Lauri Robinson

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T11:12:00.000-06:00

A special little holiday for sure.

However, I do believe love should be celebrated every day.

A hug, a kiss, a card, a flower, any of it goes a long way every day of the year.

Enjoy your day, and carry it with you tomorrow, and the day after, and the day after…

Oh, oh!

2012-02-07T11:47:00.000-06:00

We had a fun weekend. The grandgirls were over, had out of town company one night, and though hubby was one of the millions who viewed the Super Bowl, I must admit I didn’t. I did see the highlights, and of course the re-plays of some of the commercials. The Doritos’s Dog and the lost cat poster…that got my vote. Simple but creative.

This winter sure is flying past. Perhaps because the weather has been so gorgeous. I can’t remember a year this warm and sunny. I’m not complaining by any means! With February upon us, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Remember those boxes we used to make for school? All covered with tissue paper with construction paper hearts. So precious. I remember getting a valentine from a ‘secret admirer’ one year. I think I was in fifth or sixth grade and it turned out to be a boy in another class that I didn’t even know. I also had flowers delivered to me one time when I was teaching from a ‘secret admirer’. In the long run, it turned out they were kind of from hubby—in a very roundabout way. He’d aided a woman broke down alongside the road and wouldn’t accept a payment from her. She discovered he was my husband and sent me flowers as a thank you. The story is much longer than that, and there are several steps of seven in there, including out of state people, and proved how this person knows that person and that person knows this person…

I must get back to my latest WIP. It’s flowing well and I don’t want to lose the momentum.

Enjoy the day. Smile at yourself. It’s good to be you!

Interview

2012-02-01T08:54:00.000-06:00

I almost forgot: I was interviewed by Long and Short Reviews. Stop by if you have a chance:

Release Day

2012-01-31T18:25:00.000-06:00

Tomorrow, February 1^st, Testing the Lawman’s Honor will be released.

El Dorado, Kansas, 1881

Della Cramer has tried her hardest to ignore the way Deputy Spencer Monroe stirs her desire, believing he doesn't share her feelings. Little does she know that Spencer has been harboring years of regret for not preventing her marriage to a scoundrel, despite the searing kiss they shared.

When her long-lost husband's sudden death leaves Della's future uncertain, only Spencer can help her. But first, he will have to convince her to trust him and finally give free rein to her passion....

On Friday night I typed -the end- on my latest manuscript. Now it’s with my beta reader. It’s a nice feeling, wrapping up a story, almost as nice as starting the next one.

This winter has been amazing, weather wise. I can’t believe it’s the end of January and I didn’t need a coat when I took the dog for a walk.

Speaking of dogs, I stopped by our son’s house today and visited with the granddogs for a bit. Cody said yesterday morning he asked the dogs what they wanted to do—Gander went in the kitchen and carried his food dish back to Cody, while Bear ran upstairs and brought down and orange hunting hat.

Had lunch with a friend today and we spent hours talking about writing. Just doesn’t get a whole lot better than that.

I suspect that’s enough rambling for now. Be good to yourself. If you don’t, who will?

Just a quick note...

2012-01-26T09:38:00.000-06:00

One of my brothers from out of state is here this week, so I’m a little late posting this, but on Tuesday I posted over at Sweethearts of the West about Big Nose George, (a notorious outlaw) and his demise. However, it’s what happened to him after his death that’s just unbelievable, but true. Check it out when you have a chance.

Collage of Things

2012-01-17T11:22:00.000-06:00

Last Friday the oldest granddaughter was here all day, and her little sister arrived later that afternoon for them both to spend the night. We ended up going to the grocery store together, hence the pony picture. Anyway…That morning the oldest, now five and as opinionated as her daddy was at that age, helped with some household chores, which included mopping the kitchen with our Norwex mop. (I LOVE those products.) Shortly afterwards, Papa jutted in and out. Well, it’s winter in Minnesota, so therefore he left a few tracks on the floor. With her hands on her hips, granddaughter says: “I realize he may own this place, but you’re the one that does all the cleaning!” Oh, yes, be assured Papa got a ‘talking to’ the next time he jutted in.

