Okay, I’ve taken that next step: I’ve started my third novel. And this one has a male protagonist.

What do you think about that?

I’m particularly interested in learning your thoughts/feelings about reading a book from a man’s perspective because, unlike my earlier books, I’m thinking about turning this story into a series.

It’s not going to be completely different from my earlier efforts. Like the other two, this third book is going to have lots of humor and plenty of suspense. But unlike its predecessors it’s going to very definitely be a mystery.

My hero—let’s call him Reuben—is a young man in his early 20s who, much to his widowed mother’s chagrin, has moved from his Midwestern hometown to L.A. in order to follow in his uncle’s footsteps and become a screenwriter.

Mom wants to be able to brag to her mahjong group about her son the doctor or lawyer. So she’s not willing to support, financially or otherwise, any other vocational pursuits by her only child.

To make things even more complicated, Reuben’s desire may be strong but his talent is weak. He isn’t starting out as the world’s best screenwriter.

In fact, in the immortal words of Otto, the uncle he hopes to emulate, Reuben’s dialogue sucks. People just don’t talk the way his characters speak. Ever.

When Reuben takes steps to get a better feel for the dynamics of lifelike conversations, he stumbles into danger.

And the mystery begins.

SO WHAT DO YOU THINK? ARE YOU WILLING TO EMBRACE A MALE PROTAGONIST . . . AND NOT JUST FOR ONE BOOK, BUT A WHOLE SERIES? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com. Her debut novel, MRS.GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

A friend told me recently that her sister, a high school teacher, is on a quest while off for the summer: she wants to see every bad movie that comes out.

In an effort to not offend anyone needlessly, I’m going to refrain from naming which flicks would make my list if I were on a similar mission. After all, one viewer’s disappointment is another’s absolute fave.

That said, however, I will admit my personal roll would be a little shorter this year than in some summer’s past, but still higher than I’d like for it to be.

Where are all the intelligent comedies?

Why must every movie that’s supposed to make me laugh include fart and barf jokes and people being generally gross and infantile? I can’t tell you how much I long for movies that include true wit and show at least a modicum of respect for the audience’s intelligence and general level of taste.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge anyone being able to see all the ridiculous shows their hearts desire. I’d just like to be able to enjoy an adult comedy worthy of that designation. In the last few years I’ve had to sit through far too many “humorous” films that fall far short of being adult in every area excepting their language used and the sexual nature of much of their content.

It would be so refreshing to see light-hearted fare that is truly well written. The closest I’ve seen of those kind of movies in the past few years have been animated.

Sigh . . . I’m sounding old and prudish even to myself. But that doesn’t mean I’m wrong, just tired of being bored by something I’ve paid to see on a big screen, which used to be my absolute favorite pastime.

How I’d love to see something that made me laugh and think and recommend it to everyone I know. That’s the kind of movie quest I want to undertake.

Jeez, who knew my mother would invade my body—and blog—like this!

www.jayciecash.com

HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT’S YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE MOVIE? WHAT KIND OF FILM QUEST WOULD YOU LIKE TO UNDERTAKE? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com. Her debut novel, MRS. GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

Ah, the relaxing patter of a gentle rain falling outside as my Jack Russell Terrorist hurls himself against my back door, snarling and yapping at the occasional blast of thunder.

Normal dogs fear loud storms. Not my little guy. Of course, I’ve never accused him of being normal.

Much like the Man of La Mancha when he comes upon a windmill, Scout challenges each and every overhead peal to a duel. And it’s pretty clear his preferred terms would be to the death. Don’t worry, he’s not suicidal. Sure, he may weigh in at only 20 pounds, even when soaking wet from the rain, but you can tell he’s convinced that the big bully in the sky making all that noise wouldn’t stand a chance against him if only they could finally meet face-to-face.

If I’m stupid enough to let him out when it’s cloudy (usually because I’m concentrating on my writing and haven’t noticed it has started to look threatening outside) and thunder begins to boom ominously in the distance before I can rush him back inside, all bets are off.

This little demon I call pet—the same dog who insists on doing his morning “business” standing on the edge of the patio, presumably so he won’t get his feet wet in the dew-covered grass—runs up and down all three sides of my increasingly muddy backyard fence gleefully growling and shouting his taunts at the roiling clouds. And it doesn’t matter if there’s rain, hail, sleet . . . whatever.

