gNat's Notes

My apologies. I do believe I ate your quota of holiday cookies along with my own. It's possible that we also stole your snow this year, since it was the first white Christmas we've had in a long time. (I feel like such a rebel.)

Hope the holidays were joyful in spite of my offenses -- and that the new year brings you laughter and welcome surprises.

No, really! I asked a guy for directions to Penn Station and he pointed to the sign right over my head. Koff. I thanked him profusely for saving me hours of time spent poring over my maps. (None of them would have pointed to the sign over my head, you see.)

I had a great time, though, shopping, eating bad things and people watching and maybe goofing around a little. Wanna see a picture of my new boyfriend? He's kind of the silent but solid type:

So I'm still a little punchy. After the trip into the city, I attended the New Jersey Romance Writers conference and had a great time talking with other writers, hanging out with my agent, attending workshops and sleeping way too little. Oh, and hobbling. I still hobble. That's a lot of walking and talking -- but it was worth every step and word.

Happy autumn to you -- and may you find only the evilest of treats in your plastic pumpkin this spook day!

Remember those titles I promised you? Well, they're final now! Normally I have a very hard time naming my books -- how am I supposed to boil an entire story down to a few words?? -- but these were mine. I consider it a victory<g>. So, without further ado, titles for my spring 2011 books:

In Dancing with Faeries, due out in March 2011, we meet Evie, a deeply practical and sometimes cynical woman with a secret yen for exotic locales and an exciting lifestyle. So . . . be careful what you wish for? Exactly. She wins the experience of a lifetime: a visit to the Isle of Faery, a land of whimsy, magic, danger -- and charming, sexy and sometimes terrifying men. Not even Kendrick, her personal tour guide and magical bodyguard, can promise she will get out alive -- much less guarantee her a fairytale ending.

In Playing with Elves (April 2011), we get to know Breena, baby sister to Kane and Riordan, and crown princess of Faery. I fell in love with her exuberant mischief when she introduced herself in my prior stories. A girl with that much spark required a story of her own -- and a fun adventure in the human world that secretly fascinates her -- so she got one. Still, you can take the girl out of Faery, but you really can't take the faery out of the girl. (Especially when she's fleeing those knuckle-dragging elves -- and falling for the sexy but suspicious detective hired to tail her and thwart her life-or-death mission.)

. . . to discover that spring has sprung, white has become green and did I lose an entire month to deadline fog? Sure seems like it.

But, yay! I finished the books and e-zipped them off to my publisher. These two funny paranormal romances are scheduled for release in March and April 2011. Writing two books simultaneously was an amazing experience -- and by amazing, I really mean thrilling, terrifying, exhilarating, challenging, exasperating, streeeetttccching, frustrating, exciting, satisfying . . . But enough of my adventure. Let's talk about the more exciting adventures of my characters.

In the first book, we meet Evie, a deeply practical and sometimes cynical woman with a secret yen for exotic locales and an exciting lifestyle. So . . . be careful what you wish for? Exactly. She wins the experience of a lifetime: a visit to the Isle of Faery, a land of whimsy, magic, danger -- and charming, sexy and sometimes terrifying men. Not even Kendrick, her personal tour guide and magical bodyguard, can promise she will get out alive -- much less guarantee her a fairytale ending.

In the second book, we get to know Breena, baby sister to Kane and Riordan, and crown princess of Faery. I fell in love with her exuberant mischief when she introduced herself in my prior stories. A girl with that much spark required a story of her own -- and a fun adventure in the human world that secretly fascinates her -- so she got one. Still, you can take the girl out of Faery, but you really can't take the faery out of the girl. (Especially when she's fleeing those knuckle-dragging elves -- and falling for the sexy but suspicious detective hired to tail her and thwart her life-or-death mission.)

I don't have titles for these yet, but I promise to pass them on when I do. Happy spring to you!

This is Natale Stenzel, reporting in from the great tundra of Virginia. Seriously, with these kinds of tantrums, Mother Nature needs to go to her room for a time out. (And -- jinx -- saying so will only get us pummeled with more of the white stuff, won't it?)

Heh. That's why I'm printing out my manuscripts for hard copy reads. (I might be having some of those jinx-fearing visions of the power going out, no computer, etc., etc. An active imagination can be a dangerous thing.) I'm racing a deadline right now -- two of them, actually. Check out the archives for details on these stories, if you're curious -- or check back here later for future posts.