I had a wonderful and long phone conversation with my HQN editor last week. (Oh, how I love her accent and find myself listening to how she says things instead of what she’s saying.) We discussed goals and opportunities for the year, and I’m so excited to get them all in motion. Here’s the cover for Testing the Lawman’s Honor. (Such talented people those HQN folks are.) It will be released February 1^st, but can be pre-ordered now and delivered directly to your reading device on the first.

I’ve one more story to complete the edits on and then can focus on my new one. It’s a contemporary, set in Wyoming. I do love that state. BTW, have I mentioned I’m one of the bloggers over at Sweethearts of the West? Every other day there’s a new post from some awesome writers. Stop by if you have a chance. I’ll be posting on the 24^th about some things I learned while we were in Wyoming last summer. Weird but interesting stuff.

Received the contract for the comic version of Mail Order Husband for my review and acceptance, and to my surprise there was a second offer. Not for the comic version, but the e-book version. It’s seems the Kindle is just now making a splash over there and the first publisher I worked with would like to offer Mail Order Husband as an e-book. Since their first contract was only print, this one covers electronic versions. What a lovely surprise.

Be kind. Be happy. And wipe your feet off at the door…actually, while we were in Wyoming I saw a sign that said “If you’re not GOD or George Strait, take off your boots.” I might have to order one of those. Then again, I don’t mind wiping up the floor now and again (Papa usually is very good about that) and he does own this place—just one of the things I love about him.

What a Week!

2012-01-10T15:56:00.000-06:00

Goodness a lot has happened since my last blog. Time does fly when we’re having fun doesn’t it?

Last week the Japan Uni Agency contacted me, this is the same literacy agency that corresponded the rights for Mail Order Husband to be translated into Japanese with Oakla Publishing, to now act on behalf of yet another Japanese publisher. Ohzora Publishing is interested in adapting the story into a Japanese comic book, or manga. I’ve been informed mangas are very popular in Japan and that people of all ages read them and all genres are included in their range of subjects. Ohzora Publishing has published several romance novels as mangas and will be offering it in print and ebook. This picture is just a sample of one. I have no idea what Mail Order Husband will look like, but I’ll keep you posted. This is so beyond my greatest expectation, I’m still in awe.

The Wild Rose Press contacted me and they are separating the two anthologies I have stories in. Some time this next year or so A Soldier for Christmas (An American Rose Christmas Anthology) and Sheriff McBride (Lawmen and Outlaws Anthology) will be available as standalone stories.

Harlequin offered me another two book contract for two Undone stories to be released yet this year. The first one (a story that I love about a woman gambler) will be released in May, so I am in a rush to get all the ins and outs completed for that to happen.

Today I was one of the judges at our local high school for the Poetry Out Loud Contest. Sixty-five 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders recited poems (some well-known, some not so well-known) and it was absolutely amazing!

And, on February 1^st, not only will Testing the Lawman’s Honor be released, but I’ll have an author interview up at The Long and Short Review site.

Until next week…Smile, dance, and most importantly, be happy!

2012

2012-01-03T12:22:00.000-06:00

Well, the last of the company has departed, including a beautiful pigeon that arrived on the front doorstep too exhausted to fly anymore Sunday evening (after two days in a cozy box in the kitchen, he/she informed us this morning he/she was ready to leave and gracefully took to the sky), the tree is down and the stockings put away, so the holiday season must be officially over.

We had a stupendous New Years Eve party here at the house. All of the kids and their families as well as additional friends and out of town family ate until we were busting at the belts, watched a display of beautiful fireworks that glistened in the falling snow, had a snowball fight (we just couldn’t resist and I must apologize again for the snowball that hit Jackie—I sincerely was aiming for Cody!), and then built snowmen, including a miniature one on top of Papa's car which delighted the girls to no end. The following morning, the snowmen looked liked they had gotten into the margaritas after the rest of went to bed after the midnight countdown.

