Freedom!

Last week I turned in my second YA book, SOCIAL SUICIDE, *almost* on time, and am now (wait for it…) deadline free until December! (Cue chorus of angels singing.) After being on tight deadline after deadline for the past year and a half, I’m finally taking a nice, deep, breath and find myself in the odd position of being able to calmly and without a hint of stress decide what I’m going to work on today. It’s heaven. Truly heaven. So, here are my post-deadline plans:
1. Vacation!
I’m taking the family to San Diego for a lazy week of laying on the beach. (Okay, we may have to visit Legoland, Sea World, and the Zoo, too, but in between beach lazing.) I have an insanely inexpensive suite booked, have several tropical cocktail recipes packed in my suitcase, plan to leave my laptop at home, and will only answer the phone if there is a true emergency (like I get my new cover art!). I can’t wait!

2. December Book
In order to not be a crazy person again when my December deadline approaches, I’m putting myself on a strict page diet starting NOW. Five pages a day, five days a week, and I should be in the stress-free zone come December. (In theory, I might even finish early!) So, my second order of business is plotting out the December book, which is the second in my new mystery series with St. Martin’s. I’m thinking a little political intrigue, a little romance, and a dead body somewhere in the mix.

3. Hollywood Headlines Book #3
I started writing this book over a year ago, at the time thinking it would be published soon after. But after my publisher changed formats and I left, the book kind of got shoved under the bed in favor of more pressing projects. Time to take it out! This past week I’ve been editing and revising and falling in love with this story all over again. For anyone who has read the first two books, this one is Allie’s story, which I’ve been dying to tell since the series concept was first born. In fact, I had originally thought this would be book #1, but my editor and I decided to draw out the suspense a little instead. It’s been really fun taking a character that has so far been kinda the bad guy, and telling her side of the story. I’m hoping to have this one done in time for a summer launch. It should make a great beach read!

4. High Heels Book #6
As I promised a couple weeks ago, there will be a book #6 in Maddie’s adventures. I have a vague idea brewing about the personal trouble she’ll be getting into, but the victim, killer, and setting of this story are still up in the air. As is the title. Which brings me to asking a small favor of our readers…

Anyone have title suggestions?  :)

Since the plot isn’t firmed up yet, I’m wide open as to where to take the title. Maddie will be doing something “in High Heels”, but I have no idea what yet. Tell you what - anyone who can come up with a great title for High Heels #6, I’ll give you a cameo appearance in the book. Cool?

Okay, title away...



~Trigger (and Beach) Happy Halliday