Aloha all,
I’m back on island after a wonderful respite in Long Beach and in North Carolina. Before Mom and I headed East, we spent a night out in Wonder Valley, California (see the previous blogs), where we made pizzas and cooked them in the new outdoor ‘horno’ oven my sister-in-law, Jill, and my brother, John, made themselves.

Then Mom and I took two flights to Asheville, N.C. where we visited with my aunt and cousins. We had a very nice week that included lunching in Biltmore Village, visiting small towns around Asheville, shopping, talking, laughing and generally catching up on life, family stories, and fun. It seems like we planned our next meal while we were finishing one up. We made a stop for Southern Style BarBQue with collard greens and all the trimmings. Our last breakfast there included grits.

I stopped by the University of North Carolina at Asheville where my cousin is a professor of economics (I told her that side of my brain doesn’t work at all). It is a lovely campus and while she worked in the office checking email, I got to look through her collection of Women’s Economic History books. I could have spent days there.

While I was traveling, I finished a couple of great mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson. She writes culinary mysteries (who knew there was such a subgenre?). I also read Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. I’ve read at least three of their thrillers. I couldn’t put this one down.

Mom and I made it back safe and sound to Long Beach where I stayed with her and she spoiled me mercilessly. I slept in my old bed in my old room and pretended I was a princess without any chores or responsibilities. But one can only hide out for so long and after two weeks, it was time to head back.

Although I should get back to work, today I spent some time with author friends, Christina Dodd and Kristin Hannah, teaching them to stand-up paddle. It’s a relatively new sport that involves standing up on a long surfboard and paddling yourself along with a paddle. It’s lots of fun. Today was a bit of a challenge as there was a small swell in the bay and the trade winds are howling so we were blown a bit off course. Lots of laughs later over Chinese food after a bike ride to “town” which is about two blocks long.

I’m going to try to get something written before making some dinner. Be sure to check out the new banner and website updates! There will be a few minor changes but the new pages are up.

In May I’ll be adding a list of new winners to the contest page.
Take care and keep reading,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
Tomorrow I’m leaving the island, venturing out into the real world, or maybe this is the real world and I’m off on a fantasy trip again. I’ll be stopping in Southern California where I’ll be visiting with my family and then my mom and I are heading off to North Carolina to visit my aunt and cousins for almost a week. Six airline flights, lots of food, fun and laughs later, I’ll be back.

Between now and then I plan to relax, regroup, recharge and maybe do a little writing. Since turning in my second book for Steeple Hill, I’ve been doing what I (and probably a lot of other writers) do after coming up for air. The desk is clean, all the things that needed to be filed for weeks and months are either filed or tossed, and I’m occupying my hands with simple tasks like Spring cleaning, gardening, mending, while my mind is sorting through new plots, characters and stories. It’s the way I gear up for my next novel project.

I also plan to take along a baby quilt I started for a friend’s grandson. His name is Hudson Parks and he was born last October. I’m hoping to get the quilt finished before he heads off to college. His cousin, Cade Parks, is four and he has been enjoying the quilt I made him for quite a few years now.

I’m also taking along the two books I’m reading. One is by a hilarious, off the wall author named Christopher Moore. I love his books because every single word, page and line is unexpected and crazy. The title I’m reading right now is ISLAND OF THE SEQUINED LOVE NUN. I’m also reading a culinary mystery (until a couple days ago I didn’t even know there was a sub-genre of culinary mysteries) entitled DOUBLE SHOT, by Diane Mott Davidson.

Oh! By the way, my latest historical romance, HOMECOMING, is available for pre-order on Amazon.com and so is DESTINATION: MARRIAGE, a Wedding anthology, that features my novella entitled, “Trouble in Paradise.” It’s a light and humorous story of a jinxed bride on Kauai.

Last but not least, by the end of the month my website will have a bright new look, so keep checking in.
Until I return, a hui hou,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
I’m trying to post a photo.
This is Steve and I on a visit to my brother and his family’s great desert escape in Wonder Valley, California. We visited them over Christmas vacation in California.
p1050222.JPG
Click on this link to see the photo!
It was cold that day and the mountains around us were snowcapped.
Night,
Jill Marie

Dear All,
I did it! I’m finished with my book and I have emailed it in to my editor, Melissa Endlich, at Steeple Hill Books. Yes, today around noon my time, the book was finished or all “pau” (pronounced pow) as they say in the islands.

So how did I celebrate meeting my deadline today? Well, I kind of jumped the gun and went out to lunch yesterday. You see, my mom surprised me and sent my girlfriend some money and told her we should take ourselves out to lunch. So, my neighbor, Mel Montgomery, and I got dressed up (Hawaiian style) and went up to the fabulous Cafe Hanalei at the Princeville Hotel and had a wonderful lunch on Mom. (Thank you, Maggi!) The cobb salads were great and the view was spectacular.

