Hello weekend!

Yes, Weekend - inspirational quote.I am so very happy it’s the weekend. It was a very long week at the day job full of people who truly tested my limits to the max, and it wasn’t even the other employees this time. No this week it was the clients. Yet again I question why I’m a customer service rep. I am not a people person. I might be if I didn’t have to deal with the nine levels of customer service hell on a regular basis. And that’s just Monday morning before I’ve had coffee!

All I can think is, one less week until retirement, and way too many to count still to plow through. That and prison orange is so not my color! Which is pretty much the only reason I haven’t let loose the dogs o’ war on these people and told them what I truly think. May whoever you believe in have mercy on your souls (should you believe in them) if I ever win a lottery though.

But enough of that! The plan for today is to write, write, and write some more. I have a book to finish, and finish it I will. I’m hoping this weekend so I can take a day to give it a read through, but I’m making no promises. As soon as I think I have a plan in place someone wrenches the rug out from under me, and fucks up my grand plan six ways of Sunday.

So the only plan is to write. Then I’ll plan to write some more, and possibly even more. After all I have plenty of coffee, I even have some snacks on standby, and plenty of fresh air to keep me going. Though I may need to reconsider having a window open at all tomorrow. Doesn’t sound like Mother Natures quite done with smacking us around with winter yet. That’s okay. If the weather goes as it sounds like it might it’s all the more reason to stay safely tucked indoors, and -you guessed it- write!

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend wherever you might be. Stop by tomorrow for something new I’m trying out along with some authors of much greater note than I. ~ Moira

PS – Did you know I’m on Authorgraph now? If you’d like me to sign an e-book of mine you’ve purchased I will. The link is on the side bar under my welcome message, and above my WIP progress bars. Click the link, pick the book, and when I get the notification I’ll go and sign it for you with a personalized message.

Release Day!

uniformantho1lIt’s here! The Uniform Fetish is live. I have to give a big shout out to the other nine amazing authors I’m honored to have been teamed up with for this anthology. I’m one very lucky author to be among such esteemed company. This is my first anthology, and I was very excited to have been picked to take part.

When I submitted my entry I had no idea if it would fit into what the EP team envisioned for the anthology. But hey, I had to give it a shot right? It all paid off too much to my surprise, and delight. Lots of delight actually. Oddly enough I sort of forgot about it to be completely truthful. Too many things going on between submission and that first set of edits I suppose, it just slipped my mind entirely. Right up until the moment someone made mention about it, and then there were a few jitters.

I also want to give a shout out to the nine authors of the Uniform Fetish: Manlove Edition. This is a day to celebrate, but it doesn’t stop here. Next week, March 2-7 2015, is a huge blog book tour. We’ll all be participating as well as several fellow authors, and bloggers helping us get the word out even more. It should be a blast!

For buy links, and peek into my story from the Uniform Fetish you can check it out on the A Passionate Witness page. For now I’m off to do some writing, have a lovely night ~ Moira

Release Day!

dangerouspastsHere we go again! It’s release day for book 5 of the C&M Security, Dangerous Pasts. This book features the very Special Agent Zachary Parker, FBI that was introduced in the last book. He gets to know the secretive receptionist of C&M Security, Chandra Devons. Her past has come back to haunt not only her, but potentially destroy her future with Zachary in the process.

After this book there is only one more planned at this time. It is one of my current WIP’s actually, and one that is proving to be even more challenging than book 5 was. This one explores deeper into the past, showing how C&M came to be, and who the other owner of C&M is before we ever met her in book 1 of the series. It’s one that has to be very carefully written so as to not do anything that screws up anything in the books already out. But it’s one I had always planned to write so hopefully all my notes are accurate, LOL!

Buy Links for Dangerous Pasts, C&M Security 5 – Now Available At:

Evernight Publishing – http://www.evernightpublishing.com/dangerous-pasts-by-moira-callahan/

Bookstrand – http://www.bookstrand.com/dangerous-pasts-mf

All Romance – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerouspasts-1733451-149.html

Amazon USA & Canada both appear to be delayed. As soon as I have the links I’ll put them up in a post.

More links to follow in the weeks to come from the other sites that are a little slower in getting it together. Watch the Dangerous Pasts page for those as they filter in all over the map.

Have a fantastic day ~ Moira

Thank goodness it’s Saturday

wake upHappy weekend to everyone! Hope you are all enjoying it as much as I am. The last week was brutal attempting to get back into the swing of things after a much needed break over Christmas. Still not fully back into it all yet but I’m getting there slowly. The worst of it all was that first Monday morning alarm that went off. I am such a natural night owl that having to pry myself from the warm depths of my bed is a chore and a half. But I managed it, and then had to repeat it four more times until today. I admit, I did sleep in a little more than I normally would but it’s the weekend – WHO CARES?! LOL!