A happy Valentine's Day for those who celebrate and, for those who don't, just pretend I didn't even bring it up. I personally enjoy any holiday that involves the partaking of expensive chocolate, but then I'm just shameless that way.

Ooooh, I just had a great idea. We could offer up some chocolates to Mother Nature, as a sacrifice or bribe, just to talk her into giving us an early spring. Hmm. But then we'd have to share the choco and . . . Hey, okay, I'll take the snow . . . and some hot choco to go with it. It's just a matter of priorities.

Weeeee WISH you a Merry Christmas;
We WISH you a Merry Christmas;
We WISH you a Merry Christmasssss . . .
AndaHappyNewYEAR!!

May your blessings be many;
your loved ones close, healthy and smiling;
and your holidays filled with laughter and loving memories-to-be.

P.S. And may the choco be plentiful, evil and varied. Can't forget the choco. And cookies! Lots of cookies . . .

Can you tell I'm enjoying a baking marathon this afternoon? I blame the candle in my office. How am I supposed to concentrate with the mouthwatering scents of "warm cider * ginger pumpkin * apples & acorns" taunting me, tempting me, corrupting me . . . ? So I bake. It beats chomping on candles, right?

While salivating, however, I promise I've been hard at work writing my next two funny paranormal romances. They're scheduled to come out back to back, probably in summer 2010, although details aren't firm yet. Look for Breena (from THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT and BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE) to star in the first of these two stories. Now there's a faery who knows how to stir up trouble -- and enjoy every minute of it. The girl just wants to have fun without starting wars, destroying the kingdom of Faery or getting married off to some strange, knuckle-dragging . . . ahem.

Oh, and in the second book, we get to meet Evie, your average, stable human trying to live an average, stable life. She just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and soon ends up in a worse place with no time -- but with a gorgeous charmer of teasing mystery who could easily coax her into enjoying every minute of it. This guy, literally the man of her dreams, will introduce her to a magical world she never knew existed. As her adventures grow increasingly dangerous, however, she begins to wonder whether she'll survive long enough to return

I'm enjoying visiting both Evie's world and Breena's and can't wait to share them with you. More details later, I promise.

Now . . . will it be snickerdoodles, ginger snaps or peanut butter cookies next? Anyone? Anyone? Or maybe banana bread, apple crisp or pumpkin bars . . . feelin' a little sick now. In a good way, of course. Happy autumn!

Okay, it only seems that way, what with the gallivanting in the nation's capitol with any number of famous authors and maybe featuring in a video interview or two . . .

Seriously, I had a fantastic time at our annual Romance Writers of America conference in Washington, D.C. I drank my weight in Diet Coke, dined with writing buddies I generally only 'see' online, chatted with my agent and my editor, attended workshops, signed copies of THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT and BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE . . . and talked and talked and talked. I think, in fact, that I used up all my spoken words for this year. Good thing I'd already been . . .

. . . video interviewed by Romance in the Backseat! Yes. Me. On video. Curious? Do you enjoy the sights and sounds of roadkill, animated? Seriously, it wasn't nearly as painful as I expected it would be to actually participate in the interviews. I admit, however, that I have a hard time hearing my voice or seeing my face in recordings after the fact. Lucky for me, RITB's Terry Kate was a doll and edited out the majority of my doofus moments. Want to see for yourself? Click here.

Meanwhile, I'm hard at work (silently) writing my next two funny paranormal romances. They're scheduled to come out back to back, probably in summer 2010, although details aren't firm yet. Look for Breena (from THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT and BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE) to star in the first of these two stories. Now there's a faery who knows how to stir up trouble -- and enjoy every minute of it. The girl just wants to have fun without starting wars, destroying the kingdom of Faery or getting married off to some strange, knuckle-dragging . . . ahem. So, yeah. Trouble. Loads of it.

Yay! I'm so psyched! I sold the next two books in my Pandora series of funny paranormal romances! I don't have shelving dates yet, but the two books will be released back to back. Yes, this means I'm writing these babies simultaneously. And, sure, that mess you'll soon see on the floor will be evidence of my head exploding.

[That was me stealing somebody's joke. Hey, I have brothers. I know all the tricks.]

Seriously, I'm thrilled to be writing these stories and can't wait to revisit characters and a world I've grown to love. I'll be posting details about dates and story summaries as soon as I have them to share. So, um, two books. At once. I guess I should really get started writing them, huh? While I'm doing that, anybody's who's interested can still get their paws on the first three books in the series. (Check out the sidebar for links to buy the books at online stores.) Heck, if you read the end of Between a Rock and a Heart Place, it's just possible that you'll guess who's starring in one of these books . . .

Is it spring yet? Please? I'm ready for flowers, open windows, birds singing, squirrels chasing each other up trees, cats chasing squirrels up trees, dogs chasing cats chasing squirrels up trees, irate dog owners chasing dogs chasing . . . (you get the idea)

No doubt about it; Mother Nature was a brat this winter, dumping snow and cold temps all over the place. Still, I have to admit that I really enjoyed March. This particular month saw the release (at last!) of Between a Rock and a Heart Place, the third book in my series of funny paranormal romances.

In this story, Daphne seeks nothing more than normalcy and independence, only to find herself trapped by amazing but undisciplined new powers that threaten her sanity and her very life. You see, Daphne can now shift shape into any creature at all. Unfortunately, she can't control when she shifts or what she becomes when she shifts . . and she can't shift back to human form without the help of powerful nature spirit Tremayne. Fascinated with Daphne for months now, the enigmatic Tremayne must help her learn to control these renegade powers before they control her. If he fails, he'll be forced to put her down like a rabid dog in order to protect others -- thereby ending both of their chances for happiness, freedom and even life.

Needless to say, these two characters go through a lot before they find their happily ever after. It's something of an unorthodox ending, too, I admit -- with some surprises not even I foresaw as I wrote this book. Ever have your fingers seemingly bypass your brain and tap out a story right in front of you? A little eerie, a whole lot exciting. As the author with tap-happy fingers, it made me just a little partial to these characters and this book.

To celebrate its release, I visited bookstores all over Virginia Beach and northern Virginia (traumatizing other drivers and) signing stock and talking to booksellers and readers. I did a lot of formal book signings here in Richmond, too. It's always fun to talk books with a reader who loves the same kinds of stories I do.

Even more amazing is when I encounter someone who has actually read my books -- you know, someone besides my mom and my husband and a couple of friends who felt utterly compelled to crack the things open. It's so hard to believe that someone else can read the words I wrote and thereby experience -- even enjoy! -- a world I created in my head, just sitting here in my office. Unreal.

Now that we're midway through April, I confess that I'm very happy to dive back into my writing. I have lots of ideas and projects in my queue, stories demanding to be told . . . Oooh, and I can tap away at the keyboard with the window open and the sunshine pouring into my office. Now there's inspiration for you. Of course, that's only when I'm not playing the part of flustered dog owner who's chasing the dog who's chasing the cat who's chasing the . . .

Happy Spring!

I already saw it on bookstore shelves!! And I'll admit I might've taken my time admiring Mr. Abs over there on the cover of my February 24 release, BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HEART PLACE. Seriously, this book is so special to me. Not only do I love the characters for their own sake, but the world itself has grown by leaps and bounds in my imagination. For first-time or just curious visitors to this world I've created, I've added some (I hope) helpful insight in the form of a Pandora Series Primer. I'd love to add to it if anybody has questions or suggestions.

So back to that new release of mine . . . and, oh, how it captured my heart. My hero Tremayne is a mysterious, seemingly emotionless enigma who grows immensely in this book. He was first hinted at in Pandora's Box, presented himself full-fledged and yet still a sexy mystery in The Druid Made Me Do It, then found his own story in my current release, Between a Rock and a Heart Place. Honestly? I didn't expect to like Tremayne as much as I did, given that his first role was jailer to my beloved puca Riordan, from Pandora's Box. He's had some growing to do, but I think he's really outdone himself. Poor guy broke my heart over and over again. It was so unexpected. As my heroine Daphne grew to trust and love him, I did, too.

Oh, and poor Daphne. All she ever wanted out of life was a chance to run her own life, for pete's sake. As an only child of feuding and exiled Druids -- the dethroned king and queen of the weirdo cult, in her opinion -- all Daphne wants is to start a life far away. She wants to work and live among normal people who live in blissful ignorance of the existence of magic-wielding Druids, shape-shifting pucas, and temperamental faeries. At long last, she has a chance at exactly that, has everything lined up. (You know this isn't going to work for her, don't you?)

A stray thunk with no ordinary cornerstone and suddenly Daphne's a non-practicing but hereditary Druid wielding puca powers and trying to suppress a lifetime's worth of rage. The Druids won't let her leave town now that she's wielding undisciplined shape-shifting and mind control powers -- a virtual powder keg just waiting for a stray spark to incite flaming chaos.

