Ages and ages ago (well, it seems that way to me at least!), when I was first starting out in the writing biz, I was asked to do a workshop on how I used spreadsheets to help me plot and revise my books. All these years later, I still get requests for the template I use. I figured I might as well post the free version of the workshop on my site so other writers wouldn't have to go searching for it.

If you're interested, click here to read the workshop in its entirety! I hope it helps!

I went to a local art fair here in St. Petersburg the other day and burst out laughing when I saw a metal sculpture of a frog being eaten, headfirst, by an egret. The frog had his legs splayed and had his little frog hands wrapped around the egret’s neck, doing his best not to get sucked down the way Mother Nature intended. I thought it was funny even before the sculptor, a very nice man by the name of Don McCullough, told me that the title of the sculpture is “Never Give Up.” I now have “Never Give Up” sitting in a special place of honor on my desk, and I smile whenever I glance up and see it. Boy, do I know what that frog feels like some days!

Check out “Never Give Up” and some of Don’s other work.

I had such a great time researching the Southern setting for The Tiara Club (July 2005, St. Martin’s Griffin). I lived in Macon, Georgia, for a few years a while back, and the books I read brought me back to those days. Moving from Seattle to Macon was a huge culture shock. I was pretty young at the time and I didn’t realize that people from the South would be any different than “us Yankees.” Of course, Washington wasn’t even a state during the Civil War, so I never really considered myself a “Yankee,” but those Southerners sure as heck did! I made some great friends back in Georgia and it was great to be reminded of my years there. Here are just a couple of the fun Southern books I’ve read lately:

The Sweet Potato Queens’ Field Guide to Men: Every Man I love Is Either Married, Gay, or Dead by Jill Conner Browne

We’re Just Like You, Only Prettier by Celia Rivenbark

Hey, it’s my website, shouldn’t I be able to plug my own books on it? Seriously, though, I Spy is getting great early reviews and I hope you’ll check it out for yourself!

I Spy by Jacey Ford Carolyn Crisher from Romance Reviews Today says, "I Spy dazzled me with every facet of its story, and I am pleased to award it RRT's highest honor, a Perfect 10." Jill M. Smith from Romantic Times BookClub magazine calls the Partners in Crime series, "loads of fun and wonderfully exhilarating."

Ah, the holidays. A time for fun, family . . . and frenzy! If you need to get away from your own hectic life for a while—or would just like some great gift ideas—here are a few of my favorite holiday reads:

Shop ‘til Yule Drop by Alesia Holliday, Naomi Neale, and Stephanie Rowe This is a fun collection of Christmas in the City stories that should put you in the mood for the holidays!

Whole Lotta Trouble by Stephanie Bond Whole Lotta Trouble is a whole lotta murder and mayhem when three friends involved in the publishing industry find themselves embroiled with a sleazy superagent who winds up dead.

The Butler Did It by Kasey Michaels A nobleman’s butler decides to make a few extra bucks by renting out rooms of his employer’s townhouse in London. Hilarity ensues when said nobleman shows up unannounced to find that there’s no room at the inn!

The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare This book—set amidst the backdrop of a Hollywood agency—gives readers a look inside the crazy world of filmmaking. Since I have a book under option (Room Service) at an L.A. production company, I just kept laughing and asking myself, “Does Hollywood really work like this?”

In the mood for a fun beach read?  Then check out the following hot new books by these great authors!

American Idle by Alesia Holliday AMERICAN IDLE is author Alesia Holliday's fiction debut and it will have you weathering strange looks from everyone around as you snort with laughter on nearly every page!

My Favorite Mistake by Beth Kendrick   MY FAVORITE MISTAKE is Beth Kendrick’s first book, but you’d never know it. Beth writes like a pro and sucks you right into her heroine’s life as poor Faith gets pulled back into small-town Minnesota life when her sister Skye’s hubby runs off with the latest in a long line of poodle-named women.

Is it wrong to plug my own books, even if they’re being released under a different name? Hmm, a philosophical dilemma. I think I’ll go for it. It is my website, after all! For fast-paced action/adventure, try my alter ego Jacey Ford’s first romantic suspense, Dangerous Curves. And don’t just take my word for it! Here’s what others have said about DANGEROUS CURVES:

“A wonderful edge-of-your-seat read.” --New York Times best-selling author Christine Feehan

“Greed, betrayal and adventure make for one thrilling read. DANGEROUS CURVES hits all the right notes with its combination of romance and danger.” --Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times magazine

“Taut romantic suspense with great mystery.” --Morgan Chilson, The Best Reviews

“I really enjoyed meeting Beverly Brandt’s alter ego. She combines her trademark Brandt humor with page-turning suspense and has written a winner.” --Tracy Marsac, New and Previously Owned Books

“Absolutely fantastic.” --Harriet Klausner, www.barnesandnoble.com

Other great Books I've read lately:

Flashpoint by Suzanne Brockman Suz has written another winner!  I couldn’t wait to finish reading FLASHPOINT so I could start it all over again.

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie Filled with Jenny’s quick-witted humor and great characters, BET ME is a fun read that will leave you shaking your head at well-intentioned friends and family and craving a large helping of chicken marsala and Krispy Kremes.

Sushi For Beginners by Marian Keyes I’ve been a big fan of Marian Keyes since I first read Rachel's Holiday a couple of years ago.  Ms. Keyes is an amazing writer who writes funny, poignant books that deal with some of the more serious junk that life throws our way.