Winner of My Halloween Contest

Today, I'm announcing the winner of my Halloween contest on Dayana Knight's blog. And the winner is ... ta, da! ... Sarabelle! You'll be receiving a $10.00 TWRP gift certificate.

Sarabelle, contact me at susanmacatee@aol.com and I'll forward your prize.

Congratulations!!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Blog

I just posted a new blog on Slip Into Something Victorian on the origins of Halloween in America. I've also included some cool History Channel links to get you all in the Halloween mood.

Check it out at: http://slipintosomethingvictorian.com/

A New Excerpt - Confederate Rose

Just for fun, I thought I'd post an excerpt from my newly contracted manuscript, Confederate Rose.

Confederate Rose

Historical Romance

The Wild Rose Press

Blurb: Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant, Katie Rose O'Reilly, vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. As she's transporting mail from Richmond back to camp, a stranger startles her, causing her to fall and almost drown in a swollen stream.

Southerner Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever. He must keep his identity secret from the beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her.

Katie falls in love with the caring gentlemen stranger, only to later discover he's the enemy. Heartbroken, she turns him in to the Confederates, but then questions her goals and beliefs. Is it possible to put aside her quest for revenge to save the man she loves?

Excerpt:

"What? Are you telling me you were kissing him?" His blood heated at the thought of her moving on to another man.

"I was tryin' to escape."

"By kissing him?"

"Aye." Anger flashed in her eyes. "And it was working until you came along and hit the poor lad."

He grasped her forearm and pulled her from the guardhouse. They couldn't stay here debating. "Come on, we've got to get out of camp. I fear I've compromised my cover."

"But what about Nate?" she protested. "You may have killed him."

Sighing, Alex knelt and felt for a pulse. The lad's breathing was regular, his pulse steady. "Reckon he'll be out for awhile, but aside from a nasty headache and some bruising, he should be all right." He rose and glanced into the guardhouse. "They’ll reckon you clobbered him when he came for your dinner plate." He caught her worried gaze. "Now, let's skedaddle."

She nodded, but eyed him again. "Why are you dressed as a priest?"

"It's a disguise. I'm ministering to the Rebel soldiers." His eyes roved to the white vee of her bosom. "Button your shirt before we go. We don’t want to attract any more attention."

Confederate Rose, coming soon from The Wild Rose Press.

Halloween Contest!!!

I'm guest blogging on Dayana Knight's blog today about my love of vampires and would like to invite everyone to join me over there. And I'm also having a contest.

Here's the link: http://dayanaknight.blogspot.com/

Eternity Waits Now On Sale!

For the entire month of October, The Wild Rose Press is discounting all their paranormal romances. You can now purchase Eternity Waits for only $1.35.

If you haven't already read it, here's the link to purchase.

http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=787&zenid=ca141a8a033bba99f014b055634890ce

And here's an excerpt:

Eternity Waits

The Wild Rose Press

Black Rosette

North of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

July 1, 1863

Caleb Weathers tensed at a rustle behind him. He swung his Enfield rifle in the general direction. A hoot, followed by the flutter of large wings left him staring into the wide-eyed gaze of a Barn owl. When the bird took flight, he breathed a sigh of relief. The scent of pine and fetid soil calmed him a bit.

The thickness of the forest made him all too aware of how vulnerable he was to attack despite the weight of his weapon. Caleb sensed a presence behind him. He broke into a sweat and the hairs on the nape of his neck rose. He whirled and aimed the barrel at the form that appeared out of nowhere.

"Who are you?" he asked. "Where'd ya come from?"

The woman smiled. Blood-red lips and luminous blue eyes captured his gaze. Her raven hair glinted in the moonlight.

"I am Alexandra." Her low, throaty voice held a guttural accent.

What is a beautiful woman doing in camp alone in the dead of night? She couldn't be up to any good. And yet, as he watched her, a thrill of anticipation raced through him. Something about her seemed familiar. A memory he couldn't quite reach.

He swallowed. "You'd best skedaddle, ma'am. You can't come through camp without a pass."

"I came for you, my darling." With one fluid motion, she moved closer.

He cocked his rifle. "Stop right there."

Her exquisite lips drew into a pout. "I would never harm you, Dimitri."

At the sound of the name an eerie sensation swept over him."Who the hell is Dimitri?" he asked. "My name's Caleb."

