Publishers Weekly Review!

November 15, 2010

The Suitor List 
Shirley Marks, Avalon, $23.95 (192p) ISBN 978-0-8034-7796-4 

Marks (Lady Eugenia's Holiday) comes up with a Regency version of The Bachelorette in this cute historical. Lady Augusta Worth, the beautiful daughter of a duke, could have her pick of the eligible men in England, but is determined to marry for love. Encouraged by her family, she invites a dozen promising prospects to a house party in the country where perhaps she can identify her soul mate. Her high hopes are dashed by her family's antics as they chase away candidates whose behavior reveals their unworthiness, leaving only Augusta's oldest friend and neighbor, Richard Wilbanks, whom she has somehow overlooked. Marks's attempts to infuse the story with humor are heavy-handed and the outcome too well telegraphed, but the setting and story pacing are pleasant. (Jan.)

2012 Literacy Signing

I'll be signing A Grand Deception at table 306 
as a new Montlake Romance author 
along with HUNDREDS of other Romance authors at the . . .

2012 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing 

Wednesday, July 25, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. 

Anaheim Convention Center, Ballroom (third floor) 
Anaheim, California

 Proceeds from book sales go to:

 ProLiteracy Worldwide, Read Orange County, 

and Literacy Volunteers—Huntington Valley 

 No outside books are allowed in the event.

The Holidays Arrive

December 2010: It’s the release of The Suitor List!

I’m writing like a mad person to get to the end of Book 3. It’s going to be really close. I’m having so much fun with this story. It’s turning out better than I had anticipated back in November. So, so close . . . I can taste the ending!

 I keep having to fix the Barnes and Noble.com link on my website. They’re having problems keeping a page for The Suitor List. It’s there, then it’s not. Then it’s back!

I’m hoping to finish Book 3 by the end of the year and spend the first few weeks of January 2011 polishing before I send it in.

Homestretch and Status

Late November  2010:  I’ve written past the gap I had earlier and I’m sailing toward the end of the story. 

I’ve updated my website since the library release on The Suitor List was October.  I gave it a “citrus” flavor.  I’m still undecided if I should commit myself to a Blog.

The Thanksgiving holiday stalls my writing progress.  I dive right back into the book after the kids leave.

Perfectly Flawed, Book 2: I still have no word whether the revised manuscript has been accepted.

The Suitor List, Book 1: I’ve decided to print some “series” stickers and apply them myself.  Not much else I can do about it now. 

No use stressing about it. Might as well sit back and have a cuppa . . .

2010 Maui: Week 2

November 2010 - Been working on the gap in my book.  After three days I think I’ve figured it out. 

I’ve made lots of notes and written many new scenes.  It’s taken me a whole week but I know how the middle of the story works.  

I’ve got lots and lots of notes, I can’t wait to get home and finish.

Book 3 … For Real

November 2010 – Week 1: My annual trip to Maui. I’m thinking maybe there’s a follow up book to Honeymoon Husband… Is that only because I’m working in 1815 and need to distract myself?

Going back to Book 3 . . . I’ve discovered I have the beginning of a story and the end of the story… how do I get these two halves to meet?

Trying Again

October 2010 – Moving into my new office and trying to find my work, notes, anything… I sure do make this writing stuff difficult for myself. I’ve got my desk set up and sorted through my notes. I’d love to have the third book finished by next month… I don’ t think that’s going to happen.