Breaking Records

Heat records that is, here in Minnesota. It’s been hot, that’s for sure. I hosted my niece’s bridal shower on Sunday. Here’s the bride to be and her matron of honor. They’ve been best friends since they could walk. There were too many guests to fit in my living room, and way too hot to be outside, so we held it in hubby’s air conditioned garage. We had a wonderful time and I’m always amazed at how creative some people are when it comes to gift giving. (I’m a cash person. All I have to do is drive through the bank and buy a card. Lazy some may call it, but that’s okay.) One gift she received was a ‘meal’ in a box. A new baking dish and serving utensils, a box of pasta and jar of sauce, and new pot-holders to take the new dish out of the oven, all wrapped up together in a beautifully decorated box.

This weekend we are having company, an old high school buddy of my husband’s, so that too promises to be lots of fun. 

I learned today that my gold mining story has been officially titled Inheriting a Bride and will be released by Harlequin in March 2013.  Sing to Me, Cowboy is still making the blog rounds. An interview with Heather, the heroine, is up at Kat Doran’s Blog and I received this wonderful review on the story from Miss Condit and Friend’s Reads Books. 

The revisions are going well on my internet dating book and I’ve started another Undone. They are just so fun to write. 

Stay cool, but enjoy the summer, Christmas is only five months away.

Weekend at the Lake

We had a wonderful weekend at my brother’s cabin. He and his wife, his kids, and grandkids, me and hubby, our kids and grandkids.  Oh, and our granddog, Bear. Here he is with one of my great nephews. Bear kept the kids well entertained, or the kids kept Bear well entertained, either way, we all had a great time. The weather even cooperated. Hot during the day for lots of water fun and cool at night for fireworks, a campfire and great sleeping.  It was hard to come home. 

This weekend I’m hosting a wedding shower for my niece who is getting married in August, so it’ll be another fun weekend. 

Sing to Me, Cowboy is still making the blog tours for the Honky Tonk Hearts series. Today I was at Katherine Grey’s blog with Brenda Whiteside and Sherri Thomas. Yesterday I hosted Brenda and Stacy Dawn over at CowboyKisses, and next week I’ll be over at Kat HenryDoran’s blog.

Oh, and I received the blurb for What a Cowboy Wants. (It will be released September 1^st.)

Central Iowa, 1883

It’s been five years since Brett Richards rode out of Cutter’s Corner, Iowa, and out of Ester Larson’s life. Now he’s back to collect his orphaned siblings, and the very sight of him rekindles desire Ester thought was gone forever. The intensity of his kiss prove Brett hasn’t forgotten her either, and offer her a second chance to follow her heart. But he’s made it clear he’s going back to the dangerous frontier--with or without her…. 

I’m plugging away on my internet dating story. It’s a fun one.

Be good. Be kind. Especially to yourself. 

Happy 4th!

I hope you all have a glorious day celebrating our freedom. We’ll enjoy family, friends, and a few fireworks later on today. A friend from years ago (elementary school) whom I haven’t seen in decades is traveling through Minnesota today and plans on stopping in to say hello. I’m very excited to see her—gotta love how facebook allows us to connect with those from the past. 

I received these two wonderful covers last week. I’m always amazed by the talented people who create such wonderful depictions of the story between the pages. A gift for sure.

Both books are due to be released in September. 

I’ve sent off the query for my next Undone, and will now start on the edits for One Chance, an internet dating story with parts that make me want to laugh aloud. 

I have kabobs to put together and chill for grilling later, and a few other tasty treats to mix up, and best get to it. 

Enjoy the day. Enjoy your freedom. Enjoy your life.

Bits and Pieces

June is almost over. Goodness. 

In May I’d uploaded this picture of one of our granddaughters and a fish she’d caught in the ‘Share Your Catch’ contest with our local news station, and I must admit, had somewhat forgotten about it. Last weekend friends of our son’s told him they’d seen her on TV with her fish! She is now in the running for the grand prize!

Last weekend DH installed new lights in both bathrooms and a new microwave. (He asked me ride with him to Home Depot on Saturday morning. I doubt he’ll do that again for awhile.)

Monday marked one year since my mother passed away and in the mail that day a letter arrived from one of my aunt's with a letter that my mother had written to her in 1953. I can't begin to explain how special that was. 

We have a grad party this weekend and a gathering at my brother’s cabin next weekend. It’ll be wonderful to see everyone.

I finished the re-write/edits of The Major’s Wife, and have almost completed the rough draft of His Runaway Bride. 

Thanks to so many who continue to email and post reviews for Sing to Me, Cowboy. I’m so glad you are enjoying that story. 

Next release will be What a Cowboy Wants on September 1^st! 

I hope you all are having a wonderful summer and making many memories!

Father's Day

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and had the opportunity to celebrate and honor all the wonderful fathers we have and know.

I don’t know who originally said “Anyone can be father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy,” but that saying is so true. I see it over and over again every time I look at my sons and see the way their eyes sparkle when they look upon their daughters. Priceless.

My father’s birthday usually always falls on Father’s Day weekend. This year it was Saturday, and though he’s been gone for five years now, I missed him as much as I did back then. He was my first hero.

Life has been busy here, and will continue to be. Grad parties and weddings are the themes this year. Good things for sure.

I focused hard to complete the rewrite of The Major's Wife this weekend—had set a goal to have it done by Father's Day. I did. But while doing the final read through I discovered I really don’t like the ending now, so, in other words, I’m not done. I will be by next weekend though.

I’ve had some amazing emails this week from fans loving both Sing to Me, Cowboy and The Sheriff’s Last Gamble. Thank you. I appreciate hearing from you, and I love the fact people are enjoying these stories as much as I enjoyed writing them.

My to do list is long, so I’m out of here. Enjoy the day. Make it special. And if you didn’t get a chance to talk to your dad yesterday, do it today.

Sing to Me, Cowboy Review

Storm Goddess Book Reviews and More posted a wonderful review for Sing to Me, Cowboy today. 

Reviewer Tabitha said, “If you like stories about sexy cowboys with a good sense of humor you will love this story. The whitty banter between Lance and Heather was so engaging. I was laughing aloud at times. Honestly there is nothing I didn’t like about this story.”   

The full review can be read here: http://stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-sing-to-me-cowboy.html?zx=29d79f507dac5cab and I sincerely thank the reviewer for taking the time to read the book and post the review. There are so many wonderful books out there, I’m always thankful when I see someone has taken the time to read one of mine. 

The graduation and wedding last weekend were wonderful, and Papa and I were lucky enough to have overnight guests. (We both needed a nap Sunday afternoon.) 

This weekend we are watching granddog Simba. He’s a full size collie and I can only imagine how warm all that hair is. 

I’m off to play a game of ‘horse’ basketball with Papa and then spend some time in Oklahoma Territory, 1878,with a certain major and his wife. ;)  Have a wonderful weekend!