Thanks to so many who have already purchased Disobeying the Marshal! What a thrill to have a release on the first day of the year! The next one, Testing the Lawman’s Honor will be released on February first, and is already on Amazon for pre-orders. Just the other day I was informed Sing to Me Cowboy will be released on May 23^rd.

I’m in the midst of edits for my gold mining story and loving every moment of it.

A new year wouldn’t be complete with a goal of some kind, so mine for 2012 is to dance more, celebrate every day as it arrives and ends, and love the life I’m so blessed to have.

Happy 2012 everyone!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T09:57:00.000-06:00

Out of town family has arrived and the kids will all be over this evening for everyone to usher in the New Year together. It promises to be fun, and I wish you all a very happy New Year!

Tomorrow is the release day for Disobeying the Marshal! What an awesome way to start out 2012! Here’s the blurb and a short excerpt….

Disobeying the Marshal

El Dorado, Kansas, 1881

Marshal Cord Donovan believed he was married to his badge—until one incredible night in Florie Rockford's bed changed everything. When Florie unexpectedly arrives in town with a desperate warning for his safety, Cord is determined to show her that their spark burns so hot that one night will never be enough.

But Florie has returned with more than just a warning—the consequence of their passion defies all the lawman's rules!

A short excerpt:

Florie lowered onto the couch and took a deep breath. It was too late to turn back. She was here. Glancing up was a mistake. The way he cast those caring eyes at her had her heart pounding and her insides growing warmer by the second. The uncanny way he made her feel was scandalous for sure, and she’d thought of little else since he’d left her house three months ago.

Could she tell him everything? Right now, gazing at him, it was hard to think. She begged her senses to remain, and settled her gaze on his shoulder, the exact spot she’d dug out the bullet. “How’s your wound?”

A deep frown formed between his hazel eyes. “Fine. What did you want to tell me?”

Twirling and twisting, her mind sought to pull up something besides the images she treasured. The ones of them alone, together. The ones she dreamed of reliving.

“Florie?” He knelt down in front of her.

He was so handsome—and honorable. The urgency she’d felt back at the farm zipped through her, settling real terror in her chest. “Those men you were chasing that day you were shot. It was the Winter gang, wasn’t it?”

“Were they at your house?” he asked. “Did they do this to you?”

Fear burned her throat as she whispered, “They’re after you, Cord. They’re going to kill you.”

His hand cupped her cheek. “The Winter brothers won’t hurt me.” His gaze never wavered. “Answer me. Did they do this to you?”

“They might already be in town, Cord, you have to leave, or…” She bit her lips. The desire to wrap her arms around him and hold on was so strong she trembled from head to toe. She’d put his life in danger, and now she had to save him. Had to. “I came—”

May 2012 be all you wish it to be!!!!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:39:00.000-06:00

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Angels Among Us

2011-12-20T12:44:00.000-06:00

Here are two of our granddaughters at church on Sunday. The oldest was an angel in the Christmas Pageant, and did an excellent job of singing.

I do believe in angels, and it was proven to me again this past week—twice.

On Friday morning I set out to do a bit of shopping, and I must admit, I was feeling a bit bah-humbugish. Though the majority of my shopping was done, I hadn’t set up the tree, I hadn’t wrapped a single present, hadn’t written our Christmas letter or cards…I just didn’t seem to have it in me. While driving, I was thinking of years gone past and wishing my mother was in the passenger seat—we always went Christmas shopping together—when all of a sudden I felt her. It was as if she was in the car beside me, and I have to say, she was not happy with me. I was told quite bluntly—which was mom’s way of saying things at times—to snap out of it. I was then filled with a burst of energy and by that evening, I had my tree up, sixty letters and cards done and mailed, every present wrapped and stacked under the tree, stockings hung on the fireplace, and batch of cookies baked. I literally had the energy of two people. Thanks, Mom!

Then on Saturday, our youngest son called and said he’d been in his shop working, and the song, There are Angels Among Us was playing on the radio. As the song finished, he opened the door on the bobcat and there, lying on the seat, was this picture. He texted it to me…It’s my Mom and Dad several years ago. The bobcat was my dad’s, so the picture could have been tucked inside somewhere and never noticed before, then again, it could have just been dropped there to say hello.

