Monthly Archive for December, 2007

WOOHOO!!

What a way for me to end 2007! The Bond That Ties Us just got a five angel review from Fallen Angel Reviews! Thanks to Dana for taking the time to read it. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it.

Here’s a snip of the review:

Christine d’Abo’s twist with the title The Bond That Ties Us was totally apropos, this story hooked me and I couldn’t wait to unravel it to the very end. This story is hot, the sex is explicit and plenty. Grab an icy drink, a fan and get started on The Bond That Ties Us it will take you out of this world.

You can read the full review here!

On top of that Amy got a Fantastic review for Masque of Desire! Check it out here!

2007 Goal Recap

I find it hard to believe that 2007 is done tonight. This has been an amazing year for me personally and professionally. A lot of changes, many of them huge, have kept me on my toes. I thought before I post my goals for 2008 tomorrow, I’d take a look at what I’d hoped to accomplish in 2007. This was from a Thursday Thirteen post last December and I’m amazed at how well I did.

1. To get published. The funny thing with this goal is that it was the first one I completd. About a month after putting this on my site, I sold The Bond That Ties Us to Ellora’s Cave. :D

2. To write consistently every day for one hour. I somehow managed to be pretty consisten with this one. Many days I managed to write longer than an hour, but I kept myself to this. I think its made a big difference with not only my output, but with my quality.

3. To read five writing craft books. Oh I fell short on this one. I think I only managed to read one and a half. I really need to get better with this.

4. To read two new releases a month. Yeah, I didn’t managed this, though I read quite a few new releases. I might have averaged two a month, but I tended to read them in spurts. I’m going to continue with this though.

5. To finish the second draft of All Bottled Up. Done!! This is now sitting with a few editors, so cross your fingers.

6. To finish the second draft of Summer Theatre (novella). This actually turned out to be Chasing Phoenix, which was releasd on December 14th from EC!

7. To plot and finish the follow up manuscript to All Bottled Up. I didn’t do this one because I hadn’t sold All Bottled Up. I do have it plotted, but I’m going to wait to write it. Hopefully, I’ll be working on it soon.

8. To finish the first draft of Perfect Match. This is done and sitting with my editor right now. Cross your fingers that Bree likes it. :D

9. If Ellora’s Cave doesn’t buy The Bond that Ties Us, to send out partials to at least three publishing houses. Wasn’t a need to do this because EC bought it!!

10. To query at least three agents this year. I actually queried five…and got four rejections and am currently waiting on the fifth. I’m not so worried about this and I’m glad I went through the process. The agent thing will happen when it’s meant to be.

11. To send All Bottled Up to at least three publishers. Did this. Have gotten two rejections and I’m waiting on the third and forth ones. I hope I’ll hear something in January on this.

12. To send Summer Theatre to at least one publisher. Sent it to EC and they bought it. :D

13. To blog at least five times a week.  Oh yeah I did this. And I joined up with my Sexy sisters over at Six Degrees of Sexy too. Love those girls!

So surprisingly, I didn’t do too badly in 2007. In addition to the goals I set out, I sold an  additional book, Sweet and Spicy Spells, which has been doing awesome! I’m hoping 2008 will be as good for me. :D
How did you make out with your goals??

January Contest!

To start the New Year off right, I’m running a contest. One lucky subscriber to my monthly newsletter will win an e-copy of Chasing Phoenix and a Christine d’Abo t-shirt! The winner will be announced in my February edition.

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To join, simply visit my site at http://www.christinedabo.com/newsletter.shtml

Happy New Year!!

Better Late…

So a few weeks ago I went to the TRW Christmas party and I took a few pictures. I promised to post the one of all the TRW bloggers who happened to be there. Now, we are missing Maureen and Margaret, but here is most of us.

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From left to right back row: Amy Ruttan, Me :D , Savannah Chase

From left to right front row: Wylie KinsonBonnie Staring, Leah Braemel

Aren’t we cute!

Thursday Thirteen!

Hello everyone! I’m posting over at Six Degrees of Sexy today for Thursday Thirteen. Please stop by and say hello and see what I got for Christmas.

