I learned about Cobblestone Press in March of last year. I kept my eye on their site, because the professional site impressed me, and I was more than impressed with the covers they created.

When I learned that they would look at short stories, I sent Office Relations. Cobblestone sent me a contract, and Office Relations became my first published story.

It was released the second week of June 2006, the week after Cobblestone Press opened.

Since then, I’ve released two additional books with Cobblestone and I plan to submit more.

Happy anniversary to all the people behind the scenes who make Cobblestone Press a success! Thank you for helping make my dreams of publishing come true.

If we had to say what writing is, we would define it essentially as an act of courage.
–Cynthia Ozick

This has been an amazing and nervewracking week. As you may know, Office Relations is my first book. It’s been exciting to know that it would finally be for sale, but since I’ve never gone through a book release before, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turns out that I’ve written maybe 1,000 words all week, which is not a typical number for me.

As for what I’ve been doing instead: worrying and promoting. I’m much too good at worrying, not as good at promoting. Not self-promoting, anyway. I wonder how common this is for writers. In any case, it will be interesting to see if I go through this process with each release. I hope I can stick with promoting and leave the worrying undone.

The good news is that today I woke up with a desire to write. My courage has returned. So I’ll be back at it, once I figure out which story to work on.

It’s out!

Office Relations
ISBN: 1-60088-008-8

Click here or on the cover to purchase it.

Today I’m interviewing Peter Merrill, the hero of Office Relations, which is available for purchase tomorrow at Cobblestone Press. Peter works at Stanwood Enter–

Peter: {Holds up a hand} Stop.

Lia: What? Why?

Peter: Readers don’t need all that boring introduction stuff.

Lia: But–

Peter: They know I’m the hero of Office Relations. That’s enough for now.

Lia: All right. Let’s get started. First, are you nervous about the book’s release tomorrow?

Peter: No. As far as I’m concerned, the story’s the story. {Pauses} You’re the one who’s nervous.

Lia: You’re right. Okay, let’s move on to the story. Do you want to explain how it got started or should I?

Peter: Go ahead.

Lia: I work in an office with dozens of conference rooms, and I thought it made a good setting for a story. So I visualized a man and a woman who had to work together in a conference room on a project, and from there, Peter was born.

Peter: That’s right. I showed up first.

Lia: Yes. Your voice came through quite clearly, even before I knew what you looked like. You were pretty frustrated being in a room with Sabrina and not being able to–

Peter: Can you blame me? Sabrina’s beautiful, and her beauty is only one of the things I like about her.

Lia: Peter, that’s sweet.

Peter: {Rolls eyes} I have my moments.

Lia: Let’s talk about Sabrina.

Peter: No problem for me. What do you want to know?

Lia: As I mentioned, I heard your voice almost immediately, but the story actually starts in her point of view. Tell readers how she developed as a character.

Peter: Okay. Lia asked me to talk about the woman I was so interested in, so I told her about Sabrina. Pretty simple.

Lia: You’re not the one who had to write it.

Peter: Hey. Living it wasn’t any easier.

Lia: Point taken. I’m sorry. Please continue.

Peter: That’s it. I talked, and you listened. Something you don’t always do.

Lia: {Considers how to change the subject} Back to Sabrina–

Peter: Nice try.

Lia: {Gives up} All right. Readers, Peter is referring to a recent shopping trip–

Peter: I’ll tell this one. First of all, Lia’s doing a contest to celebrate the release of Office Relations, so she came up with this idea to give away office supplies–

Lia: I call it an office survival kit.

Peter: Whatever. Anyway, while she was out shopping, I mentioned a must-have item. She ignored me.

Lia: I didn’t ignore you.

Peter: You didn’t buy what I suggested.

Lia: You suggested condoms. I decided against including condoms in the kit.

Peter: You said it’s an office survival kit, right? I wouldn’t have survived that conference room without a condom. It came in handy.

Lia: Yes, it did. But I’m not including them in the office survival kits.

Peter: {Sighs} The kits don’t include condoms, but they are pretty cool. Sign up for Lia’s newsletter and you’ll be entered for the contest as well as any other contests she does. Just put your e-mail address in the box in the left column of this blog. She’ll draw two winners for this contest on July 1.

Lia: {Mutters} You’re better at promo than I am.

Peter: Yeah, because I’m used to it. It’s a big part of my job.

Lia: Well, thanks.

Peter: No problem. We done here? I want to take Sabrina out to dinner to celebrate the release of our story.

Lia: Aren’t you forgetting someone?

