Dennie's thoughts

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T02:39:00.000-06:00

Want to win a Kindle?

2009-11-17T11:38:00.001-06:00

My wondamus Samhain editor, Tera, is hosting a contest on her blog. You could win a Kindle to start the Holidays off right.

But what do I need to do?

First, start by going here, to read the rules.

You went and looked, right? See, easy-peasy!

Good Luck!

NOW AVAILABLE: SECOND CHANCES in Print

2009-11-05T05:40:00.004-06:00

“Second Chances PRINT” by Denise Belinda McDonald

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-431-6
Length: 256 Pages
Price: 15.00
Publication Date: November 1, 2009
Cover art by Natalie Winters

Be careful what you ask for. It might come with spurs—and baggage.

The Paintbrush SeriesHit on, manhandled and terrorized by the town Golden Boy all within the first five minutes in Paintbrush, Wyoming, Suzanne “Zan” Walters knows she left the boredom and a stifling ex behind her in Texas. But is that a good thing? The only redeemable aspect for her geographical relocation is a near collision with a gorgeous Cowboy blocking her exit.

Jacob Bowman’s mouth dries up when he finds the new gal in town. The woman he’d fantasized about from the diner—a curvy, vivacious, spiky-haired blonde—and the vet’s new assistant, watches him from afar wary, but oh so interested.

The pair find themselves thrown together by circumstance one too many times not to take notice of the other. Both like what they see, but both are gun-shy thanks to their former lovers. Add in the constant threats to Zan which escalate to the point of physical harm on more than one occasion and the couple feels doomed it isn’t meant to be.

Can the two get over past grievances with the opposite sex, and protect each other from eminent danger long enough to discover something more than great sex?

On Amazon

NOW AVAILABLE: GHOST OF A CHANCE

2009-11-01T12:36:00.002-06:00

GHOST OF A CHANCE

ISBN: 978-1-60088-481-8

Date: October 30, 2009

Price: $5.99

Haunted by her past, Ruth-Ann Ryan tries to maintain the estate she inherited from a dear friend. Harry Troutman comes back to Texas with one goal in mind, to rid his familial home of one duplicitous gold digger.

Ruth-Ann and Harry fight each other, fight their growing attraction and fight an unknown assailant as they try to hash out the mess left in the wake of a will.

Throw in interference from Ruth-Ann’s long dead sister, another resident ghost as well as the manor’s aging butler and the couple will either drive each other crazy or fall madly in love.

Read an Excerpt

Two books, two releases

2009-10-20T12:24:00.001-05:00

Ghost of a Chance is slated to release from Cobblestone Press on Oct. 30

and Second Chances: Book 1 of the Paintbrush Series (print version) is set to release from Samhain Publishing on Nov. 1

Double the chances of a good time.

Ghost of a Chance ~ On the website

2009-10-17T15:53:00.000-05:00

Ghost of a Chance is up on the coming soon pages of Cobblestone Press's website ... WOOT!

I haven't gotten the "official" release date yet, though a fellow CP author saw it on a loop (that I'm not on yet) and it's listed as an October 30th release. How fitting having my ghost story release the day before Halloween. I cannot wait.

New cover: Ghost of a Chance

2009-10-06T05:36:00.000-05:00

I received my art package. Here's my new cover (no date yet, will post it ASAP):

Come on baby light my fire

2009-10-04T11:09:00.003-05:00

Mind out of the gutter folks. I’m talking about your characters. I have started and stopped so many stories I could line every bird cage in Fort Worth with my half-way there, not close to done WIPs. When asked if I’m a panster or a plotter I always answer: yes. Because truth be told, I do both—even in the same story. Both have their drawback and both have tried and true methods. And you can get stuck with either. I can’t tell you how many times I have plotted a book out, I know where it’s going and who the bad guy is and then in the course of writing the thing, I learn, he didn’t really do it, he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. And I’m stuck staring at my screen trying to figure out who really did it.

Sometimes when this happens, I add it to the bird cage pile. But others, it makes the story stronger—even more fun to write. It’s a challenge. It lights that fire of creativity under my bum. If I can work myself out of the proverbial corner—because I didn’t see it coming—the reader will (hopefully) be more entertained because they didn’t see it coming either.

Still, once I am in that corner, I have to get out. But how? There are ways to jar the story in another direction—to open a doorway, or pop in a ladder, in that corner. Where does the ladder/doorway come from, you may ask.

