What an exciting day. I finished off A Wolf In Cheap Clothing, had the resident gun expert verify the action sequence for realism and accuracy, and sent it away last night. For those counting, that would be #7. I’m now waiting for editorial feedback. AAaoooo! As soon as I hear back on that, I’ll be doing an ARC giveaway to celebrate.

Catalyst has an official Cerridwen Press release date: 12/21/05. Look for the print version about 6 months out from there, June 06. (Not confirmed, that’s just if things follow the expected course.) And as a side note, royalties are going to Habitat for Humanity (earmarked for Katrina reconstruction) and Rebuildthecoast.org, the organization devoted to rebuilding the homes and businesses. Very crucial to lasting recovery in that region.

And Samhain Publishing’s site goes live tonight. *quivering with excitement*

I wanted to post an excerpt from Wolf to celebrate being done, but the one I want to put up has adult situations and language, so, um, better not. I’ll hold off on that until it can go into its own window with the “you must be over 18 yada yada” warning. BUT I’ll post my werewolf poem here for your reading pleasure. Happy Halloween!

Wilding by Charlene Teglia, copyright 2002

Tonight I’m restless
I’m unsettled and unready
And unable to be anything but restless tonight

Tonight I’m reckless
I’m unfettered and untamed
And unable to be anything but reckless tonight

I’m going prowling
I’m going howling
There’s a wolf-moon out calling
For a midnight wilding

Tonight I’m hungry
I’m uncaged and unquiet
I’m going hunting, swift and hungry, tonight

My site is a thing of wonder. I married a genius.

In other news, nearly done cleaning up Wolf. Lost power briefly but the doc didn’t corrupt and I lost very little of my work. Whew.

Cerridwen Press cover art for Catalyst is here! What a gorgeous cover flat. Thank you to cover artist Willo!

So my site’s all updated, and suddenly I look at it and think it doesn’t reflect who I am. The idea hits me that where I live very much reflects who I am and the kind of story I write. So I babble a bunch of ideas at my husband about what I’d like the site to represent, which means totally changing the current look and feel, the colors, the works. But I really like the concept and so does he and he finds it a design challenge, so something completely different is now in the drawing stage. Just call me the Short Attention Span website owner.

In other news, I’m over my foot-dragging on Wolf. I’ve been dragging my feet, I finally had to admit, for a reason I didn’t want to face up to. I faced up to it this morning and dealt with it and now I am going to nail this beast and send it away. That topic is a whole ‘nuther blog entry, but I’m happy to be moving forward.

The Gripping Beast, approx. 70K Viking time-travel novel, marks #6 on my baker’s dozen list. Hurrah! The finished ms. is due in mid-Nov. so I’ll be busy with that as soon as I send Wolf off. It’s posted under Coming Soon on the Home page already, and I’ll get an excerpt and a blurb up shortly. By which I mean, possibly Monday. The book will be part of Samhain Publishing’s launch line-up. Also in the launch is a contemporary western by Jaci Burton so I’m in amazing company.

I am absolutely delighted to have a home for my Vikings and I’m looking forward to working with Samhain Publishing. The editor is one I’m familiar with, and I’m excited to see what Crissy Brashears will do with this new venture. I’m pleased to be continuing my association with her. (No, I’m not leaving EC. But branching out to other publishers is part of my business plan. And in the case of The Gripping Beast, it didn’t properly belong with EC or Cerridwen because it’s an odd book. Too erotic for CP, but due to the historical characters and setting, wrong language for EC.)

From the November 2005 Romantic Times, a fabulous 4 and a half stars!

“This anthology has a little something for everyone with each of the
contributing writers creating dynamic characters and distinct romances.

Naughty angels (Carter’s “Demon’s Fall”), vampires (St.Clare ’s
“Vampires and Donuts”), aliens (Burton’s “Garden of Eden”), witches (
Teglia’s “Love Spell”) and a club with no rules ( Springer’s Club
Rendezvous) - this read has it all and then some (Walker’s “Freak of
Nature”).

And the characters find exactly what they’re looking for: a happy
ending with that perfect someone.