What's to prevent this chaos? This is where things get sticky. You see, powerful nature spirit Tremayne has been charged with helping her learn how to control her powers or, failing that, destroying her in order to protect everyone else. Given that Tremayne's only been obsessed with understated rebel Daphne ever since he first laid eyes on her months ago, this could be a little tricky. True definition of a rocky romance? I would think so.

These two go through a lot together, more than an author would normally ask of a romantic couple. Honestly, I wrote the ending in a rush, not really even realizing how it would come out as I did so. Writer's nirvana, I guess, or maybe just a subconscious finally kicking in and telling me how this story really should end. It was risky. Read it. You'll see exactly what I mean. I hope you like it.

Yeah, yeah, I get it. As a romance novelist, I should really be gushing hearts and flowers in preparation for Valentine's Day. I'll even admit I enjoy certain aspects of the tradition, but there have been times when I have not. I'm more a proponent of the other 364 days of the year being romantic. Doesn't mean we can't have some twisted fun with it, though. So. I offer for your entertainment fourteen reasons to hate the 14th:

(1) The greeting card companies are owned by our enemies, who plot to weaken us with sugar and romantic goop and subsequently destroy our commercially sentiment-besotted culture.

(2) Chocolate is yummy but fattening and we're still working off the Christmas cookie flab.

(3) Conversation hearts are addictive and leave gunk on our teeth.

(6) The holiday vomits red and pink like Barbie with a bad stomach virus. Is it any wonder that the next holiday celebrates green, the color on the opposite side of the color wheel? Like salt battling sugar, it helps chase away the red nausea.

(7) Your significant other underproduces ("here's a teddy bear, sweetie lumpkins"), thereby giving that wench another opportunity to one-up you ("see my 50,000-karat diamond? I have another like it in my other earlobe.").

(8) You consistently underproduce ("what, no diamond?!"), in spite of your best efforts. Who needs one more reason to cave to performance anxiety?

(9) You have no significant other. Doesn't even matter if you're fine with that state of affairs, because everybody thinks you're lying to yourself and/or others so they put you on suicide watch (or worse, set you up on a blind date or offer you a pity, fifth-wheel invite to glom onto their plans).

(10) You're indecisive, and that's way too long to spend in the greeting card aisle. Hours of your life, gone forever. Think what you could have done with that precious time. Facebook, anyone?

(11) You work in a greeting card store and these people. Will. Not. Leave. It's just paper and ink. Pick. One. Pay. Cashier. Leave.

(12) The mascot is Cupid. Seriously? A naked baby with bad aim wielding a weapon targeting our hearts? How is this a good thing? Wouldn't we so much rather have fuzzy bunnies bringing chocolate or jolly bearded men bearing gifts? Or even a leprechaun with bottomless pots of gold coins and green beer?

(13) Give Charlie Brown a break. That empty mailbox just breaks my heart. Every time I see it, I want to whomp that little red-haired girl upside the head. Is a pity card too much to ask? And whatever happened to 'only if every child in the class gets one'? It's a good rule.

(14) It's complicated. Give the wrong card (or, worse, the right one!) and that message is out there. Too soon? Too much? Too little? One card could change the course of a relationship. Er, no pressure, though.

So there you have it. Happy Valentine's Day! Or not<g>. Hey, whatever you want. It's totally up to you. No pressure. (Honey, I'd like a diamond for each ear and maybe one on my wrist too, 'kay?) (Stop sweating. I'm kidding. Sapphires and opals are prettier.) (What a whiner. Of course I'm still kidding. I do shamelessly accept chocolate, however.)

Is it just me or did this holiday season last for two years? Or maybe it's just because I ate two years' worth of cookies? Yech. I think I'll add on a few miles to my run tomorrow; like run to China or something. That might burn them off (or not?). Hope your holidays were lovely and that the new year brings you everything your heart desires.

Ooooh, New Year's Eve might have come and gone, but for me, the countdown continues . . . Less than two months from now, Between a Rock and a Heart Place lands on bookstore shelves everywhere! A little refresher:

As I mentioned in previous posts, Between a Rock and a Heart Place is the third book in my series of funny paranormal romance and is due out February 24, 2009. It's already available for preorder online (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Books-A-Million). If you've read The Druid Made Me Do It, I'm sure you can guess the premise for my third book. This is Daphne and Tremayne's story and, wow, but they have an adventure ahead of them. Here's the back cover blurb:

Daphne Forbes always knew the world was an odd place. Unlike most CPAs, she grew up the daughter of a druid. Unlike her father, she eschewed the supernatural. But magic was coming to trip her up. In the form of an enchanted cornerstone, it was set to knock Daphne's socks off—or at least one of her shoes—and the rest of her clothes were soon to follow.

