…trying to think of what to blog about that won’t bore you to death. I can’t think of anything besides writing and business.

Good news is that my brain cells are occupied with my WIP and very few of them want to think about blogging. *g*

Reviews for HEAT OF THE NIGHT have started to come in, if you’re interested:
www.dreamguardians.com/novels/reviews

The first Brava Novella Contest finalist entries have been posted. You should read them, if you haven’t yet. They’re really good:
www.bravaauthors.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=162

I swear I have it sometimes. It doesn’t help that I’ve had a lot of things on my plate recently that are time-suckers. There just aren’t enough hours in the day, methinks.

And the holidays are almost here! Wow! *whimper* I love the holidays. Love, love, love them. But I’m not ready to go shopping yet…

I’ll blog more later today. I’m nursing my first cup of coffee and slogging through my inbox, so my brain is not cooperating with the blog. *g* I meant to blog last night, but my cable provider had issues and I couldn’t get on.

If you haven’t picked up A PASSION FOR HIM yet, and you’d like to try it out first, you can sign up for A WEEK OF ROMANCE. They’ll be mailing out excerpts of Colin and Amelia’s story all week long.

After five seemingly short weeks (okay, four and a half, but who’s counting?), we’ve arrived at our last and final American Title finalist, LEXIE O’NEILL.

MAI: Thank you for joining us here today, Lexie. And don’t worry about being the last finalist interviewed. The phrase “save the best for last” certainly applies here, so don’t be shy. Please tell us the title of your book.

LEXIE: Backwoods Invader

MAI: Okay, correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m picturing aliens with a title like that! What is Backwoods Invader about?

LEXIE: Treynan Rodale, the equivalent of a prince in space, completes a mission guaranteed to bring him promotion when he crashes in the backwoods of Virginia. Stranded, he must rely on the help of the locals. Delaney Harris is working to get off the farm and away from domineering men. Her tendency to help the hurt makes her reach out to the alien on her doorstep. With Delaney’s help, Treynan finally finds a substitute fuel so he can go home, but when he and Delaney share one last day alone, she doesn’t see the snake that bites her. He can’t leave her behind, but if he takes her with him…he can’t avoid taking the inheritance he’d thought to give away.

MAI: I knew it! Aliens, lol. And I’m especially intrigued by what Treynan used as substitute for fuel. Think I can find some of that for my car these days? Okay, so I’ll leave off the dry humor and politically (in)correct and in appropriate everyday issues. Please, hold off on your tomato throwing for just a little longer for Lexie’s sake.

Back to business. Lexie, please tell us how long you’ve been writing.

LEXIE: I started writing in third grade. In fifth grade, my class put on a play I wrote. I regaled my sisters with stories of the Monstrous Goop, the monster emerging from dirty dishwater to devour unsuspecting parents. In eighth grade, I wrote a novel about the kitchen we never knew in which the household cleaners kidnapped Mrs. Salt. I won a creative writing award in high school. I minored in Creative Writing at Hollins College. After graduating, I wrote another novel, submitted it, got rejected, had no idea what to do and went to graduate school to become a psychologist. A PhD and two kids later, I began to write again. So…thirteen years minus all the gaps. ?

MAI: Wow! I’m impressed by the extent of your creativity. Very interesting and unique concepts you have there. Please tell us a little about how this book came about.

LEXIE: I actually had a dream in high school about a field that I’d never seen holding a hidden, abandoned space ship hangar. The next day, I searched and found the field, but, alas, no space ships. College, graduate school, and kids kept me busy, but the idea stuck with me. I joined RWA in 2002, and started writing again. This is the third manuscript I have completed.

MAI: There was a reason that dream stuck with you for so long. Look where it landed you! What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?

LEXIE: This is the fifth contest I’ve entered. The first contest I entered, one of the judges actually recommended I take classes in grammar! Since I’d taught English Comp for a couple of years at the college level, I was dumbfounded. But I listened, I revised. And I revised. I was a finalist in the Linda Howard Award of Excellence contest in the fourth contest, so I thought I might have a chance with this one. At the same time, that score of 23 is going to stick with me forever—I don’t take anything for granted! Just hope…

MAI: I’m so glad you persevered. Tell me, what was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?

LEXIE: I ran down the hall and told a colleague at work—wonder what everyone thought when they saw me running!!!!

