I have moved!

All my older posts and comments will remain archived here, but my blog has a new home as of April 14, 2010--at susangrant.com! One-stop shopping, it makes it easier for me to update my website and blog more often like I do at Facebook with fun stuff as well as business. See you there!

~Sue

Please help!

I made you all an easy link to donate $ to the quake victims. The Red Cross site has been glitchy. I hope it means the donations have been overwhelming. Please don't give up!

CLICK HERE

UPDATE: A Thank you and pics from Lt. Dan!

For all those who've mailed Boxes of Home to our adopted Marines in Afghanistan, or are thinking of sending one (let's keep it going!), I have news--and some GREAT pics of the guys enjoying what we have sent!!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all the awesome packages we have been getting from you guys. My Marines are grateful and the local Afghans thank you also. We are grateful for everyone over in America looking out for us. Marines had a good 2 day break for Christmas, we cooked some turkey—that we bought from locals. Everyone just watched movies and relaxed for the first time that we have been here. I even took a shower with water that I boiled on a propane stove. Once again thank you everyone, you are in our prayers.--Lt Dan Redmon

Thank you from the Marines!

Remember the Marine I mentioned, and the request for some holiday cheer? I received these notes from Daniel's father, with whom I fly at united airlines, and Daniel's wife. Thank you one and all! I'll forward anything else I hear.

From his father:

...I recently heard from that his Marines had 9 boxes from/or mentioned your name...I think Michele was going to email you, but we haven't been able to get much info from him for over a week. I know they are conducting a big operation to cut Taliban supply and communication lines. (I have to get that from the news...he doesnt say anything about missions).

I heard he mentioned that one of the boxes was full of little toys and how they enjoyed giving them to the children. They are in a farm region where the kids dont have schools, so they obviously had never received such a wonderous gift as a toy! can you imagine what it would be like to be the deliverer of such a thing to a child! Daniel enjoys passing everything out to his Marines and having them also share with the villagers, especially the children.

So, I'm not sure what the count is, or any further details (such as names) as yet. I'll let you know when I hear more.

Your thoughtfulness has already resulted in some joy and comfort to our Marines and a bunch of little Afghan children- feels wonderful doesn't it! The example and giving of people like you has really warmed our hearts during this Christmas season....


And...from Daniel's wife:

...I'm married to 1st Lt. Daniel Redmon, currently serving in Afghanistan. I was so impressed by the initiative you took by blogging in support of my husband and the other Marines over there. I know that Dan is currently enjoying the DVDs you sent, which he took out to the field with him to watch on his laptop with about 15 Marines crowded around it! They don't have a lot of free time, but it's rough to have free time and nothing to fill it with! Not only are these Marines benefitting from your generosity, but their families are too. Knowing that Dan is enjoying some comforts from home is very reassuring to me. It's tough to think about him there, but it helps to know that so many people are thinking about him. Not only thinking, but doing something about it. It's just awesome!

I can't imagine the stress of knowing a loved one is over there in harm's way. You all are amazing, the BEST. Thank you all for your generosity. Happy Holidays and New Year!!!!!! xxxoooo

Do you recognize any of your favorite authors in this link?

ROMVETS before and after

(shush) The Science Fiction Romance That Harlequin Doesn't Want You to Know About :)

Galaxy Express blog weighs in on the SUREBLOOD cover mock-up

Meet Banzai the Champion!

Last year I received the coolest fan note from a reader of my books. Erin breeds and shows Smooth Collies, a herding breed, and she told me that if she ever got puppies out of her champion that she was going to be showing at the world famous dog show in Westminster she'd name one "Banzai" after the kick-butt heroine in my futuristic action romance The Legend of Banzai Maguire. Well, she did, and over the year I've been collecting the news and pictures of Banzai's namesake as she advances through the championships. I'm so proud and wanted to share. You can visit Erin's website here, and see more of these beautiful dogs! Congratulations, Banzai!!! Win big at Westminster!!! Erin, please keep us up to date on Banzai!

Would you consider sending a "Box of Home" to some Marines?

Susan Grant here. One of the guys I fly with has a son who is a young Marine lieutenant embedded with his platoon in Afghanistan. I was appalled to hear how primitive their living conditions are, showering outside shivering in “solar showers,” running out of hot coffee on cold nights, and out of books and DVDs to keep their minds entertained when they aren’t out there being shot at. I also learned they’re given a “list of supplies” to BUY and bring with when they are deployed (to ease the US Gov’t bill, I suppose, but come on, many of these guys have young families and no $ to spare for their own personal comforts. They are also tough and would NEVER complain or ask for such things. So, I want to do it for them :).) Would you help make the harsh winter months a little brighter for these Marines?

Below is some info for those interested in sending a box of "home" to these guys in Afghanistan. My pilot friend told me that the US Post Office has pre-paid boxes that you can cram in as much as will fit. I plan to hit Target later and start stuffing. One note--if you are interested in sending any bags of Starbucks coffee--a huge hit in this platoon, apparently :)--please have it ground first.

Any food packaged for room temperature salmon, tuna, chicken, etc. They like to give candy to the children: suckers, smarties, anything they can carry in their pockets. They could also use anything to make the chickens they purchase from the villagers taste better, like spice packets, shake and bake type coating, hot sauce (in some bubble wrapping I think to keep it from shattering). Jerky, handi-wipes, peanut butter (I’m thinking those big plastic jars), cookies, Christmas candy like fudge etc. (You know they’d gobble up anything homemade!). And a special request from the guys: If there are any DVDs at home you no longer watch much, they’d appreciate those, too. Magazines (cool “guy mags” especially, old or new, and also paperback books. (romances, too, I would think!)

Ask others you know if you like. We simply can’t give too much! Everything sent to Daniel will be community property amongst his 40+ Marines. There are also several more platoons of 40+ marines each in the area...so overflow will go to them.

Thanks for showing kindness to these guys--they are combat marines in direct, hostile confrontation with Taliban--they’ll appreciate even the smallest gesture!

1st Lt Daniel Redmon

2/2 G Co

Unit 73080

FPO AE 09510-3080

(US Postal Service flat rate boxes are around $11 to send to this address)

Thank you so much!!!!!!

Susan Grant, veteran, USAF, www.susangrant.com

New Covers!

Hooray!  Here are the new covers for the Star trilogy being re-released all at once in May 2010. If you click on the titles above each cover the links will take you to the place at my website, where you can read more about each of the books in the series.

The Star King

The Star Prince

The Star Princess

SUREBLOOD now has back cover copy

The epic plot of my 8/10 release SUREBLOOD: a Tale of the Borderlands...AKA Borderlands #3 has been squeezed into 2 publicly acceptable, hope people carry it home, back of the book cover paragraphs. Glad my editor is good at doing this because I sure ain't (eesh, I'm even talking like my space pirates now...) Without further ado, here it is (barring any more publisher tweaks):

Torn apart by lies and deception...

Five years ago, rival space pirate captains Val Blue and Dake Sureblood stole one incredible night together. But their brief, passionate history ends with the assasination of Val’s father and the condemnation of Dake's clan. Now, Val struggles prove her mettle—to herself and to dissenters within her own people. Every successful raid is a boot-heel ground in the burning memory of Dake Sureblood--and their secret son is a constant reminder of their shared past…

Ambushed and captured before he can clear his name, Dake Sureblood returns from hell to expose the true killer of Val’s father. But as the identity of their enemy becomes chillingly clear, the former lovers must put aside their mistrust and join forces to protect their clans--and their precious son.