Happy Valentine's Day! :)

What could be better than a heart-shaped box of chocolate and a dozen, long-stemmed roses? How about giving a romance novel to that special someone on
your list? C'mon! With a romance novel you get action, adventure, laughter, tears,fears, hugs, mugs, cries, sighs, and of course, romance. Better yet, romances don't rot your teeth, add inches to your waistline or aggravate your allergies. Honest!

At this point, I could very well say: "And if you're seriously considering giving your Sweetie a romance novel as a love token this Valentine's Day, why don't you order a copy of my book, The Fixer-Uppers ,Wings ePress (www.wings-press.com)?" But I won't. That would simply sound too much like a commercial, wouldn't it? :)

Instead, I'll just drop a quote sent to me via email from Mary, a wonderful romance reader from New Jersey:

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I LIKE YOUR NEWSLETTER AND JUST
FINISHED YOUR BOOK "THE FIXER UPPERS." BOTTOM LINE IS KEEP THE REST COMING.

Thanks, Mary! It's great people like you who really give me the "get up and go" to keep on writing and submitting my stories to the publishers even in the face of undaunting and repeated rejection. Thanks for making my day--correction, year!

And thanks for the segue to my next point, which is this: My next contemporary romance, Country Boy, City Girl, will be available this March. Yes, it just a few
weeks time you'll be able to read about "city girl" Ronnie Hawthorn as she "falls" for her handsome next-door neighbor, "country boy" Dave Darden. Dave just
happens to be the CEO of a thriving discount retail chain. But Ronnie, a small-town business owner herself, could care less! It's not your usual "alpha male
meets plucky heroine" story, but, according to Tracy Farnsworth at The Romance Readers Connection:

"With lively characters, a fast pace, smooth narrative and a heartfelt plot, this is a story that will appeal to... romance fans. Within the pages, you’ll find a simple story of a growing love that is sure to bring a smile to each reader’s face."

Thanks, Tracy! So, keep you're eyes open here and check my web site now(http://www.cyberedge.net/~cynthianna) for a chapter excerpt and ordering information on how you can get your copy of Country Boy, City Girl as soon as it's released.

Now, here is this month's Q and A portion of the newsletter:

Q: Nancy from Ohio writes: I just finished "The Fixer-Uppers." I liked it :)! Given any thought to a sequel? I'd like to see how the bed and breakfast turns out and what the future holds!

A: Thanks, Nancy! Yes, I actually have thought about writing a "sequel" to The Fixer-Uppers. It would happen a few years down the road and involve a few new
faces, but Cassie and Mike would still be there as well as the "candlelit bathtub." Let my publisher (Wings ePress) know how much you liked my book and how
you'd very much like to see a sequel to it some day. Barring that, feel free to tell any movie producers you know how much you'd like to see The Fixer-Uppers as
a movie. Hollywood, as you well know, loves sequels! :)

Q: From Paul in PA (who happens to be a relative if you haven't guessed!): When are you going to stop sending me all these schmaltzy emails?

A: Good question, little brother. My answer? As soon as you buy a copy of my book! Fair enough? :)

Q: Miscellaneous Ramblings editor Jeanni Brosius wonders: Are you sending in your "Every Day *Is* Mother's Day" column this month?

A: Good Heavens! It's that time again, is it? Well, of course I am. This month's column is all about Valentines, teenagers and messy bedrooms. It's called "The Fine Line Between Love and Dirt" and can be found either at my web site or online at Miscellaneous Ramblings ezine:

http://www.cyberedge.net/~cynthianna/momsday_index.html or
http://www.miscramblingsmag.com (click on the link at the table of contents)

And be sure to read Jeanni's very funny article at "Java Break" this month:
http://www.witwords.com/java.htm

Q: My husbands asks: What are you doing around Valentine's Day, Honey?

A: Sharing a quiet romantic moment (or two) alone with you, I hope!

Actually, the month of February is a good time to "promote" romance writing. I'm attending a "Sisters in Crime" meeting in Creve Coeur, MO, on the 12th where
we'll be discussing writing romantic-suspense. On the 15th, I'm scheduled to chat about how you can use your non-fiction writing talents to help with your fiction
writing at the "Give Your Craft the Business" workshop. And on the 27th, I'll be on a discussion panel with other distinguished romance authors for the St. Louis
County Library "Friends of the Library program. Drop me an email if you'd like more information on any of these engagements.

If you have a question--any question, romance writing related or not, don't hesitate to email at cynthianna@hotmail.com . Results guaranteed or double your money back. :)

Before I go, I want to pass on this urgent "call for stories" from the God Allows U-Turns project:

The God Allows U-Turns ™ Project announces a call for stories to be part of a very special edition of God Allows U-Turns to be published in early fall
2002. The book, tentatively titled Historic Moments in Time: True Stories of Hope and Healing Born from National Crisis, will consist of real-life accounts of
those touched by tragedy—and reflect the triumph of the human spirit that moves them to overcome. The deadline for submission of stories for this volume is
March 1, 2002. Submission guidelines and further information can be found online at www.godallowsuturns.com or by emailing
editor@godallowsuturns.com.

Until next time, God's blessings to you and yours--
Cindy a.k.a. Cynthianna Appel

PS Pass this newsletter on to an email friend... You'll be glad you did! :)