Magic filled Daphne, empowered her, shifted her shape and raged wild as a summer storm. Enter Tremayne. Whether the tormented newcomer was truly her guardian or something more sinister, one thing he wanted was clear. Daphne wanted him, too. She had spent her whole life with control but little power; this was just the opposite. She was suddenly between a magic stone and…someplace harder. And we're not (just) talking about Tremayne's abs.

As promised, I'm posting an excerpt from the story. While I anticipate release day, I'll be lining up book signing and guest blogging dates, ordering up new bookmarks, and writing on something brand new! Love the start of a new story -- exciting new characters, wide open possibilities, a brand new world to discover. Yep, that's absolutely the best way to start a new year. Hope yours is the beginning of something wonderful, too!

What are you doing for fright night? Are you joining the trick-or-treat mob on the street, going from house to house? Or are you inside waiting for the doorbell to ring while you pound back candy when nobody's looking (or maybe that's just me

Signing my books on this date is actually logical in a way. As I mentioned in last year's Halloween post, the day after Halloween is a special date for my puca heroes. You see, November 1 is also called November Day -- or the Puca's Day -- when the trickster puca must actually behave civilly, even toward us lowly humans. If he's in the mood, the puca might even share a prophecy or two.

If you've read The Druid Made Me Do It, you know how that worked out for poor Kane -- completely set him back on his heels. His unwelcome prophecy on a November Day eight years prior changed the direction of his entire life. And, naturally, November Day was a big deal for my puca Riordan from Pandora's Box, since it was on that day that he learned whether he would regain his freedom and powers or face an eternity enslaved to one guardian after another.

Before I belabor the point (too late

), let me fill you in on my upcoming release. I just finished revisions and edits for Between a Rock and a Heart Place. Check out the cover:

Nice, huh? Believe it or not, this baby's already available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble! Yeah, I know, it seems like Druid just came out yesterday. (And speaking of Druid and Pandora, both of these books are now available in Kindle version on Amazon. Cool, huh?) As I mentioned in previous posts, Between a Rock and a Heart Place is the third book in my series and is due out February 24, 2009. If you've read The Druid Made Me Do It, I'm sure you can guess the premise for my third book. This is Daphne and Tremayne's story and, wow, but they have an adventure ahead of them. Here's the back cover blurb:

Once I get galleys back, I'll post an excerpt from the story on the books page of my website. I'm really excited about this story; you'll have to let me know what you think of the ending

. In the meantime, I wish you only the most evil of chocolaty and sugary treats. Did I mention that I'm alone in my house this week with no fewer than six bags

of Halloween candy? Yes, six of them. Me. What idiot would trust me with all that chocolate--? Oh, yeah. That was me, too. Oops

Books and Puppy Dogs

No, of course they don't go together, except in my head, and you know that place is nuts anyway. So first the books part:

Yay! I had an awesome time signing books Friday at the Midlothian, VA, Books-A-Million! Thanks to Jennifer and Deb and Doc and Angie and everyone who came to see me. I was totally spoiled. You guys are wonderful! I signed copies of both THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT and PANDORA'S BOX and talked to visitors about books and romance and paranormals and writing. It was great! Can't wait to come back.

I have to say it was just wonderful to be among people again. Dh's been working crazy hours, leaving me alone with the computer and revisions and kids and lonely puppy dog. So that brings us to the dogs part of this post. Poor Max, our hound dog, has severe separation anxiety. I don't know if it's because he remembers the pound (we got him there as a puppy), or the week he spent at the vet's when he had parvo, but he's generally just beside himself whenever anyone leaves the house. I go shopping for an hour and come home to a dog that howls and sobs and jumps for a few minutes, then steps back and yells at me. *Every* time. And he greets my husband when he comes home from work in the same manner.

So. With dh working so much, Max has been staring out the window every evening waiting for him, utterly depressed. Then one evening (past the time when Max was used to hearing that other car pulling in the driveway), Max went rummaging in the closet and pulled out one of dh's shoes. No, he didn't curl up with it in the corner and shred it. Instead, he plunked it on the coffee table as if to say: "There. Fill it. I want my human back." Poor puppy. No worries. He's really spoiled rotten. And dh is back to normal hours, too:).