MAI: I can only imagine! What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?

LEXIE: Meeting the other contestants, past contestants, and even the Romantic Times staff. Even on-line, their warmth and cool-ness shines through.

MAI: What has been the worst part of this experience so far?

LEXIE: Some people I know might not understand about my writing romance, so having to be quiet in some places is a problem! And, surprisingly, it’s not my church—they’re supportive!!

MAI: In one word, how would you describe this experience?

LEXIE: Woohoo!

MAI: LOL. I like that description! What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?

LEXIE: I’m not sure I’m qualified?, but I’m glad to share advice given to me. I was writing along, happily completing my first few manuscripts when a more experienced member of my RWA chapter asked me what I was waiting for? I honestly thought I should wait to submit anything until I was “good enough.” I’d probably still be waiting! So, my advice is get out there—submit to contests, ask people you know to read your stuff, can it be worse than a 23?

MAI: Wonderful advice. Any last words?

LEXIE: Thank you so much for this opportunity! Thank you for the opportunity to share with the wonderful people reading this, and thanks to Dorchester and Romantic Times for the opportunity to be part of American Title IV.

MAI: And thank you, Lexie, for your time today and for being on this journey with me and the other finalists. I truly consider myself humbled to be beside the nine of you. Best of luck in the competition!

Now, was I kidding when I said we’ve saved the best for last? What an amazing interview! And for those of you wondering, no, these interviews aren’t scripted. If they were, we’d have no interview at the moment due to the strike.

Okay, bad joke again. My apologies. Truly this time.

I’ve just realized that this is the last time I will get to talk to you guys and appeal to all of you to show your support by voting for your favorite American Title finalist. I truly hope that you’ve enjoyed the interviews and that you’ve gained some insight to the personalities of each finalist and the stellar stories they’ve written.

If you have not already done so, please leave immediately from Sylvia’s blog after finishing this interview to the American Title Contest page at Romantic Times http://www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php and cast your vote for one of the eight remaining finalists. Remember that every vote counts. Your vote could be the determining factor in who gets to be the next American Title winner!

I will make the final prize winner selections on Sunday, November 25th (the last day to vote!) from the comments left here. The winners will receive very cool prizes donated by Sylvia Day and her author friends.

I would like to say three more things before signing off.

First, thank you to the wonderful Goddess, Sylvia Day, for allowing me to take over your blog these past five weeks. Your generosity and sincere enthusiasm to help promote us finalists have not gone unnoticed. I hope to one day be able to pay back a fraction of what you’ve given me and my fellow finalist-mates by allowing me to post our interviews here. And please tell your friends a huge THANK YOU for the wonderful prize donations.

Secondly, I want to say a very special and heartfelt thank you to everyone for keeping up with these interviews and for your support and votes. You have no idea the depth of gratitude we have for your continued support and vote. As the contest progresses, I hope all of you will continue to support us and cast your votes through all five rounds to determine who will be the next American Title winner. Spoken as a current finalist and recipient of the cutting criticism from the three judges, your votes speak volumes and your comments help brighten our day and act as healing balm to the wounds left by the judges and from putting ourselves “out there”.

And lastly, I want to thank all the finalists again for these wonderful interviews. It has been my sincere pleasure to write these interviews and share them with the rest of the world. I am honored to be counted as one of you, an American Title finalist, and to be amongst your midst. You guys are all truly winners in my book. Wishing only the best of luck to each of you.

And a very special thanks to last year’s American Title winner, Jenny Gardiner, and to past finalists Judi Fennell and Meretta Pater for your guidance through the process.

If you’ve enjoyed getting to know the American Title IV finalists and would like to see more of us, please join us over at our blog, Title Magic. The blog has been newly created and will not be officially up and running for another couple of weeks while we hash out the logistics. But once it is up and running, we’d love to see all of you there!

In the meantime, you can find us online at Romantic Times each time you log in to vote!

It has been my greatest pleasure to do these interviews. Have a wonderful week!!

Mai Christy Thao
www.maichristythao.com
American Title IV finalist – Prince of Darkness

Aside from Sylvia:

Thank you so much, Mai, for interviewing all the finalists! And thanks to all the finalists for giving us a chance to learn a little bit more about you and your stories! I wish all of you every success. ((hugs))

Hello again everyone! Hard to believe it’s already been a month!

