Summer's Here!

 

Well, it's official in the Gurtler house. It's summer! The weather may not necessarily agree but today was Superson's last day of school so that's a sign! Wait, I was going to go off on a tangent, bragging a little about how great he did in school this year but I officially embarrass him. Just by being. So I'll resist (sort of, see how I slipped that in there. A ninja. That's what I am.)

Anyhow. It's the circle of life. Ish. The embarrassing parent part. I used to have them. Now I probably embarrass them too. Ha ha!

So, what's new in my world, you ask? Okay, so you didn't, but I'm kind of talking to myself here so work with me.

My family and I moved to a new house a few weeks ago. THAT was a lot of work. Packing. Cleaning. Moving. Unpacking. Whew. Glad it's over. Of course, we have no yard and there's still lots to do. But it's starting to feel like home. We're living in a town outside Calgary and it's awesome.

A while back I finished up my YA, THE TRUTH ABOUT US, which is supposed to come out in April 2015. Still waiting for edits and revisions, so that should be coming up soon.  I finished up the MG series about 4 MERMAIDS who live in a magical Mermaid Kingdom. Those are coming out in the Spring too.

I'm currently working on an adult romance series. Romance, but of course there's got to be some dark and twisty in there too, since, well I'm writing it. I'll be releasing my series in time for Christmas. I'm super excited about the series, it's lots of fun to write and quite different than YA.  Yes. There's some kissy stuff. And stuff.

It's centered around a mysterious woman who works at Incanto Café, a coffee shop, where she brews up a little more than just coffee.  The stories revolve around couples who need a little help in the love department.  First up is Sedona who recentlyt got dumped by text by her boyfriend of 12 years. For her best friend. Ex best friend. And Samuel, who runs an ultra successful dating service that is currently suffering from some bad press, who needs to keep it successful so he can continue to provide proper care for his mentally ill sister. Neither one of them is interested in a relationship, but they're drawn to the Incanto Café and well, things begin to happen.


So, lots of writing going on in these parts, hopefully I can keep it up for the rest of the summer! Off to the cabin after son's swim championships in July.


Mama MacLeod is coming along for the ride, and we're all looking forward to some time out in beautiful British Columbia.

Mama MacLeod

16 Things About 16 Things

1.       In Chapter Seven there’s a carving on the table in the staff room. It says JM+LG. That’s me and my husband. (my maiden name is MacLeod) Awww. Isn't that sweet?

2.       A hospital in the book is named after my niece, Marcede Grace

3.       I stayed at a Hostel in Victoria, BC when I was in my early twenties. (as the three do on their road trip)

4.       I came up with the idea of doing a road trip to Canada from Seattle when I was at ALA for a conference

5.       Morgan’s brother’s car is my husband’s car- a 442 Cutlass. I am happy to report however that he does not have fuzzy dice hanging from the rear view like the one in the book does

6.       My editor made me cut the scene in the taxi cab way down (when Morgan goes to visit her dad) because she thought he was acting creepy

7.       I got the idea about her obsession with twitter followers from being on twitter

8.       Fredrick the Chihuahua and Aunt Allie from WHO I KISSED make a brief cameo in this book!

 

9. I  love hashtags a lot.  I think everyday life should have hashtags

10.   When I subbed the book to my editor it was called, Because of You. I suck at titles.  None of my titles have made it to the published book.

11.   Amy is based on someone I met and I loved the quirk and talking with a filter so much I had to make her into a character.  She’s more quirky on the page of course

12.   On a less happy note, one of the writing friends who I acknowledged in the end of the book, passed away from cancer before the book got published.  Leslie Carmichael was a little bit Amy and she is missed.

13.   There was an earlier version of the cover that followed the circle pattern of my past books and it was really nice, but I like the  new direction and think it portrays what the book is about better

14.   Libby Sally (the doctor) is one of my friends who told me she wanted to be a character in my book. So I made her the doctor. She was very happy

15.   I dedicated this book to a book blogger, Jean Vallatros. She hung out with me at ALA in Seattle when the book was coming together, and she said something that made me want to dedicate the book to her. Her name is spelled wrong. :(

16.   Josh’s Movemeber mustache mentioned in the book came to me when a friend of mine grew one in November. He wore 70’s sunglasses and rocked the 70’s vibe the entire month (to raise money for Prostate Cancer) and I thought it was admirable, but also very hilarious