If there’s thunder, Scout wants to be under the open sky demanding to know if it wants a piece of him. “Bring it on. You don’t scare me,” is his obvious doggy battle cry.

Should this go on for long, my neighbors are prone to phone their displeasure. I shan’t repeat their exact words here, but they seem to think Scout and I might be related . . . and that I am unable to hear them if they keep their voice to a conversational tone.

So, for that reason and the fact that I don’t want to pay the vet bills if my little pugilist is struck by lightning or hit by hail, I’ve been known to chase after him with a large bath towel that I can throw over him if and when he slows down long enough for me to do so.

Good times, my friends. Good, muddy times.

What typically happens is that eventually he’s had all the wet fun he can stand and will, in a face-saving gesture, intentionally stop and look in another direction long enough for me to drape him in the towel. Naturally, he can’t appear to willingly quit the battle field, so he ratchets up his snarls, now obviously aimed at me, his captor, without ever actually trying to bite me . . . or dislodge the warm towel wrapped around him. In the meantime I, now drenched, carefully pick my way through the still falling rain and slip-slide my way to the back door.

Once we’re safely inside the house, behind closed and locked doors, and he’s dried off and warm, Scout’s barking resumes as long as the thunder roars. This has made for some long nights for yours truly.

All of which helps to explain why I’ve wondered on more than one occasion whether I’d prefer a Jack Russell rug at my feet on cold winter nights or a trophy head mounted on my wall. But then I have to ask myself, as he snuggles down on my lap once each storm becomes but a memory, who would keep me safe from the thunder?

HOW ABOUT YOU? DO YOU HAVE ANY PET STORIES TO SHARE? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

www.jayciecash.com

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com Her debut novel, MRS. GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

You don’t have to twirl sparklers to light up your July this year. As you can see below, there’s plenty of thoroughly entertaining books being released this month.

So go ahead, buy a handful of novels by your favorite authors—plus a few writers you haven’t read before—fill a pitcher with an ice cold beverage, slip into something light and comfortable, turn your air conditioner on high, settle into your favorite chair, and you’ll be sure to have one Yankee Doodle Dandy of a summer.

The Princess and the Outlaw
By Leanne Banks
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 19, 2012
Published by Harlequin Special Edition
www.leannebanks.com

Hot in Handcuffs (Anthology)
By Shayla Black
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.susansizemore.com

Pure Delights
By Stella Cameron
E-Book (reissue from 01/95 Zebra Mass Market Paperback)
Released June 12, 2012
www.StellaCameron.com

The Desperate Game
By Jayne Castle
E-Book (a Guinevere Jones Novel #1)
Released July 10, 2012
Published by InterMix/Penguin
www.JayneCastle.com

The Chilling Wild
By Jayne Castle
E-Book (a Guinevere Jones Novel #2)
Released July 10, 2012
Published by InterMix/Penguin
www.JayneCastle.com

A Hunger So Wild: A Renegade Angels Novel #2
By Sylvia Day
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.SylviaDay.com

Hot in Handcuffs (Anthology)
By Sylvia Day
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.SylviaDay.com

Scotched
A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery #5
By Kaitlyn Dunnett
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Kensington
www.KaitlynDunnett.com

A Baby on the Ranch: Forever Texas
By Marie Ferrarella
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Harlequin American Romance
www.MarieFerrarella.com

Cavanaugh Rules: Cavanaugh Justice
By Marie Ferrarella
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 24, 2012
Published by Harlequin Romantic Suspense
www.MarieFerrarella.com

The Queen’s Guard: Violet
Book One in the Queen’s Guard Series
By Traci Hall
Mass Market Paperback
Published by Medallion Press
www.TraciHall.com

One Day to Find a Husband
By Shirley Jump
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Harlequin Romance
http://shirleyjump.com

Midnight Jewels
By Jayne Ann Krentz
E-Book (Reissue from 11/87 & 08/92)
Released June 13, 2012
Published by Purple Papaya LLC
www.JayneAnnKrentz.com

Shield’s Lady
By Jayne Ann Krentz
E-Book (reissue from 06/89 as Amanda Gray & 01/96)
Released June 21, 2012
Published by Purple Papaya LLC
www.JayneAnnKrentz.com