So today after I emailed off the book (all 420 some pages) I put on some old clothes and got out into the garden, into the sunshine, and trimmed two small trees that really needed pruning. It was the most enjoyable afternoon ever. I ended up with two full bags of cuttings, my hair full of spider webs, and mud between my toes. It was great.

Tomorrow I’m going to start writing copy for my much needed website update. Don’t know when it will be ready, but my goal is to have the material to my webhostess by the weekend. Can I do it?
Wait and see.
Aloha,
Jill Marie

Hello? Hello? Is anyone out there?

It’s been so long since I’ve blogged that I have to say I’m kind of embarrassed. Kind of. But I have a really good excuse (as usual). I’m putting the finishing touches on my latest manuscript in progress. It’s the second book for Steeple Hill, Harlequin’s Inspirational imprint. This, like the first book, is a Western Historical Romance so I think those of you who have been emailing and asking me to get back in the saddle and write more western romances will be thrilled. As yet this book is untitled and I have no idea what the publication date will be.

Hang in there though, because June is just around the corner and on June 24th, my first Steeple Hill Western Inspirational Historical (now that’s a mouthful) will be on sale. The title is HOMECOMING and everyone who has previewed it has really enjoyed it so far. I’ll be anxious to hear what you think. It’s a bit of a departure, but after hearing from editors that they were looking for more vampires, erotica, or inspirational proposals, there was only one choice for me. I’ve been known for page-turning, character driven stories. For the life of me, I couldn’t come up with a redeeming character who is dark and immortal, nor could I go the erotica route.

And guess what? I have absolutely loved writing these two inspirational books for Steeple Hill. More on this later.

June is a stellar month for me as far as publications. After a year without a book on the shelves, in June I’ll have two titles out there and I’m counting on all of you to order them, buy them for friends and family, and generally hound the bookstores until you find more copies.

The second title is Destination: Marriage and it’s a collection of three stories about destination weddings. It’s billed as Three Brides, Three Grooms, Three Weddings. My story is set in Hawaii and I really had a great time writing it. It’s humorous and fun and sweet. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, complete with sand and purple vanda orchids worthy of an umbrella drink. As yet I haven’t read the other two stories, but I’m sure they are great.

Well, my book isn’t going to edit itself, so I’d better get back to business.

By the way, just a reminder that my friend, Kristin Hannah’s latest book hit the stores last week. The title is FIREFLY LANE and it’s a story that’s impossible to put down. It covers the lives of two best friends from middle school through adulthood.

Meanwhile, back to work,
Jill Marie

Aloha Dear Friends,
It’s that in-between time of the season when Christmas Day has come and gone but some of the magic still lingers as the New Year is waiting to burst upon us with all its promises of new beginnings and resolutions and promise.

Now is the time to dream big dreams and come up with your goals for 2008. One of mine is to finally sit down and update these webpages and to let you in on the new covers for my June and July publications. Another resolution I have is to get myself on a schedule that includes a daily walk or other physical activity, as well as a few minutes of peaceful downtime for reflection and meditation.

So onward and upward in the New Year. I’m wishing you all the peace and prosperity, the joy and love that you wish for yourself and more.
Happy New Year,
Jill Marie

Aloha All:
As you may know, I love quilts and quilting, although I have no time to do any sewing right now with a looming February deadline. I would like to pass on an opportunity for you to see a wonderful quilt that is being auctioned online by Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America.

I’m thrilled to say my name is among a host of stars! Wait until you see the list of names.

The Orange County Chapter of Romance Writers of America®
is offering this quilt/wallhanging with autographs of 100 authors:
NYT Selling Authors in Romance

Suzanne Brockman, Kathleen Eagle, Kristen Hannah,
Kathleen Korbel, Jayne Anne Krentz, Jill Marie Landis,
Stephanie Laurens, Susan Elizabeth Phillips,
Teresa Medeiros, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Nora Roberts
and Crime Novelists Stephen J. Cannell & Robert Crais

