You can also follow along with me as I work on my goal to exercise at least 30 minutes a day. That's related to writing this way: writing is very sedentary, and as I've become more prolific and publish more often, the amount of chair time has increased. So I need to increase my exercise.

That said, I'm off to the treadmill.

Michele

The Camel Club

2006-12-11T18:04:00.000-08:00

I just finished David Baldacci's The Camel Club. It's the story of Oliver Stone (a former CIA agent turned squatter) who heads a group of conspiracy theorists. I had to admit, at one point in the book it was like being on the beginning of a roller coaster going click, click, click. You know that moment when you are full of anticipation waiting for the thrill ride and your patience begins to stretch?

The wait was worth it. Once the plot to kidnap the president all came together, the book was a non-stop thrill ride and I held on and found myself quite satisfied with the book once I'd finished. I also found myself impressed at how the author pulled everything together and tied up the loose ends. I also liked how the details were impeccable and wished that I could write so well. (Sigh.)

Up next for me is a Dick Francis novel. Oh yeah, and I need to get working on mine as well (I don't read in my genre when I'm writing.)

Michele

Tis the season for sales

2006-12-08T19:45:00.000-08:00

My friend Julie called me today to tell me that Wal-mart in Union, MO, only had two of my books left on the shelves--meaning I'd sold eight out of 10 in a store I usually only sell half. I was thrilled.

Every time a book gets into the stores I worry about it. The books that I think will do really well sometimes don't. Case in point, Legally Tender, my January 06 American, didn't sell as well as predicted. Maybe it was January, when everyone is broke from holiday spending and making those resolutions to cut back. Maybe it was because it was of the cover. I know I read one blog where the woman loved the book, but she bought it only after someone recommended it to her. She blogged that she hated the title, and had it not been recommended, she never would have bought the book--just because of the title.

So The Wedding Secret is out there now. I can't fix anything about it and I am already writing my November 2007 American. But a book is like a baby, once it's born, you can't send it back if it's not what you expected. However, I love this book. It's one of my favorites. So I hope everyone will love my baby just as much as I do. I hope they'll spare a few Christmas dollars to pick up a little romantic escape. Until the January Americans arrive, I nervously check stores, Amazon numbers and pray. You'd think that after 13 times I'd stop worrying. But I won't.

So I'm like the stores holding their breath on sales numbers. Only time will tell. And come April, when Nine Months' Notice hits the stands, the butterflies and nerves will take flight again. I guess it's all part of the process.

Michele

The Hollow Men

2006-12-07T17:58:00.000-08:00

One of the most influential pieces of literature on my philosophy is T. S. Eliot's "The Hollow Men." I taught this in class the other day and hope that my students get it.

Even though I read (and explained) the poem three times in one day, the ending still gave me chills. (This is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but a whimper.)

Even after more than 80 years, the poem is just as true today as it was then. Al Gore was on Oprah talking about global warming. He said (and I paraphrase) that the thing that worried him most was that people wouldn't take action. And I thought, hollow me.

Every day all of us have to make the decision to be men of action. We must decide if we are going to do something, or if we are going to be hollow men who do nothing at all.

I encourage you to look up the poem. I'll warn you, it's a bit dark, hard to follow, and at times depressing. But there's hope for hollow me. As we come into the holiday season, take some action even if it's as small as donating to the red Salvation Army bucket. I wrote my check today.

Michele

What am I reading?

2006-12-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

I went to the Missouri Romance Writers of America (MORWA) holiday party on Saturday and one of the questions that came up was to share the best book we'd read in 2006. Frankly, I went blank. I know I've read over 100 books. I'm a voracious reader, and just like I write in large spurts, I also read in large spurts.

When I couldn't remember one specific book, I rationalized that books are like wedding reception food. No one will remember if it's good, but everyone will remember if it sucked. Unless a book is so truly exceptional that it really resonates, it's just a like a movie. A diversion. Entertainment. Something to discuss, mull over, and then move on.

One that really got to me was Mitch Ablom's The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I knew how it ended. I knew the entire storyline. But I still cried. I still found myself moved and thinking about how we are all connected to one another. I thought about how my books might allow people 2-3 hours of diversion and feel good moments before they move on back to what is going on in their world.

