Can't stop her now...

Karlee started crawling yesterday. Just a few feet, but it was so awesome to witness, and there won’t be any stopping her now. It’s truly amazing how much babies learn in their first year of life, isn’t it? She reminds me so much of her daddy when he was little. Always happy and smiling. 

Speaking of grandchildren…Isabelle and Hayley gave me an adorable shirt for Mother’s Day that say’s “Never Fear, Grandma’s Here.” It’s hot pink and already my favorite shirt. And Bear and Gander, AKA, the boys, (my granddogs) gave me a card that has a picture of a yellow lab puppy on the front and it says, “Grandma, As I get older, I realize that you’ve been right about so many things…I am adorable, for example. And talented, and quite possibly a genius. You were so insightful to see that.” It was signed with two paw prints. Priceless. 

Spring, or possibly summer, arrived yesterday. We had eighty degree weather. Which means I must attack my closet, take out the winter garb and replace it with the summer stuff from the upstairs closet. And of course dig out the sandals to show off my wonderful Mother’s Day pedicure. 

On the writing side, I just received the final chapters from one of my critique partners of her Native American story, and I’m looking forward to reading them. It’s a wonderful story full of rare historical facts. I also have a goal of finishing one of my stories this week, so I may be up until the wee hours of the morning.  My favorite time to write is during the quiet evening hours, and I often lose myself until well after midnight. 

Celebrate life this week, with the spring flowers popping up and the trees budding out, there is so much to be grateful for!

Happy Mother's Day

The international day dedicated to the celebration of motherhood came about after the civil war, when in 1870 Julia Ward Howe proclaimed ‘Mother’s Day’ with her proclamation.  

Yes, this is the same woman who wrote the The Battle Hymn of the Republic. 

To mothers everywhere, I wish you a day filled with happiness, joy, and honor.

Happy Monday!

I took my mother shopping this morning, and snowflakes were in the air! Goodness, goodness. It is May 2^nd! While we were out and about we ran in my daughter-in-law and granddaughters, so we spent extra time just roaming the store visiting. It was truly delightful. 

Lots going on in World News today, and though I’m extremely thankful for all the men and women who work tirelessly to keep us save and our world thriving, as well as the men and women who bring us the news, I had to turn the TV off. Too much of anything is well, too much.

Nights with the Outlaw was released yesterday. Yeah! It’s a short story—right around 15,000 words. The heroine is a ‘pig farmer’ in Nebraska and I really enjoyed writing this book, especially the opening scene where she is stuck in a tree with a pig rutting the roots below her.  The ‘hero’ comes along to save her, but soon he’s stuck in the tree as well.

Love Western Romances just posted this wonderful review for Wildcat Bride. If you haven’t visited Love Western Romances, those gals do a great job of keeping readers current on western reads. Check it out when you have a chance.

Have you ever tried one of those chickens in a bag? You get them in the fresh meat section at the store and bake them in the bag they come in until the little red button pops. I hadn’t, but my son raves about them and suggested I try one. I made it last night, and it was delicious!  Much more food than Papa and I can eat at one setting, so tonight I’ll make a thick stew with homemade egg noodles from the leftovers. If you try one, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Have a wonderful week and keep dreaming!

Royal Wedding and Publisher Party

Did you watch the Royal Wedding?

I love once upon a time and happily ever after, so yes, I watched the entire wedding. Loved it. I especially loved the hats! From the ‘freakish’ to the classic ones. Everything from the dress to the carriages to the flowers and the ever graceful Queen was so classy. A modern day fairytale.

My publisher, The Wild Rose Press is having a 5^th anniversary party, and everyone is invited. Just join the Wild Rose Press YahooGroup to participate in the fun. Lots of fun and LOTS of wonderful prizes!

Mixed Book Bag Blog has a wonderful review posted for Wildcat Bride, and Nights with the Outlaw goes on Sale May 1^st!  

I took advantage of the wonderful spring day we are having and cleaned out my flower beds, so now it’s time to hit the keyboard for awhile. 

 Have a wonderful weekend, and if you haven’t seen the wedding, I hope you get a chance to. It is history in the making.