Heart of a Desert Warrior
By Lucy Monroe
E-Book release of last month’s Mass Market Paperback
Released July 1, 2012
Published by Harlequin Presents
www.LucyMonroe.com

Close Quarters
By Lucy Monroe
Mass Market Paperback (reissued from 09/10 trade paperback)
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Kensington Brava
www.LucyMonroe.com

Courageous
By Diana Palmer
Hardcover
Released June 26, 2012
Published by HQN
www.dianapalmer.com

The Great Escape
By Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Hardcover
Released July 10, 2012
Published by Wm Morrow
www.susanephillips.com

Dark Destiny
A Dark Mirror Novel #3
By Mary Jo Putney
Trade Paperback
Releaseed July 3, 2012
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
www.maryjoputney.com

Primal Cravings
Vampire Primes
By Susan Sizemore
E-Book
Released May 28, 2012
www.susansizemore.com

The Sorceress of Belmair
Book Four of the World of Hetar (reissues from 05/08)
By Bertrice Small
Trade Paperback
Released June 19, 2012
Published by HQN
www.bertricesmall.net

The Spitfire
By Bertrice Small
E-Book (reissued from 1992)
Published by Ellora’s Cave Blush
www.bertricesmall.net

Don’t You Wish
By Roxanne St. Claire
Hardcover
Released July 10, 2012
Published by Random House Children’s Books
www.roxannestclaire.com

Hot in Handcuffs (Anthology) “The Unwilling”
By Shiloh Walker
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.shilohwalker.com

Ocean Beach
By Wendy Wax
Trade Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.authorwendywax.com

The Truth About Sorority Girls
By Claudia Welch
E-Book
Release June 12, 2012
Published by Berkley
www.claudiawelch.net

Fireside
The Lakeshore Chronicles #5 (reissued from 02/09)
By Susan Wiggs
E-Book
Published by Mira
www.susanwiggs.com

Midnight Promises
A Sweet Magnolia Novel #8
By Sherryl Woods
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Mira
http://sherrylwoods.com

Magic Dreams
By Ilona Andrews
E-Book (reissued from 06/11 “Hexed” Anthology)
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Ace
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author248

Off the Menu
By Stacey Ballis
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author241

Echoes At Dawn
A KGI Novel #5
By Maya Banks
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author272

All the Truth
By Laura Brodie
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author347

Heart of Steel
A Novel of the Iron Seas (reissue from 11/11)
By Meljean Brook
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author166

Defiant
A MacKinnon’s Rangers Novel #3
By Pamela Clare
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author157

Split Second
An FBI Thriller #15
By Catherine Coulter
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Jove
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author15

Samurai Game
A Ghost Walker Novel #10
By Christine Feehan
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Jove
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author44

Night Seeker
An Indigo Court Novel #3
By Yasmine Galenorn
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author217

Alliance Forged
A Novel of the Light Blade #2
By Kylie Griffin
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author481

Carolina Home
A Dare Island Novel #1
By Virginia Kantra
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author132

Melt Into You
A Loving on the Edge Novel #2
By Roni Loren
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author476

Blackhearted Betrayal
A Shades of Fury Novel #3
By Kasey Mackenzie
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Ace
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author408

Liquid Lies
The Elementals #1
By Hanna Martine
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author492

Lie to Me
Black Opals #2
By Tori St. Claire
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author477

In a Heartbeat
By Jodi Thomas
E-Book
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author59

Ravishing the Heiress
By Sherry Thomas
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
http://berkleyjoveauthors.com/author486

Plotting at the PTA
A PTA Mystery #3
By Laura Alden
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Obsidian
http://nalauthors.com/author396

Darkness Devours
A Dark Angels Novel #3
By Keri Arthur
Mass Market Paperback
Released by June 26, 2012
Published by Signet Select
http://nalauthors.com/author461

The Elusive Mr. McCoy
By Brenda L. Baker
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by NAL Trade
http://nalauthors.com/author418

In a Witch’s Wardrobe
A Witchcraft Mystery #4
By Juliet Blackwell
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Obsidian
http://nalauthors.com/author360