Round 2 of voting has officially commenced over at Romantic Times. This time, it’s the hero and heroine descriptions that are up for voting. What an exciting and nerve-wracking round it is! The judges, as always, continue their flair of harsh criticism. I’m still trying to come up for air after reading their comments on my hero/heroine description. However, one lucky finalist got compared to the one and only Nora Roberts. Wow! We’re all green with envy, lol.

Anyhow, let us move forward with our interview, shall we? Today we have the wonderful EVONNE WAREHAM with us!

MAI: Evonne, thanks for taking the time to join us today. What is the title of your book called?

EVONNE: Out of Sight, Out of Mind

MAI: Hmm… Sounds like a romantic suspense with paranormal elements, lol. What is the book about?

EVONNE: Everyone has secrets. Some are weirder than others. But if you don’t know what yours are – that can get you killed.

When Madison meets Jay he’s homeless, living on the street. He may be a derelict, but he has something she wants – an unique connection between their minds. Madison needs to know why she has such a bond with Jay. Can they stay alive long enough to find out?

MAI: I knew it! I love the premise. How long have you been writing?

EVONNE: Ever since I could.

MAI: Tell us a little about how this book came about?

EVONNE: I don’t really remember. I wrote quite lot of it a long while ago and put it away, because I didn’t know what I was going to do with it. When I read that American Title was for paranormal, I got it out, and decided that I could do something with it. Jay and Madison walked off the page at me and the next thing I knew I was racing to keep up with them.

MAI: That’s amazing! And you made it to the finals with it! It really goes to show that talent and fate sometimes goes hand in hand. What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?

EVONNE: Zero. I didn’t even know whether they would accept an entry from Wales for a competition called American Title (Thanks to Dorchester and Romantic Times)

MAI: LOL. Reminds me of something Helen said in an earlier interview. I for one am glad they did, and that you’re here with the rest of us finalists. What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?

EVONNE: Total astonishment.

MAI: What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?

EVONNE: The support and good wishes I have had, from friends and strangers. Plus getting to know nine other great finalists.

MAI: Can’t argue with you there! In your opinion, what has been the worst part of this experience so far?

EVONNE: Nothing yet, but I’m sure that will change.

MAI: Knock on wood, hon. In one word, how would you describe this experience?

EVONNE: Astonishing

MAI: What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?

EVONNE: Keep trying. Experiment until you find what you really like to write. Take advice from people you trust. Most published authors are very generous with their help.

MAI: I agree. I owe so much of what I know now and where I am today to the help of truly amazing, selfless published authors. Any last words?

EVONNE: A big thank you to all the people who have helped me to get here.

MAI: Wonderful closing! Thanks so much for taking time out to be with us here today, Evonne. And good luck in Round 2!!

Alright guys, I’ve been told there are a lot of prizes left, and we only have one more interview to go. So that means you each have a better chance of winning the prizes if you a.) leave a comment and b.) cast for your vote!!

So don’t waste time. Head on over to Romantic Times today and cast your vote for your favorite finalist! The link to vote is
www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle3.php.

See everyone on Thursday for my final interview with the last American Title finalist!

Mai Christy Thao
maichristythao.com

My new computer arrived and I’ve been slowly but surely getting my new office set up. I’m missing one of the three boxes that shipped my computer, and it’s the one with my supposedly-nifty moving software in it. If it lives up to its promises, it should suck all of my programs, settings, and files out of my other computer into this one. That would be awesome since I want everything that’s on that computer on this one. I had to move to a more powerful computer because I put too much strain on the meager resources of the other one. It was slow, but not old, so my kids will inherit it and hubby can keep the “family” computer as his own.

This new computer is a trip. It’s so fast it’s kinda scary *g* and the 20-inch monitor makes the internet look small. I love it and look forward to making it “mine.” Right now, it’s barren and lacking all of my stuff.

In other news, I’m enjoying my new office. The kids enjoy it, too. My loft was so tiny and my desk faced over the living room with my back to the entrance. The kids had to talk to the back of my head when they came up there. The office is much bigger, has a nice, new couch, and the desk is facing the door. I think I’m really going to like it here. I’ll post pictures soon. I’m still missing my new curtains and I haven’t moved all the stuff down from the loft.

