Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Won step up, Too steps back

So yesterday, I’m getting ready to take my dogs for a walk at the park, write? It’s a production, that’s fore sure. First, I had to figure out what to where. It was cold out, so I’m putting on my snow pants, and I grab my thick gloves. A hat. I hate squishing down my hare, butt if I don’t I’ll freeze my ears off. Kneed boots, two.

The dogs, of coarse, Ebby and Charlie, are going crazy. By the thyme I’m ready to go, they’ve bunched up the rug in all they’re excitement, I can’t open the door, and I’m debating weather or knot I really want to do this. Finally, we get to the park and danged if I didn’t forget the plastic bags for, you no, picking up. Thank goodness Max, the beautiful English Setter, is there. His owner has sum extra bags, and he gives me a couple.


As we get closer to the central area, I sea Bentley, an adorable Cairn terrier, bouncing toward me. Meg, a beagle and my dog Charlie’s girlfriend, is there two, along with Missy the Irish Setter, Lincoln (who always jumps on me) the Golden Retriever, Princess the black lab mix, and Molly the Great Dane.


We dew a few loops around the park, and, before you no it, it’s time to go. We head back to the car and who shows up? Otis, the black lab. Oh, and his owner too. As I'm getting in my car, I realize I do knot no a single human’s name at the park, but I no all the dog’s names.


Well :: big sigh :: I can't figure out my point to this story, but I promise you I right better adventure romances than I dew blog posts. And since today is the day that my first book hits the shelves at bookstores, by my book, okay?


Now let’s sea if you can count awl the mistakes I’ve made in this post. What wood we dew without spellchecker, huh?


Oh, and today is CONTEST day. One of today’s vary lucky commentors will receive a free copy of Treasure along with a cute woven raffia beach bag, a red printed sarong, and some son screen. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow, rite here.


Have a grate day!


Addendum: I went to a couple book stores this afternoon to look for my book. Sold out at Borders, Barnes & Noble didn't carry Supers, so we went to good old faithful Walmart. There is was, on the shelf, just like Harlequin said it would be.


Truly amazing.

And the winner of this contest is ... Alissa!

Alissa please email me at helenbrenna@comcast.net and I'll mail off your prize. Thanks everyone. I had a great time yesterday!

45 comments:

Cindy Gerard said...

Helen
Very big congratulations on your release day!! Wow! What a thrill. I can still remember how excited I was, walking into that bookstore and seeing MY first book on the shelves. I hope you enjoy this very special day.
And I LOVE your contest. I'd count the goofs but since I make many of them myself, I'd probably miss them.
Again - very big Congrats!!

Unknown said...

Helen,

U make me laugh.

Enjoy the moment. Yule never have another first book. But hay, huge congrats on the sail of your second.

Princess of Everything (and then some) said...

You are so funny!!

CrystalGB said...

Congratulations on your release day. I am so happy for you.

Helen Brenna said...

Cindy, thanks, and yes, the contest prize is cute and in keeping with the exotic, Bahamian setting of my book.

Too many goofs to count, I think!

Lois, LOL! Getting into the spirit of the post, I see.

Princess and Crystal, thanks for stopping by. I'll be keeping track of everyone who posts.

anne frasier said...

hahaha!! great post, helen!

and a big CONGRATULATIONS on the release of TREASURE!!!!

WOOOOTTTT!!!!

traveler said...

Loved your post today. Simply inventive errors which are amusing and cute. BTW The dogs are all precious and adorable. Congrats. on Treasure which is a real Treasure for you.

Michele Hauf said...

Congrats, Helen! Do you plan to do a bookstore tour to see all your precious babies? Photos must be taken!

Michele

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Anne and traveler! I had fun writing it. Obviously, I need to get out more!

Helen Brenna said...

Michele, my son is home sick today, believe it or not. If he's feeling better later, I'll try and sneak out, get a pic of me in a bookstore and post it later today. Otherwise, I was planning on getting out tomorrow with a friend!

It's gonna be weird!

Debra Dixon said...

Helen-- What fun! The blog and the release of the book. You go girl.

Loved the dogs.

Unknown said...

Hurray! Congratulations, Helen! You've not only produced a book-- you've done it with a big splash! We're all so proud of you. We ought to have Happy Hour tonight or something. Okay, maybe next week-- this one's pretty full as is.

And such a blog! he,he!

And since everybody else is apparently too polite to count your "errors," let me be the first to say. . . um. . . 27. I think. Or maybe 26. Or 25.

Oh, Heck! I kept getting distracted by the great pics of doggies.

May this day rank up there with marriage and birth-of-babies in your book of memories!

I'm heading out to buy it today!

Betina

Rashmi said...

Congrats on the release - you must be thrilled!! as am I for you.

Side note - Dogs, how I love them. Unfortunately I can't have any as everyone in my family is allergic except me BIG SAD SIGH

Helen Brenna said...

Alissa, Ellie, and Pearl, so glad you guys liked the blog. I wasn't sure it'd be funny or not, or interesting. I had fun writing it, so what the heck.

Ebby and Charlie are my definitely my babies, now that my real ones grew up on me!

Bookworm, my heart goes out to you . Loving dogs and not being able to have them sucks. You sure you need the family? LOL!

Deb, thanks sweetie!

Betina, I'd love to have a happy hour - will HAVE to soon. And I honestly have no clue how many errors are in that post. LOL, I gave up counting!

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Sharon! Actually, I think I can see Cloud Nine from here!

Oh, Betina dear, I counted a few more errors than 27.

Christie Ridgway said...

What an exciting day, Helen! Congratulations!

