Tomorrow is my birthday, but I almost forgot about it. Yes, I’m completely serious. I think I might have completely forgotten, except for the fact that my parents brought a birthday cake over on Saturday. That’s when I remembered.

So now that I have remembered, I’m trying to think of something to do tomorrow to…you know…celebrate. But I’m at a loss. Maybe I’ll take the day off from work, which is always nice…but all that does is put me one day behind in my to-do list. I hate that. Maybe I’ll take the kids out to dinner, but that sort of sounds like more work for me than just ordering in. But we order in fairly regularly.

Sigh. I just don’t know.

How about you? What did you do to celebrate your last birthday? If your birthday is almost here, what are your plans?

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was as restful and relaxing as mine was. Other than basic chores, I read. And read. And read. It was awesome!

But I also spent some time planning my work calendar for the rest of the summer, and I have a lot on my plate. So, for that reason and another, I’ve decided to take a mini-break from blogging for a few months.

Not completely, though! I’ll be sure to post at least once per week, and I’m thinking that day will be on Monday. If that changes, I’ll let you know, but Monday is the beginning of the week so it seems like the best day.

In addition to my busy work schedule this summer, I need some time to reassess how successful this blog is, and to (hopefully) come up with ways to make it more successful when/if I start blogging full-time again in the fall. My number one goal for blogging is not to promote my books, but to engage in conversation with my readers. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to be working all that well, so I need to re-think how much time this blog takes and if there is anything I can do to make that time more worthwhile–for me and for you.

Besides which, I’m running out of air on topics, so I need to rethink that, as well. At any rate, I’ll check in each week with news, fresh topics (hopefully!), and anything else I can think of.

Have a great week!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I’ve been spending the past few days getting caught up on work, cleaning house (so not fun), and everything else that went by the wayside while I was finishing By Magic Alone. It’s been kind of nice, actually. My house is fairly quiet for once, which makes it easier to get everything done, and I finally feel as if I’m ready for summer. Well, as ready as I can ever be for humidity and scorching temperatures. <G>

Last week, my younger two started a summer Karate program. I signed them up so they had something other than video games and our backyard to keep them occupied until school starts again in the fall. I’m so glad I did! The class is terrific, they’re loving it, and if things go well, I might keep them enrolled through the school year. We’ll see.

What else have I been doing? Playing Sims 3 again, which has been mega relaxing. It also fills the game geek side of my personality perfectly. I’ve started reading entries for several writing contests I’m helping to judge, trying to get back into the swing of critiquing for my awesome critique partners, and catching up on some of my favorite TV shows. Oh, and cleaning…but I mentioned that already.

But the best, exciting news that I referred to on Monday–news I can now share because everything is official–is that I have sold three new books in a brand new series to Harlequin, for their Silhouette Special Edition line! I am so thrilled to become part of the Harlequin family and these three books will be a joy to write. The first of the three will be released in November or December 2011, the second in February 2012, and the third in July 2012. I know, it’s a bit away, but the time will fly. Promise! Besides, I have to write them yet.

So what is this new series about? Well, they’re straight contemporary romances (meaning not paranormal), for one thing. Also, in this series, the connecting characters are the heroes–they’re brothers–and each brother has to find a way to win the heart of his heroine, and each hero is determined to do just that. Oh, and each book takes place during a holiday: Book 1 is Christmas, Book 2 is Valentine’s Day, and Book 3 is Fourth of July. The great thing about these stories is how different they are, even with these base similarities. And the heroes? Sexy, dangerous, and hot.

Book 1 (I have no idea if Harlequin will keep my titles) is about a married couple. Grady and Olivia Foster had the fairytale life until they lost their son in a car accident–in a car that Grady was driving. While Olivia and Grady both rationally know the accident wasn’t Grady’s fault, emotions aren’t always rational, and the fallout of losing their son has pushed them apart. Olivia blames Grady, even though she knows that isn’t fair. And Grady has his own share of blame that he’s fighting with. But he still loves his wife, and after two years of separation, he wants her–and their life–back. Olivia has other ideas. She still loves Grady, but doesn’t believe she’ll ever be able to come to grips with what has happened, so she asks for a divorce. Now, Grady has no choice but to put everything on the line. Somehow, he has to convince Olivia that their love can survive this tradgedy, and that together, they can forge a new life.