Some writers will toss in another dead body (maybe even the person they thought did it to begin with—talk about a monkey wrench for the whodunit). Some writers will ignite a bomb and send the world into chaos for all the characters (right, Geri). Think about this: what is the worst thing that can happen at that moment? Make it happen.

If you’re not writing a suspense novel, it could be an ex unexpectedly showing up—maybe even with a baby in tow. A long lost family member who has secrets the H/H doesn’t want revealed. Again, what’s the worst thing for one of the characters? How can you really make them sweat? Something that will throw the H/H’s world off kilter from what you already thought you knew. And as an added bonus, it will pull the reader along for the ride.

Whatever works to drag the story from the corner, go for it. It can be quite the adventure.

NEWS : NEWS : NEWS

2009-09-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

I have sold my seventh book.

A contemporary/romantic-suspense/paranormal: GHOST OF A CHANCE will come out from C obblestone Press. I don't have the dates yet, but will post them as soon as I get them.

I am excited!

And never fear, I am still working on Book 2 of the Paintbrush series (95% done w/ the first draft. Intensive edits shall start soon). I have also started work on a new project. I will give more details as it gets closer to looking like a whole book.

Always, always plugging away :)

Goal update: 3/4 way done

2009-09-01T03:04:00.004-05:00

Out of the 6 goals:

~ Finish two books. (I have well over 20 open WIPs to choose from so it’s not like I have a lack of ideas to choose from) Did this! Yes, got two open WIPs done!

~ Submit two finished books (they kinda go hand-in-hand y’know) Did this, but um, well... one several times over now... DOH!

~ Start and finish a new book from start to finish (but not until I have finished the afore mentioned two books) check and check.

~ Submit brand spanking new book (you see the pattern here right, this is supposed to be how it works–rather than staring the WIP and making 42 save copies of it and stopping around page 90 and thinking it’s crappy and watching a week of Lifetime and finishing two quarts of Chunky Monkey to appease the pain and doubt . . . . wheshew . . . . I guess I needed to get that off my chest!) It's outta my hands now

~ Look for an agent (I won’t be so bold as to put find an agent–a lot depends on that other person too) look below

~ Write every week (I know me, every day ain’t gonna happen–but if I do better, like two three days a week, I will have gotten so much more done!) I made myself do this even on days when CSI or Golden Girls beckoned

I have completed all but one... I haven't been actively seeking an agent--okay I haven't done it AT ALL. Yeah, I knowI shoulda but well... I just haven't. And hey, I still have a few months left. Let's bump that up to the top of my to-do list now and well see what shakes loose in December!

Last reminder: Scavenger Hunt.... loads of prizes

2009-08-25T05:47:00.000-05:00

TwoLips reviews is celebrating their third anniversary and is hosting a scavenger hunt featuring prizes from multi-author/vendors. The contest begins July 31st and ends August 31st.

There are tons of prizes you can win. Enter today.

(hint: on my site... What's new with you?)

ONLY SIX DAYS LEFT!

RELEASE DAY: THE COWBOY PLAN

2009-08-18T03:45:00.001-05:00

Today is the release day for my sixth book: THE COWBOY PLAN

“The Cowboy Plan” by Denise Belinda McDonald

Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-651-8
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: August 18, 2009
Cover art by Tuesday Dube

Big girls don’t cry over a spilled chocolate milkshake—they run like crazy.

Alex Barrett’s all too “real life” sentence is almost over. She’s spent years being a parent to her siblings—and her flaky mother. What was her reward, other than an empty bed? Nothing. And now that she’s almost free, nothing’s exactly what she plans to do. Except have fun.

One minute she’s one of thousands of panting female fans at hotter-than-hot Drew Hartford’s concert. The next, she’s all wet—and so is he. Okay, so it’s only because she dumped a milkshake all over him.

Drew’s meteoric rise to the top of the country charts is fueled by the swooning women who throw themselves at his feet. Alex? She’s different. When their icy paths cross, she doesn’t throw her panties, she beats a hasty retreat. There’s only one way to keep this intriguing lady around long enough to charm her out of those panties: offer her a job she can’t refuse.

Drew may be every female’s definition of a fantasy man, but a paycheck and a roll in the hay do not a relationship make. Besides, Alex is tired of living 24/7 for someone else. Even a someone who’s offering her dreams of happily ever after…

Warning: Hot and heavy loving; stuff country songs are made of.

Read An Excerpt Online

Quick reminder: Scavenger Hunt... many prizes

2009-08-16T04:44:00.000-05:00

TwoLips reviews is celebrating their third anniversary and is hosting a scavenger hunt featuring prizes from multi-author/vendors. The contest begins July 31st and ends August 31st.

