February is on its way out....

I do enjoy how the number of daylight hours continues to grow even though it means another month is slipping away. The sunlight gives me more energy. Though I’m already dreading when we ‘fall back’ in March. Loosing that hour always bothers me. 

We had a wonderful ‘cowgirl’ birthday party for our granddaughter yesterday.  Everyone was to come dressed as cowgirls and cowboys. Though it took some ‘dusting off’ of clothes hanging in the closet, Papa and I managed to attend in the requested style. 

Stop over at Sweethearts of the West for a bit of information about the love life of President Andrew Jackson and his wife Rachel. There’s also an excerpt from Inheriting a Bride and a chance to win a paperback copy. 

The class I’m teaching for Community Ed has been so much fun! My students are all writing very unique stories, and I’m learning as much as I’m sharing. 

My niece, who was married last summer, was featured in the local newspapers Wedding Showcase this week. I shed a tear reading the article. Such wonderful memories!

I’m deep into a new story. Set in Alaska during the great gold rush at the end of the 1800’s, I’m learning so much about what took place then and loving every minute of it. Herione Maddie is the daughter of an outlaw looking for a way to leave her past behind, and hero, Cole, self named Lucky, is looking for his future. They’re really butting heads right now. 

Embrace every day. You’ll be amazed by what’s happening!

The Weekend is Here

Our youngest granddaughter arrived at eight this morning, left at two, and the other two arrived at two-thirty, one left at four-thirty, the other stayed and went out for supper with Papa and I, (her sister has a ‘date’ with us tomorrow night), and we took her home at eight. It was a wonderful day and very busy. 

We have a busy weekend, including taking the oldest granddaughter with us to the Wild Turkey Federation Banquet tomorrow evening. Tomorrow morning and afternoon we will be Celebrating the Life of a wonderful man who is already greatly missed. He was 96 years young, and I feel so blessed to have known him. 

I’m working on edits for another Undone, and received the final galley of His Christmas Wish to read through. It will be released in October. And tomorrow there will be a post about the Lumberjack Sister, who makes a cameo appearance in A Wife for Big John, over at Sweethearts of the West.  

Be happy, be kind, and don’t be afraid to love. It’s worth it.

The snow is all gone!

 It may be back, for this is Minnesota, but for right now the snow is all gone and the weather is gorgeous. We have certainly had an interesting winter, and I’m not complaining! I made the appointment to get my Mustang out of winter storage this evening. YeeYaw! 

Celebrated our youngest son’s birthday this weekend, which was a lot of fun, and we had a wonderful barbeque at our other son’s house the evening before. Family and fun, the best way to spend weekends!

I’ve been invited to participate in a new group blog. Cowboy Kisses. There are an even dozen of us over there and we’ll be blogging about writing stories that include a kiss or two, I’d imagine. Stop on over and say hi when you have the chance. And don’t forget to hop over to check out all the wonderful posts at Sweethearts of the West. 

I have my RWA writers group meeting this coming weekend, and am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful writers over at Northern Lights Writers. With birthday parties and such I’ve missed the last couple meetings. This Saturday DH and I will be attended the National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet. That’s always a good time and such a wonderful cause.

The final edits for Unclaimed Bride have been approved. I’ll let you know when I get the official release date and of course the wonderful cover. 

Enjoy the day, enjoy the week, enjoy your life. It’s yours!

Collage of Things

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.

Cowboy Boots

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

Sweethearts of the West

I hope you all had a wonderful, fun-filled Easter!

I had to take mom to a doctor appointment today, and 8 month old Karlee Jo went with. Goodness! Those snap in/out, carry-baby-with car seats weigh a ton! But the three-generations of us had a wonderful time. We went shopping and out to lunch and visiting...Awesome!

So I am just now getting home and wanted to say I'm a guest blogger over at Sweethearts of the West blog. Stop by and say hi!