Yes, it's that time of year again -- party, party, party :)

On Saturday, TARA held their annual Holiday Party. And yesterday, Joan Johnston hosted a fabulous Bucs Open House. Below are a couple of photos I took while there.




From left to right: Joan Johnston, her luscious mermaid, and Kathy Carmichael.



I'm extremely envious of the view from Joan's backyard.

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As I mentioned before, my February book, HOT FLASH, has been garnering some wonderful reviews. I've been so impressed by how well-written the reviews have been. So while I'm very grateful the reviewers have liked my work -- I've loved their work, too :)

It's too early for most of the reviews to appear on the web sites, so I'm generally linking to the site rather than the specific review. Here's a sampling:

5 cups ~ "I love, love, love this book! Ms. Carmichael has written a sensational novel that will leave you laughing throughout all of Jill's hijinks. Hot Flash is the story of what one woman will go through to give her child all he deserves. The way Jill jumps blindly into dating and comes out smelling like a disaster is hilarious. I especially loved the bikini wax episode. This is a book that has feel good chick flick movie written all over it. Pay attention book and movie fans alike because I would not be surprised to see this on the big screen! A laugh-out-loud treasure of a book for women and mothers of all ages!" ~ Danielle Russell, Coffee Time Romance

Top Pick ~ "Kathy Carmichael's HOT FLASH is a keeper! It is a journey of discovery and self-acceptance that shows that even when things look to be under control there is still room for surprise. HOT FLASH has heart, and I'm going to read it again. And again. Wonderfully well done!" ~ Kay James, Romance Reader at Heart



Reviewer Top Pick 4.5 Hearts ~ "A pure joy to read." ~ Terri, Night Owl Romance



4 Stars ~ "Funny and endearing." ~ Viviane Crystal, Crystal Reviews

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I should have posted before now, but I did have good things happen after I posted!

I've had a number of WONDERFUL reviews come in for HOT FLASH, my Feb book. I don't have time right now to post snippets, but I'll be back with them soon :) And trust me, they are AWESOME! I couldn't be more excited!

Right now my son and I are doing the college applications thang =:0 It's much more difficult than I thought! 1 down and 2 to go -- KC

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I recently complained to a friend about being such a boring person (all I ever do is write!) and not having much of interest to post to my blog. She advised that I just post about my life. So that's what I'm going to do.

You've been warned!

Sometimes, I get what I call "good feelings." I don't mean that I merely feel good, but I feel something good coming to me from elsewhere. Last week I had a "good feeling" and a day or two later I received a "Top Pick" review on my upcoming February book. That was a wonderful good feeling!

The reason I'm writing about this is because I'm having another "good feeling." This one feels BIG. I'm so excited my hands are shaking :D Quite honestly I don't know when I'll hear about this good feeling -- but I'll report in when or if I do :) This is not a hint about something I know already, by the way. I don't know nothin'!

In the meantime, I must chat about having a sick child. I hate having one of my children under the weather and right now one is sick. I've been dosing him with cold medication and ibuprofen, which helps, but I truly hate seeing him ill. I'd much prefer it be me. Cold and flu season is here, so it's time to think about laying in the over the counter medications and getting a flu vaccine! -- KC

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Mea Culpa!

I keep promising to keep up with my blog more often, but life has a way of interfering (or I have a way with procrastination).

So this is a quick post to say I'm alive and breathing! And that I turned my Feb 2010 manuscript in on time. So life is good!

I'll be back more often! -- KC

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Wow. This month has been incredible. Not only did Andrew graduate from college, but he also applied for and got a part-time job at HSN. He starts Police Academy in the fall. Ian turned 18 (he's a high school junior) and also received an academic award! Can't forget Mother's Day. John and I celebrated our wedding anniversary. It's my baby sister's birthday today (Happy Birthday Terri!). I previously mentioned receiving my book cover for HOT FLASH.

And I haven't even mentioned going to Weeki Wachee or the fantastic visit with my sisters!

The month isn't even over yet! -- KC

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Kathy's Store


create & buy custom products at Zazzle

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My oldest son, Andrew (and his girlfriend Kat), graduated from the University of Central Florida last Friday, May 2nd. My sisters, Robin, Terri, and Karla (along with Karla's husband and daughter) flew in from Dallas for the event.

Here's a few photos:

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I'm very excited because I received the cover of HOT FLASH. I think it's really cute and fits the story very well! I'd love to know what you think -- KC

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Julie Leto is doing some great giveaways at her blog, plotmonkeys.com! She's not only giving away a chapter a day of her upcoming paranormal romance, PHANTOM PLEASURES, but she's also sweetening the pot by drawing for a $20 Amazon/Borders gift card per day chosen among those who leave a comment.

Sounds like a great opportunity to me!

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Wheel Of Fortune Auditions were held at Derby Lane in Saint Petersburg, Florida, on Friday, March 21, 2008. Here's a photo of me with Vanna and Pat.

My author friend, Tara Randel, and I decided to check out the Wheelmobile Wheel of Fortune event. The crowds were enormous. We arrived a little early, yet there were a zillion people ahead of us in line.