Oh, I'm going to forget. I have another book signing coming up -- on Halloween. The where and when:

Williamsburg, VA, Book Signing!
Halloween!!!
October 31, 3:00 - 7:00 pm
The College of William & Mary Bookstore
(Barnes & Noble Booksellers)
345 Duke of Gloucester Street
Williamsburg, VA 23185

If you're in the area, I'd love to see you! Until then . . . I'll be pounding away at the keyboard on my next story. I love starting new projects: falling in love with new characters and a new storyline . . . endless possibilities . . .

Unfortunately, it just seems that way, given the sad neglect to my blogs and website. Yikes. It's been nearly a month since I updated this puppy. What a slacker. Actually, August was seriously packed, with the RWA conference, stock signings, book signings, a long vacation bookended by long road trips, and the usual back-to-school chaos. I'm beat. Whipped. Dead. Uncle?

Oh, the RWA conference was fantastic! I'd never been to San Francisco before, so it was fun to squeeze in a little sight-seeing beforehand. The conference itself was intense, exciting, terrifying, exhilarating, inspiring, exhausting -- basically, everything I was hoping it would be:). I caught up with old friends, met new ones, signed lots of books, attended great workshops, chatted with my editor and my agent, worked and played, all of that.

My book signings were wonderful! I've been intimidated by these in the past, but I actually relaxed and enjoyed myself this time. I met some really cool people who love romance and paranormal romance in particular. Call me a geek, but I love to talk books with people. I'll admit it was a bit surreal to discover some of these people had actually read my books, too. Sounds like false modesty or whatever, but I've always separated writer Natale and reader Natale in my head, and now to have the two come together . . . see? Surreal. Not sure how else to describe it. Good surreal but disarming nonetheless.

If all of the above sounds like mindless blathering, it's probably because I left my brain somewhere up in Arlington or Alexandria. I just got back about an hour ago from a whirlwind of stock signings in the northern Virginia/DC area. I met lots of booksellers and even some readers. And, no, I didn't crash the car even once. I got lost several times and I might have inspired a little road rage along the way, but, um, no permanent damage was inflicted on people or vehicles. Um. That I'm aware of. Ahem. Success, right?

Ah, but what I need now is to write . . . yes . . . crawl into my cave, invite all the story people back into my head and let them begin their adventures once more. I've been looking forward to this.

Is it any wonder I'm giddy and bouncing hither and yon? Okay, technically, the release date for THE DRUID MADE ME DO IT is tomorrow (July 29), but I'll be getting on a plane tomorrow at ugly o'clock to fly to San Francisco. (Oh, darn!) I considered it prudent to post my joy now, instead of at earlier than ugly o'clock because if you think I'm spouting nonsense now . . .

So at long last, The Druid Made Me Do It is on bookstore shelves!! I haven't seen it for myself yet, but soon . . .

Meanwhile, I wanted to thank everyone who entered my contest and the readers who sent me notes of encouragement. It means a lot that people actually look forward to reading the next book in my series. I've been a reader all of my life and now to be a writer entertaining readers who love books as much as I always did . . . it's kind of surreal. In a really wonderful way.

As if release day alone weren't wonderful enough, I'm also going to San Francisco! I've always wanted to visit, but it's on the other side of the country for me and therefore a bit of an undertaking. Nice to have an excuse to indulge myself finally. I'll be catching up with old friends, meeting new ones, talking to other writers and industry professionals.

at the Romance Writers of America national conference is open to the public. (See below for time and place.) There will be hundreds of your favorite authors, all in one room, signing copies of their books. It's for a good cause, too; publishers donated these books and the proceeds of all book sales will go to various charities supporting literacy. That means we book addicts can feed our little vice and feel virtuous while we're doing it. Doesn't get any better than that.

Guess I'd better bounce off to see if I can stuff just one more pair of shoes into my already overpacked suitcase. I'll check in when I return!

Okay, at least online he is -- at websites for Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Borders! Took me totally by surprise. I was just plugging along on various new projects I've been considering when friend told me her pre-ordered copy of The Druid Made me Do It was being shipped. Huh? Wha--? What happened to July 29 release . . . you mean it's out there? Like . . . now instead of eleven days from now? so suddenly I'm naked in public, or at least that's how it feels at first.

