Gemma K. Murray

I managed to finish classes and spend a few days simply catching up on my reading. I had so many books begging me to dive within their  pages.

I finished Kerrelyn Sparks‘ Sexiest Vampire Alive and came to one conclusion…I must pick up the entire set of these. I read Eat, Prey, Love a while back and really enjoyed it. *sigh* Adding to the list of books I need to buy… This is Book 11 in Kerrelyn’s Love at Stake series.

Then, I picked up Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston. If you love shifters, I encourage you to pick up this series. They are funny, sarcastic, and full of fun. I laugh out loud every time I read these books. The women are tough, kick-ass ladies who love their hard-headed men. I simply cannot get enough of these books.

After that where else can I turn? Well, to one of my FAVE authors, of course. I picked up Nora Roberts‘ The Last Boyfriend. I laughed. I cried. I sighed heavily…more than once. I absolutely fell in love with Beckett Montgomery in The Next Always. When it came time to read Owen’s story, I couldn’t get enough and I’m afraid it will be the same when it comes time for The Perfect Hope to be released in November.

Today, my copy of The Desperate Housewives of Olympus by Saranna DeWylde arrived. As I return to my writer’s cave to work on Book 3 in The Cedar River series, I’m preparing to read this one. Saranna is going to be my guest here at the end of August. She is booking her blog tour for her upcoming release and I’m so excited to have her visit.

Before I sign off, I want to give you all a little tease…as soon as I have my release date for Book 2, I’ve got a HUGE giveaway planned. Want a hint? A is for______.

Also, don’t forget: Comment on any of my posts between now and the end of the month to be entered to win the 18k gold plate kitty necklace I have to giveaway. Plus if you visit Coffee Time Romance and The Romance Studio, there are prizes galore available to you there…including a Gemma K. Murray coffee mug and copies of Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart.

Big hugs and blessings from my home to yours!!

Mother’s Day…it’s just another day at my house. The canine kids, much as I love them, are missing the opposable thumbs needed to make me those neat Mother’s Day cards/gifts most moms get. Breakfast consisted of Diesel and I sharing a package of Brown Sugar and Cinnamon Pop Tarts and orange juice. (Which is fine by me!) My darling hubby does usually grill out so I’ll give him credit for making me a Mother’s Day dinner. (Love you, babe.)

My mom lives in Canada so having her over to spend the day…well, it’s just not going to happen. My grandma passed away almost 12 years ago so I happen to know she won’t be joining us (physically) for dinner. However, I know they’re both with me in spirit. I can feel their love.

Today, also, would have been my grandpa’s 78 birthday. I used to make him a cherry pie every year. This is me and my poppa back in 1973 (according to the picture). He used to give me “rides” on the footrest of his recliner. I’d hold onto his feet so I wouldn’t fall. (wipes a tear) I miss him. He was the one member of my family who never looked at me like I was crazy, if I said something off the wall. He’d smile and nod. He was the one person (besides my husband) who completely “got” me. He once told me I could be anything I wanted. Neither of us imagined I’d be here…a published author! Happy Birthday, Poppa!! *blowing kisses*

So, I’m going to keep this post short for today. Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there! Whether your children are human or animal, they’re your kids and you’re their mom. Enjoy your day wrapped up in the arms (or paws, fins, etc.) of your loved ones. Hold them tight.

Last night, I took a break from Life. I grabbed a bucket of popcorn, a bag of cheese curds, and snuggled on the sofa with the hubby. I hadn’t watched a movie in ages and we had one from Netflix that had been taunting me since its arrival. I had to give in and watch it.