MFAntho-001-07012015-evernightpublishing-JayAheer2015-3DrenderBut there was one particularly amazing shining spot in my week I must share. Got home on Thursday to find a great little surprise in my inbox. The covers, and some other visual goodies for the Uniform Anthology that I’m honored to be a part of. They are so damn pretty, so a huge thank you to the artist Jay Aheer for these. They are truly stunning. It took me a while to finally pry my eyeballs off the bloody things, and then only because I realized I was drooling and had the nearly uncontrollable urge to lick my screen.

It’s pretty amazing to see it all begin to come together. It won’t be out for a while yet, projected release is in February but a date hasn’t yet been finalized. Depends on our poor editor for the books, and how quickly we all get through whatever changes are required of us I think. But as soon as I know more I’ll definitely be sharing the news.

On other fronts the final edits for C&M Security 5, Dangerous Pasts, along with the teaser/dedication have been submitted back to my publisher for the last look through on their end. Should hopefully be seeing a cover draft in the next few days. Can’t wait to share that with everyone. In the meantime though I need to get to work on book 6 of the series. I have a lot of ground still to cover before the big finale of that one that will tie up the last little threads left dangling in a couple of the other books.

After that who knows what I’ll be working on. I know what I should be working on, the two WIP’s I have in my docs, or even the new “something” that’s tickling my brain. But for now it’s all about focusing on the one to get it done and submitted. Easier said then done with a case of attention jumping going on right now. My brain is all over the map, twitchy, and may or may not have something to do with all the coffee I’ve pumped into my system. Oh well, eventually I’ll come down from whatever’s got me and my thoughts all over the map. In the meantime maybe I’ll just randomly open up a WIP and see what pops out. Until later ~ Moira

Officially on vacation!

Out of officeAt least from the day job. I plan on taking a couple of “me” days off from writing as well, but I have edits to get done and sent back prior to the New Year, so there will only be a little rest for the weary. The rest of my vacation time will likely be spent pounding on the keyboard to get more of my stories done up. Thankfully though I can do that from the comfort of my home, in my jammies since I have ZERO interest in getting dressed when it’s uncalled for, and with an unlimited supply of coffee at my fingertips. Ahhhhh, bliss :)

In other news (like you care) I did complete all my shopping with the exception of one item that I’ve spent three months attempting to find all to no avail. Mainly because I’m pretty sure it doesn’t exist except in a delusional mind. I’m just not sure if it’s the one who asked me to find it, or the original person who wanted said item. It’s a continual coin toss on that one. I shall spend most of tomorrow on the phone to determine if said item might, however remotely, exist in reality. Should it then I will venture forth into the insanity to procure it with no thought to my own well-being, or sanity. Both of which are sorely in question after spending four hours in a mall, yes…A MALL!, the Sunday before Christmas. I know – I have no clue what I was thinking doing that either.

On the editing front for C&M Security 5, Dangerous Pasts, I’ve had zero motivation since Saturday to do the blasted things. Can’t get into the right mindset for it. Part of that may have been the fact I knew I’d be going *shudder* to the mall for an extended period of time. My mind may have been preparing for the onslaught of insanity, noise, and idiocy that is to be found there. Whatever the reason I haven’t got a lot completed yet. I’ll likely open them up once more tomorrow while enjoying the fact I’m home, in my jammies, while my coworkers are making their way into the office. Might be what I need to get some more done on them. Or at least figure out where the bloody hell I left off.

Usually I’m good about that kind of thing. I leave myself a little note so I can go right to that spot, or at the very least bookmark my last point so I don’t have to slog through. This time though I must have thought I’d remember. Well, hate to disillusion those that know me, I don’t have that great of a memory because I’ve got no clue. *rolls eyes*

Well, that’s it from me for tonight. I have food on the way – as there’s none in the house currently. So enjoy your evening, and I hope you’ve gotten everything you needed to get done, done. ~ Moira

Holiday chaos

christmas treeEvery damn year I swear I’ll do all my shopping early. Every damn year I’m down to the line to get it done in time. This year is absolutely no different sadly. Maybe next year I’ll actually start early. HA! Yeah, I don’t believe it either. But it’s a truly nice thought.