There are tons of prizes you can win. Enter today.

(hint: on my site... What's new with you?)

Don't forget, coming soon: THE COWBOY PLAN

2009-08-04T10:41:00.000-05:00

Two weeks from today THE COWBOY PLAN will be released... WAHOO!

If you have ever had a celebrity crush--even a crush of any kind--if you have ever been tongue-tied, star-struck or butterfingers, you can relate to Alex Barrett and her dilemma when instead of heaping praises on Country Crooner Drew Hartford, she heaps a large frosty shake on the man.

If people only want you for what you are, not who you are, you know Drew Hartford's plight. When he meets an uber-hot woman who can't get away fast enough, he is intrigued to point of acting like a love-struck teen.

Find out if the pair can meet on common ground and find something neither knew they were looking for ... true love.

Scavenger Hunt anyone

2009-07-31T10:27:00.000-05:00

TwoLips reviews is celebrating their third anniversary and is hosting a scavenger hunt featuring prizes from multi-author/vendors. The contest begins July 31st and ends August 31st.

There are tons of prizes you can win. Enter today.

(hint: on my site... What's new with you?)

THE COWBOY PLAN ... cover

2009-07-08T09:34:00.002-05:00

THE COWBOY PLAN has a cover... WOOHOO!

“The Cowboy Plan” by Denise Belinda McDonald
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-651-8
Length: Novel
Price: 5.50
Publication Date: August 18, 2009
Cover art by Tuesday Dube

Big girls don’t cry over a spilled chocolate milkshake—they run like crazy.

Alex Barrett’s all too “real life” sentence is almost over. She’s spent years being a parent to her siblings—and her flaky mother. What was her reward, other than an empty bed? Nothing. And now that she’s almost free, nothing’s exactly what she plans to do. Except have fun.

One minute she’s one of thousands of panting female fans at hotter-than-hot Drew Hartford’s concert. The next, she’s all wet—and so is he. Okay, so it’s only because she dumped a milkshake all over him.

Drew’s meteoric rise to the top of the country charts is fueled by the swooning women who throw themselves at his feet. Alex? She’s different. When their icy paths cross, she doesn’t throw her panties, she beats a hasty retreat. There’s only one way to keep this intriguing lady around long enough to charm her out of those panties: offer her a job she can’t refuse.

Drew may be every female’s definition of a fantasy man, but a paycheck and a roll in the hay do not a relationship make. Besides, Alex is tired of living 24/7 for someone else. Even a someone who’s offering her dreams of happily ever after…

Warning: Hot and heavy loving; stuff country songs are made of.

COMING SOON to SAMHAIN PUBLISHING

Official Print relase day for TRADING FACES

2009-06-16T08:41:00.001-05:00

Today is the official print release day for TRADING FACES

There are worse things than winding up dead…

With her ex-husband’s death, Elyse Cabot thinks she’s permanently off the emotional roller coaster… until he turns up posing as his twin brother—the real victim of foul play—at his funeral. Before she can get any answers out of him, he’s gone, leaving her with more questions than closure.

And a fortune in loose diamonds.

Seeing Elyse again brings back a lot of hot, sweaty teenage memories for Jack. Then she opens her mouth and out comes some cockamamie story about her ex, diamonds and double crossing. So much for rekindling an old flame. Still, he just can’t seem to resist the lure of this dame in distress.

He just hopes he can solve the case before he does something stupid—like fall in love.

Warning, this title contains the following: Twins, explicit sex, graphic language, some rock ’em sock ’em violence, and did we mention diamonds?

WOOHOO!

THE COWBOY PLAN - Coming Soon!

2009-06-12T13:20:00.001-05:00

THE COWBOY PLAN is up on Samhain's coming soon page!

WOOHOO!

No cover yet. I will post that as soon as I get it.

blurb:

Big girls don’t cry over a spilled chocolate milkshake—they run like crazy.

Alex Barrett’s all too “real life” sentence is almost over. She’s spent years being a parent to her siblings—and her flaky mother. What was her reward, other than an empty bed? Nothing. And now that she’s almost free, nothing’s exactly what she plans to do. Except have fun.

One minute she’s one of thousands of panting female fans at hotter-than-hot Drew Hartford’s concert. The next, she’s all wet—and so is he. Okay, so it’s only because she dumped a milkshake all over him.