We Bought a Zoo is an incredible movie. A friend of mine said she went to the theater to see it and I needed to be sure to have some tissues. “Some” tissues. Hell, I needed a roll of Bounty by the time the movie was over, but it was fantastic! If you don’t know about this movie, here is what I found on Amazon:

Though adapted from a memoir by a British journalist, We Bought a Zoo feels entirely like a Cameron Crowe film, with clear parallels to previous crowd-pleasers like Jerry Maguire. Crowe introduces Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon in a role that recalls his Contagion character) six months after the death of his wife. Since everything reminds him of her, the California columnist decides to make a change, starting with a new location. His realtor (Curb Your Enthusiasm’s J.B. Smoove), brother (Sideways‘ Thomas Haden Church), and sullen teenage son (Colin Ford) try to talk him out of it, but Mee falls in love with a country manor that comes with a strange stipulation: the tenant must manage the zoo that accompanies the property. With his daughter’s blessing, Mee takes the plunge. Fortunately, he inherits an experienced staff, including MacCready (Angus MacFadyen), Robin (Patrick Fugit), Lily (Elle Fanning), and Kelly (Scarlett Johansson, lovely as ever in her least glamorous role to date). Mee’s road to reinvention offers few surprises, but Damon makes him a sympathetic figure who finds the same kind of support system among the park personnel that Fugit’s Almost Famous writer found in the rock world, except Mee’s relationships have more staying power. If his detractors–a skeptical employee and an unctuous inspector–feel like screenwriter constructs, Zoo represents a return to form for Crowe after a series of missteps, including Elizabethtown. Better yet, the real-life park that Mee acquired continues to lead by example as a humane habitat for endangered species. –Kathleen C. Fennessy

Let me say, I don’t watch a lot of movies. Between school and writing, I don’t have a lot of time to simply be in the moment. (Sounds horrible, doesn’t it?) This one spoke to my heart from the time it was released in theaters and it is one I have been anticipating for a LONG time. I am happy to say I was not disappointed. I laughed and cried and watched this family mend.

With school wrapping up for the summer, I’m going to have a little more free time on my hands. Tell me, what movies have you watched lately that you would highly recommend? Talk to me, darlings:)

*Side note* Don’t forget I’m giving away an 18k gold-plated sterling silver necklace. I’ve fixed the website so you can leave a comment (or you can drop me a line, if you’d prefer).

Plus, I’m Coffee Time Romance’s Coffee Write author for May. All you have to do is a) sign up in the forums (add Gemma K. Murray to the referral box for quicker acceptance), then, b) write a line or a paragraph to the story I’ve begun. Let’s see where this ride ends up, shall we?

I’m off to enjoy a rainy day filled with writing:) Book 2 isn’t coming together quite like I thought. Damn timelines!!!

This is a fun forum event with two of my favorite sites. There will be prizes galore from both CTR and TRS. Coffee Time Romance is giving away a Sony e-reader as well as some wonderful runners up prizes. The Romance Studio has a Nook and other prizes they are offering. Authors and publishers will be present in the various blogs with prizes, too.

I will be giving away this beautiful necklace. It’s an 18k gold-plated sterling silver diamond accent cat pendant on an 18 inch chain. Valued at $69.99.

Also, I have a coffee mug with the wrap around design which looks like this: plus a copy of the Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart that I am giving away. So, stop by for a chance to win:)

This week has been one of those weeks. I’ve had highs so high I could touch the stars.

I’ve also had lows so low I feel as if I’m in the center of the Earth.

I should explain. I have a lot of doubt when it comes to my writing. I’m not overly confident by any means. However, this week, I received my first review. (See Reviews & Excerpts for details.) It was 5 hearts and I cried. I was overjoyed and  overwhelmed all in one fell swoop. I love Ana and Bowie. I know there others out there who love them as well, but the sheer disbelief is still there. The fact I’m published still baffles me.

I spent 8 hours (no, that is not a typo) talking to a friend last week. It was the first time we’d talked other than via the computer. This friend had called because she needed to vent, but by the time our conversation ended, I felt uplifted. It’s such an incredible feeling!

