Lynn Raye Harris

Nothing frosts me more than watching someone who looks perfectly healthy, and who does NOT have a handicapped sticker, pull into a reserved parking spot. I know that people can look fine and yet have a legitimate reason to use that parking — typically, they have a sticker or something to hang from their rearview mirror. I don’t automatically assume that someone who looks healthy is taking advantage. I know better because I’ve had family in that position.

But I still think it happens. And I think the lady who pulled into the handicapped spot at Starbucks the other day was doing just that. She had no sticker, no plate, and no placard.

She sat there for twenty minutes and talked on the phone the entire time. Not only did she talk on the phone, gesticulating and yelling, but she popped her visor down and proceeded to squeeze pimples on her face. No, I am not kidding. Unfortunately, my table was facing that spot, and each time I looked up, there she was, hollering into her phone and picking her face. It was awful.

And what did she do after she’d sat there for twenty minutes while other people had to drive around to find parking? She left and used the drive-thru. Never even came into Starbucks.

People like that give me ideas for characters, so I guess I shouldn’t complain too much. But I was angry for anyone who legitimately needed that spot while she hogged it (there is only one). And absolutely stunned that someone would sit in full view of a cafe in which they could see people sitting and pick their skin. Hell, I think at one point she pulled out some tweezers and plucked hair. I’m not certain, but I think so. All while talking on her phone. Amazing, huh?

And now for much more pleasant tidings! I’ve employed a scientific method (scrambling names and taking mine from the mix) to arrive at my two winners: Rachael Johns and Patricia!! Please email me at contact @ lynnrayeharris dot com with addresses and your choice of prize.

$10 gift card to bookstore (Amazon, BAM, B&N),
OR
Presents trio, selected by moi from my stash,
OR
My debut book when it comes out, signed, along with two other Presents novels (unfortunately, you will have to wait until mid-July or so, but I’m good with that if you are!)

Congratulations to the winners! Keep checking back, because I plan to have more giveaways, especially as we get closer to my new site launch!

Today is the one year anniversary of the call that I’d won the Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest. Much has changed in the past year! Come on one over to I Heart Presents and see what I have to say about the journey. (And get the inside scoop on the genesis of my second book.)

Leave me a comment here and I’ll put you in for a drawing. Not sure what I’m giving away yet, but I promise it will be good! Perhaps I will let the winner choose…. $10 gift card to bookstore of choice? Scrumptious bath set? A trio of brand new Harlequin Presents? What would you like? (No, not a winning lottery ticket!)

You have until Monday at midnight CDT to enter.

Breaking News: my RED-HOT cover is up over at IHP!!!! In celebration, I’ll pick TWO winners instead of one.

I’m still feeling at loose ends, and in spite of the good advice to relax and fill the well, I find it difficult to do so. So is it any wonder I’m working on Chapter 4 even before I hear from my editor? *g*

In honor of the number four, I’m sharing four things with you.

1) A FABULOUS post from Presents author Penny Jordan on an article she read that validated many of her feelings about the stories she writes. And all I can say, having read the article and her post, is YES. This is exactly what I feel about my heroes and the stories I create (and it’s as true for the romantic suspense I was writing as it is for my Presents stories).

2) Agent Nathan Bransford had a wonderful post on Thursday about the Ten Commandments for a Happy Writer. I really loved this and wanted to share!

3) The Guess the Bookshelf contest is still going on! My shelves are there, so come on over and see if you can figure it out. There are prizes!

4) Presents author Trish Morey has a free read on eHarlequin! Come read The Italian Billionaire’s Bride.

You still have time to guess the desks! And no one popped up with names for an Italian hero, so I’m still thinking about that. How about some eye candy for inspiration? He could be a prince, don’t you think? Works for me. DEFINITELY works for me….

Feeling inspired? Or just a bit warm?

Can you guess which desk belongs to which author? Come on over to eHarlequin and give it a try: http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/cafe-social/whos-desk-belongs

My desk is on there, along with the desks of Kate Walker, Holly Jacobs, Carly Phillips and Maria V. Snyder — just to name a few.

There are prizes!

Also, I finally typed The End! Except it’s not done yet, of course. But I’m always happy when I write the story to the finish. Makes it easier to go back and see what I need to revise to keep the story arcing. So, today, I’ll be doing a reread and hoping I didn’t take a detour somewhere along the way.

But you know, for just a little bit there, I felt like Joan Wilder. I love that scene at the beginning of Romancing the Stone when she’s crying and typing and then she can’t find tissue. Love the celebration with the cat. I tried to find that clip on You Tube — but they don’t have it. I think some techno geeky person needs to upload it! That is the best romance writer movie ever.

Oh, provided my editor lets me get away with it, there’ll be another Italian hero in the next book I write. And while I have a heroine already, I don’t have him. I know who he is, but I don’t have a name. Suggestions?

Tami Brothers is the winner of my $25 B&N Gift Card giveaway!! Yay, Tami! Thanks to everyone who participated, and to my hubby who did the random blind pick for a winner.

The MNF party was a success, and I was up too late (yes, watching football) and cleaning up. Therefore, no brilliant post at the moment.

Besides, you probably want to know who wins the B&N Gift Card. I’ll announce that sometime today. In the meantime, you still have time to sign up (see Yahoo Group in the sidebar). Last chance!

The Call story is coming soon over at I Heart Presents! (UPDATE: Oct 20 is the date for THE CALL story) And don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter and be eligible for that $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card. Who wouldn’t want free books?!

Click to join lynnrayeharrisnews

It’s been one week since The Call. What exciting things have I done? Um, started work on another book. I have a deadline. A real one. OMG…..

You can still sign up for my newsletter and enter yourself for a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card!

By signing up, you agree that you will receive emails from me on occasion. I promise not to share your address with anyone.

I’ll draw for a winner on Tuesday, October 28th. I’ll announce it on the blog and send you an email. You will have 48 hours to get in touch with me and give me your snail mail addy before I redraw.

Click to join lynnrayeharrisnews

What did I realize? I’m ineligible for the Golden Heart! Being a finalist last year was amazing, but now I’ll never have a chance to win. Ah well. I’ll cheer my friends instead!

Hey, I’m celebrating my two-book sale with my friends over at The Writing Playground today! Come on over and say hello!

I’m also having my first official contest!!

Sign up for my newsletter and I’ll enter you in a drawing for a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card.

By signing up, you agree that you will receive emails from me on occasion. I promise not to share your address with anyone.

I’ll draw for a winner on Tuesday, October 28th. I’ll announce it on the blog and send you an email. You will have 48 hours to get in touch with me and give me your snail mail addy before I redraw.

Click to join lynnrayeharrisnews

Sign up and then come on over and party!