It was either a Girl from MABLE (a Man from UNCLE ripoff) (Minot [ND] Air Base Law Enforcement, you know) story or one in which I got past hotel security to meet the Beatles. I was so young I didn't know what one did when one actually met a lustworthy guy, but...

Gah! It's on my list of things to clean up. Really.

Let's see, I've just sent off the next book in the series to the editor, so now I have to think back to this one. It's "Lost in the Stars," and I always want to write "Lost in the Worlds," because that's what it began as. It's volume 2 of the "Three Worlds" superhero series, knee-deep in a romance arc.

In volume 1 (spoilers! spoilers!) timid psychic Lina O'Kelly first met and fell in love with the world's mightiest superhero, Londo (Valiant) Rand. They got in a bit of trouble there, and Lina had to use her new abilities to teleport them across interstellar space to a strange new world where, ah (trying not to give away anything), certain health probs could be addressed.

At the end of that novel, ah, spoilers happened, but Londo was called away for a mission that would last about a week. While he was away, Lina was arrested on the charge of mind control of Valiant. His best friend was appointed her arresting officer.

So that's where we begin: Lina on a new planet with new powers and under arrest. And darn it all, but that arresting officer of hers is one hunka burning gorgeousness, even if he is saddled with some disturbing emotional problems. Lina has to learn about this place, go home every day to feed her herd of cats, figure out how she can get her charges dismissed without bringing dishonor upon Valiant, and then... Well, some pretty bad people have evil plans for the world while Valiant is away. Can Lina and her arresting officer stop them and a threatened planetary genocide?

For my first book, which was done by Cerridwen (Ellora's Cave), I was able to furnish their artist with a special edition Cosmo cover that I've always used to picture my "Three Worlds" hero, Londo Rand. They did a great sims version! Then I got my rights back and started publishing/republishing books as an indie. I painted my own covers, except for "Burgundy and Lies," for which I set up and photographed a still life.

People said that shot didn't come across as "romance" to them, so I bought some stock photography. Unfortunately, the guy on that looked like he was 17, so I bought another shot and laboriously (I'm not that great with PhotoShop) plugged him in next to the pre-existing heroine. I was so pleased with the final product that I bought another stock shot and used that on the back of the book.

For "Three Worlds," I ultimately wanted the same comic book look for each overarching story arc. I was lucky enough to get fan-favorite Colleen Doran (!!!) to do the first arc for me! I'm thrilled with the result, and hope her fans come over to give my books a look-see, and not just for the gorgeous covers! As the series progresses, I'll be looking for other artists to do the different arcs. Suggestions?

Panicking. Or trying not to. So much to do, so little time! I make lists of everything to be done, and actually get through a good proportion of it.

Between writing I love to paint. I'm trying to refine my skills so I can hit retirement running. Then there's my yard, which would be nice if it didn't have so many weeds and raw spots. I'm working on it, which explains the piles of lumber, stone and rubber mulch in my driveway. Love to read as well—it's a requirement when you're a writer. I joined the Rhine Research Center Book Club a while ago, and the books we read for that take a long time to digest, which keeps me from reading as much fiction as I'd like. It's frustrating, but I'm learning a lot!

Recommendations from others. They might mention a good book on Facebook, or answer my pleas for suggestions that I make after I've plowed through far too many awful books. I seem to latch onto the 90% of Sturgeon's Law. When I find a great book, I try not to keep it quiet!