CONTEST EXTENDED!

Good news! I'm extending my contest for a few more days! SOOOOOO.....

 

 If you read Her Highland Champion between now and JULY 4TH, AND post a review somewhere, then you will be in the running for a FREE Decadent Publishing book of your choice and some treat from me.

Now, those of you who have already posted a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads, you are already in the running!

Please note: If you post a review somewhere other than those 3 places, please email me(alexa AT alexabourne DOT com) and let me know where I can see the review. Then I'll put your name in the running as well!

 

Several people have rated the book at various places. Thank you so much! If you want to, toss in a line or two telling us what you thought- what you liked or didn't like- and you'll be in the running too.

 

I decided to extend the contest because I want to do something to celebrate the American Independence Day. The winner will receive a British treat and a FREE Decadent book for reviewing my British book. So, I'll choose a winner at midnight on the day America celebrates independence from Britain!

 

Happy Weekend?

Stoppin' in to say hi. I'm moving across town this weekend. I decided on Wednesday night and started moving yesterday. I'm hoping to be all moved out by the end of the weekend. Still readin' Laura Giffin's TWISTED and loving it. I'm hoping to finish it this weekend. Searchin' for a "real job" AGAIN (still???). I'll be doing some stuff on that. Workin' on the revisions to PROTECTOR for Harlequin editor. I'm REALLY hoping to get a huge chunk of time to get busy with that. Only TWO MORE DAYS for the contest! If you review HER HIGHLAND CHAMPION (or already have), you'll be in the running for a free book of your choice from Decadent Publishing and a treat from me! Some people have rated the book but haven't said anything about it. If that's you, go back and give it a line or two & you'll be in the running to! Right now there are only 13 people in the running.

Got any big plans for the weekend? Whatever you do, have a great weekend!

Where In The World Is Alexa?

Today I'm over at the Get Lost in a Story blog interviewing the legendary Rebecca York! Come join us and learn about her and her kazillion books!

Maybe Not Daring For You, But For Me...

THE BACKGROUND:
In 2010, I was searching for an agent and I submitted a story to this woman I'd heard good things about. She gave me great comments, suggestions and then passed on representing that story. BUT she said she'd read something else if I wanted to send something and she also said keep her updated if anything changed with this particular story. I didn't have anything ready for her at the time & just decided to put my agent search on hold.

In 2011, I received a full request from an editor at Harlequin. I sent the full the very next day.

In April 2012, I contacted the editor for an update since it had been about a year (and I have, in the past, had communication problems due to cyberspace). She assured me she had it and would get to it soon.

In May 2012, I got the revise & resubmit letter from the Harlequin editor. Of course, I was ecstatic, but I was working on submissions for Decadent so I promised myself (and the editor) I'd get to the revisions late June & July.

THIS WEEK:
Since getting back from the beach vacation, I've been feeling like I'd be overwhelmed with the revisions & incapable of doing them correctly. BUT, yesterday I started reading through the manuscript (since I haven't read it in over a year) and through the editor comments (since she'd given me such awesome comments in the letter). I started getting ideas about how to fix things & add scenes, and I got excited about brainstorming. Then, I thought, "How wonderful it would be to have someone else's eye on this" (besides my AWESOME CP who doesn't write romantic suspense) & lately I've also been thinking about going back on the agent search since I now HAVE a writing career started. I started thinking again about the constructive criticism I've received from agents before and the agent from 2010 popped into my head.

SO:
I threw caution to the wind last night and typed up an email to her. I explained how she'd rejected this story but said to keep her updated, told her about the Harlequin revise & resubmit letter, and gave her details of my writing adventures since I contacted her in 2010.

I was nervous because I didn't want to come off as obnoxious or one of those writers who can't accept a rejection. With our business having such small circles, I didn't want to burn any bridges.

This morning, I got an email back from the agent who assured me I wasn't out of line, said she's really busy, but she'd gladly look at the revised partial. Whoohooo!

NOW:
I better get busy this week!

Honey, I'm Home!

Got back from my beach vacation yesterday. I was quite relaxed & had a great time. I read Fever by Joan Swan. GREAT story! Then I started Twisted by Laura Griffin. Another GREAT story, but I'm not even halfway through it yet.

So now it's back to business. I have no new information on my Decadent stories for you yet. I'm still searching for a "real job", working a bit this week at my 2 part-time jobs, and I'm starting the revisions from the Harlequin editor who is interested in reading the revised version of my romantic suspense story from last year.

I'm a little overwhelmed and worried about succeeding with these revisions, but I think that's normal. I KNOW I'm good enough to get the revisions done. Plus, the editor's comments have been dead on for me so far! I just want this SOOOOOOO badly and I know there's still no guarantee it will sell when I'm done the revisions. BUT I'll never know unless I try!

And of course, I'm also back on Weight Watchers. After a week of adult beverages and all the "bad for me, but oh-so-good" food, I desperately need some fruit, lots of water & exercise.

Out Of Office And Unplugged

From now until the weekend, I am on a much-needed VACATION! 7 other fabulous ladies and I have rented a beach house to sit back, catch up, and relax. I will not be checking emails, I will not be surfing the internet. The only electronic devices I've taken with me are my ancient cell phone (that doesn't get online) and my iPod. I've also brought some paperback books, some Combos & peanut M&Ms and some adult beverages. I'll see you next week!

Come Meet My Friend!

Today I'm over at Get Lost in a Story interviewing my friend, Irene Preston! Irene's first book came out June 4th from Crimson Romance. If you have a chance, come hang out with us and learn about a new author's experiences!