It's about time.

Another month come and gone and my blog rests quietly. Why? Am I working on a book? Yes I am. It's a little Christmas story and, obviously, it should release this December. I promise I'll have more to report on this book as information comes.

So what HAS LB been up to? In all honesty, after three summers of deadlines and whining and super sub-par mommying, I decided to enjoy this summer with my family. The boy leaves for college in two weeks, littlegirl goes to boarding school in early September, and I needed to spend as much time with them (and BigGirl, who spent four weeks at home) before my nest empties.

 It's been the best summer ever.

Tuscany

G and I vacation each June with our kids,  and this year we bowed to G's wishes and agreed on a lovely bike tour through Tuscany. It seemed simple enough--and ultimately, it was! 160 miles in 6 days, (not too shabby for this old bird), and much of it was uphill both ways. We sweat and sunburned and pedaled away--absolutely fan-fucking-tastic. No kidding.

Best of all, our teens/young adults had to be present in the moment with us--no iPods, no Kindles, no cell phones. They could run pedal, but they couldn't hide.  It was the five of us, some bicycles, the open road, a guide, breathtaking vistas and a lot of fun. Butterflies fluttered around us; the wind blew through the wheat; and the smell of lavender and jasmine were the best parts of each day. That and any breeze or downhill descent.

And the wine, of course. Oh, such lovely wines.

A few photos to slow down your browser.

RWA

I arrived home from Italy on Sunday night, tackled the laundry, and then packed a bag and headed straight for NY to see Rosie  attend RWA on Tuesday. This should give you an idea of my state of mind through most of the week. 

Time Square with Ro, KA, and Kathy.

 This year, I participated in the literacy signing for the first time (with Catch Me If You Can!). Highlights of the signing were meeting fellow m/m authors KC Burn (chick can dance) and Kari Gregg (no relation) and, of course, signing books.

Rosie and I spent much of our time gossiping with blogger pals Kristie J, Nath (aka camera thief), Super Librarian Wendy (recipient of the Librarian of the Year award), and my good friend KA Mitchell. We met Limecello and, very briefly, we saw Meljean Brook. (That's always a thrill.) We finally clapped eyes on gal pal blogger Christine. She's as sweet and wonderful in person as she is online. Whateverfor  took me on a fantastic journey in way-too-high-heels to find the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck. It had parked a few blocks from where the Romano and Albright  series takes place, so I foisted a book on the gentlemen when I purchased their kick-ass ice cream.

Was that wrong?

Random picture of KA, LB, and KC at The Harlequin party.

We danced to Katy Perry. No lie.

On Thursday (or Friday?) Ro and I found ourselves accidentally at the front of the Lisa Kleypas line at the St.Martin's signing--we'd run in to find some empty cardboard boxes--and once we realized  we were at the very front of the Lisa Kleypas line, well, it felt like we'd won the lottery. All these conferences and all these events over the past four years and I'd never once met her!  I think I said, I love your books, about ten times.

Nath took this awesome photo, by the way.

This is the stunning photo I took of Nath and Lisa Kleypas. Pretend Lisa is wearing a hat.



There were so many workshops and panels to choose from, but my favorites were the Carina Press spotlight (excellent job Angela James!) and an indepth discussion on contemporary romance with sassy Ms. Julie James and the equally lovely Beth Kery.

Phew!! So that's it, folks. June and RWA wrapped up, and LB Gregg crashed.

In other news, be on the lookout for a specially priced Men of Smithfield bundle from Aspen Mountain Press!  AND Trust Me If You Dare releases in print from Samhain on my birthday, November 1st. (Which is Samhain, coincidentally).

I hope you are all having a lovely summer--and let me know what you're reading. Because of KristieJ, I'm working my way through the George RR Martin books. They're deliciously thick and terribly exciting.

xo

~LB