Solitary Cove Cover

My soon too be released book now has a cover and I love it. Solitary Cove is a romantic suspense that takes place in a small (mythical) town in Nova Scotia, Canada, and will be released by Treble Heart Books. I've posted a blurb and the cover below.

Solitary Cove

Stalked relentlessly by her husband's killer, Nicole changes her name and moves to Solitary Cove, a small town on the coast of Nova Scotia. Aware that danger lurks in the shadows for anyone she cares about, Nicole rents the local lighthouse and spends her time writing and avoiding people.
An aging movie star, Ian has a life filled with fame, fortune, and women. He loves the fame and fortune, but the constant women have worn thin. Cynicism and boredom creep into his life, and he develops a problem that chips away at his self-confidence—he can no longer perform sexually.
Coming together during the filming of Ian's latest movie in Solitary Cove, Ian and Nicole's uncertain relationship is tested by the appearance of Ian's daughter, Vanessa, who has fled her abusive marriage, as well as Nicole's stalker who appears in town renewing his death threats against Nicole.
Throw into the mix, a crusty fisherman, a flaky new age storeowner and a heroic dog, and Solitary Cove weaves a tale of love, self-discovery, suspense, and self-sacrifice.

Where's the summer?

Yep. That's the question. It's now July and I'm still waiting for some summer weather. Oh, well. Always think of the positive side of everything...sitting inside and writing on a rainy day is ALOT easier than it is on a sunny day and I managed to complete a scene that has been giving me nothing but trouble, so I'm happy.

Here's a photo of one of my guys. I thought since the weather is almost wintery out...Actually, he's just so cute, I couldn't resist.

Have a great day,

Cathy

Summer Plans

Good day, and what a beautiful day it's been. A bit of rain, but warm enough temps and some sun to brighten the day. I love the sun. I love being warm. I do love summer.

Does it sound as if I'm in a good mood? I am. I've spent the last 6 months working 2 part-time jobs as well as helping my husband run our business and trying to find time to market my two newest releases and do some work on my current WIP. On top of that, I have some very demanding goats who need ALOT of attention. Anyway, both part-time jobs have come to an end. One for reasons of retirement and the other, because the kidding season (goats) has come to an end, thusly ending my job. Now, I'll miss the extra money, no doubt about it, but having the free time to write is thrilling.

I've set myself a goal; by the end of the summer I'll have completed the sequel to one of my latest releases, A Witch's Lament. My publisher, Crescent Moon Press, has expressed an interest, (they seem to love A Witch's Lament), and I did leave the story at the end with the possibility of a sequel.

So, it's time to do some serious writing. Lucky for me, I'm able to take my laptop and write outside in the gorgeous weather. I just need to stay away from the goats or they'll be all over my laptop...just helping, you understand. One of their most endearing characteristics is their willingness to...ahem...help.

Have a great day,Catherine

I didn't remember writing this!

I was clearing some files off my computer and came across this page of ramblings that I wrote about 4 years ago. Until I read the words, I'd totally forgotten even writing them. Since this reflects my state of mind at that moment, I've left it unedited and unchanged. As you read, please keep in mind that I wasn't worried about grammar, spelling...nothing but putting my thoughts and feelings onto paper...er, I mean, onto a computer.

Now, if I could only look through some old files and find a manuscript I forgot about that's brilliantly written and becomes a NY Times bestseller. :-)

Enjoy!

I AM A HUMAN BEING
I DESERVE RESPECT

I am not a guinea pig.
So don't use me as one to test unsafe products, not caring what effect it may have on my health, caring only about how many millions of dollars the product might bring you. Stop poisoning the air I breathe, the water I drink and the food I eat.

I am not a receptacle.
So don't fill my body with insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals and toxins that will shorten my life and degrade the quality of that shorter life. Stop poisoning the air I breathe, the water I drink and the food I eat.

I am not a drug addict.
So stop prescribing drugs for EVERYTHING and telling me that they are safe when we all know that ten or fifteen years down the road my organs will suffer and the side-effects will probably harm me more than the original health problem would have. When appropriate, advocate the use of natural herbs and remedies that have been around (and worked) for thousands of years. Stop poisoning me.