My characters are talking to me again. I’d had to shut them out for a little while so I could focus on school, but they’re back. I finished Adam’s book and intended to start the third one. However, the third one isn’t the one I thought it would be. Instead, another character has jumped the line and is begging to have his story told. I love it and hate it all at once.

Then, my mom called the other day. We don’t talk as often as we probably should, but our schedules are extremely hectic at the moment. My step-dad is feeling better so they’re planning a trip to come visit. It will only be for the weekend (he’s on dialysis) and I may only get to spend a day with them, but I haven’t seen my mom in almost 2 years. I’m so excited and I hope everything keeps going well so the trip isn’t cancelled.

You can see where my heart overflows, right?

What brought me so down? Well, let me tell you. I’m turning 40 in less than a month. Usually the big birthdays don’t bother me, but for some reason, 40 is hitting me hard. I don’t know what it is exactly. I think it’s just a lot of little things I’m realizing will never happen at this age. I don’t feel 40 (which is a good thing) and I’ve been told I don’t look 40 so what’s the big deal? I think it’s just the doubts, fears, and thoughts every woman has as she heads towards this age.

However, I do know I’m blessed.I’m trying to live my this motto because how many people get to work at the job they love? Not many. I get to research hot men, good chocolate, and fantastic food all while writing some pretty lovely sex scenes. Not a complaint to be had. I think I’m going to spend my day with a chisel and a hammer. I’ve got a lot of carving to do.

Have a blessed weekend!

The weather hasn’t been all that wonderful here lately. I did wake up to this awe-inspiring sunrise the other morning.

I stepped out the front door with the first of the canine kids and the most brilliant red light flowed over me. I had to run back  inside to grab my camera. Of course, the saying does say, “Red in the morning, sailor’s warning. Red at night, sailor’s delight.” That should have given me my first clue of what was coming.

Last night, my darling husband had to run our 13 year old German Shepherd out and I hear, “What the hell?” from the entry way. I figured he could handle the problem and went to take a shower. I was briefly interrupted from my heated bliss by the husband bringing the dog into the bathroom…covered in snow!

An hour later, we took them all out before bed and a couple of them didn’t want to step off the porch. They love the snow so this was odd. All we can think is they were loving the non-snow weather we were having and didn’t know quite what to make of the white stuff being back. Mother Nature’s weird sense of humor is a little disturbing.

I’ve decided to stick my head out of my writing cave for a little bit just to see what’s happening out here in the world. I  placed an order for coffee mugs with my book cover on them, but I hadn’t received them yet. Ticked me off royally. After getting the run around, I cancelled the order and found a different website to order from. These new coffee mugs will be better and prettier. Plus, I got networking cards.

Pretty sexy, right? I was going to put my book cover on them, but because I’m finishing up the 2nd book, I didn’t feel as if it would be fair to favor one over the other.

I’ve been working on setting goals for myself. If you’ve followed this blog, then you’ll remember my “Before I’m 40″ list. You know? The one that mentioned I want to be published before I’m 40?

Two weeks ago, I set the goal to knock out Book 2 and have it ready for my editor by the end of April. Well, with everything else that is going on, I was beginning to see that I wasn’t working hard enough. So, I upped the ante. I would have the book done for me to edit by the end of this week.

I cranked up my music and went to work. Tonight, I hit the 42,000 word count I’ve been striving for. 8,000 more and I will have reached my goal (unless the characters want more). I wrote 4,000 words today alone. I want to have this book ready to print off and edit by this weekend. However, there is a slight problem:

<—-This is what my schoolwork looks like. I had an extra credit assignment due. Luckily, I don’t really need the extra credit. I have a take home exam due by Friday, plus a 7 to 8 page research paper due by next week. I feel as if my world is about to spin off its axis.

Then, something special happens that reminds me why I am able to achieve these goals. On Friday, my husband and I will celebrate 20 years since our first date. A pretty remarkable feat. 7 furry children and 20 years later, we’re still going strong.