It’s the 12th tomorrow, that means voting in the second round of American Title is ready to begin! Please stop by here:
www.romantictimes.com/news_amtitle.php and vote for your favorite hero and heroine.

I’ve been working on my new office this week — moving everything out, tearing down the old wallpaper border (my son helped with this), and repainting. Tonight, I was finally able to start moving stuff in and it’s been fun. I’m following Feng Shui in designing the space and my kids enjoy asking questions about the map and helping to put stuff in the proper areas.

My window treatments and new computer are on their way to me, but we’re still waiting for the desk to come in. Hopefully, they’ll all arrive at the same time. I can’t wait to start working in there.

Other than that, I’m writing and plotting, and planning to take my kids out for fun this weekend. I have a girlfriend coming down from Vegas with her granddaughter, so we’re all going to hang out and play. I hope you’re all doing well. Any fun plans for the weekend?

It’s Thursday!

That means it’s time for another interview with our American Title finalists. Today we have with us finalist, HOLLI BERTRAM.

MAI: Welcome Holli. Tell us what the title of your book is.

HOLLI: Curses!

MAI: Great title! What is it about?

HOLLI: Mid-life crisis takes on a whole new meaning when a single kiss triggers unexpected powers in Julie Dancer and her empty nest is suddenly filled with a leather-clad Guardian, a vengeful Shadow Walker and a powerful man determined to have sex with her to break a curse.

MAI: Ooh, sounds very sexy! How long have you been writing?

HOLLI: I started my first manuscript ten years ago; the year the first Harry Potter book was published. There must be some good writing karma in that, right?

MAI: I believe so. Tell us a little about how this book came about.

HOLLI: The idea for this book came about when my oldest son started college. Even though I still had two boys at home, I began to wonder about Life After Kids. Julie Dancer, my heroine, has just sent her only daughter off to college. She is plunged into an amazing adventure where she discovers new things about herself and the world, and she has two handsome men vying for her interest. I like that view of the future.

MAI: Wow. Very interesting how the story came about. What was your expectation when you first entered the contest?

HOLLI: Depends on what day you asked me. I think most writers ride a “they’ll love it/they’ll hate it” roller coaster after they submit something. My strategy is to submit and then try not to think too much about the possible outcome. It keeps me sane, mostly.

MAI: Well, I guess that explains why I’m going crazy here, lol. What was your reaction when you learned you were a finalist?

HOLLI: I got the email while at work. I think I pumped my fist in the air with an emphatic “Yes!” and immediately emailed my critique partners and my husband. Then I had a major attack of anxiety.

MAI: I can definitely relate there! What has been the most rewarding part of this experience so far?

HOLLI: The most rewarding part of this experience is getting to know my fellow finalists. They are a wonderful, generous group of women.

MAI: I’m definitely in agreement there. What has been the worst part of this experience so far?

HOLLI: That’s easy. By far the hardest part has been telling people about the contest and asking them to vote. I’m not practiced at promoting myself, so this is a learning experience for me.

MAI: In one word, how would you describe this experience?

HOLLI: Magical.

MAI: I like that! What kind of advice do you have for other American Title hopefuls and/or aspiring writers?

HOLLI: A good critique group can be invaluable, both to help you hone your craft and as support through the ups and downs of the writing life.

MAI: Any last words?

HOLLI: Thanks for inviting me and the other AT IV finalists to your blog!

MAI: I second that, Sylvia. Thank you so much for allowing me to post these interviews here. And thank you Holli for a wonderful interview. Good luck in the competition!

Alright everyone. Next week (Monday, November 12th) starts voting for Round 2 of the American Title Contest. Please check back at the Romantic Times website to see which eight finalists have advanced to the round and cast your vote!

We have only two more interviews to go, both of which will be posted next week. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read these interviews the past four weeks. I hope you’ve all gotten to know the finalists on a more personal level and get a feel for the books they write and their personalities.

And thank you for the wonderful comments. Your support and excitement makes all the difference to us. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey, and we are very grateful to have you along for the ride. It really is all about the fans and support. You guys keep us sane and motivated and grounded, so on behalf of all the finalists, THANK YOU.

Look forward to seeing everyone back here next week. Leave your comments for a chance to win some prizes. And don’t forget to vote on November 12th!

Mai Christy Thao
maichristythao.com