Blood Before Sunrise
A Shaede Assassin Novel #2
By Amanda Bonilla
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
http://nalauthors.com/author435

Mistress of Mourning
By Karen Harper
Trade Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by NAL Trade
http://nalauthors.com/author373

Lethal Outlook
A Psychic Eye Mystery #10
By Victoria Laurie
Hardcover
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Obsidian
http://nalauthors.com/author167

Slay Belles
A Blackbird Sisters Mystery Novella (reissued from 02/05 Signet Anthology)
By Nancy Martin
E-Book
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Obsidian
http://nalauthors.com/author95

My Lady Mage
A Warriors of the Mist Novel #1
By Alexi Morgan
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
http://nalauthors.com/author462

Moonshell Beach
A Shelter Bay Novel #4
By JoAnn Ross
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Signet
http://nalauthors.com/author310

Kindred Spirits
First time in paperback
By Sarah Strohmeyer
Trade Paperback
Published by NAL Trade
http://nalauthors.com/author92

Leaping Hearts (reissued from 08/02)
By J.R. Ward
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Signet
http://nalauthors.com/author214

How to Dine on Killer Wine
A Party-Planning Mystery #5
By Penny Warner
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 5, 2012
Published by Obsidian
http://nalauthors.com/author375

Pies and Prejudice
A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery #1
By Ellery Adams
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author405

The Darling Dahlias and the Naked Ladies
The Darling dahlias #2 (first time in paperback)
By Susan Witt Albert
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author146

Murder on the Half Shelf
A Booktown Mystery #6
By Lorna Barrett
Hardcover
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author355

Cloaked in Malice
A Vintage Magic Mystery #5
By Annette Blair
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author365

Murder for Choir
A Glee Club Mystery #1
By Joelle Charbonneau
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author462

A Sinister Sense
A Raven’s Nest Bookstore Mystery #2
By Allison Kingsley
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author441

Beef Stolen-Off
A Clueless Cook Mystery #2
By Liz Lipperman
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author444

Red Velvet Revenge
A Cupcake Bakery Mystery #4
By Jen McKinlay
Mass Market Paperback
Released July 3, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://berkleysignetmysteries.com/author399

Brody
The Circle Eight #2
By Emma Lang
Trade Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Kensington Brava
http://aftermidnightfantasies.com/beth-williamson/

Summer Night’s
Fool’s Gold #8
By Susan Mallery
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by HQN
www.susanmallery.com

The Sleeping Night
By Barbara Samuel
Trade Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Published by Bell Bridge
www.barbarasamuel.com

Other than reading and watching movies, I have only one real hobby, which I indulge in once, maybe twice a year.

I enjoy container gardening.

In other words, I purchase plants from the garden store and arrange them in a manner I find pleasing in a pot or planter.

To do this as inexpensively as possible, I often wait to buy the bulk of my flowers until late Spring or early Summer, when they’re drastically marked down. This is a bit of a gamble, as all the good plants might be gone by the time I go to purchase them. So I mixed things up this year and bought my West-facing, afternoon sun, front yard blooms, at the end of May. But put off buying the bulk of my flowers, those for my back deck that gets only morning sun, until last week.

Success! My strategy paid off: I was able to buy the second batch for as little as $6 a flat.

One problem: this resulted in my getting a large number of the same type of flowers, so my containers all ended up as variations on a theme. But since they’re all types of plants and flowers that I love, I really don’t mind.

In the spirit of Show ‘n Tell, I’ve included photos.

Don’t worry, when not posing for my camera, my planters aren’t grouped quite so closely together. Therefore, it is possible to walk across my deck without having to step over, around or trip over a container of flowers.

Now, I’m faced with a whole new problem: the weatherman just announced the temperature is going to be over 100 several days. This means I’ve got my watering cut out for me.

Can’t wait to see if my carefully fashioned pots will last out the week.

HOW ABOUT YOU, DO YOU ENJOY SOME TYPE OF GARDENING OR DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER HOBBY YOU’D LIKE TO TELL US ABOUT? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com Her debut novel, MRS. GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

www.jayciecash.com

Imagine my surprise: I saw bits and pieces of The Alamo (with Jason Patric and Billy Bob Thornton) for the first time this weekend and actually liked it. I never thought that would be the case, which helps to explain why I didn’t see it in the theatre.

