Release Day This Wednesday!

I'm so excited that A MAN FOR THE SUMMER will be released this Wednesday, May 13th!

I just received my print copies in the mail, and holding my first novel in my hands was a thrill that I'll never forget. I gave copies to all the members of my critique group, because the words in my dedication have never been more true:

To Lynn, Lisa, Trish & Cyndy
I wouldn't be here without you!

My friend Lynn reminded me that this was the first story of mine she ever read - and that was quite some time ago. What with publishing being the complex and sometimes slow-moving beast that it is, i wrote the first draft of this story long before it saw publication.

Many things have changed since then. My kids have grown up some, as have I. I have continued to work hard at my craft, and I hope it shows in the results of all those revisions. I still enjoy the characters in this book - small-town dentist Junior Atkinson, with her questionable fashion sense and tarnished reputation, and urban bad-boy writer Griff Ross.

New Review of ALONG FOR THE RIDE

The Whipped Cream erotic romance review site has put up a nice review of my story ALONG FOR THE RIDE.

What's more, it's up for Best Book of the Week honors - you can vote starting this Saturday.

Thanks to the folks at Whipped Cream! :)

4 Stars from Rites of Romance Reviews

My first review!

Thank you so much to Val Pearson of Rites of Romance Reviews for her review of Along for the Ride.

Sixteen Things

Fellow Wild Rose author April Vine tagged me for this meme - sixteen things about me :) So here goes:

1. I'm named after my grandmother
2. I'm 100% Polish/Czech
3. I much prefer salty to sweet - give me Fritos over ice cream any day!
4. I have had the same car for eleven years, since my kids were in car seats
5. My dog is nearly as old as my son - fifteen! And going strong, thank heavens, because we love her dearly...
6. I like to read at least three books at a time
7. I waitressed for seven years, an experience that taught me humility and juggling
8. I make the world's best popcorn - on the stove, with lots of butter
9. I also make terrific scrambled eggs and homemade salsa
10. My favorite rose is "Sultry," which is a lovely pale orange
11. The best vacation I ever took was to Tahiti, for my tenth anniversary
12. I can do eleven push-ups in a row
13. My father has published lots of non-fiction books and my brother is an award-winning novelist
14. If I could live anywhere besides Northern California, it would be in New York City
15. My favorite TV show of all time was Six Feet Under
16. I'm plotting a novel about a woman who can start fires with her mind! :)

ALONG FOR THE RIDE is available!

My spicy novella, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, has actually been out for a week or so, but like everyone else I've been caught up in holiday preparations and celebrations. It's part of the "Cougar Club" series, meaning it features an older woman/younger man romance. Some might find such an idea titillating...to me, it's just one more delightful variation on a very old theme, that of finding one's perfect match after a sometimes-heartbreaking search.

You can find it here.

I treasure this week between Christmas and New Years as it seems to me that it's the one time of year when it's nearly impossible to find oneself swamped with work - unless it's the work of cooking for family and cleaning up ribbons and wrappings, of sweeping up pine needles and - perhaps my favorite - finding space on the bookshelves for the gifts of books from loved ones who know very well what makes a person truly happy.

Lazy Days With The Kids

Today I broke down and let my kids both invite friends to dinner. I don't usually do this because it never ends well, but today Evan and I got along and Grace gave me those puppy-dog eyes, and I just couldn't say no.

I like my kids' friends because they have solid companions to talk to when they can't (or don't want to) talk to me. Evan invited his friend Joe, who is a great boy because sometimes the world doesn't understand Evan, but Joe always does. Grace had her friend Alice over, and they are two peas in a pod. Half the time I have no idea what they're saying, but they always make each other laugh. I am so proud of my children because I know they make good choices and pick the right kind of kids to be friends with.

Welcoming the Holidays

Hi all-
I hope the cold weather has brought all of your loved ones together. It certainly has for us in the Bartek household, as this weekend was our Christmas decorating weekend. I love decorating for the holidays because Robert and the kids and I all take part in it. Although Evan, who is 16, might be mad at us for not letting him go to the movies on Friday, and our 13-year-old Grace might be sulking over the pricey hand bag declined to get her, we still have this tradition that always brings us together.

Our decorations aren't too showy, but they are all very sentimental. From the red and white French birdhouses Robert and I got on our honeymoon, to the sock snowmen the kids made in first grade, to the personalied serving platter that has last year's Christmas card picture on it that Evan, Robert, and Grace all chipped in to give me a year ago, it's the stories behind the red and green adornments that make them so special.

Last night, after the kids were asleep, Robert told me to close my eyes and led me down the stairs. When he told me to open my eyes, I saw the Christmas tree was lit up, all of the family's gifts from Robert were under the tree, and our best golden candles cast a warm glow over all of our living room. I ended the night sitting on the couch admiring the tableau, a glass of wine in one hand, and Robert's palm in the other, knowing this was really what I wanted.

Blessings on all of you!