Peter: Three’s a crowd. Besides, two of your coworkers are taking you out to lunch tomorrow.

Lia: Right. But–

Peter: See you. {Leaves}

So, that was Peter Merrill. I hope you enjoy the interview. His and Sabrina’s story, Office Relations, comes out tomorrow.

As promised, here’s an excerpt from Office Relations, which will be available Friday at Cobblestone Press. In this scene, Peter has just told Sabrina that he’s as interested in her as she is in him.

He hadn’t meant to hurt her–hell, he hadn’t known he could. He’d obviously given her the wrong impression, but he was more than happy to enlighten her. Her reaction should be interesting–once she got her voice back. Any second now.

“You do?”

“Yes.” He strode toward her. “But you had a few other questions. I sit across the room while we work so I don’t smell your perfume.”

“I thought you liked my perfume.”

“I do. But smelling it for too long makes me want to toss you on the table and see if I can find all the places you wear it by licking your entire body.”

“Oh.” Her mouth stayed open in surprise.

“I hurry out of here at the end of the day to hide my hard-on from you,” Peter finished. “Any other questions?”

She smiled. “Only one. Do you have any condoms?”

* * * * *

Today was one surprise after another. She had barely asked the question before he was moving across the room, pulling her into his arms, and devouring her mouth.

“You’re shaking,” he said against her lips.

“I can’t help it.” It was all she managed before he groaned and sucked her lower lip between his. Kissing him was hot and wet, like he was making love to her with his tongue. She wrapped herself around him, smiling when he groaned and thrust his hips against hers. Only an hour ago she thought Peter didn’t want her. Now she moaned in delight when she felt the evidence of his desire, his hard c— against her. But she wanted more.

Want to read another excerpt? Visit my website.

Tomorrow, Peter has agreed to stop by for a visit. Watch for an interview with him.

Office Relations comes out in three days!

Office Relations
ISBN 1-60088-008-8

What does a man do when a work project puts him in a conference room with Sabrina Moore, the sexy woman of his dreams? If the man is Peter Merrill, he’s got three choices: (1) Fantasize about her; (2) Notice how sweet she is; or (3) Find out what she’s wearing under her suit jacket…

Sabrina hasn’t stopped thinking about Peter since they started working on the project together. When they realize their desire is mutual, suit jackets aren’t the only thing to come off. But Sabrina’s keeping a secret that may interfere with their relationship.

Tomorrow I’ll post an excerpt.

It blew me away to realize that Office Relations will be released in 14 days. There’s so much to do before then, including pray for good reviews. LOL! One of the things I need to do is make a few announcements.

• First, I will be participating in the Pink Posse yahoo group next week. May 29 is the day I’ll be sure to be there, and I’ll pop in and out of the group all day. Consider joining the group to get announcements, hear about contests, and enjoy chatting with others who love romance.
• Tomorrow is an official chat at Cobblestone Press. You can find out about upcoming releases, chat with authors and publishers, and more! Stop by between 8:00 and 10:00 PM (Eastern Time).
• Consider signing up for the The Cobblestone Press Chronicle, the publisher newsletter that will keep you informed about official chats and releases. If you’re interested in Cobblestone, this announcement-only newsletter is a great way to stay updated. All you need to do is put your e-mail address in the form, and you’ll be signed up! There are some yahoogroups you can join there as well if you’re interested in chatting, but I recommend The CP Chronicle if you just want to get information.

I have an author chat coming up, but I’ll post more about that next week. Don’t worry–I’ll be sure to provide advance notice.

I got a release date for Office Relations–it will be available for purchase at Cobblestone Press on June 9.

Yay!

I got the cover today for Office Relations, and it’s got me stunned almost speechless.

I had a great deal of faith in the Cobblestone Press‘ art department, but this is still so much better than I’d imagined, and definitely better than the idea I suggested. I love, love, love it.

The great thing about revision is that it’s your opportunity to fake being brilliant.
–Will Shetterly

I revised Office Relations with some suggestions I received from an editor. The story is quite a bit stronger, and I’ve submitted it to Cobblestone Press. I am so impressed with this publisher. I attended an online chat with the two founders and found them to be very down to earth and approachable. I also love the look of their site and the covers they have done so far. I would love for Office Relations to find a home there.

I haven’t picked out a consolation prize yet. I received the got plot? shirt (my previous consolation prize) this week and wore it yesterday. I’ll come up with something good to get for myself if the story is not accepted.

I’m going back to In Her Eyes. I’ve revised the first three chapters more times than I can count. It’s time to move on to chapters four through six. LOL!