It was a productive week once we got past the AC issue on Monday. You really, really appreciate your conveniences when they aren’t there. It was a busy week. I tend to write best when I’m under a hard deadline, and I really felt the pressure to complete Cyrus, so the story flowed all the way up to the day before I had to upload it! I wish my muse was more disciplined, but that’s just not how it works. I have to let go and let it do its thing. When I surrender and take myself out of the process, that’s when the good stuff comes. And I know that’s more crazy author talk, but if the shoe fits… Anyway, here’s my report card for last week’s work and my plan for the upcoming week. Sharing these “report cards” does help because I feel like I have to accomplish things or I look lazy. LOL

Report Card

Last week…

1. The AC was fixed on Monday! By Tuesday, the temperature inside the house, including my basement office, was at last livable! Yay!
2. I completed writing/editing Cyrus. It was formatted and uploaded for its release on Tuesday!
3. I worked on the last edits of the stories inside the Secret Identities anthology.
4. I gave up on the short story I was trying to write for Secret Identities and started another, but it’s not working either even though I’m 3/4 of the way into it. I might have to reject my own story for the anthology because it’s just not good enough. There’s a first time for everything, and I have to be honest with myself. I think the theme just didn’t work for me, and after reading the great stories that are going to make up the new volume, I’m not going to embarrass myself. 🙂
5. I swam every day, sometimes twice a day!
6. I’m still complying with Weight Watchers, despite the week from hell when we ate fast food at least once a day. I’ve maintained a 5.5-pound loss.

This next week…

1. Cyrus releases this week! Early Tuesday morning to be exact! You know I’ll be promoting the heck out of the first West Yellowstone bounty hunter book!
2. I’ll finish editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Then I’ll compile the stories into the anthology and ready them for publication on the 30th!
3. I will begin editing another author’s manuscript!
4. I’ll begin work on my next novel, Built Like Mack, the next We Are Dead Horse story.
5. I’ll continue swimming and counting those points on Weight Watchers!

Open Contests

On the Delilah’s Collections website!

1. GETTING TO KNOW BRENT ARCHER (CONTEST) — Last day to enter! 2 winners! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. GETTING TO KNOW CINDY TANNER (CONTEST) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. GETTING TO KNOW AVA CUVAY (CONTEST) —  This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!

Here, on this site!

1. Gabbi Grey: Pushing Boundaries (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win a FREE book!
2. It’s getting hot in here! (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Saturday Puzzle Contest: I’ve been through the desert… — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Gabbi Grey: Avoiding the Middle Book Slump (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Word Search: Things to See in Yellowstone… (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Caviar and Frogs…whuuutt? (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Gabbi Grey: Something a Little Different (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: A Grizzly Beginning (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Eileen McCall!
*~*~*

Yes, I’m pitching another book—meaning, I have a new one coming out on Tuesday that I hope you’re going to love. I certainly do.

Cyrus and Milly were so much fun to write. You’ll think it’s crazy writer fantasy stuff when I say that characters reveal themselves to me rather than I create them. I wait for inspiration to tell my fingers what to type. Often, I see the story appear like a movie reel in my head, and I’m simply the person typing as fast as I can to capture what I see and hear. I pay attention to the clues, as they appear, about what makes my characters unique. I don’t like writing the same book with the same hero and heroine, just changing the names. And I may be starting a new Montana Bounty Hunters series, but I’m hoping the stories inside the stories are just as unique for every book as the two main characters.

Cyrus wrote himself. In the beginning, we meet him, and he’s not much of a team player. He’s irritated that MBH is moving into West Yellowstone and contemplating moving on to the greener pastures. Working with MBH doesn’t really change him. It’s meeting the one woman in the world who was meant to be his other half that convinces him to stick around. You’ll see. Milly is… You’ll see.

The adventures they both have together and apart keep the story moving along and add a lot of the humor and excitement. This story is stuffed with stupid criminals doing criminal things. That will be familiar to you if you’ve read other MBH stories. The takedowns are always fun.

I knew the day when I sat down to write the “meet-cute” scene, that Cyrus and Milly were going to meet. *duh* However, I didn’t know how they’d cross paths until this guy appeared. And yes, I had to find the words very quickly to describe this facial expression.

