*Quick note: I’m still slowly bouncing back from the illness, so I’m just going to hang back and relax as much as possible through this Thanksgiving weekend.  I do plan to put character interviews under the books they go to.  I was hoping to have it done already, but I haven’t done anything but stuff pertaining to this contest since Friday, though I did manage 1000 words over the span of three days for one work in progress which I haven’t reported yet.  This is the only time I hate school.  The kids bring home all sorts of lovely viruses and bacterial junk.

Anyway, on to the fun stuff…

There were some great names that came in and also some great pictures.  There was one model in particular that I want to save for a future book because when I looked at all the pictures in the model’s portfolio, there were some great ones that will be perfect for future character interviews.  I might not get around to using them anytime soon, but I have a lightbox account at these photo places to bookmark for future use.  As for the names, I can use them for other characters as they pop up in stories. 

The winners for the contest and what I’m using their entry for:

Brenda P.   –  heroine in a future book (not sure which yet); here’s the model’s portfolio http://www.dreamstime.com/same-model_img15741495  You can see by the variety in pictures and facial expressions how much potential this one has for character interviews. 

Sakshi B. –  for the picture of Mitch (when I saw it, I just knew it was him): http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-photo-15611719-young-man-smiling.php?st=c9487f3, for the pictures of Heather: http://www.dreamstime.com/same-model_img21223432.

Christina L. – for the new title Not the Marrying Kind (title will replace The Keeping of Greg Wilson); I also like the names Charity and Carter.  Charity will be Grace’s daughter in To Have and To Hold.  I’m not sure where Carter will be used yet, but have put it down for future reference.

Tami – Brooklyn

Kesia S. – I really like this model and plan to use her for a future book.  http://www.dreamstime.com/same-model_img9599109 (again, there are some great variety with this model that will make for great character interviews);  I also like these pictures (not sure when or how I’ll use them, but I’ve bookmarked them): http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-cowboy-couple-silhouette-him-kneel-image21363799, http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-silhouette-together-hair-playing-image13380173; I also liked some of the names she gave me (Colin, Parker, Ellington, Thomas, Allie (as a nickname for Allison), Molly and Ellie.

Pamela B. – for the name Madison

Tami – for the name Abigail

Judy L. – for the name Hannah (which I chose for Mitch’s girl)

Laurie K – for the names Evelyn (Eve) and Leroy; I will use Leroy for Mitch’s boy

Mesh T – for the picture of what I perceive as Greg and Patty once they are happy — I love the way these two are looking at each other and since Patty is more “guyish” than not, the outfit fits her perfectly (I can use it in one of their character interviews) http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-image-love-story-image16331796; I also like this picture (and I believe Kesia S. had the same one so it’s a tie on this one) http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-photos-silhouette-together-hair-playing-image13380173

C. King for the name Gerty for Mitch’s mom.  That name seems to fit her the best.