 | 2 Feb 10 |
Today is February 2nd, Groundhog Day. In North America that means if the groundhog comes out of his hole and sees his shadow we’ll have six more weeks of winter. If he doesn’t see his shadow, spring is imminent. Some statistics say he, the groundhog, has been right about 40% of the time. Well, dang it, he saw his shadow this morning. So I guess winter is not over just yet. Happy February 2nd!
February 2nd, for me, also means 33 days of 2010, 6 pounds, and 0 cigarettes. Unfortunately the 6 pounds have been added because of the 0 cigarettes. I don’t miss the cigarettes anymore. It really wasn’t a big deal since I had only done it for two years (which I may have told you already). Occasionally I’ll think about having one, like last night when my idol Jack Bauer lit up on 24. He shouldn’t do that, but it was part of his cover so I’ll forgive him. The 6 pounds, however, is another story. That SUCKS! But February is the month I set as the start date for getting serious about getting in shape. I knew better than to attempt that feat on January 1 along with tossing the Camel #9s (sometimes Marlboro Light 100s). But this month it happens. Only one soda a day (that’s my BIG one, I am totally addicted!). Cut back the portions (since I’m not a big snacker, I chow down at mealtime). And WALKING. Yes, every day. One mile at first, then after two weeks two miles and so on. My initial goal is to lose 50 pounds. This is the place where I need to be, according to my fav doc Karen Allen, to be healthy! After that I’d love to lose another 30 just for me. My clothing goal is a size 10. But mainly I want to be healthy. I will, as promised, keep you posted. Cheers and encouragement are welcome. Cheer the loudest and you might just win a prize (vbg)!
This month is also the release month of my first Colby Agency story of the year. My publishing career started 11 years ago next month with UP CLOSE, a Kensington Precious Gems. I had two that year (thank you Hilary Sares and Kate Duffy!). Then in 2010 my first Harlequin Intrigue was released, a Colby Agency story called SAFE BY HIS SIDE. When I wrote that story the folks in my critique group at the time warned me not to write a series and expect Harlequin to buy it from an unpubbed author (I sold to Kensington and Harlequin virtually the same month, but the first Harlequin didn’t come out until over a year after the first Kensington). Well, being the determined person I am, I submitted it anyway. Harlequin Intrigue bought that story and this month number 39 in the Colby series will be released. The Colby Agency series is the biggest (number of books) author series in Harlequin’s history. I am so proud. RT Magazine gave COLBY LOCKDOWN a TopPick and said, “The tenth year of Colby saga rockets forward with this topnotch first installment of a new series that will have readers on the edge of their seat.” Then, last night I received this from Romance Readers Connection: 
In September 2000, Harlequin Intrigue Readers bought book number 583, SAFE BY HIS SIDE by author Debra Webb, advertised as a “Secret Identity” novel and a Colby Agency Case. Readers were introduced to their first Colby agent and eagerly anticipated meeting their second, but little did we realize that this remarkable group of men and women that work for Victoria Colby’s private investigation firm and will later work for her son Jim’s more “elite” agency, would become ten year fixtures on our bookshelves.
This month, Colby fans will experience…COLBY LOCKDOWN, Harlequin Intrigue # 1188. The story involves the agency offices being attacked by terrorists and Victoria Colby and some of her agents being held hostage. Can you feel the excitement? Those of us that are fans of this thrilling series are waiting on the edge of our seats for this next installment. So if you’re not a fan and want to become one, rest assured that you are in for many, many hours of very pleasurable reading!
There was more, but you get the idea. I cried as I read the glowing review. The lovely lady who wrote it, Livia, really touched my heart. I had no idea when I wrote that first Colby Agency story that ten years later I would not only still be writing those stories but loving the opportunity even more than I did all those years ago.
I wish I could take full credit for the longevity of this series but I absolutely cannot. Victoria Colby (now Victoria Colby-Camp) is one of those characters who doesn’t come along often. She has been a pure joy to write. And there is my editor, Denise Zaza, at Harlequin. I first started with Natashya Wilson but she left before the first book was published. I had heard the horror stories about changing editors and I was terrified. But Natashya assured me that I needn’t worry that Denise (then O’Sullivan) was going to be my editor. Denise was and is the senior editor of the line and I was terrified about that too! She encouraged me to write more Colby stories. She allowed me to cross the category boundaries too many times to count. And for 2010 she invited me to do a special six Colby stories for Harlequin Intrigue!