October Writing Goals

Okay, figured out what I want to accomplish writing-wise for the month of October.

1) Edit, proofread and submit my short vampire story, Sweet Redemption.

2) Finally finish the outline for my full-length science fiction romance.

I think I can work both these projects in among the work I have to do with all my contracted stories. So, we'll see how I do.

End of the Month Already

Well, I checked out my writing goals, or should I say goal, for this month. I wanted to try to finish up the outline for my science fiction romance. But, I didn't get it done.

I don't feel bad, though, because it was other writing obligations that got in the way. And did I accomplish a lot.

I got through the galley of Erin's Rebel and found quite a few boo-boos we missed during edits, so those are now being fixed. I also got a contract for Confederate Rose and filled out all the manuscript and author forms for that.

I also completed my anthology story and submitted that. I wrote a very short Civil War Christmas story that I submitted to TWRP as a free read and I finished revisions on my newest vampire story.

So, although I didn't complete my stated goal, I accomplished a great deal writing-wise. Maybe I'll get that outline done in October.

Brand New Cover

This one's for my new Civil War romance, Confederate Rose, an upcoming release from The Wild Rose Press.

Nicola Martinez did the cover. Isn't it beautiful!

A New Review for Eternity Waits!!

I just got a new review for my short vampire romance story, Eternity Waits, available now from The Wild Rose Press. This one's from Simply Romance Reviews.

I'll quote a few lines: "Susan Macatee takes the eternal search for love, mixes it with some vampires and war, and tosses in some reincarnation to top things off. This is a very short read but all in all enjoyable. I look forward to seeing more from Ms. Macatee."

To read the full review, click here.

Galley Corrections Are Turned In

Galley corrections are in for Erin's Rebel and are my eyes crossed!
Hopefully, I caught all those little boo-boos that got through editing.

To read the first chapter and part of the second of Erin's Rebel, my time travel romance, click here.

Next announcement for ER will be the release date.

Another Contract!!!

It's official. I've just been offered another contract, this time for Confederate Rose from The Wild Rose Press. This will be my third contract with them and I am so excited!


I'll even get to work with the same editor who I worked with on Erin's Rebel.

Here's the blurb for Confederate Rose and I'll post an unedited excerpt later.

Disguised as a man to serve with her husband as a soldier in the Confederate Army, Irish immigrant, Katie Rose O'Reilly, vows to remain in the ranks and seek revenge on Yankees after her husband is killed at Sharpsburg. As she's transporting mail from Richmond back to camp, a stranger startles her, causing her to fall and almost drown in a swollen stream.

Southerner, Alexander Hart, a Yankee spy, saves Katie from drowning, then nurses her through a resulting fever. He must keep his identity secret from the feisty and beautiful Rebel soldier even as he finds himself falling in love with her.

Katie falls in love with the caring gentleman stranger, only to later discover he's the enemy. Heartbroken, she turns him in to the Confederates, but then questions her goals and beliefs. Is is possible to put her quest for revenge aside to save the man she loves?

September Goals

Haven't posted my September goals yet, mainly because I can't figure out what I want to do.

Currently I'm waiting on the galley for Erin's Rebel. When that comes in, my main goal will of course be to get that done so I can get my release date.

I'm also waiting for word on two full-length manuscripts I've submitted to The Wild Rose Press.

Meanwhile, I'm waiting for critiques from my group on the last chapters of my anthology story and I'm purposely waiting before I start revisions to the first draft of my new vampire story.

A lot of waiting!

So, the only project I'm not stuck waiting on right now is the outline for my new science fiction romance. For now, my goal will be to complete the outline by the end of this month, if nothing more urgent comes in.

August Is Over Already?

I can't believe this month is over.

Time to see how I did with my August goals.

1) Finish revisions on outline of Sweet Redemption and write first draft.

Since SR is a short story of about 70 pages, I was able to get this one in. I just wrote the ending of the first draft on Wednesday. Now, I'll let the story sit for a little while.

2) Go over anthology story again.

I did a final revision and edit of my anthology story and now my critique partners are going over it.

3) Complete proofread of Cassidy's War.

This is my full-length young adult that was formerly published as Under the Guns. I finished the proofread and got a request for the full. Now, I'm waiting to hear back on it.

