Summer time! Time for Reading on the Beach...

I can't wait to get back to Florida and relax with the family on the beach. Yes. I'm a beach bum! I don't fix my hair or put on any make-up, it's just plain Jane me. Flip flops and all that. (Plus a few extra pounds, but whatever.) 

So far since the kiddo's school's out (Well, she's out for good. Now heading off to college. Boo hoo!), I really hadn't had time to kick back and chill out. I did, however, go to my publishers conference in Las Vegas, where I mixed business with pleasure. Mostly pleasure I'll admit.  (I tried posting pictures but they were all sideways. Sorry.)

 

I had a great time putting names to faces finally. I know many EP authors and staff but only from Twitter and FB. Oh, and I had the best roomie, Tonya Kuper, she's a YA author, and her book *Anomaly* comes out November 4th, 2014 with Entangled Teen. Can't wait to get my hands on this book. (Wish it were out now so I could read it on the beach. Darn. Maybe I could ask to beta-read it for her. Hint hint. or I'll have to take another beach trip in November. Plot Beach party!!!)

What else is going on? Let's see. If you hadn't heard me screaming from the Louisiana bayou, then you may not know about my Witch novel being acquired. Yep. My Vieux Carre' Witch sister series set in New Orleans got an offer last week. Not just 1 book, but also for book #2 and #3... I'm soooooo thrilled, and it still hasn't totally sunk in yet. I can't wait to see the cover. Love paranormal romance covers. I think this book will be out end of this year or early next. My first deadline is nine days away. (Let the fun begin.)

BUT, before BEWITCHING THE ENEMY (Book 1) comes out, I have another book (novella) that is releasing maybe August or September. It will be part of the new Entangled Publishing *Lovestruck* line.  (Y'all this line is going to be killer!)

This novella is fun and sexy, and part of the Vegas continuity series which includes, Gina Maxwell, Jade Lee w/a Kathy Lyons and me so far. Woot! (Can't believe I'm even mentioned in the same sentence with these two talented authors. My author idols!)  My slice of the series is titled, MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, (though the title could change) it will be third to release.

And I'm just as excited about this book as I am with my Vieux Carre' Witch series. Probably because I can't wait to read all of these books and read about the surprise ending that none of the authors will know about until the very last author writes it. I think there will be about 20-30 Vegas books? Maybe. That's lots of fun! And sex! LOL 

Then while attending the publishing conference I find out more good news. I can't announce yet, but it's all good. (Those who attended the conference heard, if they were paying attention that is.)  2014 has been one of the best years for me writing wise and personal wise. Keep positive people. Whatever your dreams are - don't ever give up. Reach for what you want. Such as going on vacation to read on the beach. Can't wait! (Sharks stay away please!)

So what do you look forward to reading this summer?

Hugs,
Dawn
MASQUERADING WITH THE CEO, Entangled, Lovestruck (coming soon)
BEWITHING THE ENEMY, Entangled, Covet (coming soon)
DIAMONDS, Siren, B&N, Amazon Kindle (Out!)
NOT AN ANGEL, Kindle only (Out!)

What? We are almost in May???

Say it isn't so! I feel like I haven't stopped since Christmas. It's been one holiday after another, then on top of that there was the kiddo's birthdays; the grandbaby (Gigi) arrived in February; my anniversary trip in March, and I also submitted not one, but 2 books this year already. Woot!

I hate to confess that it took me a few years to write the last full novel, but that's because I rewrote it like almost 4 times. (Because I doubted myself. I had to put a stop to that "they won't like me crap", and ask an editor to give me a firm deadline. Yes. I did. She gave me 3 weeks. Holy crap! But it worked. Yay! (Thanks, CH!) I had to learn a hard lesson with that book. Write what you love. Don't change the "entire" book because 1 person suggest you do so. Go with your gut.)

However, I did write several novella's in between that time, and took lots of classes, attended several conferences, so it wasn't like I wasn't writing or learning. ALWAYS LEARN! (Which means you have to do a lot of reading too.)