That’s all I’m going to say. The scene didn’t end the way I thought it would. Let’s just say, Milly made quite the impression on Cyrus. 🙂

That’s all I’ve got for today, folks. I hope I piqued your interest enough you’ll go pre-order Cyrus. Here’s the link to make it even easier: PRE-ORDER CYRUS HERE. See that? Super easy.

Puzzle-Contest

Solve the puzzle then tell me about any memorable wild animal encounters you’ve had for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card. If you can’t think of one, make one up! Your story does not have to be long or even any good. Just have fun.

UPDATE: The winner is…Christine!
*~*~*

Wrapping up the story coming to you next Tuesday, I’ll have to say I’ve done as much research into Yellowstone and its surroundings as I have archeological digs in the Yucatan jungle or research facilities situated on an ice floe in the Artic. I hope you have the book pre-ordered, because I think it’s going to be a fun addition to my bounty hunter world. If you haven’t, follow this link: Pre-order Cyrus

I thought all that research might be worth at least a fun puzzle, so here goes…

For a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift car, solve the puzzle, then tell me what sights you have or would love to see in Yellowstone National Park!

This month will be a firehose of books coming at you! Yay!

The first two are re-releases of stories in a series of three, and I’m writing the fourth and final book, which comes your way in September. The books are hot—like smutty, erotic hot. If you’re into that, you don’t want to miss them. And who doesn’t like hot firefighters?!

Pre-order your copy!

Pre-order your copy!

Next up, is the first book in the new Montana Bounty Hunters: West Yellowstone series! Cyrus is sexy if a bit, reserved (grumpy). The woman who sets her cap for him will find coaxing him into better humor, and into her bed, quite a challenge.

Pre-order your copy!

Finally, Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology will close out the month! I hope you’ll follow along as we introduce you to the authors who’ve contributed their wonderful stories to this volume! We’re running contests on the Collections website that you won’t want to miss!

Preorder your copy!

Open Contests

1. Getting to know Cameron Allie! (CONTEST + 2 FREE Reads!) — 10 Winners! FREE reads for all!
2. We’re gearing up for the release of Secret Identities! — Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Meet me on the bridge… — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Win a signed book + some hand-painted goodies!
5. It’s my birthday, but I’m giving away the gift! — Everyone, get your FREE copy. This offer ends soon!
6. What’s Coming Soon & the Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Orange you glad you stopped by? — Win an Amazon gift card!
7. June into July (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!

UPDATE: The winner is…Carol Cox!
*~*~*

Before I dig into accomplishments and plans, I want to invite you to another website!

The Collections website is where the authors of the anthologies I curate play! We’re getting geared up for the release of our newest collection at the end of July, so in this coming month we’ll spend time introducing you to the authors! There will be contests with things to win. Click on the link to check out the site, and while you’re over there, subscribe to get the postings sent straight to your inbox so you don’t miss a thing! Delilah’s Collections Website

June

1. I revised the fifth story of my Delta Heat series and published two of them: Twice the Bang and Once is Never Enough.
2. I’ve revised the first story in the Delta Fire series, Burning Up Memphis, which will be released on July 9th!
3. I continued work on Cyrus, which is presently scheduled for release on July 23rd!
4. I completed 3 editing projects for other authors in June and hope to finish another today!
5. I’ve been editing away on the stories that will be inside Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology, coming at the end of July.

Health-related:

1. I had a slew of doctor’s appointments and follow-up screenings. I saw my VA doctor, who thinks I’m now diabetic, barely. I have some work to do to try to reverse course. I also had a mammogram (it was clear!), a CT of my abdominal aorta (that’s a thing to get checked when you are a certain age—and no issue there), a cancer-screening with the dermatologist (no issues), a lung x-ray (I’m good to go), and bone density imaging. I officially have osteoporosis, now. 🙁
2. The biggest improvement I’ve made this month is that I quit smoking. Cold turkey.
3. I did not pay attention to what I put in my mouth. *Sigh*

Happiness-related: 

1. June was busy for family activities. When I had appointments in the city, we took advantage with shopping sprees and meals out. We’ve had movie nights at home and special meals where everyone participated in the food prep. We are loving our new Blackstone grill.
2. The pool is still giving us fits. Every chemical known to mankind has been tossed at it, but we still have issue with phosphates and cloudiness.
3. I finished the #the100dayproject art challenge!
4. Here are some examples of art projects I completed in June:

July

Is that not a yummy array of covers?!