There are Angels among us, just keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll notice them.

One last thing, I’ll be over at Paty Jager’s blog tomorrow with an excerpt from Disobeying the Marshal.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!

Two New Covers

2011-12-09T15:41:00.000-06:00

Disobeying the Marshal (on sale January 1, 2012)

El Dorado, Kansas, 1881
Marshal Cord Donovan believed he was married to his badge—until one incredible night in Florie Rockford's bed changed everything. When Florie unexpectedly arrives in town with a desperate warning for his safety, Cord is determined to show her that their spark burns so hot that one night will never be enough.
But Florie has returned with more than just a warning—the consequence of their passion defies all the lawman's rules!

Sing to Me, Cowboy (On sale Spring of 2012)

Heather Gibson's past catches up with her one dark Texas night.

Locked in a custody battle with an ex-husband who's looking for any excuse to take her children, Heather doesn't need any more trouble. But when a broken-down car and a dead cell phone leave her stranded at the Lonesome Steer Honky Tonk, she comes face-to-face with the one man who could jeopardize everything—including her heart.

Country-singing sensation Lance Dugan is back in Amarillo for his grandfather's birthday and to take care of a bit of unfinished business—apologize to Heather for leaving ten years ago. Lance has fought hard and won big the last few years, but seeing Heather again makes him wonder if he's been fighting for the right things.

Finding each other again may seem like fate, but one horrible secret, buried deep, could divide them forever.

And just a reminder: The Wild Rose Press will be offering some free reads this month to anyone who receives their newsletter. Shotgun Bride will be offered on Dec.12^th. Each title will only be available for a twenty-four hour period, so if you aren’t signed up for their newsletter, now is the time!

Here's the link again: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=62

December is here...

2011-12-04T17:29:00.000-06:00

The cooking, the shopping, the cards, the wrapping, the tree, the…

Yes, it’s all started, and I’m excited. Most of my shopping is done, which means I have plenty of wrapping to do. I made cream wafer cookies and banana bread for the library bake sale today, and that started my baking mood, so my list is ready to hit the baking isle at the grocery store tomorrow.

We have a very important birthday party next weekend. Oldest granddaughter turns 5!

I put my pony car in storage last weekend, and yes, I miss her, but I’m glad she’s tucked away safe for the winter, and I’ve always enjoyed driving my Grand Am, so all is good.

On the writing side, things are wonderful as well. I’m excited to say my story set in Oklahoma has been sent off to my beta reader.

Disobeying the Marshall has been put up on Amazon for pre-orders. No cover yet…

The Wild Rose Press will be offering some free reads this month to anyone who receives their newsletter. Shotgun Bride will be offered on Dec.12^th. Each title will only be available for a twenty-four hour period, so if you aren’t signed up for their newsletter, now is the time!

Here's the link again: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=62

A Five Angel review for Boot Hill Bride just came in this weekend.

That's enough for now. :)

Enjoy the season!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T21:56:00.000-06:00

I must admit, I’m so caught up in my latest story, I’ve been writing every minute I get. It’s set at Fort Sill, Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1878. I am finding researching the Comanche amazing, and I must send out a huge THANK YOU to my nephew Kris and his wife Vikki for all the pictures of Oklahoma. It’s been years since I was in that part of this wonderful USA. This book has a February deadline, and I’m thankful for every hour I get to spend working on it.

I’m so thankful for many, many other things, too, as I know you all are as well. Every one of you reading this blog is one of the blessings I’m most grateful for. Thank you for supporting my writing life.

We’ll all gather at my oldest son’s house tomorrow, and have a splendid day, even as our heart strings tug while missing my mom this first Thanksgiving without her. I’m sure the meal will be delicious, but I know we all will miss her cooking—especially her coleslaw. We will, however, celebrate and perhaps shed a tear as we recall how my four-year-old granddaughter informed everyone when Grandma Mary went to heaven that Jesus is happy now, because he gets to eat grandma’s coleslaw.