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!

Happy Easter

I just wanted to pop in here to wish everyone a very happy Easter, and to tell you that on my way home from my RWA writer's group today, I saw the Easter Bunny.

HONEST! He (or she) was driving along County Road 22 in an old beat up white Ford Pickup. One ear was flopping out the driver's window. I waved and he (or she) waved one big paw back at me.

I'm still chuckling over it.

Enjoy your Family, Friends, and Faith. 

Blessings.

Time flies when you're having fun!

The past week and a half has flown by. My mother had several doctor appointments and is doing so well. She is such an inspiration to what can be accomplished at any age! Hubby and I attended the Wild Turkey Federation Banquet.  Besides winning several awesome things in the raffles, we purchased a log pub table and chairs off the live auction. We had a barbeque for our step-grandson’s birthday, I spent a wonderful day with my daughter-in-law on her birthday, and another day shopping with a friend. My new computer arrived and I’m still figuring out the ins and outs of this updated version of word. Oh, goodness, I could go on, but this is my writing blog, not my daily journal, so, on to the writing world: 

I received this wonderful review for Wildcat Bride from TheLong and Short of It Reviews. 

Along with the cover for Nights with the Outlaw came a round of edits for both stories in the El Dorado Widows Duet. I’m happy to say both have been completed and returned to my editor.

Night with the Outlaw will be released on May 1^st. (Thanks again to those who pre-ordered. I’m so humbled.)

Wildcat Bride was released this week on Fictionwise. (Thank goodness for Google alerts or I’d never keep up with these staggered release dates.) Thanks for all the wonderful notes on this book. Yesterday I received one that simply said. “Awesome book. Made me cry.”

Several wonderful opportunities on are the horizon right now, and I’m so grateful for the way things 

fall into place just as they are suppose to.

I’m off now, have a bit of writing to complete while baby Karlee is taking her morning nap. As we approach Easter, remember to believe. In all there is, in all you do, in all you have.

Two Things

Busy day, so this is a quick update:

 1. Here’s the cover for Nights with the Outlaw.  

2. Made the appointment to take my car out of storage Saturday AM!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Day!

Oh, goodness, what a glorious day! Too fabulous to let it go unnoticed, I took a long walk. Listened to the birds. Noticed the deer tracks in the spring mud. Relished the sight of spring mud!

Amazing.

Refreshing.

All of it.

I do believe it will soon be pony time! Just this morning a friend from Kansas called. He’d seen a car just like mine, (with the ponies on the side) and thought we were in town and hadn’t let him know. I had to say it wasn’t us, that my car is still in storage—but not for long!

Wow…thanks to so many for celebrating the release of Wildcat Bride! I received several wonderful emails—from people who bought the book and read it immediately. Here’s a snippet from one:  “Thank you for the newest Quinter book.  We loved it!  Ma’s next….Keep your wonderful stories coming.  The only regret we have is that we come to the end and have to wait for another release.” She explained both she and her husband have enjoyed the series.  

I’m humbled. And so very grateful.

Next release: Nights with the Outlaw, my next HQN Undone will be released May 1^st. As soon as I get a copy of the cover art, I’ll post it. The pre-buy link is up on Amazon. And once more, I must express my thanks to those who have already reserved their copy.

Do me a favor…turn off the news for a day, ignore any negative thoughts, and just immerse yourself in the abundance of wonderful things surrounding you.

Life is good.

Five Heart Review

I received a wonderful surprise this morning—A five heart review for Wildcat Bride.
This is the first review I’ve received from Sizzling Hot Book Reviews and so appreciate their time in reading and reviewing the book.

As I’ve posted before, today is the official release day of Wildcat Bride. It’s now available in both print and e-book through The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.

Here in MN we are still awaiting spring, and to rub salt in the wound, the news had to remind us that last year the temperature on April 1st reached 80! Speaking of April 1st…April fool’s day, my hubby already got me—which he’s still chuckling about. I’m off now to formulate my game plan. Never fear, by this evening he will be ‘gotten’ as well.

Have a wonderful day—and weekend.