Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Moving On...
Hey everyone. This may be kind of sudden, but truth is, we've been chatting amongst ourselves for a while, and it's been decided that Cigars will be closing down as of Sept 30. Sad, but it's one of those good news and bad news kinds of things -- we're all struggling to find more time to spend on writing, and we all have new projects in the works, and it all takes time. So, we end up having to make hard choices.
While all of these new projects are exciting, we're all so over-committed, with book contracts, family commitments, some of us have full time jobs and other things we're balancing and blogging is getting to be something that we don't always give as much energy as we should, so while we've loved Cigars, and all of you, and hope we'll see you at other places, boards, Facebook, Twitter (that's also part of it -- most of us are already on three blogs, plus other boards and sites, and at some point, you have to narrow your focus), but we'll be around and happy to chat with you where ever we pop up out in internet land. :)
We'll all be popping in over the next week to chat and say goodbyes, maybe give away a few books, who knows? and just sort of end on a high note (why do I keep imagining Carol Burnet and Bob Hope, and those songs they always sang at the end of their shows? I have the oddest impulse to tug at my ear...) LOL. But, I hope everyone will pop in and share their new projects, the things going on in their lives and let you know where else you'll be able to find us.
For me, I am waiting on word of a new paranormal series, non-Harlequin, that is currently on editors' desks. I also have new Blaze books coming out in March, May, and December of 2010, and have sent in a submission to another category line, though I'm going to keep which a secret for the moment. *G* I'll let you know if it sells, though.
I don't know if I'll have my own blog on my website -- right now, I'm thinking probably not, but I am always at Twitter and Facebook, and have really been enjoying my time there. Today I "friended" one of Karen Marie Moning's faerie princes, V'Lane, and tell me, where else can you do that? It's too much fun.
I am, of course, always around eHarlequin, somewhere, and once a month posting on the Blaze Blog.
I think as the internet grows and changes and offers new places to play, we grow with it. We've had a wonderful run here at Cigars, and met so many great people, had so many great moments... I'm hoping some of our previous guests, etc will come by over the next week to post and say goodbyes, or, rather, "see ya laters." I might take a peek back at some of my favorite blogs, and if you have any, feel free to share. :)
This blog has been a big part of my life and career for the last 4 years, but you know, sometimes it's time to move on to new and exciting things, and I'm quite sure we'll all keep up in other places. So... let's make this last week a party, huh?
Sam
»
*pours virtual champagne*
*pours virtual champagne* Cheers, Sam, it's been fun.
Thanks Charli...
Yeah, it really has, and who knows what the future holds? Good things, I bet, for everyone. :)
Sam
Sad indeed *sigh*
I've loved blogging with everyone here. Have fun in all your new projects !!
Cheers ;-)
xoxo
ps : There is always FB !!lol
It has been great blogging
It has been great blogging here at Cigars!
Goodbye, Farewell...
So sorry to see the blog shutting down, but I certainly understand the need to channel the creative energy into the writing! Thanks so much for all that you've shared here-- the personal stories, the books, the laughs, the behind the scenes anecdotes! I've enjoyed it all! Best of luck to all of the Cigars authors! (And good luck on that paranormal series, Sam-- sounds delicious!)
LOL
Thanks Kristina... you have no idea how I wish I could share more about the series, but sometimes I think maybe I am jinxing myself saying anything. I have high hopes, but then, I usually do. If it doesn't go, well, I'll just keep trying... it's what we do, right?
I plan to keep tabs with you on FB... how far along now?
Sam
Thanks, Sam! I'm 28 weeks.
Thanks, Sam! I'm 28 weeks. Trying not to flip out because my husband is deploying October 1 for 8 months in Dubai. :-)
High hopes keep us going! Good luck!
Farewell
Can't believe we have to say good bye so soon. I'll miss everyone.
It's been fun!
Thanks for keeping the blog going and sharing so many stories and ideas with your readers and fans. Good luck with all future endeavors. I'm sure I'll see you around Facebook!
Bye
Although I hate to see you go I can understand why you need the time to write and since I love your books...all of you...I want you to have time to write those books for me to read. It looks like I may have to finally break down and join the FB crowd. As a side note...every time I see the initials FB it reminds me of the school that I taught at for so many years whose name was Flour Bluff and we always abbreviated it FB.