If it hadn’t been for my DH and his belief in me, I probably would simply be writing stories for my own enjoyment. Stories that would never be seen by anyone else. Tha gaol agam ort, darlin’! Now and forever!

I’m always thankful for the day that lays out before me. Tomorrow is never promised.

But today I’m thankful for the fact that almost four years ago, I was visiting one of my favorite author’s websites. I stumbled across the link to a review site and that led me to my “family.” I discovered the crazy, zany, and supportive women (and a couple of men at the time) of Coffee Time Romance. I was honored when the lovely Mistress accepted my sample review and asked me to come on staff.

It was a matter of weeks after I joined that we lost our Rottie. The condolences were overwhelming. I was a newbie, but they welcomed me with open arms. This was my cyber-family. We support and love one another through the rough times. We laugh and rejoice through the good times. However, no matter what, we lift each other up.

As a published author, I feel lifted up every day by the women at Coffee Time Romance. They are my friends, my buddies, my sisters.

Today, I’m blogging away on Coffee Time Romance & More’s Coffee Thoughts. Stop by and say hello if you have some time. Leave a comment if you feel like it.

I would love to give away a couple of copies of Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart to people who comment *hint, hint* Tell your friends and family to stop by the Coffee Time blog.

Be thankful for at least one thing in your life today! The universe really appreciates the fact that you can find things to be thankful for.

I just got this from Hearfelt Promos, my promotional people:

Gemma’s book Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart has made #1 on Leap of Faith Publishing’s Top Ten according to Patricia Richardson the owner. Quote: “We are delighted to have Gemma as one of our authors. If you enjoy reading about shifters, then you don’t want to miss the delightful duo in Keeper of the Golden Dragon’s Heart!”
Congratulations on making the #1 spot Gemma!
Be sure and visit Gemma’s HeartFelt Promos page for an excerpt, blurb and upcoming

events!

Upcoming Events for Gemma

April 14, 2012-Guest Blog at Coffee Thoughts Blog at Coffee Time Romance & More

Are you kidding me? I’m so excited!! Thanks to all of you for making me #1!!!

Gemma K. Murray

It’s sunny and 60 degrees here in the gorgeous Upper Peninsula. The trees are budding out and I’m noticing little green sprouts popping up through the leaves in the woods. Spring is beginning to show her presence. We’ve already been hearing the little yips and howls of coyote pups. There in the woods somewhere. As long as they don’t bother me and my canine kids, they’re welcome to stay.

There have been some deer tracks in our yard and “my” little gray fox has showed his face every one in awhile. These aren’t the ones who live in my woods, but if you’ve never seen a gray fox, they are quite cute and mischievous.

With my ham and baked beans in the oven, I thought I’d take a moment to wish you all a happy Easter! We’re spending Easter as we do any other holiday. In the comfy, quiet of our home with just each other and the canine kids. I did consider buying bunny ears for my Mastiff so he could wish you a “Hoppy Easter!” but decided that the humiliation may be a little much for his fragile ego:)

So instead, I’m going to share a portion of the book I’m working on. I’m new to the whole idea of Six Sentence Sunday, but I’ll share a bit of Adam’s story for you. Remember this is unedited. Natural Born Enemies is the working title. Here you go:

Adam’s black hair was always in his eyes, but when those piercing green eyes turned my way, I felt my insides melt. A mere glance from the Pierce Pride bad boy sent my heart racing. I would watch him in the halls at school and on the football field. His speed made him the best receiver on the Cedar River Miners. I’d watch him on the side lines palling around with “Bodacious” Bowie Golden. Those two together were enough to make a girl’s panties drop with a simple smile.

What do you think? Are you ready for the next book in the Cedar River series? *grins* Drop me a line and let me know what you think at gemmakmurray@gmail.com. You can always “like” my page on Facebook and leave me a message there. I’m eager to hear from all of you!

Happy Easter from my home to yours,

Gemma K. Murray