Today’s the last day of November and I’m bidding it a fond farewell. This month was chocked full of events for me – an ebook release (Branded), my 40th birthday (hooya!) and now a print release (Devils on Horseback: Nate). I also took a vacation Thanksgiving week and took my first trip to Vegas for three amazing days.

Yep, it was a good month for events.

It sucked for my “to do” list.

*sigh*

I had every intention on spending my vacation writing, doing edits, getting promo materials out and getting ready for Christmas. I did barely 5% of what I wanted to. I felt like someone had thrown a blanket of apathy over me and said “sleep.” I watched all the shows I’d been stacking up on the DVR, took naps, read magazines, surfed the Internet and generally goofed off. I feel like Wally from Dilbert.

It’s become a state I had a lot of trouble getting out of until yesterday. I finally got moving and did some things I needed to do. I’m starting to feel the groove and even did some organizing this morning in my prize closet (where I keep all my promo materials). I’ve left myself no wiggle room this month to get my book done (3 weeks from today) and edits to Jake’s story in 11 days.

So I’m bound and determined to get my book done on time (that means about 2500 words a day – eep!), get ready for Christmas, my book club in two weeks (I’m hosting), and clean my house (that’s what slave children are for, right?).

Anyhoo, I’ve kicked procrastination to the curb, and I’m getting ready for a hard run here, y’all. Wish me luck!

Guess what y’all? Devils on Horseback: Nate is a contender for the best western romance of 2007 by Love Western Romances!!

Here’s the e-mail from the fabulous gals at LWR:

Dear Beth:

Congratulations! We are happy to inform you that your book, Devils on Horseback: Nate is a contender for Love Western Romances’ Best Western Romance of 2007 by being awarded a 5 Spur review by Love Western Romance.com and published in the year 2007.

Starting December 1, 2007 visitors to Love Western Romances.com will be able to vote for the Best Western Romance of 2007 from the list of books awarded 5 spurs. The voting will run until January 11, 2008 to give fans plenty of time to vote. Each visitor can only vote once.

Isn’t that just absolutely fantastic?? Jennifer posted a wonderful 5 spur review for Nate here.

Oh yeah, it’s a good week for Nate!!

I am thrilled beyond measure to announce the official print release of Devils on Horseback: Nate.

This book was very special in that I started on a new journey with it. After writing about the Malloy family for so long, beginning anew with a different kind of family was a challenge. However, I think Nate’s book is a good one, with a lot of emotion and grit, a bit darker than the Malloy books.

For those of you that pre-ordered it, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those of you that might be thinking about ordering it, I can only say thank you.

After you get your copy, send me an e-mail to cowgirlbeth@gmail.com and I’ll send you a signed bookplate for it.

And now for the scavenger hunt contest!! Here is a recap of the questions and answers:

Question #1: What is the name of the town in Devils on Horseback: Nate?
ANSWER: Grayton, Texas

Question #2: What is the name of the company Nate and his friends form?
ANSWER: D.H. Enterprises

Question #3: What is the name of the man Elisa holds responsible for her family’s troubles as well as the man who hires Nate and his friends?
ANSWER: Samuel O’Shea

Question #4: What was Nate’s rank in the Army?
ANSWER: Lieutenant

Question #5: What kind of dish inspired the name of the series, Devils on Horseback?
ANSWER: an oyster dish with hot sauce

Question #6: What are the names of the hero and heroine in book #2 of the series?
ANSWER: Jake Sheridan and Gabrielle Rinaldi

I had a great response to the scavenger hunt and I’d like to give hugs and smooches to every one of you who entered. Each entrant wins a signed bookmark for Devils on Horseback: Nate – send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get one out to you!

And now for the winner of the beautiful gift basket… *drum roll*

Sonya!! (sonyalovesbooks@yahoo.com)

*confetti explodes*

Congrats girl!! Send me your snail mail addy and I’ll get the basket out to you this week.

I had a lot of fun with this scavenger hunt, perhaps I’ll do another one next month when The Tribute releases in print on Christmas Day! Happy Tuesday y’all!

Monday’s eye candy for your viewing pleasure. One of my favorite men on horseback, Viggo. Yum.