Anywho...I can't wait for May to be over. My youngest daughter is graduating from H.S. I know right....Exciting! I'm so proud of her...Then there is the RT Convention in New Orleans. Right smack in the middle of Graduation time. Oy. We'll get through it. I can't wait though, there will be over 700 authors attending. (Not all of them are signing, but you'll get to see sooooo freakin' many that your head will be spinning. Plus I have a few friends staying with me. All at different times, so it's going to so much fun! :-) I think Thursday night is the pub crawl. I'll be at Bourbon Heat with the Entangled Peeps. Come find me.

I hope to meet you all at RT. Please come say hi, and if you see me hiding in a corner please come drag me out. I'm a little shy and need people to drag me from my shell sometimes. For more info about RT go to www.RTconvention.com  I think the Saturday book fair is $5.00  Be prepared for long long long lines.

Have a great weekend,
Dawn Chartier

(p.s. Please excuse any typos. I haven't had my coffee yet. :-)

My first Trip to San Francisco and Sonoma

On the 19th of March the hubby and I went to San Francisco and Sonoma. We both fell in love with both cities even though the start of our trip didn't start off too well.

We never fly first class, but this was a special trip (our anniversary) so we splurged a little, and thank God we did. Our butts were stuck on the plane for 2 hours before it finally got the go ahead to leave. Something to do with computer problems. BUT, there were free drinks in first class. Well worth the extra money. :-)


Here is a picture of me, no make-up and a little tipsy with the hubby while we waited for hours on the plane. (He was feeling no pain as well.)

Once we finally arrived we went straight to bed after checking in. It was 2am our time, midnight San Fran. time. We were exhausted to stay the least.  So the next day we ventured out on our own. We were staying at The Tuscan at the Fishersman Wharf area, and walked to the piers where we heard there would be seals.  And guess what? There were seals! (See them on the docks?)

 

 

So we strolled around took pictures, got a few drinks, and took a street car into the city, then got off when it came to the end, and then walked into China Town for lunch. We had one of the best lunches at Great Eastern (I think that was the name.) It was sooooooooooo good. The best Chinese food I've ever eaten.

That is not a picture of the restaurant, but I loved this building, so I had to take a pic. of it. LOL Then after lunch we hiked up the hilly streets to catch a trolly. I guess that's what they call them there? That was fun! The guy had to keep braking and I thought he'd lose his grip or something and we would end up all flying off. But no such luck.  And man was grew up in the same area I was from. Odd. Yes. We chatted about good ole' Louisiana politics.  (I'm still not sure how he knew where we were from, but he did.)

Then we strolled through some art galleries, then saw across the street, Ghirardelli's chocolate factory. OMG! We ran there! LOL We ate Salted caramel chocolate fudge ice cream. Killer stuff! I can still taste it. Sooooo good!

The next day we took a tour on the bus, and then walked through Muir Woods. Big Ass Trees! They reminded me of the trees in Twilight when Edward grabbed Bella and they flew through. Yep. They were huge. If you ever go to San Fran. this is a must see. Here is a sample below.

The hubby looks like a ant next to the tree. :-) It was truly a special trip through the forest and we needed more time, but our tour bus driver almost left us. Gah. Then he dropped us off in the small town of Sausalito. We ate at the Spinnaker for lunch which was nice, but probably geared for the older crowd or maybe it just seemed that way that day. But the view of the water and boats, and the food were really good. We then took a ferry back to San Francisco, but along the way the ferry made stops at all the islands, and we enjoyed the relaxing ride.

That night we didn't do much other than walk to an Irish pub, and I forgot the name of it. But we had a good time, didn't eat dinner, and passed out!  The next morning we had to get up early and pack for Sonoma!