Enjoy your favorite authors! Discover new authors! The entire list (alphabetical order):
Cherry Adair/ Rebecca Anderson / Jennifer Apodaca / Amanda Ashley / Madeline Baker / Jo Beverley / Elizabeth Bevarly / Pauline Bitten / Allison Brennan / Suzanne Brockman / Stephen J. Cannell / Kate Carlisle / Mary Castillo / Maureen Child / Kresley Cole / Robert Crais / Geralyn Dawson / Janelle Dennison / Thea Devine / Jacqueline Diamond / Christina Dodd / Gillian Doyle / Eileen Dreyer / Judy Duarte / Kathleen Eagle / Suzanne Enoch / Suzanne Forster / Rebecca Forster / Patricia Gaffney / Tina Gayle / Cindy Gerard / Rachel Gibson / Barbara Goodwin / Jennifer Greene / Lori Handeland / Kristen Hannah / Kim Harris / Lorraine Heath / Candice Hern / Lori Herter / Kristen Higgins / Sandra Hill / Madeline Hunter / Lisa Jackson / Tara Jansen / Linda O. Johnston / Sandra Kay / H.R. Knight / Kathleen Korbel / Jayne Anne Krentz / Jill Marie Landis / Stephanie Laurens / Julia London / Charlotte Maclay / Debbie Macomber /
Susan Mallery / Lorelle Marinello / Dinah Macall / Barbara McCauley / Sarah McKerrigan / Linda McLaughlin / Teresa Medeiros / Pamela Morsi / Mindy Neff / Dee Ann Palmer / Janelle Pat / Sandra Paul / Diane Pershing / Carly Phillips /Susan Elizabeth Phillips / Patricia Potter / Frances Ray / Shirley Raye / Christine Rimmer / Nora Roberts / Karen Rose / Lauren Royal / Charlene Sands / Meryl Sawyer / Jill Shalvis / Teresa Southwick / Susan Squires / Patricia Thayer / Vicki Lewis Thompson / Carolyn Valdez / Sherri Whitefeather / Caitlyn Willows / Maralys Wills / Taylor Wilshire /

These autographs were obtained from speakers at our chapter meetings
as well as at the 2007 National RWA Conference in Dallas.

OCC/RWA is a not-for-profit corporation serving fiction writers, published and unpublished.
http://occrwa.com/online_auction.htm

More later! I promise.
Enjoy the Holiday preparations.
Jill Marie

Aloha All:
Hope you are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend wherever you are!
Love,
Jill Marie

Aloha out there,
It’s 10:30 p.m. here in Hawaii, which means there are about 2 hours of Halloween left. It was an uneventful day as always here on our island. In thirty years here we haven’t had more than 2 trick or treaters. Tonight 2 friends came by to show off their outfits, which makes the total count 4. Not bad for thirty years. We’ve eaten a lot of left over candy. I always buy some “just in case.”

Sandy Thomas and Ronnie Bragg stopped over. Sandy recently won 1st place in a costume contest as Elvis. Ronnie came as Elvis’ blond bombshell fan. They looked great and we were able to give them lots of candy so the temptation would be out of the house.

Last night’s Dancing with the Stars was such a shocker I just have to mention it here. Yes, I’m hooked on the show. I was so disappointed when Sabrina was voted off. I still can’t believe it. She was so fabulous, vivacious, and the best little dancer! I think in theory the show started out as a dance contest but it has obviously become a popularity contest and the dancing has nothing to do with it. This could be my last season as a fan.

I’m sure by the time this is posted it’ll be tomorrow in cyber space and the date will be off, but Happy Halloween anyway. Maybe next year we’ll get a few more trick or treaters.

Keep smiling,
Jill Marie

Aloha All,
Last week, four quarterly winners were chosen to receive autographed books. Three have contacted me and their books are on the way. Cheryl Smith of Georgia, Lelia McCloud of Alabama, and Laura Prieto of Florida, will receive autographed copies of Heatwave or Heartbreak Hotel. I’ve yet to hear confirmation of address for Becky Jones of Indiana. Becky, if you are out there, please let me know! Otherwise, it’s a Southern Sweep.

We’ve been watching the fires in Southern California and hoping the Santa Ana winds die soon. Not only is ash coating everything, but our neighbor here in Hawaii, Bev Blew, flew in yesterday and said as they went through LA, the pilot alerted passengers not to panic, that the smell of smoke was from the fires outside. They flew through billowing black clouds of smoke. I hope everyone is sending prayers and loving energy to those who have lost so much.

Newlyweds Lauren Westberg and Darren Daniels were our most recent visitors in the guest house. Lauren’s mother, Sue Westberg, has been a dear friend of mine since high school and along with her husband, Fred, we’ve spent many happy hours of fun and laughter. It’s been wonderful to get to know this fine young couple and Lauren as an adult. In the past two years we’ve hosted Lauren’s brother, Rick Westberg with his new bride, another Lauren, as well as Sara Decoudres Carnichi and husband, Dario. Sara is the daughter of old friends, Co and Judy Decoudres. It’s nice to know the world is in the hands of such vibrant, caring young people.

And now, back to work. I’m up to page 200!
Aloha,
Jill Marie