Below is the very last scavenger hunt question in the Devils on Horseback: Nate contest. Tomorrow morning I pick a winner and celebrate the release of the book. Woohoo!

Question #6: What are the names of the hero and heroine in book #2 of the series? Hint: It’s on my website on the coming soon page!

Later on I’ll do a wrap up on all the questions – have a great Monday and enjoy this delicious man.

Sorry y’all, this is a late Sunday post. I slept a little late, did some laundry and just getting online. Hope Sunday is going well for everyone.

Two more questions left in my Devils on Horseback: Nate scavenger hunt contest. Remember to send me all your answers by tomorrow (Monday) at midnight to be entered for the beautiful gift basket.

Here’s today’s question…

Question #5: What kind of dish inspired the name of the series, Devils on Horseback? Hint: It’s in a blog post on the Samhain blog.

Happy Sunday!

Are you following along with the Devils on Horseback: Nate scavenger hunt? There are six questions total, with three more to go. And they’re going to get harder as the days pass.

After the last question on Monday, then send all six answers to cowgirlbeth@gmail.com on Monday by midnight. Tuesday morning (release day!!) I pick a lucky winner for the gorgeous gift basket.

Okay, today’s question is below.

Question #4: What was Nate’s rank in the Army? Hint: It’s in an excerpt.

Two more questions after today as I get ready for the print release of Devils on Horseback: Nate. I hope y’all are having fun and have a great Saturday!

Today in the U.S. is Black Friday – called that because it’s the kick-off of the official Christmas shopping season. We take our shopping seriously and folks have been known to have smack-downs to grab that last Tickle Me Elmo.

I, however, love to shop anyway and today is no different. I’m off to an outlet center (steering clear of the mall, Walmart, Target and Best Buy) to have a day of camaraderie and sisterhood with my mom and my big sister. I plan on having lots of fun!

Now, onto today’s contest question, are you ready?

Question #3: What is the name of the man Elisa holds responsible for her family’s troubles as well as the man who hires Nate and his friends? Hint: It’s in two excerpts.

Happy Friday y’all! *grabs her sneakers, purse and shopping bag*

Here in the U.S., it’s Thanksgiving day and I’m off to my mom’s for Thanksgiving dinner. Have a wonderful, amazing day. I’m thankful for each and every moment of my life, including all of you.

However, I’m still playing the scavenger hunt game for the faboo gift basket. Here is today’s question:

Question #2: What is the name of the company Nate and his friends form? Hint: it’s in an excerpt.

It’s day three of my mini-vacation and I’m enjoying the time off, not writing as much as I must, but nontheless enjoying the time off. It’s six days until the print release of Devils on Horseback: Nate so I thought in honor of my “mini” vacation and its release, I’d have a “mini” blog contest.

Whatcha think?

All right then! Let’s have a mini-contest… A scavenger hunt!! Each day I’m going to post a question about Devils on Horseback: Nate. You can find the answers on my website, my blog, or on Samhain’s website. The first question is below.

Send me your answers by midnight on Monday, November 26th to cowgirlbeth@gmail.com.

On Tuesday, release day, I’ll post the winner’s name, chosen at random from the correct entries. What do you win? A gorgeous gift basket. It has an autographed copy of The Reward, note cards, potpourri, a candle and a bunch of other treats.

Question #1: What is the name of the town in Devils on Horseback: Nate?

Keep your answers and send them to me on Monday, November 26th! Good luck!

So, next Tuesday is the official print release for Devils on Horseback: Nate. I’ve got an ad in the January issue of Romantic Times magazine.

Guess what?

I got 4 1/2 stars!! Oh yeah, baby! I’m so excited – Nate is a very special book, the first in a new series and it means a lot to me.

Thank you to Donna Brown, the reviewer. Here’s a snippet of the review:

“This rugged tale, the first in the Devils on Horseback series, has everything — danger and deception, laughter and love — in generous doses…The action is hot, but the sex is hotter.”

I’m feeling a hundred feet tall!!

I’m also off work for the week and trying to get Kincaid’s story written and finish Jake’s edits. Hope y’all are having a fantastical week!