So long
Hail to the Redskins!
I'll see you on facebook, and I'll check in at Blaze once in a while. If you decide to blog on your website, I'll check there. I've loved it here and have won a lot of great books, and bags!
woo hoo!
Ellen just followed me on Facebook! :)
LOL on Flour Bluff... that's a very odd name.
I have been focusing hard on writing this week, so late coming around, but thanks for all the kind posts and good wishes...
Sam
Flour Bluff
The area where the school is located was originally a bluff but it is totally worn down by water action if indeed it was a bluff in the beginning. Anyway the story goes that smugglers were using the area to smuggle in barrels of flour but somehow the law caught them and broke open the barrels and scattered the flour all over the area. Who knows how much truth there is to that
Looking at the bright side...
...as others have said, anything that gives all of you more of a chance to write is a very good thing. :)
I've loved coming here the last two years and discovering lots of new-to-me authors. Thanks to Cigars, I got to know someone more who has become a good friend - *waves to Sam* - and I won my very first book prize here from Michele Hauf, two years ago this past August. And I definitely won't forget last year's Christmas goodies extravaganza...so much fun, and such a unique contest. Cigars will definitely be missed.
I wish the very best to all of you. :)
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/
Cari, good memory!
Of all the things I cherish most here, it's the people I've met along the way, like yourself. I'm so glad we got to know each other, and look forward to lunch when I get back from NINC!
Sam
Nooooooooooo....
OK, deep breath... Sam, you and everyone else at Cigars have been a wonderful part of my reading world for the last couple years--I totally understand you needing to focus energies on different projects, but I'll definitely miss hanging out with you all here. You've always had a warm, friendly, fantastic community, and I hope to see all of you "around" on the Net elsewhere :) A huge thank you to you for sharing yourselves and your books with us!
Best wishes to each of you on your new stuff!! Hooray in that it means more to read for all of us readers :)
Hugs, Fedora
You are on Facebook, yes? I know I have seen you out there. :) So don't be a stranger.
You've been one of our most steady and supportive members here, and don't think we don't appreciate all the time and effort you all put in coming by every day, too. :)
Sam
Best of Luck
To all of you!
I enjoyed commenting (tho I slacked off the past couple months because I used to post from work and then they blocked access).
I've won lots of books too. I loved getting autographed books! Actually I think the majority of books I've won have come from Cigars!
I'm not on FB nor do I tweet, but hope to 'see' you at eHarl Sam.
Again - the best of luck to all of you. You guys write some awesome stories.
Hey Marcie
If you have to break down on one of them, I recommend Facebook. :)
But I will definitely be around eHarl... it's been my Harlequin home for almost 7 years now! :)
Sam
OHMIGOD! I am so sad! I hope
OHMIGOD! I am so sad! I hope everyone has an individual blog I can still visit!!
I will miss this so much.
I haven't been commenting as much as I used to but I usually find time to read the initial posts. I am not on FB and can't see myself joining it. I will continue to watch for all of your books. May you all have lots of success in the years to come. I have been linking my milestone reviews on eHarlequin to the authors on this site or the guests on this site. I will continue to do it until the end of the year.
Jeannie I have kept my resolution to only buy new books this year. I have bought way too many of them but I'm enjoying reading them.
This site will always hold a special place in my memories. I've loved the pictures and insights into all your lives. I will miss this so very much.
Never say Never...
I resisted FB and Twitter for a long time, too, but they really are fun, great places to talk with folks. So I hope maybe you find your way in our direction. :)
I'll miss Cigars, too -- it's unique, I think, and we've had such a nice group here -- but you can enjoy a lot of the same at FB, for instance, I just posted pictures of my roses in my garden there last night. :)
You take care, no matter what, and I'm sure our paths will cross somewhere,
Sam
Say it isnt so Ladies !!
I've met so many wonderful people on here, and discovered so many new authors to read, won books, had a lot of laughs and cried a couple times. Damn. My routine is log onto PC, check Email, cigars, facebook, eharlequin, my blog, etc... Now what?
I'm not mad, just sad to see it all ending, like the ending of a wonderful movei, or more like that wonderful book that you cried through and cheered at the end. then cried again when it was over because there was nothing else to read of your new friends.