Boxing Day

I survived Christmas! Well, so far I’m mostly in one piece. :D My girls were very kind to us this year and didn’t get up until 6:45 am on Christmas morning. We opened our Santa stockings and then had a wonderful breakfast. Then it was on to the presents.

This year I got several fablous sweaters from my husband, chocolates (no I haven’t checked how many WW points they are), and a manicure/pedicure. I can’t wait to book that one. I think I’m going to save it for a few weeks and then set a day. I have a feeling I’m going to need the relaxation later on.

We’ve spent most of yesterday and part of today playing Big Brain Academy for the Wii. We’re all having a lot of fun with it and it’s something even my little one can do. Great family game, highly recommend it. :)

I haven’t really written anything over the past week. I did finish the last three pages on my first chapter of my urban paranormal, and wrote two pages on a follow up story for Wizard’s Thief. Beyond that, I’ve been pretty good about enforcing my break. But it won’t last much longer LOL! I’m starting to get twitchy and am going to start working again really soon.

I’ve taken some time to do a lot of reading. I finished my ARC of The Bleeding Dusk (OMG this book rocks so hard), Julia Quinn’s latest book, Aubrey Ross’s Seducer, Shelley Munro’s Issy’s Infatuation (which also ROCKED!), and I’m now finishing up Eve Kenin’s Driven. All in all, it’s been a good break. :D

How has your Christmas been so far?

Happy Holidays!!

Merry Christmas

I can’t believe Christmas is only in a few days. The good news is…

I’M DONE MY SHOPPING!!!!

*pant* *wheeze* *gasp*

Okay, so I actually have one more present to buy and I do still have to go to the grocery store, but I’m done. :D I even wrapped everything last night!

I was going to try and be around for the next few days, but I think that may be hard to do. So in case I’m not able to make it to your blog, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and safe holiday season. I’ll try to check in from time to time, but most likely I’ll talk to you all after Christmas.

HUGS and KISSES to you all!!

Christmas Thursday Thirteen

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For this weeks Thursday Thirteen I thought I’d share my thirteen favourite Christmas carols. I hope you enjoy these.

1. Oh Holy Night

*Just for Kelly, here is the South Park version. :D

2. Silent Night

3. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen By Barenaked Ladies and Sarah McLaughlin

*I wish I could find a better version of this.

4. Snow by Loreena McKennitt

5. So This is Christmas By John Lennon

6. I Farted On Santa’s Lap

7. Oh Come All Ye Faithful

8. The Little Drummer Boy

9. Good King Wenceslas

10. Mary’s Boy Child By Boney M

* My Dad had this tape when I was a kid and we listened to it over and over. To this day it doesn’t feel like Christmas for my until I hear this song!

11. Feliz Navidad By Boney M

*Ditto!!

12. Grandma Got Ran Over By A Reindeer

13. Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel

* I’ve saved this for last because it’s my favourite Christmas song. This version from Boyz 2 Men is awesome.

Tis the Season

Well today is my last day at work for the EDJ (evil day job) before I get two weeks off. I’m using up my last three days of vacation and then our company shuts down for the holidays. I can’t wait!!

My in-laws start arriving tonight and will be with us though to January 8th. It should be a nice visit, thought I do plan on being a bit anti social so I can get some reading and planning done. I’m going to try and pop on over the next few weeks…in fact you many not even notice a difference in my daily blogs, but there is always the chance I may not surviv Christmas shopping tomorrow. LOL!

So are there any other crazies out there like me who haven’t started their shopping yet?? Are you as scared as me??

Weight Watchers

Okay so I’d joined Weight Watchers last week. I figured I was going to need some help to survive Christmas and not gain a pile of weight like I do every year.

Well, I’m happy to say I lost a whole pound this week. :) May not sound like a lot, but considering I had two Christmas parties, I’m just thrilled I wasn’t up anything. It will also motivate me for kickboxing tonight. If I put a bit more effort tonight and Thursday, maybe I’ll loose a bit more weight this week. :) I’ll keep you posted.

On another note, I was so tempted to do some writing last night. In fact, I think I wrote a paragraph or two on a new story. I got it out of my system, saved it and put it away. *slaps her own writs*

I think what I’m going to do instead tonight is watch season two of Dexter and write a few blog enteries. That way I’m organized ahead of when things are due. Trust me, this is a new concept for me LOL!