Happy New Year 2009!

Often the New Year brings resolutions, goals, and pledges we hope to fulfill throughout the coming 12 months. I must admit, I’m not really big on New Year's resolutions. Over the years, I've made resolutions, probably the same ones most of you have made, lose weight, save more money, get more organized, etc. etc. But often they go to the wayside as daily life settles in and overall, life happens.

The thing I like to do on New Year’s Day is look at last year’s calendar. It’s a quick snap shot of all the wonderful dates, appointments, and special events that happened throughout the year. And is verification of the goals I did have, and how I completed them. No, they may not have been New Years resolutions, but at sometime throughout the year I had pledged to be at these events, or I wouldn’t have written them on the calendar. I find this small activity a wonderful affirmation of how full of life the year truly had been. And it gets me excited to think of all the wonderful opportunities the New Year brings.

I wish you all a very happy New Year, full of happiness, good health, love, and great success!

Cheers.

Merry Christmas 2008

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday! The festivities are soon to begin here at our house, and Papa and I are anxiously waiting for Isabelle to arrive.

Google alerts have been filling my in box. Shotgun Bride, The Quinter Brides Book 1, is on the Fictionwise Bestselling list and every link to it has Google sending me a notice. It’s been very exciting! I sincerely hope readers are enjoying the story.

I finished my treat making last night, and here is a very easy, wonderful recipe that my family loves:

Mock Butterfingers
Cheez-It Crackers
Peanut butter
Chocolate Almond Bark

Place a dollop of peanut butter between two Cheez-It Crackers and dip in melted chocolate almond bark. Let dry.

“Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Happy Holidays!

The cards are done, decorating is done, most of the shopping is done, still have some baking to do because I want it fresh for the 24th, but overall I’m ready for the Holiday’s to descend the house. We will be celebrating Isabelle’s 2nd birthday on Sunday at her house, then have Christmas Eve here, and Christmas day at our other son’s house. Yes, it will be a busy week! But wonderful and various other family members will be at the different events.

On the writing side of things…I received another review for Shotgun Bride. Love Western Romances gave it four spurs. Reviewer Carol says, “An uplifting novel, full of hope…I can’t wait to read the sequels.” And speaking of sequels, I signed the contract for book 2, Badland Bride! Over the holidays I’m hoping to get the manuscript information sheet completed so I can send it back to my editor when she returns from Christmas break.

I also received the release dates for Rancher McBride (May 13, 2009) and Doctor McBride (May 20, 2009). My beta reader finished my Texas Ranger story, The Wedding Plan, and really liked it, but I want to do a bit more work on it before submitting it, and the 3rd Quinter book, Boot Hill Bride, is about half finished. I am hoping to get some writing done on it between Christmas and New Years.

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season full of blessings!

FREE CHRISTMAS READ

If you wondered about reading an e-book, here’s your chance to try.

My free read, Yes, Genevieve, There is a Santa Claus, is available at The Wild Rose Press. Here’s the blurb:

It’s Christmas Eve, and widow Genevieve Turner is at her wits end, no longer believes in Christmas miracles. But neighbor Simon Larsen does, and drives a toy-filled wagon through a blizzard to prove it.

It’s only 12 pages long and is rated Sweet.

Cheers!

Authors Tea

Last night I had the honor of being the guest speaker for an Author’s Tea in Osseo. My daughter-in-law and mother attended the event with me to help with book sales. We had an absolutely wonderful time! There were about 70 people in attendance. I not only sold several copies of all of my books, but was amazed at the number of people who already owned books and brought them in for me to sign.

I’ve also received two more reviews for Shotgun Bride, The Quinter Brides Book One. Coffee Time Romance gave it four cups, and reviewer, Cherokee says, “This firecracker of a story should not to be missed.” And The Long and Short of it Reviews gave it four and half books. Reviewer Lilac says, “Shotgun Bride is an absorbing tale...”

The Long and Short of It Reviews also sent me an email that said, “Your story "­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Shotgun Bride" was reviewed by us this week and is up for Best Book honor this weekend (voting runs from Saturday, 12/6, through Sunday, 12/7).” So if you have a chance this weekend, please stop over at LASR and vote!