We hired a personal tour driver from a Napa Private Tours, and he really knew his wine! I mean really know his wine. Meaning he studied them. Got a degree and all that. And he has the pin to show it. When people saw his pin at these wine places they were very impressed. "Is that what I think that is?" said one guy pouring our wine. LOL (Our tour guides name is Austin Smith, request him!) Austin actually just started his own wine tour company, but we hired him from Napa Private Tours, he was filling in for Javier. Austin's company is called, Noble Wine Tours. Austin or Javier (Napa) are both great! And I would recommend them both! Austin drove us to I think 5 wineries.  We hit Ram's Gate (Beautiful), Jacuzzi, Bartholmew, (I'm forgetting one), but the last one was amazing, it was called Ledson. We even joined the membership. LOL.

After we were worn out from drinking all day, we headed to the hotel which was also beautiful (MacArthur Place) and the room was perfect! We ate at their restaurant called Saddles, and called in the night.  The next day we played golf at the Stonetree Country Club. Not sure why they call it that, but the views from the course was amazing. They even had these huge rabbits that I thought were baby deer. Ha. I couldn't get a good picture of them they were quick.  That evening after golf we got a couples massage which was OK. I didn't get what I requested so I was a little disappointed because the guy who massaged me I thought would break my shoulders in half. I'm sensitive what can I say.

Other than that, all was well, and I'd love to go back and see more of California. Our trip was too short, but we filled it with lots of adventures. And hope our next trip will be even better.

And look what came in. Woot! Our first shipment of Ledson wine!  Six bottles for me. Six bottles for him. We share like that. :-)

~ Have a great day~
Dawn

 



Having fun at the Endymion Ball...Mardi Gras 2014! (Grand Marshal: Ian Somerhalder! Woot!)

As many of you know Mardi Gras is normally a few weeks long in New Orleans, and that's all cool and stuff, but normally when Mardi Gras time comes my family and I leave.  It's not that I don't like Mardi Gras, but once you've seen it 20x's or more it does get old...

However, riding in Mardi Gras is something totally different. This year my hubby got to ride in Endymion (which is one of the best parade's to ride in), and he had a blast. I didn't get to see him until the end of the night once his float made into the superdome where the parade ends and the concert and ball begins...

This year the Grand Marshal was Ian Somerhalder! Woot! (He was too far away for me to get a good look at him, but I can at least say I was in the same room with him. LOL (Check out this link to see tons of pictures of Ian from The Vampire Diaries and also Norman from The Walking Dead.)

Here are a few pics of me and some friends (and the hubby), a few before and during the Endymion Ball.

To some it up: If you haven't done Mardi Gras in New Orleans you are missing out! If you live here and you are tired of it - then ride instead. Happy Mardi Gras!

Hugs,
Dawn

Entangled Publishing is Celebrating 3 years w/ .99 cents books! Woot!

For the month of February, Entangled Publishing is selling books for .99 cents! I can do some serious damage with .99 cent books! Woot! Bye now!

Entangled Publishing

Happy New Year's!

Wait 2013, don't go! I haven't met all of my goals! Does that sound familiar to you too?

So what happened? Well, I told myself I would have another contract and book published in 2013, and lets just say 1/2 of it happened. I got the contract. Woot! But the other 1/2 will have to wait until 2014. (That's when the What Happens in Vegas series comes out, and I can't wait!!!!)

And you know what? I'm okay with that. Why? Because great things are worth waiting for. I know this will be great!

(1st picture of the hubby and I for 2014...Yep. We had a few...the proof is in his hand.)

So what are my 2014 goals? 

#1 Grow as an author. (Write better and faster.)
#2 Help other writers/authors along my journey.
#3 Learn to balance home life, work life and writing life (Writing is work life, too.)
#4 Get back into shape. While 2012 was the year of losing weight, and 2013 was the year to gain it back, 2014 will be the year to just get healthy. Eat better. Exercise more. No diets though. No worrying about getting into a size X. (I'll keep that number to myself - thank you!) As long as I'm healthy and happy, that's all that matters.  :-) 

2014 should be an exciting time for the Chartier/Thibodeaux family.  My oldest will be having a baby in February (or maybe January), and my youngest goes off to college. Lots of changes happening for us, but all good!

So what are your goals for 2014? Did you make any?