No one’s ever described me as a Thornton fan. I came a lot closer to becoming one after seeing him in this.

He played Davy Crockett, who evidently preferred being called David, as a very different man from the legend we all grew up with. For example: Thornton’s Crockett wasn’t an overtly brave man, at least when it came to going into battle.

As a result, he became a far more interesting character to me.

Far as I’m concerned, true heroes are those who are afraid of taking right action and take it anyway. I tend to assume someone who feels no fear and simply rushes into a dangerous situation—while admirable—probably just lacks the imagination to recognize all the potential problems involved.

Therefore, it’s no more courageous for them to enter into the fray than it is for me to get out of bed in the morning. Although walking past a mirror before combing my hair can take a whole lot of gumption. Trust me.

I’m my mother’s daughter. So I see every possible danger—real and imagined—in every situation. This is my family’s form of survival training. Because I’m familiar with fear, I can relate to characters who feel it as well. Their ability to force themselves to still charge forward gives me hope that I might be able to respond in like fashion in a similar situation.

You gotta love a character who gives you hope for yourself . . . or the whole human condition.

WHAT ABOUT YOU, DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM A BOOK OR MOVIE? IF SO, PLEASE TELL US WHO AND WHY HE OR SHE FASCINATES YOU. A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

**

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com Her debut novel, MRS. GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

I’ve paid. Lord knows, every month I’ve paid.

Still, I feared calling for assistance when I needed it.

Hail came hurtling into my life a couple weeks ago at an almost horizontal angle. There was as much underneath the cover on my deck as out in the open. Varying in size from a quarter to a ping-pong ball, it was loud and frightening.

The hail only lasted a few minutes but it left uncertainty in its wake. To call or not to call my insurance agent, that was the question.

I looked around my house and found no sign of leaks. Keeping my feet firmly planted on the ground, since I’m not exactly graceful on or off a ladder, I peaked up at the roof and didn’t see any missing shingles. Still, the hail had been so thick and I saw where a neighbor’s skylight had been knocked out.

I was in a quandary. If I called my insurance company, I knew from experience they’d raise my rates, whether I needed repairs or not. But I didn’t know a roofer who wasn’t suddenly slammed with business that I could call to come check things out for me. And frankly, at this particular juncture, no one else in my life belongs up on a ladder any more than I do.

So I did what I do best: procrastinate.

Luckily, though, I have non-procrastinating neighbors.

There was a knock on my door the other day and a representative of a local construction company that some neighbors had called was standing there and asked if I’d like them to check out my roof too.

Saved by the knock.

Ends up all my shingles were there, but a bunch of them had holes in them all the way through to the flashing. They found other problems as well. I’m lucky the construction company came along.

The insurance company . . . not so much, because the construction folks pointed out problems to me I would have never noticed on my own.

Guess we’ll see how lucky I feel once I find out what my new insurance rates are going to be. Sigh.

HOW ABOUT YOU, HAVE YOU EVER HAD HAIL DAMAGE OR NEEDED TO FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com. Her debut novel, Mrs. Goodfeller, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

www.jayciecash.com

June is supposed to be the month for brides. Thanks to Writerspace filling you in on the multitude of June 2012 releases, now all month you can have your leftover wedding cake and read a great new book too.

Just think, with this many exciting heroes to choose from, you can pledge your heart to a whole wedding party full of stories, including:

The Princess and the Outlaw
By Leanne Banks
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 19, 2012
Published by Harlequin Special Edition
www.leannebanks.com

Mine to Hold
By Shayla Black
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
www.shaylablack.com

Embrace Me At Dawn (Doomsday Brethren #5)
By Shayla Black
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 1, 2012
Published by self
www.shaylablack.com

The King’s Mistress
By Sandy Blair
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Samhain Publishing
www.sandyblair.net

A Caress of Wings (A Renegade Angels Novella)
By Sylvia Day
An e-special from New American Library
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.sylviaday.com

Once Upon a Matchmaker (Matchmaking Mamas)
By Marie Ferrarella
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 15, 2012
Published by Harlequin Special Edition
www.marieferrarella.com

Honest Betrayal
By Dara Girard
e-book
Released June 1, 2012
Published by Ilori Press
www.daragirard.com

