CJ's Desk Diary » Uncategorized

The Lure of the Scavenger Hunt

CJ — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:10 +0000

When we have family reunions with my sisters and their young children, I love to set up a scavenger hunt for the kids. I send them on a merry chase all over the property–which this year happened to be at a couple of cabins at Good Spirit Lake in Saskatchewan. The clues were planted with diabolical care: one in grandpa’s pocket, another hidden in the trunk of a car, one tucked inside the microwave, the next buried in the sand by the playground…

I think it’s fair to say that these scavenger hunts have become a favorite event of our reunions, and I’m not sure who has more fun–me or the kids.

I wanted to bring the same sense of adventure and fun to my readers when I set up my newest contest. I’ve scattered clues everywhere: on my Facebook Page, on my Twitter Feed, and also on the C.J. Carmichael and Banit Creek Books websites. I hope you have time for a little silly fun, gather the clues and enter my contest for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.

You’ll find all the details on my Contest page. Ready, set…go!

Welcome to Bandit Creek

CJ — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:35:57 +0000

A group from our local writing chapter, the Calgary Romance Writers of America, is launching a new series today. The idea was to write and self-publish a series of connected stories. Some are contemporary, some historical. All genres are included, too, from mystery to romance to paranormal. The first story, Lost, by Viva Anna, Carla Roma, is available at Amazon right now!

Lost

Visit the website for more details about this innovative project. By the way, my book for the series will be available on December 15, 2011.

Back from RT Conference

CJ — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:57:06 +0000

Nobody promised me that Los Angeles was going to be warmer than Calgary, but I had my expectations. California versus Alberta? Should have been a slam dunk, right?

Unfortunately, L.A. greeted us with cold, wind and clouds. The bad weather, however, was offset by good times and interesting workshops.

I’m always intrigued by the opportunity to meet a bestselling author and hear him or her speak about their writing process. Dean Koontz was no exception. The man has a wonderful sense of humor and a true dedication to his craft. I had no choice but to power up my Kindle and order a book. I chose: The Husband and am finding it a fast-paced and high-stakes read.

Over breakfast Superromance author Debra Salonen and I had a nice chance to chat and I was able to congratulate her on her RT Award for Best Superromance of 2010. Make sure you check out Deb’s wonderful hero Rufus in: Until He Met Rachel . And don’t you just love that title, too?

Deb Salonen and me at RT 2011

Now, back to sunny Alberta and my writing desk…

Accolades!

CJ — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:56:30 +0000

Good news is always fun to share. It seems Perfect Partners has been nominated by RT BookReviews for best Superromance of 2010! If you missed the Fox & Fisher trilogy, you might want to check it out.

And that’s not all! I have also been honored with a nomination for a career achievement award. Thanks so much RT! The convention and award ceremony are in L.A. this April. Hm…I just may have to attend this year.

Favorite Things

CJ — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:52:07 +0000

I came across this quote from Peter Golkin that I must share: “My two favorite things in life are libraries and bicycles. They both move people forward without wasting anything. The perfect day: riding a bike to the library.” And who can argue with that?

Same Place, Same Time… Again?

CJ — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 18:15:33 +0000

A marriage counselor is drawn into a homicide investigation with her detective ex-husband when one of her clients turns up dead in a seedy motel room. Same Place, Same Time has lots of twists and turns, as well as one of the most emotionally powerful love stories I’ve ever written. And you can catch an excerpt right this very moment (isn’t instant gratification grand?).

Original cover from 1999. I plan to post the new cover as soon as it's available. I can't wait to see what the artists come up with!

And — drumroll, please — it’s back. Same Place, Same Time is being re-released this June as part of Harlequin’s “MEN IN UNIFORM” collection! So if you missed it the first time, mark your calendars, because here’s your second chance! But take note: “MEN IN UNIFORM” won’t be in stores and thus will require a little effort on your part to obtain. You can get it by shipment as part of June’s six-book collection (details will be at themedcollections.com). Or, the individual book may be ordered by calling Harlequin Distribution Center’s Customer Service Department at 800-873-8635.

Same Place, Same Time is a book I wrote 10 years ago, originally released by Harlequin Intrigue. Over the years many readers have told me it was one of their favorites, and it has always been one of mine, too. So when I heard the good news about this re-release from my editor Stacy Boyd, I was thrilled.

But how to make sure you all know how to get it? For up-to-the-minute news about this timely release, stay tuned to my website. I plan to make it very clear how to get this book into your hands. Subscribe to my newsletter or to this blog’s RSS feed. Thanks!

