First Word

11 The next day, Kale summoned me to the office – early again. He said he wanted to talk about something important. When I arrived, he was dressed in a button-down, light-blue, short-sleeved shirt that matched his eyes and jeans. He looked happy to see me. We seemed to be making progress – our relationship had mellowed into a comfortable ambiguity. It felt so warm and nice to be around him that I thought I would take what time I could get alone with him and enjoy it. I also suspected he called me in early to ensure quality alone time before the staff arrived. It seemed like Monica had made it her habit lately to interrupt us. I didn’t know if Kale had noticed, but I sure had. I had completely avoided any discussion that would define their relationship because I held out hope that their intimate closeness was in my imagination. A California girl could hold out hope anyway. Kale walked straight over to me and hugged me. To my utter shock, he leaned ove...

Purchase on Amazon ( Click Here ) 10 I walked into Bardot and immediately spotted Ryan sitting alone in a corner, drinking what looked like gin and soda with a twist of lime. He was wearing a thin royal blue long-sleeved shirt that hugged his biceps and made me horny just looking at him. His shorn sandy-colored hair had light gel running through it. He waved me over, and I moved with a sexy sway to my hips. I was wearing a low-cut, leopard-print, long-sleeved blouse with a silver-and-cream-colored beaded choker and matching earrings. Ryan stood right up and hugged me. I felt his warm, hard body against mine. He was handsome, rugged and built. He kissed my cheek, ordered a margarita for me (I supposed to pay homage to our tryst), and then we settled down and sat across from each other. An awkward silence fell between us, and I finally looked down and asked, “Are you sure Johnny would be okay with this?” “Johnny moved out,” he said bluntly. “I don’...

It's Christmas time, and you may know I'm picking what I think are the best gifts for the season out of 3L Publishing's catalog. As most of my associates know I published California Girl Chronicles in 2011. I have not mentioned that the second book got released right in the middle of what we'll a "sh**" storm called my divorce. While I promoted the first book with passion the second book has languished on the shelf with lack of TLC. Here is the deal. I personally think the second book is better than the first one. So, if you liked the first one, you'll definitely like this one. It has more character development, and it has a little more depth. When I say "depth" I am really saying it's like a Muskateers candy bar compared to a Mars bar (we have nuts, caramel and nugget vs. just nugget). And when I compare it to a candy bar ... it's just book candy. No, I don't take myself or this series seriously. Let's face it. A book writt...

It was the best of times … it was the worst of times … no wait! It’s the worst of times (see have to make a joke somewhere). This week I am willing to say qualifies as a visit to hell. Yes, I said hell (or would you prefer H-E-Double-Toothpicks … I used to say that as a kid). My boyfriend Kirk Donnelly became very ill and is hospitalized (and I’m sure by the time this publishes he’ll still be there). I am only writing this newsletter to let you know what happened and why I’ve been off the radar. I am on break from staying by his side. If you really want to help me, here is a proposition and you get something in return for it. I had planned a vacation to Hawaii but then Kirk got laid off, too (seriously, he is running on some negative gas right now). Now that he’s sick and will need to recuperate, I thought it would be nice if he could join me; but alas laid off = no finances. So, here is my proposition. Help his recover and get a great book, too. My second book in the Califor...

Last year my company released California Girl Chronicles: Brea and the City of Plastic . The book received positive reviews, and then my life went to hell and a really bad picnic basket. I had to refocus my attention on my personal life, and our poor flawed heroine found herself adrift in a sea of other frothy, fun summer reads. Now here we are in May -- and hey it's almost summer time. Are you looking for a really great beach read, something completely mindless and described more like mind candy? (As a side note, I always have to laugh when reviewers took this book way too seriously ... it's just meant to be escapist fun.) In the second book (which I think is better than the first), Brea is starting her first professional screenwriting job all the while fielding the attention of male admirers. This story has an underlining message rooted in sexual politics, and it digs into the reality of screenwriting, which isn't quite as glamorous as our heroine expected. As a screenw...

The following is an excerpt from the second book in the California Girl Chronicles: Brea's Big Break . If you read the first book, Brea and the City of Plastic, you are probably eagerly awaiting to see what trouble Brea gets into next. A small promotional print run was done this month. If you send me an email at info@3LPublishing.com , I will let you know how you can purchase your own copy way in advance of the official release date this summer.  Prologue My name is Brea Harper, and I am the quintessential California girl. I am blond, fabulously tall, pretty and smart. I’m a screenwriter, but often get mistaken for an actress since I live in Los Angeles among the other pretty people. My desire to write screenplays has nothing to do with fame or glamour. I love to write. Period. It’s how I express my creativity and fulfill my artistic impulses. I live in a small apartment near Hollywood with my best friend Denise, who as you might know already, is quite a live wire and loads of...

SPOILER ALERT: The following is an excerpt from California Girl Chronicles: Brea and the City of Plastic. In this scene, she meets Kale, her central love interest in the series. The book is available for sale on 3L Publishing www.3LPublishing, Amazon, Kindle, iBook, Nook and is available to order through Bakers and Taylor for bookstores. I smiled and slinked by him just enough that he could feel my energy but far enough that we didn’t touch. I sensed his smile, turned, and grinned back. As I walked into the lounge area, I heard Drew’s band already playing. I decided to find an open stool at the bar and just hang back until he finished. Fortunately, a guy already drunk got up, or more like fell off, and weaved unsteadily toward the bathroom. I swiftly grabbed the stool, slid up, and could see Drew already at the microphone. I saw his eyes move my way, and he stared right back just for a moment. Then he drifted off into the song. Before I could order, a lemon drop was plunged in fron...