I went out on the hunt for a few items today, and must brave the masses again tomorrow for even more things. It wasn’t too bad today, did what I needed to do, and even found a few extra bits to add to the gift bags for the family. Tomorrow will be a slightly grander experiment in patience. I hate crowds. I despise people who can’t seem to walk a straight line from point A to point B. And I truly hate the fact that when someone stops to talk to another person they must stand out in the flow of bodies so that everyone needs to squish around them. Really? How is that necessary?

But I know exactly what I’m going for. I will get there at an appropriately early hour so I can complete my shopping prior to the mad crush of people who leave their brains at home, yet bring the attitude. Yes, it should be a rip roaring fun day in the mall. Ugh!

In much happier news I have the edits for book 5 of the C&M Security series. Took a quick look through some of it, and there’s definitely more than a few things I need to tend to. Some are very quick fixes, others are much more complicated but I should be able to get through them before I depart for the familial gathering. At least that’s my hope. Given when it was sent to me I’ll be out of town when it needs to be sent back – not exactly the best of timing I fear on my publisher’s part, but these things happen so I will roll with it, and figure it out.

Book 6 of the series is progressing, though the characters appear to have run off for a time. My trip to the shops may have had something to do with that. Christmas madness isn’t conducive to a creative mind. A homicidal one perhaps, but definitely not anything of a creative nature LOL! I haven’t had any new inspiration on my paranormal story, or the other one that’s in bits and pieces in a Word doc. I’m hopeful that once the crazy time has passed my characters will come out of hiding again and I can get back to writing.

Well, that’s all I have to say today. So I hope you enjoy your evening, and the balance of your weekend. ~ Moira

Release Day!

It’s that time again, yay! Release day for book 4 in the C&M Security series – Dangerous Circumstances. I’m excited about this one as it will let the readers meet the doctor, Mackenzie Vaughn, who patched Rhonda up in the last book. Readers also get to know more about the lovely Denise Franklyn, the C&M computer guru. I also introduce a new character that is integral to the book that follows this one.

Since I’m not sure what else to say, here’s a little snippet to enjoy…

*****

She looked like a slightly mussed angel in her sleep. Mack smiled a little as he watched Denise. Her lips were parted ever so slightly, her hair a bit tousled around her head and her breaths nice and slow. She had one arm tucked under her pillow and head. The other was stretched toward him, her fingers lightly brushing his arm.

Easing slowly onto his side, he moved her hand so he didn’t crush it. He didn’t let it go either, holding it loosely as he pressed her palm to his chest. For a moment, Mack closed his eyes. Not too long though. He wanted to watch her sleep. She was so relaxed, so calm, so at peace when she slept. It was very different from her normal wide-awake mode.

After adjusting his pillow, Mack wiggled in closer to her. Slowly, carefully, so he didn’t wake her. He didn’t want her to wake up yet. While he could easily function on two, three, or even four hours of sleep after years of training during medical school and his residency, Denise definitely needed more.

A quick peek over his shoulder at the clock showed it had been around six hours since they’d hit the sheets. More than enough for him. Highly doubtful it would be enough for her. Really he should just leave her be and let her sleep. He was tempted to get up, but he didn’t actually want to.

Once more he settled his gaze on her face and smiled when her lips moved in a manner that suggested she was talking in her sleep. Maybe she was having a dream. It would be too much to hope it was about him. It might be though, given the small frown on her face. He tended to push her through all the range of emotions, usually once every hour when they were in the same space.

*****

And here are the links that I have as of this moment:

Evernight Publishing – http://www.evernightpublishing.com/dangerous-circumstances-by-moira-callahan/

Amazon (US) – http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00R42TIOQ/

Amazon (CDN) – http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00R42TIOQ/

Bookstrand – http://www.bookstrand.com/dangerous-circumstances-mf

All Romance – https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-dangerouscircumstances-1704508-149.html

That’s all I have folks. Gotta go and get to work on book 6 of the series while I await edits on book 5 (due out January 2015). Have a fantastic day! ~ Moira

Taking a short break

antike SchreibutensilienI’ve been busily working on the next book in the C&M Security series. Book six is the prequel book for the series, the one that shows how the entire thing got started. It also is the story of Robyn Matthews, the “M” of C&M Security. It’s a little about her, and Shawn’s pasts as well as how she meets her fiancé Grant. My other goal to the book, beyond a bit of history of the two biggest characters of the series -Shawn and Robyn- is to also reveal why Robyn, and Grant are still engaged many years after the fact.

The biggest challenge is ensuring I don’t muck up anything so the other books still work in the series. So far so good since it’s all “history” at the moment. The plus of doing the prequel after the fact is knowing what’s to come since it’s already all laid out.