Drew’s meteoric rise to the top of the country charts is fueled by the swooning women who throw themselves at his feet. Alex? She’s different. When their icy paths cross, she doesn’t throw her panties, she beats a hasty retreat. There’s only one way to keep this intriguing lady around long enough to charm her out of those panties: offer her a job she can’t refuse.

Drew may be every female’s definition of a fantasy man, but a paycheck and a roll in the hay do not a relationship make. Besides, Alex is tired of living 24/7 for someone else. Even a someone who’s offering her dreams of happily ever after…

Warning: Hot and heavy loving; stuff country songs are made of.

Goal update ~ half way

2009-06-09T05:38:00.000-05:00

It’s June, half-way through the year and I thought a good time for goals update (especially in light of various challenges going on). My 2009 goals that I set are:

~ Finish two books.(I have well over 20 open WIPs to choose from so it’s not like I have a lack of ideas to choose from)

~ Submit two finished books (they kinda go hand-in-hand y’know)

~ Start and finish a new book from start to finish (but not until I have finished the afore mentioned two books)

~ Submit brand spanking new book (you see the pattern here right, this is supposed to be how it works–rather than staring the WIP and making 42 save copies of it and stopping around page 90 and thinking it’s crappy and watching a week of Lifetime and finishing two quarts of Chunky Monkey to appease the pain and doubt . . . . wheshew . . . . I guess I needed to get that off my chest!)

~ Look for an agent (I won’t be so bold as to put find an agent–a lot depends on that other person too)

~ Write every week (I know me, every day ain’t gonna happen–but if I do better, like two three days a week, I will have gotten so much more done!)

So how have I done?

Actually, not too bad. I have finished and submitted a book (technically two–because one I submitted my editor asked for the full–which I had told her WAS done so I had to then scramble like crazy and finish–and she bought it, it’s my August release, but shhh don’t tell my editor that part).

I am 2/3 through the start from scratch book–which is book 2 in the Paintbrush series–chugging away on that! I am working on it for Ames’ challenge, so it WILL be done and it will be submitted! (before the end of the year)

I have written every week and truth be told almost every single day this year.

So, the agent part, not so much, but I still have six months to go.

One thing that I need to add and prolly the most important one is that I am ALLOWED to write. Even writing every week, and doing cover art sheets and galley edits and getting royalty checks, it still hasn’t sunk in that I can do this. Take yourself serious and every one else will too! That is number one on the goal list from now on!

One in print, one coming soon and one more :)

2009-06-01T12:16:00.001-05:00

TRADING FACES is NOW AVAILABLE on Amazon in print.

.... AND

SECOND CHANCES in print is up on Amazon for pre-order... WHOOPEE!

I am diligently working on book two in the Paintbrush series. Chug. chug, chugging away!

.... AND

THE COWBOY PLAN should be up soon on Samhain's Website coming out late this summer. (I don't have the cover yet, but will post it as soon as I do!)

I got a new pretty

2009-04-24T08:05:00.002-05:00

I found a design website: Eye Funk Designs online (and to be honest I can’t for the life of me remember how I got to it–it was through a link at one place but … *shrugs* … can’t remember).

I asked for a banner–as I don’t have one. And EVERYone should have a banner right?!?!

Pretty cool, huh?

NEWS : NEWS : NEWS

2009-04-11T11:31:00.002-05:00

So.... the other day I said I had news I wanted to share. I wanted to wait to tell my 'Buds in person (which I did/am doing--not sure if the timestamp on this thing is accurate). And I was waiting on paperwork--which I completed Tuesday, April 7th.

I sold another book . . . . WOOHOO!!

The Cowboy Plan

The story is about a Country and Western Singer (Drew Hartford) and a Pet Photographer (Alex Barrett). I am working on the blurb for my editor and will post that as soon as it's ready.

I am excited about this story--not that I am not always excited about my books--every book I write I think I have a little crush on the hero. As it should be. Why would you want to read about him if I don't have a little crush on him, right?!?!?

The E-format of THE COWBOY PLAN will be out in August '09--I will pass along the specificdates as I get them. And just a reminder: TRADING FACES will be out in print this summer. SECOND CHANCES will be out in print around Christmas '09.

More info to follow ASAP!

Goal update: Quarter of the way

2009-04-07T08:41:00.002-05:00

I had lofty goals at the beginning of the new year. It’s now April and one might wonder (in the absence of any blogging lately) if I have been able to maintain said goals.

Actually to a degree, yes. I HAVE written every week. Maybe only a few lines for about two or three weeks, but I did open my WIP and write in it every single week. Truth be told, for the most part I have written every single day (that trip to Disney World put a few things out of whack–that and spraining both ankles there–that will knock the wind outta your sails!)