Wow!! Only twenty days until my release date! I don't know whether to giggle or bite my nails -- which means I'll probably do both. Should be real attractive, but who cares? My book's almost out!! I've been lining up book signings (see below) and blog appearances, visiting with local booksellers and basically recovering from deadline insanity.

If you look in the next column over, you'll see an awesome rating from RT for The Druid Made Me Do It, which made me just a leetle giddy. So you can celebrate with me! In anticipation of the July 29 release of The Druid Made Me Do It, I'll be giving away six copies of Pandora's Box on July 25! For details, check out my contest page.

Meanwhile, summer arrived when I wasn't looking. Hey, I had my eyes trained on the computer screen (i.e., crossed, squinting and aching). But I'm making up for lost time now. I've been hanging out with my family, soaking up sun and pool, rescuing my dog from killer dust bunnies, rescuing dust bunnies from giant spider webs, and making serious inroads on my TBR mountain. Aaaaaah. A brief respite, but, oh, so necessary. Hope you're enjoying summer, too!

To blink around blearily, realizing flowers are now twice as tall as when I last saw them . . . house is twelve times as dirty . . . children have grown another 12 inches . . . dh now appears lost and wary ('who is this woman, anyway?') . . . and stove has disappeared beneath a pile of dust and frozen pizza boxes.

But I did it! I finished Between a Rock and a Heart Place, my March 2009 release. It's the third book in my series of funny paranormals. And just in time, too! Yeah, okay, there was that deadline I think I mentioned here last month.

But also, my second book in the series,
The Druid Made Me Do It,
hits bookshelves on July 29 -- less than a month away! This is the sequel to Pandora's Box (released February 2008 and still available). At last, we get to hear Kane's side of the story!

Kane's a complicated guy, every bit as witty as his brother Riordan, but with a darker side and some tough challenges of his own. Tied to a woman he wronged ages ago and forced to make amends for all of his offenses, Kane has a few things to learn along the way. Among them: Sometimes only true love can save the day. If you're curious, check out the excerpt.

Meanwhile, I shall go reintroduce myself to my beleaguered husband and waiflike but sprouting children. And, okay, dig my house out from under filth. Picky, picky :). Hope you're enjoying the summer!

Can you tell I have deadline head? Symptoms: absent-mindedness (e.g., cereal in the fridge and milk in the pantry), exaggerated Diet Coke addiction (think gallons instead of cans), dirty house, unused stove . . . and persistent denial/fear of the passage of time.

Ah, but with the passage of time comes the release of my next book! The Druid Made Me Do It is an August 2008 release, but I understand it could hit bookstore shelves in late July. Can you believe it? Feels like just yesterday that I announced the release of Pandora's Box.

Not that I'm complaining. My buddy Kane's been dying to tell his side of the story and now he finally gets his chance in The Druid Made Me Do It. Kane's a puca like his brother Riordan, and every bit as sexy and powerful, but maybe with a bit of darker, dangerous side to him. He has his reasons for what he's done in the past, and oh, but they're some doozies. I hope you enjoy him! For a sample, check out this excerpt I just posted.

And now back to that deadline. I'm working on the third book in the series, due out in March 2009. Oh, but first . . . exactly how long can milk sit in the pantry before it spoils? Guess I probably should just throw it out. Now why is the phone in the trash can?

Yes, I've officially been deflowered. And before somebody's dirty mind takes over (I have a dirty mind; I can only assume I'm not the only one), let me just say that I'm merely using the official lingo. I attended my first ever Romantic Times BOOKLOVERS Convention last week, which officially (and temporarily) classified me as an RT virgin. I had such a good time!

I got to talk to booksellers and librarians and readers and other authors, not to mention signing copies of Pandora's Box. Okay, there might have been a little bit of dancing and a whole lot of troublemaking involved in the experience as well. But mostly it was just fun to talk to other people who loved books as much as I do. Book people are the best. We speak the same language -- love nothing better than to sink into pages of the written word and see a bright new world in their place. So much fun.

Oh, I also got to show off my brand new cover flats for my July 29, 2008, release The Druid Made Me Do It! Click here to check it out. The Druid Made Me Do It is the sequel to Pandora's Box. I'll be putting up an excerpt as soon as I can locate my brain. (Packed it in one of my suitcases. Forgot which one. I brought a lot of suitcases. And shoes. Lots of shoes. Does anyone really need seven pairs of shoes for a trip that lasts five days? I did.)

You know, it's very, very hard to have a deadline approaching when it's springtime and gorgeous outside . . . Hope you're enjoying it!