So, I think I deserve a few days of R and R. But I did do some updating on my website. If you'd like to see the results click the link: http://susanmacatee.com/News.html

Tuesday Ten at Slip Into Something Victorian

I posted the Tuesday Ten today on facts about Victorian clothing over at Slip Into Something Victorian.

http://somethingvictorianblog.blogspot.com/

Erin's Rebel Excerpt

Since I've turned in my final edits for Erin's Rebel, my Civil War time travel romance, in to my editor, thought I'd whet everyone's appetites with an excerpt.

Erin's Rebel

Time Travel Romance

The Wild Rose Press - American Rose

The sound of her name on his lips made her skin tingle. She tore the paper off the package. At the sight of the brooch, her breath caught.

"Do you like it?" he asked anxiously. "I had it made just for you."

Eyeing him, she had a hard time finding her voice. This was Erin O'Connell's brooch, the very one that had sent her back in time. It shone in her hands, new and unworn from time and wear.

What did this mean? She must be following Erin O'Connell's footsteps. As far as she knew her being here hadn't changed anything. Will was still destined to die this year.

"I didn't mean to upset you, Erin. If you don't want the brooch--"

"No." She clasped the pin against her chest as the meaning of his gift sank in. "It just means so much to me."

His look of concern softened into a lopsided grin. "I'm happy you feel that way."

"Thank you, Will." She slipped the brooch into the pocket of her wrapper, then stood on her toes, lifting her arms to circle his neck. She kissed his cheek, inhaling his musky scent.

His mouth was on hers, hot and urgent. The softness of his moustache and chin beard tickled her lips. She opened to him, her tongue slipping inside to taste him thoroughly. He groaned, pressing the length of his body against her.
___

Hope you all enjoyed. Keep you posted on further developments.

Things Are Finally Slowing Down

Wow! I finally have time to think of something beside my work. After juggling several clients for months in my home business, I actually have no work in at all.

I'm also in wait mode on several of my writing projects. Erin's Rebel is finished! Just waiting on the galleys. All I have left to do when they come in is proofread for mistakes.

And a few of my other projects I've been switching between are also in wait mode now.

I've decided to use all this free time to finally start writing the first draft of my new vampire story, Sweet Redemption. This one will be longer then Eternity Waits, but still a short story. Like Eternity Waits, it takes place during the Civil War. An ex-Catholic priest turned Union infantry captain is attacked by a vampire. He must save his soul from the vampire, as well as a beautiful Southern widow, who takes him in when he collapses across her back stoop. I'm having fun writing the new scenes. I'm trying to get myself out of edit mode though, to keep the words flowing. I've outlined the entire story scene by scene and am following it as I write the first draft.

If things go on as they are, I'll have no trouble completing the first draft by the end of the month.

August Goals

Finally figured out my August goals.

First and foremost, I have to complete final edits for Erin's Rebel, but I'm almost finished. So, here they are:

1) Finish revisions on the outline for my new vampire story, Sweet Redemption and write the first draft.
Since this is a short story I should have no trouble completing the first draft by month's end.

2) Go over my anthology story, Angel of My Dreams, again.
I already did one revision, so will mostly be doing final edits.


3) Complete proofread of Cassidy's War.
The editor is reading the first three chapters, and I'm almost finished proofreading the remainder of the manuscript.


So, I think I should be able to complete these goals by the end of the month, especially if my home typing business continues in a lull. Frees up that much more time for writing.

My Blurb Won Third Place

My blurb for Confederate Rose won third place in The Wild Rose Press blurb contest. Here's the link if you'd like to take a look.

http://americanroseblurb.blogspot.com

My Goals for July

I checked over the goals I'd set for July and have gotten them all done early.

1) Revise anthology story.
Done.

2) Proofread Confederate Rose.
Done.

3) Complete self-edits for Cassidy's War.
Done and I've sent the query and synopsis to The Wild Rose Press, gotten a request for the opening chapters and sent them out.

So, next up I'll be listing my goals for August.

Haven't Blogged In a While

I've been neglecting my blog. I've been so lost in edits on all my projects, I haven't had much time for anything else.

But I now have a break in Erin's Rebel edits. And I've completed self-editing both Confederate Rose and Cassidy's War. I think I need a break.

Since I've completed all my projects for the month of July, I think I'm going to start reviewing the outline for my new short vampire story, Sweet Redemption, next week. I'm beginning to like the idea of switching off between long and short projects.

My plan is to write the first draft of that story in August. So, why not get a jump start?