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete writing Cyrus, the first of my new MBH in Yellowstone series, and which I will release on July 23rd!
2. To complete editing the stories for the upcoming collection—Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology! Plus, get the anthology assembled, formatted and ready for publication on July 30th!
3. To revise the first two books in my erotic romance series, Delta Fire. I’ll republish two of the stories in July: Burning up Memphis and Hotter with a Pole.
4. To complete 3 editing projects in July!

For health related, I plan:

1. To exercise. Still not certain the pool will be under control. But I will walk (counting steps) and make use of my recumbent bike.
2. To start back on my Weight Watchers diet, because it’s time to get serious! (I say this every month, but I really, really have to do it!)
3. To reduce salt and processed food, and incorporate foods good for blood pressure (spinach, broccoli, bananas) and my liver (apple cider vinegar, flax seeds, sunflower seeds).
4. To take my BP every day and log it!
5. To schedule the last of the health-related appointments I need to wrap up: Eye exam and dental exam.

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To fiddle in my art room!
2. To spend time with the family—movies, flea market adventures, and pool (hopefully)!

Contest

Comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me what you’re doing to make yourself happier and healthier, or tell me what you plan to read in July…

Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Last week…

• I worked on two editing jobs for other authors and finished one. The one that is left is kicking my butt! It’s long and dense (very good story!). I will get to The End!
• I am working on editing the Secret Identities short stories for the anthology.
• I took What Happens in Bozeman wide, meaning it’s available on all the usual platforms!
• We’ve repaired the filter on the pump and are now waiting for everything to be in balance. I’m hoping that in a couple of days the water will be crystal clear and ready for summer now that it’s half-way over!
• I had two imaging appointments (lung and aortic something-or-other) this week in the city. Both came out clear! No worries! Yay!
• I finished #The100DayProject challenge!

This next week…

• I will work on two editing projects for other authors, finishing one!
• I’ll resume work on Cyrus!
• I’ll continue editing stories in the Secret Identities anthology. Plus, I’ll work with the authors to organize a promo schedule.
• I’ll begin working on my short story for SI!
• I have mammogram and bone density imaging on Monday; plus, a cancer screening with the dermatologist.
• The pool situation will be settled this week!!!!!
• I’m restarting Weight Watchers!

Contest

1. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win a signed book & hand painted goodies!
2. Another Puzzle Day: What is he hunting? (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Happy Sewing Machine Day! (Contest) — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Shark Movies are Summertime Fun! — This one ends tomorrow night! Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Word Search: Bob Dylan’s Best (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
6. 10 Ways to “Celebrate” International Panic Day + a Puzzle! (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
7. Gabbi Powell: Taking A Chance (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
8. Word Search: Favorite International Cuisines (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
9. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: Meet me on the bridge… — Win an Amazon gift card!

Last week…

• I finished one editing job for another author; plus, I began work on three other projects.
• I finished revising, formatting, and uploading Twice the Bang, which releases Tuesday, June 4th.
• I found art and had covers made for Secret Identities: A Boys Behaving Badly Anthology and the Delta Fire series
• I resumed writing my next MBH release, Cyrus, which is scheduled to release June 25th.
• I attended a papermaking workshop!

This next week…

• I will work on three editing projects for other authors, finishing one!
• Plus, I’ll work on the Secret Identities webpage on the Collections site.
• I will begin editing the stories in Secret Identities.
• I will complete revising the last story in the Delta Heat kink series, Once is Never Enough then I’ll format and set it to publish on June 11th.
• I will continue writing my next Montana Bounty Hunter story, the first in the West Yellowstone office, Cyrus.
• I will resume creating small art daily for #The100DayProject.

I will find pool time!

Open Contests

1. Word Search Puzzle: Summer Beach Reads (Contest) — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest — Thunderstorms for days… — Last day to enter! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Anna Taylor Sweringen/Michal Scott: Mary Jane Patterson — First African American Woman to Receive a B.A. (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
4. Clear My Bookshelf Giveaway (Contest) — Win a signed book!
5. May into June (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
6. Saturday Puzzle-Contest: An Imaginary Friend — Win an Amazon gift card!