Summer is Just a Stone's Throw Away

My beloved summertime is just around the corner and many exciting things are almost within reach. I'm making beautiful progress on my latest book, a memoir/novel set in the genre of Old Hollywood, stars and starletts and all the glitz 'n glamour that comes along with these things. My subject is providing a lot of very encouraging and thus far mostly positive feedback. I am hopeful that by summer's end, an agent-hunting we will go!

I recently attended a very festive event in Long Beach for Children's Day/Earth Day at Memorial Park. My friend and fellow author Billy Bonsangue (The Nightmare Navigator, tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60799-499-2 ) shared a booth space and we both did a book sale/signing. We both agreed to donate a percentage of our profits to the City of Long Beach Parks and Recreation, which was a perfect opportunity in honor of Earth Day. This was a fun-filled, sunny and busy day. Lots of children, interesting people, live entertainment (mostly children from around the world) including a band, parade, singers, dancers and more. Fun was had by all (including my family: Mike, Carson, McKenna, Linda and Orion).

After a quick trip to Amelia Island Plantation for one of my best friend's wedding and some much-needed R&R with Mike over Memorial Day Weekend, I will resume my exciting book project and start the brainstorming process for my late-summer marketing efforts with Corinna the Christmas Elf, ( http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-60696-931-1 )as well as begin a formal marketing plan for my new book. Many of these efforts will likely overlap, for as I ramp-up towards the holiday season the second time around with my children's book, I will be in the infancy of promoting my new book (title to be announced soon). This will be hectic, to say the least.

Therefore, it is a great thing and a major blessing that we have officially put the adoption journey behind us, at least the formal part of it. Our dear little baby girl McKenna Rain became our daughter legally and officially on April 12, 2010 in Orange County, CA. We could not be happier, and Carson loves "his baby" beyond words. This journey was an amazing experience on so many levels, and we have been blessed a thousand times over. Our little family is complete. Now as I continue my book writing career I have my two lovies and my dear husband by my side. I could never ask for more.

So as I watch the sunset of our Springtime in 2010, I eagerly await all things summer: birthday parties (mine, both children's and my husband's -- yes, we are all summer babies), bubbles, water splashing everywhere, sand and sea, fireworks, sunblock and hopefully a margarita or two thrown in. Being a summer baby, its in my blood to really feel ALIVE this time of year and I can feel that awakening already. It is a bit like the feeling of a New Year after you've put the old one to bed, swept up the last of the confetti and completed your New Year's Resolutions (at least, the list of them).

Happy Summer!

Suzanne