Love is Murder (Anthology)
Including a short story by Laura Griffin
Hardcover
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Mira
www.lauragriffin.com

Beautiful Sacrifice
By Elizabeth Lowell
Hardcover
Released May 22, 2012
Published by William Morrow
www.elizabethlowell.com

Big Sky Country
By Linda Lael Miller
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by HQN
www.lindalaelmiller.com

Heart of a Desert Warrior
By Lucy Monroe
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 19, 2012
Published by Harlequin Presents
www.lucymonroe.com

Unexpected Family
By Molly O’Keefe
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Harlequin Superromance
www.molly-okeefe.com

Noelle (reissued from 08/95 and 12/09)
By Diana Palmer
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 1, 2012
Published by HQN
www.dianapalmer.com

Night of the Cougar
By Caridad Pineiro
e-book
Released June 1, 2012
Published by Harlequin Nocturne Cravings
www.caridad,com

When Morning Comes (A Family Affair novel)
By Francis Ray
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published St. Martin’s Griffin
www.francisray.com

Sing to My Heart (an anthology)
Then Sings My Soul
By Francis Ray
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 19, 2012
Published by Kimani Press
www.francisray.com

A Dangerous Kiss (Grayson Friends)
By Francis Ray
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 26, 2012
Pubished by St. Martin’s Paperbacks
www.francisray.com

No One Left to Tell
By Karen Rose
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet
www.karenrosebooks,.com

Dead Man’s Tunnel (a Hook Runyan mystery)
By Sheldon Russell
Hardcover
Released June 19, 2012
Published by St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur
www.sheldonrussell.com

Love is Murder (Anthology)
By Roxanne St. Claire
Hardcover
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Mira
www.roxannestclaire.com

Home for the Summer (The Chesapeake Diaries #5)
By Mariah Stewart
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Ballantine
www.marthastewart.com

Love is Murder (Anthology)
By Mariah Stewart
Hardcover
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Mira
www.mariahstewart.com

Sorority Sisters
By Claudia Welch
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.claudiawelch.net

Edge of Forever (Bestselling Author Collection)
By Sherryl Woods
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Harlequin
www.sherrylwoods.com

Colter’s Promise (Colter’s Legacy)
By Maya Banks
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.mayabanks.com

Joy for Beginners (first time in paperback)
By Erica Bauermeister
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Trade
www.ericabauermeister.com

Accidentally Dead, Again (an Accidentally Paranormal novel)
By Dakota Cassidy
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation Trade
www.dakotacassidy.com

Charmed by His Love (Spellbound Falls Romance #2)
By Janet Chapman
Mass Market Paperback
Released by May 29, 2012
Published by Jove
www.janetchapman.com

Chaos Burning (Bound by Magick #12)
By Lauren Dane
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.laurendane.com

Undead and Unstable (Undead/Queen Betsy, Book 11)
By MaryJanice Davidson
Hardcover
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley
www.maryjanciedavidson.net

Fascinated
By Marissa Day
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
www.marissadayromance.com

All That Falls (A Novel of the Etherline #2)
By Kimberly Frost
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.frostfiction.com

Kiss the Dead (An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel #21)
By Laurell K. Hamilton
Hardcover
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley
www.laurellkhamilton.org

Hit List (An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel)
By Laurell K. Hamilton
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Jove www.laurellkhamilton.org

Bound to You (A One Night of Passion Novella)
By Bethany Kane
E-Book
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
www.bethanyKane.com

Still Into You
By Roni Loren
E-Book
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Heat
www.ronilauren.com

The Casanova Code (Book One of the Rake Patrol)
By Donna MacMeans
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.donnamacmeans.com

Jacked Up (Fast Track)
By Erin McCarthy
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.erinmccarthy.com

Bed of Roses (Book Two of the Bride Quartet)
By Nora Roberts
Mass Market Paperback – reissued from 11/09 Trade Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Jove
www.noraroberts.com

Tangle of Need (Psy-Changeling Novel #11)
By Nalini Singh
Hardcover
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Berkley
www.nalinisigh.com

The Scarlet Bride (A School for Brides Romance #3)
By Cheryl Ann Smith
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.cherylannsmith.com