Keep memories close at hand this holiday, and make some new ones, you’ll be glad you did.

Blessings.

Just a couple of quick things...

2011-11-16T12:05:00.000-06:00

Paty Jager and I are over at Coffee Time Romance chatting about writing family series romance novels today. Stop by if you have a chance.

I received this review lately for Doctor McBride from Fallen Angles Reviews. Reviewer Linda says: “Doctor McBride is a breathtaking, witty story that this reader enjoyed immensely.”

Keep smiling, and have an awesome day!

Weekend at Grandma's

2011-11-08T08:50:00.000-06:00

While growing up, we traveled several times a year from Kansas to northern Minnesota to see family. In the winter I remember anticipating the ‘Minnesota sheets’ on the beds at my grandparent’s house. I have several sets of flannel sheets now, and every fall when I put them on the bed for the first time, I think of spending nights at Grandma’s.

The girls stayed with me last weekend, and we had a grand time. The youngest went home to sleep, but the oldest spent two nights, and discovered the webcam on my computer. She snapped hundreds of pictures of herself—which kept her busy when my nephew from Oklahoma called. It was so wonderful to talk to him. I’m setting a book in Oklahoma and needed his insight. It’s been years since I’ve been there, and the book is due to HQN by February. It’s part of the two-book contract they offered me last week.

Titles for my January and February Harlequin Undone releases have been confirmed. The series is Wild Western Nights. Book one: Disobeying the Marshal will be released in January, and book two: Testing the Lawman’s Honor will be released in February.

The Wild Rose Press sent me the final blurb for Sing to Me Cowboy, a book in their Honky Tonk Hearts series that will be released sometime in 2012:

Heather Gibson's past catches up with her one dark Texas night.

Finding each other again may seem like fate, but one horrible secret, buried deep, could divide them forever.

Yep, lots of fun stuff happening around here, and so much to be thankful for. Which I am. Every day.

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T13:32:00.000-05:00

We had two little trick or treaters last night—the third one, a cowgirl, didn’t want to go out, she’s saving it all up for tonight!

Here’s a Halloween Scary tale:

A man was walking home alone late one foggy night,

when behind him he hears:

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he makes out the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him

FASTER...

FASTER...

BUMP...

BUMP...

BUMP...

He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him.

However, the casket crashes through his door, with the lid of the casket clapping

clappity-BUMP...
clappity-BUMP...

clappity-BUMP...

on his heels, the terrified man runs.

Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, the man locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.

With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.

Bumping and clapping toward him.

The man screams and reaches for something, anything,
but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup!

Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...
and,

(hopefully you're really ready for this!!!)

The coffin stops!

Admit it, you grinned.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Meet Jack

2011-10-24T22:07:00.000-05:00

The granddaughter’s spent the night with us, and the next morning I said we were going to rake leaves and make a dummy. The four-year-old informed me we can’t say dummy, it’s like saying stupid and that’s a bad word, so in the end, he became Jack. (I didn’t explain the hat and shirt say Dale all over them.) They also took the dogs for a walk, until Gander, the yellow lab, simply slipped his head out of his collar and gave me a look that said, “Really?” before he walked to the house to lay down by the front door. Those are tattoos on the girls’ foreheads. We picked up a package of 200 of them, and they were pretty much all gone by the time the girls went home.

Pooh, our little house companion, is going for a hair cut tomorrow, so he’ll look completely different, and I’ll need to find his sweater for our morning walks. I bought him his own doggie-bed and he absolutely loves it. So does our two-year-old granddaughter that's walking him in this picture. You never know if it’ll be her or Pooh sitting in the bed.

On the writing side, there’s lots going on…My HQN editor/team is brainstorming titles for the Undone Duet that will be released in January and February, and I’m busy writing the Hanging Judge’s Daughters trio of stories. Also, For a Sister’s Love is still on sale for only .99 cents at Amazon, and has been on the western best selling list. Yippie.

Live in the moment, they go too fast not to appreciate them.