Or make that the flu? Never mind. I promise not to hack and sneeze in your general direction if you forgive my lame wit today. Sheesh. Spring arrives and the first thing I do is catch a flu/bad cold.

But I've had a busy few weeks, with stock signing tours up in Washington, D.C., and in the Virginia Beach area. I had a great time, talking to booksellers and readers and signing copies of Pandora's Box. Right now, I'm anticipating my first ever Romantic Times BOOKLOVERS Convention, which is coming up very soon. I'll be signing Pandora's Box at their whopper of a group author signing on April 19. The signing at least is open to the public. Come check it out if you're in the Pittsburgh area.

And, hey, did I show you my new cover yet? It's for my July 29, 2008, release The Druid Made Me Do It, and oooh, baby, is it hot in here? Click here to check it out.

With any luck, I'll kick my spring flu in time to enjoy spring fever. Hope the flowers are blooming riotously in your neighborhood!

Seriously, my original intent in posting today was to tell you about my booksigning tomorrow, but then I got distracted. (That happens? You're kidding.) No, really.

Did you see? Hound dogs rule!! A beagle won the Westminster dog show this weekend for the first time in the contest's over-100-year history. The beagle's name is Uno and as soon as he was declared, he did a happy scamper dance and proceeded to howl and bay for several minutes<g>. I love it. Naturally, my four-legged howler Max takes all the credit for the rise of the hound dog. Ahem. Not that he's fit for polite company, much less a dog competition. But that big heart he has was so obvious in Uno. Made me all melty. Congrats, Uno!

So the booksigning. (Honestly, Natale, where are your priorities?) Yep. Actually, I'm really excited about this one. I don't have reason to be downtown much, so I had never seen the Fountain Bookstore until a few weeks ago. Very cool place and I'm thrilled to be signing Pandora's Box there tomorrow. Yes, signing my romance novel on Valentine's Day. Does it get any better? I'm psyched. The details:

12:30-2 pm on February 14, 2008
Fountain Bookstore
Historic Shockoe Slip
1312 Cary Street
Richmond, Va. 23219

I hope to see you there! And, if fate steps in and prevents you, despite heroic effort, from attending . . . please don't forget your sweetie tomorrow. It is Valentine's Day after all. Hope yours is lovely.

Yay!! It's release day at long last! Pandora's Box is officially on bookstore shelves even as I type this! (In case you're wondering, this feels just a little like being naked in public, which naturally leads the prurient mind along less than wholesome paths, but, well, maybe we should just end that little trail of thought . . .)

To celebrate, I'll be giving away four brand new copies of Pandora's Box. Two copies will go to commenters on Deadline Hellions and the other two copies will go to two members of my e-newsletter mailing list. If you'd like to double your chances to win, you can comment on the blog and join my newsletter list (check out the link for Yahoo groups on the right below, or go to my contest page for the same link and details). I'll announce winners via newsletter, website and blog at 4 pm, eastern time, on Wednesday, January 30.

Yay, it's out! It's finally out! (And now I'm happy dancing, too, so . . . No, not going there.)

If I think about it for too long, my brain cells begin imploding, one by one. Only two weeks until Pandora's Box makes its debut!! (Pop. Yep, there went another one.)

Oooh, and that's not all. I'll be undertaking my first speaking engagement. (Notice the fun word choice -- undertaking -- like dead bodies and funeral homes and joyful things like that.) I'll be speaking to Virginia Romance Writers, my home chapter and a great group of women who support the genre and each other. They assure me -- speaking phobe that I am -- that they're friendly writers and do not bite their speakers. I'm taking them at their word. The details:

When: 10 am - 12 noon, February 9, 2008
Where: Gayton Library, Richmond, Va.
What: Debunking the Fairytale, a career talk with Natale Stenzel and Jenny Gardiner

And later that same day, a group booksigning with several Virginia romance authors:
4 to 6 pm on February 9, 2008
Barnes and Noble
Short Pump Mall
Richmond, Va.

And, yes, more news to drag hermit Natale out of her shell! Another booksigning on the best of all days for romance: Valentine's Day! Jenny Gardiner will join me for this signing.
12:30 to 2 pm on February 14, 2008
Fountain Bookstore
Historic Shockoe Slip
1312 Cary Street
Richmond, Va.
(I just visited this bookstore for the first time last weekend. How have I missed this one? Very, very cool. I could live there.)

And last, but certainly not least, we have two winners for my latest contest! Congrats, ladies!