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.

Meet Jack

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.

Girls...

I just got new pictures of the girls.



Adorable, aren’t they?

Speaking of girls, I went with my oldest son and his wife to their ultrasound. There we learned the baby they are expecting in August is a girl! I’m so excited. After raising three boys, I’ll never have enough granddaughters!

We’ve had a beautiful weekend full of sunshine…and work. We spent the majority of both days putting up one of those wooden play structures at the girls’ house. No, it still isn’t done—maybe by next weekend. I was in charge of drilling holes in the numerous boards, and got a nice blister to prove it.

In the writing realm, here are my covers for Guardian Bride—The Quinter Brides book 4 and Wish Craft.