Bride of the High Country (A Runaway Brides Novel #3)
By Kaki Warner
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Sensation
www.kakiwarner.com

Why Do Women Crave More Sex in the Summer? (112 Questions that Women Keep Asking and that Keep Everyone Else Guessing)
By Patricia Barnes-Svarney
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by NAL Trade
http://pattybarnes.net

Dead Man Waltzing (A Ballroom Dane Mystery #2)
By Ella Barrick
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Obsidian
www.ellabarrick.com

When Shadows Call (A Shaede Assassin Novella)
By Amanda Bonilla
E-Book
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.amandabonilla.com

Blazing the Trail (The Dragon Diaries #3)
By Deborah Cooke
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by NAL Trade
www.deborahcooke.com

Quilt or Innocence (A Southern Quilting Mystery #1)
By Elizabeth Craig
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Obsidian
www.elizabethspanncraig.com

The Nightmare Thief (A Jo Beckett Novel #4- first time in paperback)
By Meg Gardiner
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet
www.meggardiner.com

The Ideal Man
By Julie Garwood
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet
www.juliegarwood.com

Mr. Monk is a Mess
By Lee Goldberg
Hardcover
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Obsidian
www.leegoldberg.com

Visions of Chains (An Awakening Novel #3)
By Regan Hastingsel
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.reganhastings.com

Can I Get an Amen?
By Sarah Healy
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by NALTrade
www.sarah-healy.com

Messenger’s Angel (A Novel of the Lost Angels #2)
By Heather Killough-Walden
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
http://killough-walden.com

More Than a Stranger (A Sealed with a Kiss Novel)
By Erin Knightley
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.erinknightley.com

The King’s Concubine (A Novel of Alice Perrers)
By Anne O’Brien
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published NAL Trade
www.anneobrienbooks.com

Vengeance Moon (A Novel of the Earth Witches #2)
By Lee Roland
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Signet Eclipse
www.leeroland.com

Sea Change
By Karen White
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by NAL Trade
http://karen-white.com

Threaded for Trouble (A Threadville Mystery #2)
By Janet Bolin
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
www.threadvillemysteries.com

Hearse and Buggy (An Amish Mystery #1)
By Laura Bradford
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://laurabradford.com

The Azalea Assault (A Garden Society Mystery)
By Alyse Carlson
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Obsidian

The Diva Digs Up the Dirt (A Domestic Diva Mystery #6)
By Krista Davis
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime

Faithful Unto Death (A Sugar Land Mystery)
By Stephanie Jaye Evans
Trade Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://stephaniejayeevans.com

Grace Among Thieves (A Manor House Mystery #3)
By Julie Hyzy
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://juliehyzy.com

Hot Button (A Button Box Mystery #2)
By Kylie Logan
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime

Cast on, Kill Off (A Knitting Mystery #10)
By Maggie Sefton
Hardcover
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://maggiesefton.com

Unraveled (A Knitting Mystery #9)
By Maggie Sefton
Reissued - First time in paperback
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://maggiesefton.com

Corpse in the Crystal Ball (A Fortune Teller Mystery #2)
By Kari Lee Townsend
Mass Market Paperback
Released June 5, 2012
Published by Berkley Prime Crime
http://karileetownsend.com

Unexpected Pleasures
By Mary Wine
Trade Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Kensington Brava
www.marywine.com

Rescue Me
By Rachel Gibson
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by Avon
www.rachelgibson.com

Zombie Island (A Shakespeare Undead Novel #2)
By Lori Handeland
Trade Paperback
Released May 22, 2012
Published by St. Martin’s Griffin
www.lorihandeland.com

The Taming of a Scottish Princess (The Hurst Amulet #4)
By Karen Hawkins
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 22, 2012
Published by Pocket
www.karenhawkins.com

Summer Days (Fool’s Gold, Book 7)
By Susan Mallery
Mass Market Paperback
Released May 29, 2012
Published by HQN
www.susanmallery.com

www.jayciecash.com

It’s time to clasp your hands together and shout “Halleluiah.” I have wondrous news to report: my computer problems have been fixed and it didn’t cost me a cent.

No, really. I wouldn’t lie about something like that.

But wait, it doesn’t stop there . . . the process of fixing my computer also corrected a long-term problem with my plumbing.