Book 2 is Jace (the middle Foster brother) and Melanie’s story. Melanie Prentiss has never been a hopeless romantic. After all, she’s seen too many men stomping on her mother’s heart to believe that love will ever find her. Even so, she can’t stop fantasizing about her sexier-than-sin co-worker, Jace. Unfortunately, Jace is a playboy, and the last thing Melanie needs is a man who doesn’t know how to stick. While Jace has certainly dated plenty of women over the years, he doesn’t describe himself as a playboy. He’s searching for Miss Right–the one woman he’ll spend the rest of his days with–so why bother dating Miss Wrong? Once Jace realizes that Melanie just might be the woman he’s been searching for, he’ll do anything he can to prove to her that he’s serious, and that he definitely knows how to stick.

Book 3 is Seth (the youngest Foster brother) and Rebecca’s story. Rebecca Carmichael fell hopelessly in love in college, only to lose him to “friendly fire” during his first tour with the army. The pain and loss was crippling. Care packages and personal letters to other fighting soldiers have brought her comfort and kept her sane, even if one particular soldier’s letters have melted her heart and ignited a fire she’s never before felt. A two week leave brought Seth and Rebecca together, but shortly after his return to duty, Rebecca discovered she was pregnant. Now, she is determined to raise her child on her own, because loving a military man, a man who is already committed to his country, is far too dangerous–to her and her unborn daughter. But Seth refuses to give up on the woman he loves. His mission is nothing short of marriage.

So, there you have it! I’ll share more information as I have it, but for now, I’m just so pleased and excited that I’ve been grinning ear-to-ear for over a week. I’m also still hoping to write book five in my magic series for Dorchester Publishing. And remember, book 4 – By Magic Alone – will hit the shelves in December 2010!

In fact, here is the cover and cover copy for By Magic Alone:

Something is drawing Julia Collins to Magical Matchups. The Chicago-based dating service is a direct competitor to her own, and it’s winning. It even converted her two best friends, despite the fact that it’s run by a crackpot—if sweet—old woman named Verda who gives personality tests that rate men like fruit! She also espouses everything Julia distrusts: magic, lust, and romantic love rather than logical partnerships. 

Five minutes after they’ve met, Verda introduces “the man Julia will marry”—her best friend’s ex. The old woman had better be a witch, because although Scot’s kiss ignites a fire in her soul, there’s only one way Julia can see them finding a happily ever after. By magic alone.

Okay, that’s it for today. I’ll be back on Friday!

Well, some semblance of normal, anyway. The past eight weeks have been crazy, fun, and (I’ll admit it) a little overwhelming. I had a book deadline in the midst of the release of A Breath of Magic, a son graduating from high school (and yes, Jessica, he has his ring back!), and a whole bunch of other time-consuming details that needed my attention. So, it is with great relief that my hectic life is calming down–at least for a few weeks.

I finally turned in By Magic Alone last Monday, and that alone is reason to celebrate. However, on Tuesday, I recieved a call from my agent…with news. Book news. Unfortunately, I can’t share all of the specifics just yet, but I should be able to soon. Hopefully this week, but if not, certainly within the next couple of weeks. I am very excited, though, and can’t wait to share this fantastic news with everyone. Yay!

Also, with the craziness of the past several weeks, there are a few contest winners still waiting for their prizes. Yes, I was horribly late sending some of them out, but they have all been mailed as of this past Saturday. I apologize for the delay.

And I think that’s it for this Monday morning. I’ll be back on Wednesday this week with, hopefully, an actual topic that might prove interesting. <G> And sometime soon, I’ll post the remaining Q&A with Dakota Lawrence. Promise!

Have a terrific Monday and I’ll see you all on Wednesday!

Though it appears as if I have. I’m exhausted from graduations, finishing By Magic Alone, and a host of other things. I’ll be back on Monday, June 14th with my regular posting schedule (M, W, F). See you all then!

Okay, we’re back on track! Today is the official end of what has been a terrific month of guests, giveaways, and fun. I hope everyone here enjoyed the five weeks as much as I have.

So…here we go with last week’s winners:

• $10 Borders Gift Card goes to: Jenny S.!
  
• $5 Caribou Coffee Gift Card goes to: Janie!
  
