The next phrase after that is usually 'new goals'. But for now...
I'm going to admit right now that I haven't even had time to think about my May writing goals, because I was focused on the day-job and preparing for the booksigning in New Jersey the last couple of weeks. But now the signing is over (until next year!), and I'm happy I took an extra day off. I was wiped out when I got home last night, in a good way. I had a lazy morning today, clearing up the last few things I didn't put away last night, finishing laundry, and clearing out all of my inboxes. I still have a to-do list of things I need to work on before I do another signing (right now, there aren't any on my calendar the rest of this year, so I have some time), and my goals notebook in front of me, so I know what I'll be doing just a little later.
Right now, I'm still thinking about how much fun the weekend was, chatting with all the readers and the other authors. We had a fun author group at our dinner table Saturday night after the first day ended, and even after we finished up the signing yesterday, there was lots of author chatting. It's good to get out of the office once in a while.
Before I go work on my goals for this month (now that the first week is almost over, oops!), I have a quick snippet for you this week from Protecting Medusa.
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The man had some nerve.
Philomena glared into the skillet and dragged the spatula through the eggs vigorously. Too vigorously, as the spatula scraped the side of the pan. Letting out a shaky breath, she tried to push Ryder out of her head for a few minutes.
She’d called her mother when she came downstairs, and Aggie assured her they were fine. Jason was watching his favorite Saturday morning cartoon in his pajamas before breakfast. Philomena felt a bit better knowing he was safe and happy.
Her gaze slid to the window over the sink. She could see the woods that lay between her mother’s house and her own. Only a couple miles of distance. Not far enough.
She stirred the eggs at a more normal pace now. Sure, she’d known when the curse fell on her eight years ago that the Harvesters were a serious threat. But somehow, she’d hoped after all this time they wouldn’t find her.
She shivered, thinking how lucky they were Ryder had been waiting for the Harvester yesterday. Otherwise, her mother and Jason might have arrived to find her dead in the kitchen. She touched the top of her dagger handle through her skirt. She knew how to wield it, but who knew how the Harvester was armed.
She’d have to ask Ryder.
Her pulse quickened. Back to him.
He was showering. She knew because she heard the water running, and it didn’t take much effort to imagine him standing beneath the streaming water. After all, she’d gotten a terrific view of his naked body last evening.
Heat pulsed in her middle at the memory, then more when she thought of later.
She shook her head. No, that was a mistake. Both times. She turned the burner off and covered the pan, then pushed the bread down into the toaster.
The water shut off in the next room, and she swallowed, trying not to let her brain go there again. She busied herself with getting plates and silverware out, then took butter and jelly from the fridge. While thinking of website coding, she poured orange juice into two glasses.
When he emerged from the guest room, his hair was towel-dried, though still damp, making the blond look darker. He wore a soft black t-shirt over faded jeans. She jerked her gaze to his face in time to see that grin disappear.
She narrowed her eyes, but kept her mouth shut and dished up breakfast.
He waited until she had eggs in her mouth before he spoke. “What work do you have going right now?”
She forced down the eggs and chased them with a quick swallow of juice. “I’m nearly done with a big site, then I have a few smaller ones waiting. Regular maintenance on others.”
“You can work on them away from home, right?”
She glared at him. “I’m not leaving.”
He raised one dark blond eyebrow. “I don’t remember asking you.”
She set her fork down. “Just because I made a mistake and slept with you does not give you permission to make my decisions. Also, you are no longer in the military, and not my commanding officer. And, FYI, I will not be sleeping with you again.”
He laughed. “Not much sleeping going on, the way I remember it.”
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Hopefully the rest of you aren't as behind to start the month as I am. Are you all set on your plans for the month? Or are you also scrambling to catch up? I'd love to hear!
Until next week, happy reading!