I AM A HUMAN BEING
I DESERVE RESPECT

I am environmentally concerned.
So stop letting the oil companies have a say in governmental decisions. Allow the knowledge of alternative fuels and ways to power vehicles into the public forum so that people can HAVE A CHOICE.

I am spiritual.
No, not religious, spiritual. Religion is a man-made concept with limitations and prejudices. At the root of each religion are the values of love, respect, peace and harmony. This is a Universal law. This is the foundation of mankind. Assigning a name, gender and physical attributes are a human concept placed on an energy force we do not even begin to understand. I say we do not understand because of the world-wide religious based hate and killing. If we truly understood what we call God, and allowed for various interpretations of this Universal energy, there would be no hate. No killing. No war. We have a long way to go. The essence of man is the essence of God, Buddha, Allah, the Goddess…however you refer to your Supreme Being. This energy force is in all of us, everywhere, and as energy is able to change form, so is this Universal energy that binds us all together. Don't limit what you don't understand. Love. Respect. Peace. Harmony. Live by those laws and your god will flourish. Mankind will flourish.

2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist

Woohoo! Good news for me. I entered The Crystal of Light and A Witch's Lament in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Publishers Awards and they both finished as finalists. In fact, A Witch's Lament was a finalist in two categories. It's a great feeling to have my writing recognized in such a way...of course, mega sales of my books would be kind of nice as well. :-)

Have a great day--I am,
Cathy

Spring Has Arrived

But it certainly doesn't look like spring as I look out my window at a winter wonderland. Oh, well, I know it can't last. A few more days and the rain will send all the snow into the netherworld where it will dwell until next winter. In the meantime, I can pretend that it's sunny and warm.

While waiting for the first brush of spring to turn the grass green and push the shoots of young flowers through the soil, I'm busy promoting my two newest books. Check out this link to the books page on my website to see what I've got for you to read. I'm sure you'll find something to suit your taste. www.catherineannecollins.com/books.html

I'd also like to introduce you to the newest members of our growing animal farm. Pixie, Lightning and Timber.

Pixie was the tiniest kid I'd seen of the over 800 born during the first weeks on the goat farm where I work. He used to stare at me constantly and I just couldn't imagine the poor guy going to the auction to be bought for meat, soooooo, I brought him home. Of course, I couldn't bring him home alone, all my other goats are too big for him to be with for awhile. I decided that Lightning with his airplane ears would make a great buddy for Pixie. I didn't realize until I saw them together that if Pixie was the smallest kid, Lightning had to be one of the biggest. He stood twice as tall and weighed twice as much as little Pixie. Oh, well, they get along great.

Now, raising my goat herd to 7 goats means I have more to worry about when it comes to coyotes. That's where Timber comes in. A Livestock Guardian Dog, Timber's job is to guard all my guys against predators. He lives with the goats and has been amazing at pushing all coyotes back from our home and barn. Where once we would see coyote tracks in our front yard, we now can only hear them howling way off in the distance. Poor Timber spends half the night barking and patrolling the property to keep the coyotes away, which means he spends a good part of the day sleeping. I guarantee I won't be without one of these LGD's ever again.

See you later,

Cathy

It's official. My newest novel is now available for purchase. That makes two in the last month. Five years have passed since my last book was published so it seems strange to have 2 published so close together. And a 3rd one coming later this year. I can now claim to be a multi-published author. I like the sounds of that, but I think a NY Times best-selling author has a nice ring to it as well. I'll have to work on that one.


Even though these two books are quite different, I enjoyed writing them both and hope my readers will enjoy them as well.

The Crystal of Light is a fantasy, while A Witch's Lament is a paranormal romance. I'm showing the covers for both of them below and information as well as links to buy them can be found on my website http://www.catherineannecollins.com/

The Crystal of Light

A Witch's Lament

I love the covers on both these books. The cover artist for The Crystal of Light is Richard Stroud and the cover artist for A Witch's Lament is Kendra Egert.

Now comes the marketing and promoting aspect of the whole writing process. Living way out here in the country means I'll have to build a strong on-line presence, so if anyone has any ideas don't hesitate to pass them on. I'll take any help or advice I can get when it comes to the promotion of my books.

Talk to you later,

Cathy