The biggest problem is working on it, it’s all at my characters whim what I manage to get down at any given time. That and my muse who seems to have a bit of a problem these days. She’s got me working not only on C&M, but also a new paranormal. On top of all that she’s kicking around another idea. Nothing solid on the third one as of yet, but who knows what it may end up being. Guess I’ll have to wait and see what all she gives me in regards to that.

Now, on that note I need to get a few things from the store so I’m heading offline for a time. Hopefully when I get back my muse’ll have some more for me to write. Hope everyone is having a great weekend, talk soon ~ Moira

Here comes book four…

dangerous-circumstancesI have an awesome cover (thank you Sour Cherry Designs!), I have a date, and my publisher has the finished, smoothed out version of the book. Life is awesome! Don’t really have a lot to say except that Dangerous Circumstances, C&M Security 4 will be available December 17, 2014 for purchase at a bunch of places. And then a few more about a week later when they finally catch up with the cool kids.

So, please enjoy the fan-freaking-tastic cover, I know I am, and here’s a little something to whet the appetite…

***************     ***************     ***************

It wasn’t so much a sound that woke him. There was a sound, but it was so soft he really shouldn’t have noticed. It wasn’t like he was a light sleeper or anything, but he also knew when he wasn’t in his own bed.

Cracking open an eye, Mack peered around.

He recognized the furniture around him. He was on Denise’s sofa. What caught his eye was Denise. She was in the kitchen of her condo, puttering around while the heady scent of coffee teased his senses.

With a groan, he pushed up to a sitting position and rubbed his face. When he dropped his hands, a coffee mug was in front of his face. Taking it automatically, he looked up to see Denise’s worried face staring down at him. Yeah, she likely had a reason to be worried given how and when he’d shown up at her door.

“Thanks,” he croaked out.

She just nodded and went back to the kitchen. “Breakfast will be ready in ten.”

“What time is it?” Taking a sip of the strong brew Mack let out a sigh. Another sip helped push the caffeine into his system.

“Uh, it’s almost noon. So technically it’s lunchtime, but whatever. We’re having breakfast,” she told him.

Shit, noon? Fucking hell. He hadn’t expected to sleep so late, normally wouldn’t have if he hadn’t wandered around San Francisco in the wee hours of the morning. Pushing up from the sofa, he stretched and winced at the aching muscles.

“Let me hit the bathroom and I’ll be right out,” he said. Another gulp of coffee, and he set the mug aside as she flicked a hand in acknowledgement. Not sure what else to say, he went to the bathroom.

When he came back out she had the food on the table, mugs refilled, and was wiping down the stove. Unsure what to do, not for the first time around Denise, he waited on her.

“Sit down, Mack,” she said. Tossing the sponge she’d been using into the sink, she came around the island to the table and sat.

Well, all right. Frowning, he went to one of the chairs with a plate set before it, and sat down. Pancakes, eggs and bacon. Not exactly the healthiest of meals but it was great comfort food, and just what he needed.

***************     ***************     ***************     ***************

Have a wonderful night! ~ Moira

Relaxed into writing

It’s amazing what a haircut will do for the brain. Not literally of course… But all that time sitting relaxing is a great way for the mind to sort through things. There’s no pressure, no deadline, just down time. Between the wash, and scalp massage, the actual cut, and all the finishing touches the stylist does it’s a great way to let the mind just be. Mine started to think, to plot, and in the end gave me the start to the next book in the C&M Security series. So thank you to my stylist Sam for getting things back into gear for me.

CroppedQuill_55594464_XSAlso thank goodness for the technology to start putting it down into a doc before I got home. If not for that handy dandy phone of mine I might not have gotten the first pieces quite right. A short shopping trip for some necessities helped shake loose a few more bits and pieces, and now I can settle in for the balance of the night and just write. I’ll have to remember this for the next time the brain gets stopped up. Not that I have enough hair to do this every week, but maybe a massage the next time would work much the same way.

At any rate, I’m just happy to get started on it. It’s been bugging me for over two weeks now not knowing how to get started. But now I have a plan, a loose plan mind you, but definitely a plan.

In other news my impromptu submission for the Uniform Anthology with Evernight was accepted. I hadn’t originally planned on writing anything for it, but again the old brain had other plans for me. It interrupted my finishing of C&M 5 to get it all written down. I actually had the just under 10k words done in about 8 hours. Never done that before. But the words were flowing so it’s not like I could stop because of something as silly as exhaustion at four o’clock in the morning. Pssht! Who needs to sleep when a story is flowing? Apparently me actually.

Well, now that I’ve goofed off for a few minutes to update my site I think it’s time to get back to work. Happy Saturday to everyone ~ Moira