Cowboy Boots

2011-10-20T09:40:00.000-05:00

I'm over at Sweethearts of the West today talking about cowboy boots. Stop by and say hi for a chance to win a copy of For a Sister's Love and to see a very old picture of me. :)

http://sweetheartsofthewest.blogspot.com/2011/10/perfect-footwear-cowboy-boot.html

Happy Birthday

2011-10-18T09:41:00.000-05:00

Yep, today is my birthday, and it’s already been an awesome day with lots of phone calls and birthday wishes. Thanks to all!

This is the whole gang (minus Hayley who was napping and James and Daniel who hadn’t arrived yet) at my mom’s birthday last March. Now that was a birthday party! I’m so glad we celebrated her birthday with such a grand event.

The kids called Jess yesterday to find out what kind of cake I wanted for this evening. He told them a coconut cream pie. He knows me so well. But we’ll have to put a (one is enough) candle on it. Historians say the Greeks placed candles on cakes so the smoke could carry their wishes and prayers to the Gods. A lovely tradition for sure.

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Take time to celebrate, birthday or not, every day gives us things to be grateful for.

Happy Columbus Day

2011-10-10T09:36:00.000-05:00

Some states recognize it, some don’t, but to me, if the calendar says holiday, I’m game. Actually, I’m game to celebrate every day. That’s how life is meant to be. FYI…States that don’t recognize Columbus Day includes South Dakota, Hawaii, and Alaska. Colorado was the first state to declare it a state holiday in 1906, and it became a federal holiday in 1937. New York was the first city to observe the holiday in 1866.

DH and I celebrated our wedding anniversary last week. We drove up to the north shore and rented a quaint little villa overlooking Lake Superior. We hiked, went shopping, rode the gondola to see the fall colors, visited several little museums, ate some fabulous meals, and even played a few slot machines. A mixture of things for sure, and the pony car enjoyed the run. She is such a fun car to travel with. However, I was afraid a few of the roads hubby chose for us to take would stone bruise her.

At one museum I read about a turn of the century business owner that had acquired a set of orphaned moose. He raised them and taught them to pull a wagon, except they would only move when his wife was behind the reins. Word got out, and his business thrived with people flocking the area for a ride all summer. That fall one of the moose came up missing. It was suspected that a rival business owner was behind the disappearance. Lost without her twin sister, the moose died, and so ended the moose rides. I must say, I found that a sad ending to a delightful story. I guess I’m set on happily ever after endings.

Speaking of such, I finished a short story about a gambler and sheriff and sent it off to my critique partner and beta reader last week, so I’m back to working on my hanging judge stories this week. The poor man is having a heck of a time trying to marry off his daughters. After all, he would be an intimidating father-in-law.

I’m off to enjoy the holiday by unpacking and doing laundry, and then emerging in the judge’s story.

Enjoy your day, and remember, you don’t need a holiday in order to celebrate. You are a reason.

Pumpkin Day

2011-10-02T16:37:00.000-05:00

Papa and I were barely out of bed this morning when the phone was ringing and an excited little girl was asking, “When are we going to Uncle Cody’s?” Uncle Cody had promised they could have as many pumpkins as they wanted. Besides picking pumpkins, we gathered eggs, played with the dogs, and took a very, very long four-wheeler ride that included visiting the pumpkin field and picking a few more pumpkins. Yep, it was a wonderful day, and Papa is now taking a nap.

If you are familiar with Good Reads, I’m on an author chat over there this week. Ask An Author, Win A Book Corner: Lauri Robinson (October 2 - October 4) Stop on over and say hello.

Copyedits are done and approved, but we are still working on titles for the duet of Undones that will be released in Jan and Feb. These books are set in El Dorado, Kansas and are about two widows and the town Marshal and Deputy.

For a Sister’s Love that I co-wrote with author Paty Jager is still on sale for .99 cents at Amazon (Kindle only).

Final edits for Unclaimed Bride were accepted so now I’m just awaiting a release date. This will be my first full length in Harlequin’s Historical line.

Make it a great week. You can do it.