These novellas are fast-paced reads that offer all of the steam and
sensuality that fans of these talented authors have come to expect.
This book is not intended for the faint of heart, but if you love bad
boys and women that are more than their match, this is the anthology
for you.” - Reviewed by Kristi Ahlers

*flings confetti in the air*

I’m tagging Sasha, Steph, and Ellen. And anybody else who needs blog filler and/or thinks it’d be fun!

1. First name? Charlene
2. Were you named after anyone? Sadly, no. Why not Cleopatra?
3. Do you wish on stars? Yes
4. When did you cry last? In the middle of moving.
5. Do you like your handwriting? It’s illegible. I don’t really have any strong feelings about it, but I try not to use it because of the illegibility factor.
6. What is your favorite lunch meat? Turkey
7. What is your birth date? June 22. The cusp of magic! I share my birthday with Lillian Stewart Carl. (subliminal chant: buy her books! They’re great!)
8. What is your most embarrassing CD? Bon Jovi
9. If you were another person, would YOU be friends with you? Sure!
10. Do you have a journal? I have THREE!
11. Do you use sarcasm a lot? Does the sun set in the west?
13. Would you bungee jump? Never. Especially not off the top of the Eiffel Tower to save a werewolf attempting suicide. Although it does make a nifty plot.
14. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? No.
15. Do you think that you are strong? Yes.
16. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? Cherry Garcia, Ben & Jerry’s
17. Shoe Size? 7.
18. Red or pink? Pink seems to be growing on me lately. Not sure why.
19. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My number of Bad Hair Days.
20. Who do you miss most? Tracy, who moved to Idaho just before I moved to Washington. We can’t seem to stay in the same state. Sigh.
21. Do you want everyone you send this to, to answer? Yep!
22. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? Grey sweat pants. No shoes. I don’t wear shoes indoors.
23. What are you listening to right now? The Koala Brothers. Disney Channel is my life.
24. Last thing you ate? Scrambled eggs with bacon.
25. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Magenta!
26. What is the weather like right now? Perfect. Cool, clear, full of the scent of autumn leaves and ripe apples and freshly mowed green grass with a hint of rain in the air.
27. Last person you talked to on the phone? My husband.
28. The first thing you notice about the opposite sex? Does he look like an ax murderer? Because I have two small children. I’m always on the lookout for possible felons when I see a strange man.
29. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I LOVE him! He’s a genius and a fabulous artist! (My cousin Kyle.)
30. Favorite Drink? Coffeecoffeecoffee. Shot in the dark, caramel macciato, chocolate breve. COFFEE!
31. Favorite sport? Hiking.
32. Hair Color? Auburnish
33. Eye color? Hazel
34. Do you wear contacts? Yes.
35. Favorite Food? GREEK. Stuffed grape leaves, baklava, thick dark coffee, giros, pita bread, moussaka. I want to go to Greece and eat my way across the country like a locust.
36. Last movie you watched? In a theatre? Bewitched. Very funny.
37. Favorite day of the year? I’m not sure I have ONE favorite. I suppose it should be Sept. 31, which is our wedding anniversary. Baby birthdays are high on the list. I love Samhain. (Almost there!) I love June 21, 2005 the day my first-ever print book hit bookstore shelves.
38. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Happy endings, although both at the same time is great.
39. Summer or Fall? Fall has grown on me. Summer is too hot. Or I’m too old.
40. Hugs OR Kisses? Both!
41. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Chocolate.
42. Who Is Most Likely To Respond? ?
43. Who Is Least Likely To Respond? ?
44. What Books Are You Reading? Norman Vincent Peale 3-in-1 volume. (Writers need positive thinking!) I’m also reading A Wolf In Cheap Clothing, which is the story I’m finishing writing now.
45. What’s on your mouse pad? Van Gogh, Starry Night.
46. What Did You Watch Last Night? People watch TV at night? *blink blink*
48. Favorite Sounds? Rain falling. Morgan laughing. Tom purring. The beep-beep “coffee is done” sound. Husband singing. Alex singing. (She sings damn good for a two year old.)
47. Favorite Smell? Fresh coffee. Rain.
50. Favorite animal. Cats.
51. What’s the farthest you’ve been from home? Hawaii
52. Do you have a special talent? I can satirize ANYTHING! Go on, try me. : D