Up North

Jess and I did go up north last weekend. When I say up north, that is exactly what I mean, our property is on the Canadian border, and I must admit, I was apprehensive about ‘camping’ in the dead of winter. After trekking through waist high snow in some places, we arrived at the ‘hunting shacks’. The snow was too deep to drive all the way in so it took several trips to haul in all the supplies. All in all it was a great weekend. It was so peaceful, and melting snow to do dishes made a new story begin to form in my head.

I was able to work on another book I'm writing, but without internet access I became frustrated when I needed some research. In the end I wrote an email to another author who I knew would know the information I wanted and skipped that scene in the story. I sent the email during the drive home. (I am so thankful for wireless internet. I happened to have the laptop on when we stopped for gas and all of sudden it showed I had a connection.) Sure enough, she answered my questions so now I can go back and fill in the blanks.

Since it is a six hour drive to the land (one way), I also read another Linda Lael Miller book about her McKettick’s clan. It was a good story, and I’m always amazed how easy it is for me to pick out typos in someone else’s work, but read right over them in my own.

Jess will be going back up north in May for fishing opener, and I’ve already marked my calendar to go with him. For those of you who know I’ve never been the ‘camping’ type--yes I’m just as amazed as you are! LOL.

Easter Greetings

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. I set a few eggs out and Isabelle gathered them. She was very proud of each one and had fun playing with them for the better part of the day. Cody and his friend Jackie made it home from Wisconsin just in time for ham dinner, and Justin and Connie arrived safely in Nevada for their spring get-away.

Jess suggested we go up north this coming weekend to check on the hunting shacks. Cody was up there in January, but now that ‘Spring’ has arrived, Jess thinks he needs to go check on the roofs. I’m sure he’s really thinking it’s his one last chance to go ice fishing for the year. I don’t have a picture of the ‘shacks’ but here is one of the ‘facilities’. There is no cell or internet unless we drive into town, but with the generator, I do have electricity so I can still use the lap top and I do have some stories I would like to dedicate some time to.

I’m still working on a series set in western Kansas. I’ve queried the first one to The Wild Rose Press and have the second one about half done. All the stories will include the shotgun of the mother of five brothers. The second book is about the second brother, who in the first book is not overly likeable. I did that on purpose to see if I could then turn him into a hero in the second book. It’s been a challenge, but at the same time, a lot of fun. And I am anxious to see how it all plays out.

I hope you all have a GREAT week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hope you all remembered to wear green so you didn't get pinched!

This will be a busy week, besides evening work meetings, I have to put together information on the future of e-books and POD publishing for my writers group this weekend, and get ready for Easter dinner here on Sunday. It will be fun to hide a few eggs for Isabelle to find. Here are a couple pictures of her and Bear, (first the pucker, then the kiss). Bear is eight months old, and weighs close to a hundred pounds, yet he is so gentle with Isabelle. They are very good friends. We call them our two grandchildren since Bear is our other son’s puppy.

On the writing side….I got back the galley for An Unbelievable Journey this evening. It so happened tonight was my only free night. I read through it looking for typos, etc. It always amazes me the things I miss during the first 20 or so readings! But it’s always fun to meet up with the characters again. I’m also working on a short story, less than 10,000 words. I’m using it as practice to tighten my writing. It’s set in Kansas in the 1800’s, he’s a sheriff and she’s the outlaw…

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!

Paty and the Jewels won EPPIE's!

Back in December I told you about my friend and Mentor, Paty Jager. Paty is also an author with The Wild Rose Press and her latest book, Perfectly Good Nanny had been nominated for the EPPIE in the Contemporary Romance category. (The EPPIE’s is a contest for Electronically Published books.) Today, I want to let you know that SHE WON! I am so proud of her. Her knowledge and insight have been invaluable to me. AND her book, A Perfectly Good Nanny, is a GREAT READ. It is available in both e-book and print at the Wild Rose Press. Here’s a link to Paty’s blog where you can read all about the event.

Yeah, Paty!

I also learned today that Nancy Pirri, another author friend, and member of my RWA Chapter, Northern Lights Writers, also won an EPPIE! She is part one of the Jewels of the Quill, (Dame Sapphire) and their book, Tales from the Treasure Trove, Vol. III, won in the Contemporary Mainstream category. Nancy is a great author. I read her story, One Magical Night, in one sitting! She's a wonderful assest to our writer's group, and a lot of fun to 'hang out with'.

Yeah, Nancy!

An Unbelievable Journey

I received my cover for An Unbelievable Journey last week. I can’t believe all of the details it has on it. I really like it. Nicola Martinez (she also did my cover for An April to Remember) is the cover designer. I don’t have a release date, probably won’t until after the galley is done, but I’ll post it.

This story has a special spot in my heart; it’s dedicated to my niece who is going through an unbelievable journey herself. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in January, and they chose to do chemo before surgery. The extremely good news is- it seems to be working! Her cancer has shrunk fifty percent since they began treatment!

Today is her birthday…HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KARI. One of the things she’s advocating are self breast examines and encourages every woman to (as she calls it) “Grope Your Girlies” on the third of every month. So on her behalf please mark your calendars with GYG on the 3rd of every month.

I hope you all have a GREAT week!