Bitchin in the Kitchen

You know you're a bad cook when friends' e-mails begin with "burned anything lately?"- And they are serious. Let's just say, if I'm in the kitchen-- windows should be open and a take-out menu on hand.

I boil vegetables, but forget to add water.  Of course, this has a domino effect.
The pan burned, so I whisked it off the stove, set it on a glass cutting board, and shatter the board into a million pieces.
It gets better --
I then dumped the pan into the sink and poured cold water over it. The bottom of the pan literally broke off. My husband informed me I had burned the pan too many times. I didn't contradict him.

Then there is the time I cooked with Metamucil.  Seriously.
I needed to add chicken broth to a recipe.  I couldn't understand why the cubes of broth were in powder form or not in individual packets. However, I gamely estimated the necessary amount to be added.  Later, I mentioned the chicken broth consistency to my husband, who deduced the problem. My father had recently visited us and while traveling, he stores his Metamucil in--you guessed it--a container of chicken broth!  Hey, a high fiber diet is good for you, right?

I cooked an oven roast chicken and realized I had cooked it upside down. Apparently, there is a thermometer that is supposed to pop when it is done. My husband asked me where the bag of giblets was. What giblets? Apparently, I'm supposed to put my hand inside the chicken and pull out a bag filled with his innards?  No wonder I don't like to cook.

Cooking Disaster 101 tips:

Don't microwave chocolate to melt it.  Those are not Oreos in the bowl. This white chocolate became burned charcoal.

Don't store potatoes somewhere that you will forget about them. They look like prunes and after my Metamucil fiasco, I can't take any chances.

Last but not least, take off the cellophane wrapper from your ham before baking it. I think I got distracted on that one and forgot about it.  Even I know enough to do that....usually.

I blame my mother whose meals evolved around the cocktail hour, which consisted of stale Saltines, cheddar cheese, and champagne.  I kid you not.  But that story is for a whole another blog...

Boston Strong

It's been a tough week in a city I have worked in for over twenty years, but also inspiring to see the city come together. So many acts of heroism overrode one act of cowardice.

Our hearts go out to the victims of such a senseless tragedy.

I work two blocks from the site of the bombings, the memorial site to the victims is outside my office building. My family and I spent the day cheering on my sister-in-law, who ran in the marathon, only to be stopped at 25 miles. This event was much too close to home for far too many of us. A roller coaster of a ride, and one we hope no one should have to experience again.

But like NYC rising above its City of Ruin as Bruce Springsteen lamented, Boston has emerged strong and heroic from this sad tragedy.  We won't let this defeat us. We will all run again.

That's the way to Pilgrim Up, New England! 

Debut Novel Launches! 4 Star RT Review!

My debut novel is officially launched today - March 5, 2013!!!

I got my first starred book review --  ★★★★ from Romantic Times Book Review.
( http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/love-soldier. )

“Readers will enjoy Morgan's debut novel, with its charming characters and depth of emotion."

“Morgan deftly handles returning soldiers' trauma within the context of a love story and adds spice with a bit of mystery and unexpected secrets."

I'm having a Sally Field moment, they like me, they really like me.

Free give-aways available!
Penelope's Romance Reviews is going to post a review of my book on her site. http://www.pennyromance.com/
If you drop by this week, Penelope is giving away free give-aways of the book.

Don't forget to order your own copy through:

 Amazon http://www.amazon.com/For-Love-Soldier-Victoria-Morgan/dp/0425264238/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362424409&sr=8-
1&keywords=victoria+morgan--

 Barnes and Nobles http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/for-the-love-of-a-soldier-victoria-morgan/1113784683?ean=9780425264232

or from your nearby bookstore!

Enjoy!

Available for Pre-Order

A Winter's Day by Victoria Morgan

I am so excited!  FOR THE LOVE OF A SOLDIER is listed on the Berkley Publishing Group's website and Amazon -- available for pre-order.

And...(drum roll here)....I have a Publication Date:  March 5, 2013!

How's that for an early Christmas present?!  To see my book available on both sites was exhilarating, like arriving at the final destination after a long, roller coaster ride of a writer's journey. Of course, I had to pre-order a copy.  Hey, I couldn't resist...  It's so exciting, but a bit surreal. Like, is that really my name scrawled across the front cover of that published book??? Go figure.  I'm an author!

Happy Holidays!

For the Love of a Soldier Book Cover, Blurb and an Excerpt!

It's here!  Berkley sent my book cover, and I love it!  

It was a bit of a journey and an interesting one as this is my first book and the whole publishing process is new to me. I sent my editor a bunch of covers I liked, gave my character descriptions, and general ideas of what I like. However, when the e-mail arrives with the final cover, nerves kick in before the file is opened. It's a classic Price is Right moment. What's behind Curtain #1? A winning BMW convertible or the booby prize - a complete set of sea breeze air fresheners for the car you didn't win... Then a huge exhale when you hit jack pot! So exciting! Better than a BMW car (or at least for this debut author). And there's my name on the cover.....surreal.  