Here's a photo of Tara:

We each filled out the information sheets so that we'd have a chance to audition. Attendees were divided up into three groups. In our group we guestimated somewhere between 600-1000 people. Approximately 40 names (out of our group) were drawn randomly and sadly neither of us were chosen (can you believe it?!). Unfortunately, because of the crowds or perhaps the venue, we weren't able to see much of the auditions.

However, we still had lots of fun people watching. Even better, we followed up the evening by eating yummy Mexican food!

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On Saturday I posted about Endings on the Plot Monkey's site and today Diana Peterfreund posted a fabulous article on story Beginnings! You won't want to miss it:

Diana's Blog

She makes several great points. One of her suggestions is to judge contests because it will help improve your own writing. She also says nice things about me, which I kinda enjoy! -- KC [of the swelled head]

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Hey, everyone. Today I'm guest blogging on Plot Monkeys. We're talking about writing effective story endings. Please come join us :) -- KC

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This just in from an audience member: My brother-in-law, Paul, and his dog auditioned for America's Got Talent and were chosen for the filming today and tomorrow in Dallas :)

Here's a photo of Paul with another of his dogs, Sport:

I so hope they'll make the final round! -- KC

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In addition to being busy writing, I've been enjoying myself!

On February 13th, I was one of approximately eight authors who were invited to the Winter Author's Luncheon sponsored by the Friends of the Clearwater Library. We all had so much fun! It was held at Harborview Center in downtown Clearwater and the weather was perfect. I truly enjoyed meeting so many of the Library Friends as well as Women's Club volunteers.

Here's a photo of me with author Jim Swain:

Here's a photo of one of the organizers, Rosalie Murray. She looks so fabulous in red!

Here's a photo of some of the authors autographing books:

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I was tagged by Karen Lingefelt.

Here's how the meme works:

The rules of this meme are simple.

1. Link back to the person who tagged you.

2. Post the rules on your blog.

3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.

4. Tag six random people at the end of your blog entry.

5. Let the tagged people know by leaving a comment on their blogs.


Six unimportant things about me:


1. During college my father was a dance instructor. As a result, he taught my sisters and me to walk with books on our heads.

2. At last count, I was able to descend a staircase with six books on my head without losing the books, my footing or balance.

3. One of my jobs during college was bartending. I worked in a little bar/restaurant called The Hoffbrau and the atmosphere was a lot like Cheers. I had a lot of fun dishing out booze and advice.

4. Another college job was making jewelry using an oxygen-acetylene torch. Sometimes I'd sit at the Olla Podrida mall and make jewelry while shoppers gawked.

5. My mother wanted to name me Delicious. Can you imagine a romance writer named Delicious? ::snort:: Thank heavens my father refused. During high school, I mentioned this to some buddies and gained the nickname: Luscious Lynch. Like an idiot, I mentioned this to Connie Brockway (I must have been drinking!), who is a brilliant writer and also one of the funniest people on the planet. On my first visit to NYC for an RWA conference, I was feeling very glamorous and author-like while sitting at the lobby bar at the Marriott Marquis sipping Cosmopolitans, when suddenly I heard a voice booming from the floor above, "Luscious! Yoohoo, Luscious!"

6. I knew I wanted to be an author as a child and constantly searched for the perfect pen name. I spent hours struggling to find the right name. I finally hit on the perfect nom de plume and quickly ran to inform my father. He said it sounded like a stripper name. Okay, I wasn't ever a stripper, but if I had been, I had the perfect name: Stormy Daniels.

In turn, I have tagged Denise Lynn, Kimberly Llewellyn, Vicki Hinze, Debby Mayne, Lynn Raye Harris and Elizabeth Sinclair :D

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Okay, not the trenches. More like paradise.

I spent the weekend in Sarasota, Florida for my RWA chapter, TARA's, first retreat. I roomed with my dear writing buddies, Kimberly Llewellyn and Tara Randel.

The renowned script/screenplay consultant, Michael Hauge, was our guest speaker. As always, he was brilliant. I was incredibly honored because he used examples from one of my books during his lecture on story structure.

We worked hard and we laughed even harder. Now I'm back home, totally enthused and ready to rock on the writing!

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2008 rings in a bright and shiny new year, filled with possibility, hope and aspirations.

As part of my New Year goal setting, it's my intent to post to my blog much more frequently. I have other wishes, such as losing 30 pounds, but I'm trying to set reasonable goals :)

In the writing arena, I sold another (second) book to Medallion Press. DIARY OF A CONFESSIONS QUEEN will be released sometime in 2010. It's hard to think that far ahead! It's a comedic mystery and they're going to publish both it and HOT FLASH as mainstream fiction.

On the home front, my office remains clean and is ready for another writing jag (that'll likely end in it being a wreck again, but such is the life).

On the family front, my oldest graduates from college in May. I can't believe it's come so quickly.

And on the house front, here's a before and after of our Christmas:

I hope each of you have a wonderful New Year, filled with happiness and success!

-- KC

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