I did finish something this year. I have been working on book 2 for the Paintbrush Series… it’s coming along nicely I think!

I have an open WIP I have been toying with to send out.
So that leaves: look for agent and sell to NY. It’s only April so I am go for goals so far!

I do have some NEWS, too, but I am waiting 1) to tell my girls in person and 2) on a key piece of paperwork to bet done. I will share soon!

No kidding...

2009-03-10T11:46:00.005-05:00

Go on vacation and you can learn a few things about yourself (and somehow about your characters—trust me, I can ALWAYS figure out a way to get life around to writing!)

1. A child who can ride umpteen roller coasters can get airsick (several times!)

2. A pair of safety scissors left in a backpack from school years gone by can and WILL make it through one airport but not the other.

3. 4 kids 2 parents on vacation—SOMEone is ALWAYS in a bad mood—if you're lucky it's one one person at a time. (unless that one is the youngest—then there is MUCH trouble—Sheesh!)

4. When you have a cuter than cute family they will get pointed out at various different shows various times and not just once per show—who knew the McD's were so fabulous! (well, I did of course)

5. Ankles (yes, plural) were not meant to go certain directions.

6. Yes you can pass out from pain! (let's just mark that off my to-do list and move along)

7. BEWARE OF THE STOCKADES!

8. Claustrophobia can hit at the MOST inconvenient moments—like RIGHT when the ride closes you in tight, moves the front to within inches of your face and YOU CAN'T GET OUT!

9. If the DH, who tends not to be cold, suggests you take a jacket, and you don't listen, it will cost you lots of money to buy a couple of sweatshirts and blankets for the late evening fireworks show.

10. While on vacation you will still run across those folks who have NO patience for wheelchairs or crutches—lighten up folks you're on damn vacation! (And I AM THE ONE WHO CAN'T FREAKING WALK—you don't hear me complaining!)

11. Your DH is the biggest kid of them all!

12. If there is a special ESPN thingie going on at a park—avoid it at ALL cost (unless you have sports freaks in the fam, then you're just screwed—suck it up!)

13. Once you tell a child, "No the ride's not scary, I swear" and they get off Tower of Terror unhappy, your credibilty is a little shaken!

14. Despite any pain you incure, taking an unexpected vacation with the family is muy fun! (Can't wait to go again—hear that honey!)

Anything that happens to you or the family can and will be fodder for your next book(s)—right kids!

Sevens

2009-02-17T04:31:00.009-06:00

This is an old tag, but I have actually accomplished one or two things on there so I am repeating it with *new* items. Feel free to play along, but don't worry if you don't wanna, it's all for fun!

Seven things to do before I die.
1. See my book made into a movie/TV movie
2. Meet Chris Cagle—and him NOT think I am stalking
3. Decide what I want to be when I grow up :)
4. Go to Ireland
5. Go to Hawaii
6. Win the lottery (might need to move this up to facilitate 4, 5 & 7)
7. Visit my birthplace (Fairbanks, Alaska)

Seven things I cannot do.
1. Keep my foot out of my mouth
2. Talk in complete sentences
3. Go to the bathroom by myself—not by my choice mind you
4. Not play Solitaire when I should be writing
5. Buy one book at a time
6. Go into Wal-mart and buy one thing
7. Watch a whole movie all the way through—again, not by my choice

Seven things that attracted me to my spouse or the opposite sex.
1. um
2. this
3. is
4. a
5. hard
6. one
7. hmm

Seven things I write or say the most often.
1. No, hon
2. I said no, hon
3. Just a minute, hon
4. Just one more minute, hon
5. Sit down
6. Hush up
7. OMG please hush up

Seven books or series I love (I have to pick authors more so—can’t pick just one book by that person)
1. Karen Robards—absolute fave!
2. Melissa Mayhue
3. Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb
4. Sabrina Jeffries
5. John Sandford
6. Carol O’Connell
7. Janet Evanovich—Stephanie Plum

Seven movies I’d watch over and over again.
1. Pride and Prejudice (A&E version and/or 2005 version)
2. Chronicles of Narnia
3. Jumping Jack Flash
4. Grease I or II
5. Center Stage
6. Any Brat-pack movie—you name it, I love it!
7. Can’t Buy Me Love

Seven people I’d tag (if you think you resemble any of these—consider yourself TAGGED)
1. Dopey
2. Doc
3. Sneezy
4. Sleepy
5. Bashful
6. Grumpy
7. Happy