All that said, the bottom line is the reader. The readers have kept the Colbys alive and well. For ten years I have received mountains of letters and email about these stories. Folks want more, they want to revisit past characters, they want to know what these characters do when they’re not at work at the Colby Agency, they name their children after characters–now that is loyalty! Thanks to all the readers who have been so faithful, particularly when we all have to watch every penny. To spend their hard-earned money on my stories is the ultimate compliment.
Y’all pardon my being all sentimental this morning and tell me how your New Year’s resolution is going to date. Any suggestions on my “get fit” journey? Some lucky commenter will receive an autographed copy of COLBY LOCKDOWN!
© 2010 Debra Webb. All rights reserved.
Debra Webb, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set.
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Congratulations, Debra! What a wonderful anniversary. If you can commit to a series for 10 years and touch so many readers, surely you can stick with the non-smoking. Keep up the hard work!!
by Laura Griffin February 2nd, 2010 at 9:51 amDefinitely, Laura! The not smoking is a done deal, it’s the “get fit” part that lies ahead of me. I’m…terrified!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 10:02 amI didn’t make any resolutions because I knew they wouldn’t be kept. As for getting fit, don’t even think about it. I find that when you think about what you can’t eat or how you have to exercise it is a sure way to eat more and move less. Stick with being more active and everything else will fall into place.
by Leni February 2nd, 2010 at 10:19 amVery good advice, Leni!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 10:41 amCongratulations on taking the big step to quit smoking. What a great feat! And I’m right there with you on the need to lose more weight than I ever wanted to gain. But walking is a great way to start out, and again – good for you!
The Colby Agency has been one of my favorite series from Intrigue. I just love me some secret agents. Thanks for many hours of entertainment
by Lori February 2nd, 2010 at 10:31 amLori, thank you! I gonna walk this extra “baggage” right off!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 10:42 amQuitting smoking is a huge step toward fitness. Congratulations. Your plan to get fit has me envious. Best wishes for success.
by GSM February 2nd, 2010 at 10:39 amGSM, thanks! Now, I just gotta turn this plan into serious action!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 amCongrats on the longevity. Groundhog day is special for us –it’s the anniversary of our engagment 41 years ago.
by Terry Odell February 2nd, 2010 at 10:46 amHey Terry! Congratulations! I’ll hit 36 years this summer!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 11:03 amI am so thrilled for you Debra! What a glowing testament to your ability to spin a fantastic tale. Congratulations.
I’m giving up margaritas for Lent. Does that count as a resolution?
by Allison Brennan February 2nd, 2010 at 10:54 amLol, Allison! Yes, that counts! And congrats to you on Original Sin! That is the most amazing cover!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 11:06 amDeb, congrats on writing such an amazing series!
I’m never as “on” my goals as I want. The good news is I’m going to the gym regularly. The diet part is harder!
by Jen Lyon February 2nd, 2010 at 12:38 pmThat’s great, Jen! We’ll have to cheer each other on!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 1:57 pmDeb, congrats on the success of the series and no smokes in 2010!
the 6 pounds? one step at a time, baby!
by Karin Tabke February 2nd, 2010 at 4:56 pmYes, ma’am, Karin!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 5:33 pmDude, all those days without a cigarette is something to celebrate. And all those FABULOUS Colby Agency books is AMAZING. Congratulations.
I highly recommend watching The Biggest Loser – that show is sooooooo inspiring. You can do it, because you WANT to live a long, healthy life and write 30 more Colby books for us to read!
xoxo
by Roxanne St. Claire February 2nd, 2010 at 5:15 pmNow that’s inspiration, Rocki!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 5:33 pmCongrat’s on not smoking! I have quit smoking three times already and always start back, last time I made it two months. Hubby smokes to and want try to quit. I know how hard it is so Kodos to you. I have been a smoker for years and I really need to quit again, also over weight and thats not good either.
by Quilt Lady February 2nd, 2010 at 5:39 pmHoney, I know how you feel. The smoking was nothing, but the losing weight! I can never get in gear!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 6:48 pmI didn’t make any New year resolution this year. I ‘only’ pray for good health, happy life, and prosperity for me, my family and my friends !
Congrats on not smooking ! (hugs)
by Mariska February 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 pmHey, that works!
by Debra Webb February 2nd, 2010 at 10:07 pmA belated CONGRATS, Debra!! You are an inspiration
by Lori G. Armstrong February 8th, 2010 at 9:02 amThank you, Lori!
by Debra Webb February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm