A Job Completed by Diane Burton

I know it's too early for celebrating Independence Day. I have another reason to celebrate.

Career-wise, is there a better feeling than completing a job? The satisfaction of finishing a project obscures the difficulties of getting there or the mistakes and problems along the way. I’m a list-maker because I love checking off tasks. Small satisfactions.

I’m thrilled to say that after five months, a lot of moaning, griping, and procrastinating, I finished Numbers Never Lie, a romantic suspense. Sharing snippets each weekend with the Weekend Writing Warriors has kept the story at the forefront of my mind. Never mind that my Muse nagged me endlessly to “finish the darn book.”

So, a week ago yesterday, I shipped that puppy to my editor, our own incomparable Alicia Dean. Instead of twiddling my thumbs waiting for the manuscript’s return (with lots of red markings, I’m sure LOL) I’m taking time to finish those household jobs that I’ve left slide—like folding laundry, cleaning my office, and entering my business receipts in Quicken. The most difficult aspect of that is attributing royalties to the individual books. I’m OCD like that.

With the completion of one task, another rears its head. What’s next? 

So many ideas, so little time. I want to finish two more novels this year, a science fiction romance (the fourth in my Outer Rim series) and a cozy mystery (the fourth in my Alex O’Hara series). Since I haven’t released a sci-fi romance in two years, that one will be next.

While waiting for the return of the edits, my plan is to enjoy a job completed, catch up on household chores, enjoy the lack of deadline pressure, then get started on the next book. When Numbers Never Lie is released, I'll celebrate big time. Not sure yet how. I can't drink alcohol, and chocolate is worth too many points on Weight Watchers. I'll figure out something.

Meanwhile, here’s the blurb for Number Never Lie:

A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie.

As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack's an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Upon returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother Jack’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.

Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that--an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.

A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then someone else dies and Maggie’s home is searched. What did Jack do?

A note since tomorrow is Father's Day: A special salute to all the Dads, especially those who prove what a good father is, like the three men in my life--Hubs, Son, and Son-in-law. Great job, guys.