Hey, Harlequin sent me a whole pack of $1 off coupons for Harlequin/Silhouette books good until the end of February. Wish I could figure how to give them out to everyone visiting here.

Can't wait to go to the bookstore today myself!

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Christie! I've heard about those coupons. I'll have to keep and eyes out for my mail.

principessa said...

Congrats on this wonderful book. Treasure should give you such pleasure.
I have so enjoyed your blog today. With your unique blend of humor and anecdotal charm plus these darling dogs that deserve the limelight. Thanks.

Helen Brenna said...

You're very welcome, Principessa! I'll pass your compliments onto Ebby and Charlie.

Maria, Lover of All Things Romance said...

Congratulations Helen, those dogs are so beautiful

Maureen said...

Congratulations on the new book!
I counted 30 wrong words. You think it's a joke but my teenage son lets spellcheck pick words when he's typed the wrong one so his papers can be quite interesting. For many years I've known dogs and kids names but the adults were beyond me.

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Maria!

And, Maureen, I have teenagers too, so I know exactly what you're talking about. The scary thing is that with all 30+ errors in that post, spellcheck only picked up on 3!

robynl said...

Hi Ebby and Charlie. Nice doggies.
Congrats on your release. You had me for a few lines with all the misspelling and then I caught on.

Kathleen Eagle said...

Helen, you must find a way to get those pictures today! By tomorrow, all the TREASUREs will be gone!

I got my copy at the MFW meeting Sat--Helen gave a fantastic "Journey of the Novel" presentation--and told myself I couldn't start reading another book until I finish writing the WIP. But I finished the one on the nightstand ("Silent In the Grave" by another first time author--very good)and I couldn't resist. I'm already hooked on TREASURE.

Get thee to the bookstore, everyone. This one will sell out fast!

Helen Brenna said...

Hy, Robynl, I'm patting my puppies on the head for you!

Kathy, thanks for the kind words, and I hope you stay hooked!

Anonymous said...

Well done Helen, I hope you get huge sales

Anonymous said...

Those dogs are a delight, they've really made my day, thanks Helen:)

Anonymous said...

What gorgeous dogs, and a really fun post too!

Anonymous said...

SO fun! I can't wait to read your book. If your post is any indication I bet Treasure is great. Congrats!!!! Your puppies are absolutely adorable. I bet they keep things lively! I have homework for YOU now! Learn one human's name the next time you are at the park =) I counted 34 errors so I bet there are 35. It seems I always miss one!
Congrats again.
Dana~

Helen Brenna said...

Aisling, MaryJ, MD and Joelle, thanks guys for stopping by!

Cherie, yes, there are more than 26 - hope trying to count those errors didn't make that headache worse!

Dana, oh,oh! You counted 34! I think I only had 33. Guess I'll have to go back and count again. LOL!

Keri Ford said...

Helen

Loved the post! I kept reading, waiting for some moral to the story about spellchecker, and then you hit us all with great news!

Congrats!

Anonymous said...

SOLD OUT at Borders - that's good for your soul!!! Thanks for adding the picture. Good ol' Wally World makes it real!=) Congrats again! as for counting - I might've counted wrong - I already closed where I highlighted them - but I LOVED that - it was so fun=) and creative!!!!
I'm hoping this doesn't double post!!!

Unknown said...

Helen, I just came home from Books-a-Million. . . where I purchased "Treasure." Can't wait to get started! So you're here in Florida at the BAM stores!
Go, Helen!

Helen Brenna said...

Keri, I don't think I can ever figure out morals to my stories. Guess I'm not a deep enough thinker.

ladylovesbooks/Dana - I come up with a different # every time I count!

Betina, never heard of Books-a-million. Is that a Florida thing?

Now I'm getting nervous, thinking about everyone reading the book! It's always something.

tetewa said...

Loved the post today and congrats on the release of the book. I kept thinking to myself this is an author writing this! Thought this was an early April Fools joke.

Lis said...

Congratulations on the release!! Wonderful news!

I counted 32, guess I missed some lol

Cindy Gerard said...

Woo Woo Helen. Look at you beside your NEW RELEASE!!!!!!! Way cool.
Can't wait to pick it up

Helen Brenna said...

Teresa, April Fools ... I'll have to remember that!

Thanks, Lis!

Kim, thanks for taking the time to comment after a 3 hour drive home. Wow! Glad I could make you laugh. And thanks for checking out my website too.

I think I'd counted 33. Maybe I should go back and highlight for everyone?

And Cindy, it WAS fun seeing the book on the shelf. Both my kids went with me, so they got a kick too!

Jeanette J said...

You're not alone...I know all the dogs names at my park also and not so many owners' names

Cheryl said...

Loved the post today. Treasure sounds like a great read.
I had to count the spelling errors just for fun and I came up with 34 also.

Helen Brenna said...

Good to know, Jeannette.

Thanks for stopping by and counting, LOL, Cheryl!

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Laurie, for stopping by!

anne frasier said...

love the update photo, helen!!

Helen Brenna said...

Thanks, Anne. My kids wanted to Mom's book in the store, so they went with me. My dear daughter took the pic.

Unknown said...

Helen, Books-A-Million is a large chain throughout the South. In fact, that's where Emeril LaGasse got his word "BAM." I was told by the gal who helped engineer his first book tour that he liked the way the employees called it "BAM" and was looking for a catch phrase, so he grabbed "BAM!" Okay, it was a BAM employee-- she might have been biased, but I believed her.

And I've started reading Treasure and will have to stay up tonight to finish it! Can't wait to see if Annie gets rid of. . . you-know-what.

:) Betina