The Sheik’s Captive Canadian Princess

CJ — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:28:22 +0000

If ever I wanted to write a romance about a Sheik I suppose now would be the time. I’m just back from an amazing holiday in Dubai. I wasn’t keen to go, in fact only booked the trip because my daughter is working in the UAE

CJ Goes To Dubai

for a few months and I was worried she might be homesick. (Okay, I was worried I would miss her.) But Dubai, I must admit, dazzled me.

The modern architecture, the amazing malls, the traditional souks…and most of all the creek that runs through the oldest part of the city…everything was utterly captivating. If you’d like to see my photos, please check my Dubai album on Facebook. I think it will be pretty obvious that, despite my low expectations, I had a wonderful time in Dubai–not to mention a great visit with my daughter.

As for that Sheik Romance Novel I was talking about…well, you never know, but I don’t think so!

The Story Behind The Dedication

CJ — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:53:24 +0000

My newest book, The P.I. Contest, is dedicated to all my friends who celebrated their “milestone” birthday, along with me, in 2009. What milestone, you ask? Shame on you. Have you no manners? Let’s just say it’s a number between 49 and 51.

And how did we celebrate? Well, there was Shannon’s sock hop birthday party where the girls dressed in 50′s poodle skirts and the guys wore jeans and white t-shirts and we jived the night away to songs like “Around The Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets.

Then there was the “month-of-Simon” which was celebrated with a house party, a ski day in Lake Louise, a dinner at the Post Hotel….it just goes on-and-on!

In the summer, Fred celebrated his birthday with a beach barbecue at his and Sue’s cabin, then for Sue we went to one of our favorite Calgary restaurants–The River Cafe.

Girls' Weekend In Wakefield

Lucky Dennis was serenaded by his wife for his birthday, and as for the rest–Myrna, Rhonda, Cheryl, Myrna-Joy, Lynda, Lorna, Debbie, Kate and Wendy–well, we had a fabulous girls’ weekend in Wakefield Quebec this fall. Delicious food, beautiful autumn scenery, long walks, shopping, and great conversation…

You know, turning ** isn’t so bad when you do it with friends!

Making Fudge

CJ — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:48:22 +0000

Yesterday I spent the morning making fudge with a dear friend…it’s become our holiday tradition. We use a recipe of her mother’s that is absolutely fabulous. My friend has given me permission to share the recipe, and I do believe that if you put in the effort to make this fudge, it will be the best you’ve ever tasted.

So here’s the recipe…

Chocolate Vanilla Rolled Fudge

Step 1: Lay out a sheet of foil about the size of a cookie sheet. Chop 1 1/2 cups of nuts (I like pecans, my friend prefers walnuts) into quite small pieces. Spread them on a the foil in a long rectangle about seven by twelve inches.

Step 2: Combine 3 cups white sugar, 1 cup whipping cream and 1/2 cup corn syrup in a large pot. Stir, then cook to the soft ball stage (about 240 degrees on a candy thermometer). Remove from heat and add about 3 tablespoons of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla.

Step 3: Melt 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate in a large glass bowl. Add 1/2 of the heated sugar mixture to the chocolate and beat with a large spoon until it loses gloss and begins to thicken (about 5 minutes). Pour evenly over the prepared nuts, and spread until the nuts are covered.

Step 4: Return your attention to the pot of white fudge. Beat this by hand until it also loses its gloss and begins to thicken. (about five minutes). Pour down the center of the chocolate rectangle. This will be the vanilla center of your log.

Step 5: Sliding your hands under the foil, roll the fudge into a long log, so that the chocolate lines up and the vanilla is in the middle. Try to match the chocolate ends together, without letting any of the vanilla seep through. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect…it will still taste great!

Step 6: chill for several hours before slicing. This stays well for several weeks, if you keep it wrapped in the foil in the fridge. For serving, slice it thinly…this looks as beautiful a it tastes and would make a wonderful gift!

Yummy!

My fudge turned out less than perfect this year. Too much talking, perhaps? The center should be all creamy vanilla, without that line of chocolate. Also, the log is a little flat. But, hey, it still tastes great!

Surprise Contest!

CJ — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:12:36 +0000

For the next couple of months, I won’t be running my usual monthly contests, but every now and then I’ll post a surprise contest on my Desk Diary. Today is one of those days!

If you’d like a chance to win an autographed book & exotic bookmark, just send an e-mail to cj@cjcarmichael.com and put “CJ’s Contest” in the subject line.The winner will be selected at random two weeks from now. If you tell me which book from my backlist you’d like to receive, I’ll try to send you your prefered book (if I have any on hand).

Special…for FTHRW Members….If you participated in my on-line course on conflict for the RWA Chapter ”From The Heart”, please tell me one thing you learned from the course and you’ll have an extra chance to win.