There's more. While Berkley did a lovely job with the cover, I love the book blurb and their excerpt, which of course, I have to share with you. 

P.S. -- Get me -- the 'enthralling new voice in historical romance...'  Loving that!

COMING SOON in March!

From an enthralling new voice in historical romance comes a heartfelt tale of love, deception, and redemption in the face of mortal danger…

Captain Garrett Sinclair, the Earl of Kendall, has returned to England a changed man. As a survivor of the legendary Charge of the Light Brigade, he has spent months as a remorseless rake and dissolute inebriate to forget it. But Garrett also has also made powerful enemies who want him dead…

Desperate and down to her last pound, Lady Alexandra Langdon has disguised herself as a man for a place at the gaming tables. But when a hard-eyed, handsome man wins the pot, he surprises her by refusing her money. Indebted, she reveals to him an overheard plot against him, and promises to help him find his foes—for a price.

But even as Alexandra fights her growing desire to reveal herself—and her heart—to the determined Garrett, she cannot shed the fear that the cost of her alliance with the earl may be a price too dear…her own secret betrayal.

the opposite of never . . .
The carriage made another turn and his mood crested. Riding on this wave of exuberance, he leaned down and gently kissed Alexandra on her parted lips. A murmur escaped her and she lifted her hand to cup his cheek. Her fingers slid to the nape of his neck, curling into his hair, and he groaned. God she felt so good, tasted better. Desire coursed through him, and he wrapped his arms around her body and crushed her to him, deepening the kiss.
Alexandra’s eyes flew open and she stared into his, wide- eyed and still.
His lips curved into a smile against hers.
She pushed against his chest, straining away from him. “Stop that,” she cried. “You can’t keep kissing me.”
“But I like kissing you. And your response tells me you liked it, too.”
“I was half asleep!” she protested.
He lowered his voice and pulled her back against him, liking the feel of her soft body against his. “Then imagine how much better it will be when you’re awake.”
She averted her face. “Lord Kendall, I told you—” “Garrett.”
She looked at him, frowning in confusion.
“That’s my name. You used it earlier today. And nowwe’ve been intimate.”
She gasped and shoved against his chest so hard that he
released her. “We most certainly have not! A few stolen kisses do not constitute intimacy.”
“Good, then let’s do it again.” “Absolutely—”
Absolutely worked for him . . . 

Website goes live!

I can't believe it is September 1st!  Summer flew.  Had a fabulous birthday in Germany.  This medieval castle, Burg Eltz, nestled in the Mosel Valley is just one of the many wonderful attractions my family and I visited as we toured through southern Germany.  Beautiful bavarian countryside, medieval villages (many reconstructed since the damage done by WWII), castles, museums, and of course, beer gardens! Lots and lots of beer gardens -- perfect place to  unwind when you get information overload or tourist fatigue. And the legal drinking age is sixteen, which my seventeen-year old was quite thrilled to discover... So it was all good! 

The rest of the summer was quieter.  I spent most of it working with my editor to get my manuscript FOR THE LOVE OF A SOLDIER ready for a March 2013 publication date at Berkley Sensation.

And... Drum roll here....

For all the details, you can visit my website.  

Yes!!!  It is finally live!  Check it out at  victoriamorgan.com and let me know what you think!  

So exciting!  I have to thank my fellow quirky lady and critique partner, Penny Watson, for holding my hand through the indecipherable on-line web world. She is the queen! And she has billed me accordingly--I owe her 1 mango martini, 1 sangria, and 1 mai tai. I think we'll both benefit in this deal...

If you visit let me know what you think! 

Going to Berkley!

SOLD!!!!

        I did it! I sold CHANGING FORTUNES, my historical romance and a 2011 RWA

 Golden Heart Finalist to Berkley Publishing Company!!!  I don't think my feet have touched the ground since my agent called me with the offer.  I feel like the cartoon character kicking her heels, arms flapping above her head, and screaming "I did it!"  Better than crossing any finish line! 


      A long time coming, its been a journey with its share of heartaches and joys, chocolate and martinis, laughter and tears and.... well, you get the idea. If you're a writer, you really get the idea. It can be a long and lonely road, but meeting other writers along the way through my New England Writer's Chapter and many conferences, helps to smooth the route.  I've been pushed, prodded and cheered along by my incredible critique group, The Quirky Ladies, and so I could not celebrate this feat without a shout out to them. They've earned it as not many people would read a 400 page historical romance out loud with you! Thanks Liana, Tara, Kate, Nina and Michelle!!!  Ultimately, thanks to my great agent, Laura Bradford, who walked me through this whole process and believed in this book enough to help me whip it into shape and sell it!!!  Thanks Laura! 


     Berkley plans for a Spring 2013 release.... so exciting!!


     Before I think about having to complete my revisions, I'm going enjoy my happy dance!