I have just finished the final touches to the second book of the Secrets of Shadow Hill series, and have jumped back into writing book three of the series.  I learned a lot through the process of having my first book published, and am very excited with how book two, The Prophecy, turned out.  Since the series focuses on secrets that have been kept by Shadow Hill for centuries, I am continuously trying to surprise my readers with what the secrets are, and what they all mean.  
    The Prophecy takes a drastic turn from the confusion and insecutites Ava expereienced as she steered her way through the revelations that were revealed in book one, to one of suspense and strength.  This book was written all at once, rather than over time like Always and Forever...I literally could not stop thinking about the story.  Scenes and dialogue shot into my mind when I was running, playing with my children, and while I tried to fall asleep at night.  I keep a notepad next to my bed for that very reason.  Why is it that the best ideas always come right when I put the computer down and try and rest my brain?  
    Now that I have been working on book 3, my outline is clear, and the path of my characters is definte.  It always amazes me how I can sit down with one path I want to take, and the next thing I know, I have been writing for three hours, and am 20,000 words in.  
    My challenge while I write book three is to try and manage taking care of my family, teaching my wonderful students, AND finding the time to read all of the novels by the amazing authors I admire!  
    I have always loved a challenge!  Happy Holidays to all!


    

I love this time of year!  Christmas was always my favorite time with my family growing up.  Every Christmas Eve we would all go to my grandparents' house in Mantoloking, NJ.  I loved the Shore in the winter because it was always so quiet, with all of the summer renters back in the city.  My grandmom would  have soft Christmas music playing in the background, and have endless hors d'oeuvres out for us to munch on. Their Christmas tree seemed enormous the the corner of their great room. There was always a giant meal and lots of family fun.  But the best part was when Santa came.
After dinner all of the women would be in the kitchen cleaning up, while I played with my cousins.  My grandmom would gather us all together at some point after they cleared the table and cleaned the dishes to tell us she thought she heard Santa's bells.  We would all jump on their black leather couch ( some of the young ones would hide) and wait to see Santa walking down the stone covered street ringing his bells.  The butterflies of excitement we all felt was something I still remember. 
We never thought about why Santa was walking down the street at 9pm on Christmas Eve just to see us.  We were just to caught up in the magical moment.  I was probably much too old before I realized that the person walking down the street, dressed as Santa, in the freezing cold, and sometimes snow, was always my Grandpop.  None of us kids ever realized granpop was gone during this time, and when we asked, someone would tell us he was taking out the trash. 
That was one of the many selfless things my grandfather would do for all of us, and I was glad that I was able to tell him how special that was to all of us growing up. My grandfather always made everything so special for us, and I was sure to tell him how much I appreciated all of the things he did for me and taught me before he passed.  I always miss my Pop on Christmas more than any other time of year!

This Christmas, I hope that everyone takes the time out to tell those you are close to how much you love and appreciate them.
Oh, and don't foreget to get your copy of Secrets of Shadow Hill: Always and Forever at Amazon.com today:)