So, from here forward, I'm going to share every now and then the books that really got to me. I'm going to let you know here what I read that I liked--allowing myself to create a record before I, myself, move on.

Michele

No day like a snow day

2006-12-02T06:23:00.000-08:00

I've been off work for the past two days. The first day my school dismissed early and the second one the district I work for called off the night before.

I love snow days. Thursday I took mulitple naps and worked on feeling better. By the evening I walked one hour on my treadmill--the first dedicated exercise I'd had in a long time.

On Friday I talked to my agent first thing and hammered out the details about my new contract. So December did start off on a happy foot! I'll have two releases in November 2007 and one in April 2007. The other two books will be in 2008. It's thrilled that my readers have brought me to this point.

As for the snow, four inches covers everything. Since I live in the country, everywhere I look is a blanket of white. I have the best neighbors as well. They got my mom (who lives 1,000 feet from me) out of the snow drift and they also plowed the entire road--getting me out to run some much needed errands. I had to do part of my driveway, but the exercise felt good.

By Monday, life will be back to normal. Back to work, with the winter break and finals looming on the horizon.

Until then, I'm loving the white.

Michele

Sold!

2006-11-29T17:55:00.000-08:00

I'm delighted to announce that I sold another three books to Harlequin American Romance yesterday! Details to follow....

Almost there

2006-11-27T14:53:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to the end of November. I'm holding out hope that as December enters, these past two months will fade into a distant and not-too-pleasant memory. Frankly, I'm hoping that the string of bad luck fades as well.

Not all has been horrible. My trip to Nashville with my journalism students was awesome. Work continues to go well. But the homelife has been stressful. Haven't seen the significant other in ages because of scheduling conflicts. He works nights and I work days, so Saturday is usually all we have. And I've been sick. I'm heading to the doctor tomorrow for while I'm better, I'm not great.

My sooty situation is almost fixed--just waiting for two more bids so that the insurance adjuster and I can talk. My car is fixed. My computer is running. My kids are great. My newest book received 4 stars from Romantic Times Magazine.

So I'm trying to focus on the positives. I've been getting a lot of reading done. I'll get back to writing soon.

I'm promising myself.

Michele

No need for creative excuses

2006-11-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

I'm sick. One of those lingering colds that lasts about a week--so I'm midway through. I can't breath right, I cough a lot, and my head pounds. My final proofs for my April book are here and have to be read and to my editor on Monday.

I ache too much to even think about doing them.

I figure this has to be the end of a very long run of "bad luck." I'm so far behind on where I'd wanted to be writing-wise that I'm simply taking time off, retrenching, and lying low. Maybe I'll get some reading done.

No need for creative excuses for putting off writing--I simply need to heal both mentially and phyically. I need to crawl into bed and hang out--at least until I have to go to work again on Monday.

Then it'll be back on the treadmill of getting things done: thank you notes, Thanksgiving, etc.

But for today, the treadmill has been turned off.

Oh Soot!

2006-10-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

This has been the month from...well, I don't need to say it. It has to do with fire, which unfortunately, I had just yesterday. Last Friday my harddrive crashed and burned. This Thursday, my daughter lit a fire in the fireplace. The damper was closed, and when smoke began to fill the house she panicked and fled. The fire department came, put it out, and aired out my house. They said I had about 4-feet of clean air, the rest was all smoke.

I filed the insurance claim today. I have a fine layer of black soot and the lovely smell of bonfire all throughout my house. The restoration people will start work at 8:30 Monday morning.

My high school students just finished John Steinbeick's Of Mice & Men and I'm grading their essays this week. The title comes from the Robert Burns' poem and to paraphrase the line, the best laid plans of mice and me often go astray.

Mine plans have certainly gone elsewhere. I'm now behind on everything and I'll have a cleaning crew in my house for 7-8 business days. I had to ask for an extension, the first ever. Life is chaotic and I'm sneezing a lot.

Still, stuff is only stuff. It can be cleaned and replaced. No one is hurt and my daughter has learned a very valuable lesson. I have too. Some months are just like this. First a deer, then a drive, now a disaster.

I'll use it all in a book someday.

Michele

Coming Soon!

2006-10-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

Okay,

I've broken down. Here is my official blog. More posts to come soon.

Michele