Cheerios are donut seeds

It's Spring Break! This is our first, since BigBoy is in Kindergarten now we are on the school schedule. I loved Spring Break as a kid, so we are aiming to make sure he does to. Mini-golf, museums, hikes, zoo...something fun every day...

...and yes, I am supposed to be writing a book...but I have a solution for that. My parentals are trekking here to partake in the Spring Break action, freeing me from the land of Boydom for a few hours a day!

Until they get here...I'm on kid duty. That means, trying not to embarass them at bowling alleys, keeping up with them on bike rides, and pointing out birds on walks. Not much time for writing, so I'll just celebrate contracting two more shorts with The Wild Rose Press. Found with Champagne Rose and Treasured with American Rose. No clue when they come out...but I am that much closer to my secret plan to collect enough short stories there to get my own anthology.

Man Card

Have you noticed the vast Easter conspiracy afoot? Cadbury Creme Eggs have shrunk! It's true, check it out at your local grocery. Now...I am not one for the goopy confections, but my brother is up in arms about this.

Does this mean he needs to turn in his man card? I mean...really. They are sugar filled eggs. Who truly cares? It makes me wonder about masculinity sometimes. To look at my brood of brothers you'd think testosterone rules the land. 4 of the 5 are incapable of conversation when football is on...the other one is like that when soccer is involved. When one got his hair styled for his wedding, the others responded with..."Dude, what did they do to your head?" They're all athletic, outdoorsy, manly men. Perfect hero material...except...

• One carries his mini-dog in a purse. Yes, his dog.
• One is thinking of boycotting Cadbury.
• I've heard a rumor one has had a mani/pedi.
• One is a regular Slim-Fast drinker.
• One took a four day road trip...with our MOM!
• One can cook! He is not a chef, mind you...just crazy in the kitchen.
• Two don't drink coffee, one doesn't drink alcohol.
• Two are clean FREAKS. Great as a brother, as a romance hero???

Tell me...do you think they are skating on thin man-ice? Or is this what we escape by reading about alpha romance heroes?

I'm talking coffee!!

Over at the Pink Heart Society I'm talking coffee! What's your fave?

...coconut milk latte

...almond joy mocha
...cinnamon maple latte

...caramel macciato

In Review...

I really wish there were a bigger market for short stories. I love them. Really, j'adore. And mine with The Wild Rose Press are doing so well, too. Ah, well. Someday, we'll all have short attention spans like me, then I'll rule the short story queendom.

In the meantime...I've found some great review sites, and enjoyed chatting up the reviewers about short stories.

IF WE LISTENED

• "Ms. Bayley-Burke is able to paint a vivid picture of a tough decision and the results of them. She also shows the choices you may make in life affect how you end up conducting yourself with your children. I felt the story was believable since many people elope to escape the stress of planning a wedding. It was a wonderful story and very heart felt." --4 cups from Coffee Time Romance
• "I found this short story very enjoyable. I liked how the couple was reminiscing about their life together. It was humorous and sweet and gave that warm, fuzzy feeling. I would buy this book for myself. I thought it was a very nice, satisfying snippet and it made me smile." --Sweeter Romantic Notions
• "A delightful little read. One that made me think. The dedication also made me smile." --4 champagne glasses, Cocktail Reviews

GROUNDED by Rose Middleton

Of all the clubs in town, she had to dirty dance her way into his…

Other men would do anything to be in Rocket Jones’ shoes. Heir to a media empire, CEO of the hottest nightclub, and now, a raven-haired goddess offering him no-strings-attached sex. He’s got it made, right? Wrong. Once is never enough. Before he knows it, he’s willing to fight through her dark past, family expectations and her career to make her his.

It was only supposed to be one night…

Fighter pilot Robyn Banks is on a mission to satisfy a seriously deprived sexual drive. With ten days to play, she beckons the sexy hunk down from the shadows and gives in to carnal desires. She’s under no illusion about her destiny, and it’s not with the suave businessman who comes from a world of opportunity. But as the days count down until she must return, Robyn is forced to relive the nightmare that saw her run from her family and for the first time, confront her demons and decide on a future. Can she find a way to combine her love of flying with the man who’s stolen her heart?

To read an excerpt, visit Ellora's Cave!

Ask Kate Walker : On the Pink Heart Society Yahoo Group

Harlequin Presents & 12-Point Guide to writing romance author, Kate Walker is holding an open forum Q&A on the PHS loop. Check out some of the great conversations going on ::

Rachel asked :: I'm having a real dilemma with my heroine's name. Do you have any personal guidelineswhen choosing a name? Will an editor take one look and say 'no way'if she doesn't think the name works.
Michelle Styles answered from experience :: If a name does not work for an editor, they will ask you to change it.
Kate answered :: I have to say that I haven't had Michelle's experience with names (and in 51 going on 52 books, I've never repeated a name either - not sure how long I can keep that up!) The only time there was ever any bother with a name was when - in one of those amazing coincidences that happen - another author and I both had the same, unusual name for out heroine. And the books were out in the same month!
What really matters is that you have a name that means you can tell her story - an editor is not going to worry about a name if the story is vivid and emotional and the writing style carries her through.

I'm tired...

Oh my. All kindergarten teachers should get a medal of honor and a cruise. Truly. I am completely wiped out after one day in the classroom. Usually I do a couple of hours, and that is big fun, but BabyBoy wanted to stay all day....and I thought it might help BigBoy get over his hot lunch phobia...yada yada...don't try this at home people. Especially the worm hunt. We topped off the day with a trip to the park...and a tromp through the mud puddles.

On the writing front...nothing happened. I am too exhauseted to think. Though...while stapling St. Patrick's coloring books with one eye on BabyBoy and the dinosaurs, I did resolve a plot kink in the too complicated story yet to see syno.