Well, i'm going to try to keep up with all of you on facebook, friend me im on there!
Good luck with the project Sam. i'm sure you'll do wonderful, as always!
jody lynn allen
So long, farewell Auf Wiedersehen, adieu...
It will be very strange not to have Cigars to touch base with, even as a lurker. Congrats to you all for keeping the homefires burning for so long and happy writing to all of you. And a fond farewell to all the readers who I used to chat with back in the days when I was a Cigar Lady, also.
Lest anyone forget...
Sarah was my original Cigars buddy, and the name of the place is fully to her credit -- she came up with it.
Hugs Sarah... see you on email. :)
Sammas
Morphing
I've tremendously enjoyed my spot here and the people, who have become friends. But I also run blogs and write and having family, etc., so understand the decision others have made, too. I am considering same. Best to you all.
CaitLondon.com
http://caitlondon.blogspot.com
Sigh....
Sam - I'm sorry to see Cigars go! I've enjoyed reading the blogs here and I've always enjoyed being a guest.
I do understand where you're coming from though. It's no small chore running a group blog - and one with guests and events. :-)
Best of luck to you in your new projects - and to your cohorts here at Cigars. See you over at eharl!
Donna
Emotional, Feel-Good Romance
http://www.donnaalward.com
We'll be around...
I'll wait for everyone else to post in the coming week where they hang out and what they'll be up to. I think several of the ladies already have personal blogs. I am on the fence about a personal blog. One day I think "nah" and the next day I think, well, maybe. Because I like to talk too much, LOL. So I don't know. Maybe a weekly rather than a daily... The idea is freeing up some time, but you know, a weekly blog isn't too tough.
For now, I want to hang out at all the places I have been, and I might take more advantage of the eHarlequin blogs, though I also do a monthly NINC blog and a Blaze blog... and I do enjoy Facebook.
I really appreciate all the well wishes and understanding, and I hope you will follow us around keep up -- I plan to pop around and comment on other blogs, something I always loved doing, but didn't have time any more to do.
I do hope any of you would always feel free to drop me an email as well... I love hearing from people on email.
Sam
Facebook updates?
Maybe...possibly...you could keep us up-to-date on your blogs with Facebook? Especially when you are guest blogging? Please?
Sure!
Dh is also going to feed my Blaze blog to my webpage, and he *almost* has me talked into doing a weekly blog... daily would be too much, but maybe I can do a weekly one... but you guys have to come chat, or I'll get bored with myself. *G*
Sam
I feel like...
I've only just discovered this blog. I enjoy the posts, even if I don't reply. I will miss the fun topics, and author updates. It's been great getting to know personal things about the authors.
I know...
But we'll be easy to find -- promise! We've loved getting to know everyone here, too...
Sam
I'm so glad we had this time together...
I loved that song;) Wanted to pop on quick and wish all the authors at LIAEC all the best in your continuing careers and promotions. This has always been a fun spot to read and guest blog!
In the interim of getting your blogs, if you need/want to come guest blog at my house-give me an email jingle! You all have always been good to me!
All the best~
Amanda
Amanda McIntyre
www.amandamcintyre.net
let me see..
"Just to share a laugh or sing a song.... seems we just get started and before you know it...comes the time we have to say soooo lonnnng."
Hey, and I didn't look that up on the 'net, LOL -- I watched that show every week as a kid. :)
Would be oh so cool to guest blog. I would love that, and sure everyone else would, too...
Sam
So sad to see you go and we
So sad to see you go and we will miss you!
Au revior...
So sad to see this end, but I totally understand. Choices have to be made, priorities organized, and goals restructured! I've really enjoyed conversing with the authors here. I've learned a lot!!
Thanks for the good memories!
I've been pondering
I've been pondering since the big announcement and I hope you didn't get into a big fight over who had the best shoes at the RWA conference. LOL. Seriously I am going to miss this site so much.
*G*
You found us out... Shirley is really jealous of my Birkies LOL.
Also, if anyone is interested I did start an informal blog group at Facebook -- you can find it on my profile. It's a group, but I'll treat it like a blog, more or less, but if you join up, you can post and ask me questions and suggest topics and such, which is kind of fun. :) And it's all at Facebook, so you don't have to go to another website, etc.
Sam