• A signed copy of A Stroke of Magic goes to: Toni Sue!
• A signed copy of A Taste of Magic goes to: Tamibates!
  
• A Breath of Magic mini-gift set (tote bag, key chain, sticky notes, etc.) goes to: Olivia!

Congratulations Jenny, Janie, Toni Sue, Tami, and Olivia!!! Please e-mail tracy@tracymadison.com by Friday, June 4th, with your mailing address.

Now, we also have a couple daily giveaways from my guests last week! They are:

The winner of the signed copy of Seduced by Shadows by Jessa Slade is…misskallie2000!

Congratulations Miss Kallie! Please e-mail me with your address, and I’ll get your book sent out to you!

The winner of a Barnes & Noble $10 Gift Card from Christie Craig is…Amanda W!

Congratulations, Amanda! Please email me and I’ll put you in touch with Christie!

Month of Mysticism Grand Prize Winner

I had so many great spells to choose from that picking a winner wasn’t easy. Not at all. Everyone who entered did an amazing job of creating a spell, and I loved reading all of them.

To pick a winner, I first chose my three favorite spells. I’m going to share those here, in no particular order:

From Kirsten, a Healing Spell:

To curse the writer of a bad book review (as if you’ve ever even received such a thing, but just pretend you might):

1. Clip out the review from your paper or print it off the internet.

2. Shred the review. Place it with one tbsp each of hensbane, forked snake’s tongue, and graveyard dirt into your mortar. Grind to a rough, grainy consistency with your pestle and pour the mixture onto your ritual hand mirror.

3. Stir mixture thrice widershins with your athame while chanting:

Illiterate critic spewing lies,
Watch out for the weight gain on your thighs;
The farther you spread your libelous stew,
The more calories will stick to you.

4. Throw mixture onto your compost pile where it clearly belongs.

5. Listen for the shrieks of horror when that critic steps on their bathroom scale. If you’ve done it right, you’ll probably be able to hear it from your house. You’re welcome =).

From Virgina, part Love Spell part Curse:

So, the above are the three I liked the best, but who won?

I have to tell you all that choosing the winner was tough…really tough, but it came down to the one that made me laugh (I like humor), and that person is…ZITA!!!!

Major Congratulations, Zita! You’re the Grand Prize Winner!

You have won:

• An extra-large customized Magic series tote bag:

Filled with: rose quartz heart-shaped pendant on sterling silver chain, chakra bracelet, heart’s desire jewelry set, Book: Seven Days of Magic, New Age CD: Dreamscapes,  Aventurine Tumbled Stone pendulum, Book: Pendulum Magic for Beginners, Music Dreamer tarot deck and book, rose incense, candles, mood lipstick, lavender aromatherapy body soak, lavender aromatherapy body lotion, lavender aromatherapy scented eye mask, aromatherapy fizzy bath, aromatherapy facial mask, aromatherapy essential oils – green tea, aromatherapy essential oils – jasmine, aromatherapy essential oils – ocean, signed copies of A Taste of Magic, A Stroke of Magic, and A Breath of Magic.

But that’s not all! The grand prize winning bag also includes items from last week’s guests:

• A signed copy of Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig (Tuesday’s Guest!) – Christie has also donated Peace Potion Massage Lotion and some fun promo items (mini-notebook, pen, signed cover flats, chapstick, bookmarks)
• A signed copy of Stroke of Genius by Emily Bryan (Wednesday’s Guest!) – Note: Emily will send the book under separate cover to the winner.
• A signed copy of Seduced by Shadows by Jessa Slade (Thursday’s Guest!)
• And a handmade Native American Choker by Clairvoyant Medium Dakota Lawerence (Friday’s Guest!)

And you have also won:

• A 30-Minute Free Reading with Clairvoyant Medium Dakota Lawrence!
• A name of your choosing (subject to approval from Dorchester editorial) given to a minor character in my December release, By Magic Alone.

I love the spell you wrote, Zita, and I hope you enjoy all of the goodies and your reading from Dakota! Please e-mail me at tracy@tracymadison.com by Friday, June 4th to claim your prize.

Okay, everyone, I loved the past five weeks and I hope you all loved it, too! I’m going silent on the blog until Friday, when I’ll post Dakota’s final Q&A, and then next week, I’ll return to my M/W/F posting schedule.

Thank you for your support in celebrating the release of A Breath of Magic!