No, I have not been smoking any sort of organic substance (or anything else). Why do you ask?

Long story short: around 15 years ago when the media company, which out of the kindness of my heart will remain nameless at this time, laid cable in front of my house, they drilled it through my sewer line.

Seriously. I might write fiction, but who could make this stuff up?

This explains why I’ve had to have my plumbing roto-rooted several times over the years, and why my plumbers found dirt in the line—leading them to make dire predictions regarding my probable need to make extremely expensive repairs in the immediate future—every time.

Apparently, the constant moisture that surrounded this hole attracted a root from my oak tree, causing it to grow straight through my sewer line, alongside the aforementioned cable. This root (which the plumber showed me and was close to three inches in circumference) had recently grown to the point where it begun to fray the cable, which led to the computer problems I ranted about last week (my apologies to MODEM, it ends up you are not the evil beast I painted you).

The cable company discovered the problem, dug it up, paid to have a plumber (who is billing them directly) come out and fix the line and shoveled the dirt back in and patted it all down. I’m convinced if a plumber I’d hired had discovered the problem, I would have been hard pressed to get the cable company to even return my call. I also rate my chances at getting the cable company to reimburse even part of the cost, if I’d first paid for the repairs, at slim to none.

Now my email works just fine and I can run the washing machine without my kitchen sink making gurgling noises or overflowing outside. And, most wonderful of all, I didn’t have to pay a cent to make any of this happen. I didn’t even have to make any arrangements, other than getting the cable company to come over and find out why my email wouldn’t always work.

So, yes, my friends, life is mighty fine at Chez Jaycie this week. And to say that I now believe in miracles is a bit of an understatement.

HOW ABOUT YOU, HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED A STRANGE UTILITY SITUATION . . . OR HAVE YOU WITNESSED A MIRACLE? IF SO, I’D LOVE TO LEARN ABOUT IT. A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAVES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE NEXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com Her debut novel, Mrs. Goodfeller, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

www.jayciecash.com

I’m usually a “The glass is half full” kind of gal; except when it comes to technology. Then, all bets are off. Far as I’m concerned, life today is packed with modern inconveniences.

Take my email for instance. No, seriously . . . take it . . . somewhere, anywhere you like. ‘Cause right now I can’t get no email OR satisfaction.

Hey, hey, hey. That’s what I say.

For the past couple of weeks my email and Internet have not been accessible at key periods during the day. Since my cable provider also happens to be the gatekeeper to my cyberspace access, I assumed they had too many folks hooked up to the same little bit of electronic lifeline my computer and I have been clinging to.

But after placing a call to the service tech, who—to be fair—was really quite pleasant and helpful, I was told it’s a little traitor that resides atop my desk, the monster called MODEM (sounds like the name of a lethal cartoon character or a rampaging Viking, doesn’t it), who’s responsible for all the lack of messaging in my life of late.

Me, I’ve got my doubts. I still think that amazingly popular little electronic lifeline mentioned above is playing a role. But what do I know (when it comes to technology, pretty much nuthin’ actually)? Maybe MODEM and cable have teamed up against me in some type of electronic wrestling death match.

For which, I assure you, I’m incredibly ill-suited. So put your money on my foes.

Guess I’ll find out for sure what the problem is when the repair person shows up in just two short days. For which, I’m assured, I “probably” won’t have any additional charges since I already pay the exorbitant “Grab your ankles and bare your patootie” fee that’s supposed to cover such problems.

As I’m sure you can tell, I’m not the least bit bitter.

Just think, prior to this golden electronic age we live in today, without one call, text, Twitter or email Snow White still had enough faith in her future—and a man she had yet to meet—to flitter gracefully about, crooning “Someday my prince will come.”

Me, with all the advantages mentioned above at my disposal, I’m stuck here with little or no hope, sitting around, tapping my foot, waiting for the cable guy.

HOW ABOUT YOU? WHAT TYPE OF ELECTRONIC TROUBLES HAVE YOU FACED? A FREE COPY OF MY DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER, WILL BE RANDOMLY AWARDED TO ONE PERSON WHO LEAES A COMMENT BELOW BEFORE THE ENXT WRITERSPACE BLOG IS POSTED.

***

Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com Her debut novel, MRS. GOODFELLER, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.