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.

What a Week!

Goodness a lot has happened since my last blog. Time does fly when we’re having fun doesn’t it?

Last week the Japan Uni Agency contacted me, this is the same literacy agency that corresponded the rights for Mail Order Husband to be translated into Japanese with Oakla Publishing, to now act on behalf of yet another Japanese publisher. Ohzora Publishing is interested in adapting the story into a Japanese comic book, or manga. I’ve been informed mangas are very popular in Japan and that people of all ages read them and all genres are included in their range of subjects. Ohzora Publishing has published several romance novels as mangas and will be offering it in print and ebook. This picture is just a sample of one. I have no idea what Mail Order Husband will look like, but I’ll keep you posted. This is so beyond my greatest expectation, I’m still in awe. 

The Wild Rose Press contacted me and they are separating the two anthologies I have stories in. Some time this next year or so A Soldier for Christmas (An American Rose Christmas Anthology) and Sheriff McBride (Lawmen and Outlaws Anthology) will be available as standalone stories.

Harlequin offered me another two book contract for two Undone stories to be released yet this year. The first one (a story that I love about a woman gambler) will be released in May, so I am in a rush to get all the ins and outs completed for that to happen.

Today I was one of the judges at our local high school for the Poetry Out Loud Contest. Sixty-five 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders recited poems (some well-known, some not so well-known) and it was absolutely amazing!

And, on February 1^st, not only will Testing the Lawman’s Honor be released, but I’ll have an author interview up at The Long and Short Review site.

Until next week…Smile, dance, and most importantly, be happy!

This week's fun

I had a lovely surprise when I arrived home today. My author copies of the Japanese version of Mail Order Husband! The book is about 4 inches by 6 inches and opens on the left instead of the right. They are adorable little books and the agency’s lovely note said the book is being released on November 9th. Working with the UNI Agency of Tokyo has been a wonderful experience that I’ll always treasure.

I spent the weekend at a resort in central Minnesota with my writers group. It was lots of fun, even though there were 12 women in a cabin with 2 ½ baths. If any of you readers are aspiring authors, please join a writers group. The friendships, camaraderie, and experiences you gain will surpass all expectations. One of the writers created the banner at the top of my blog page at the retreat. I love it.

I’m looking forward to Halloween this weekend. My granddaughters will be a princess (with a pointed hat, not a crown), Minnie Mouse, and a pumpkin. My brother puts on a huge haunted house we’ll go visit as well. I bought individually wrapped, glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth for him to pass out to all those brave enough to enter.

I have writing to do, so will sign off now, and wish you a very happy and exciting Halloween! Live in the moment and make the most of it!

Vote 08

I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, try to convince you which party is right or wrong, which candidate will make better decisions, or begin to justify the billions of dollars spent on elections across the United States. But I am going to ask you to please, please get out and vote.

The presidential election in November 1920 was the first time women in all states were allowed to exercise their right to vote. Only one woman from the 1848 convention, where the right was first proposed, was still alive. Charlotte Woodward was eighty-one years old when she proudly cast her vote—72 years after the battle began.

The right wasn’t gained easily—women were incarcerated, beaten, tortured, and murdered. It was a long and bloody battle, one that is often overlooked or forgotten when Election Day rolls around.

I touch on this issue in Mail Order Husband, where readers are introduced to Victoria Claflin-Woodhull, the first woman to run for the Presidency. The Equal Rights Party nominated her in 1872. The book also mentions how Woodhull spent Election Day in jail.

The women who initiated and fought for decades for this right weren’t fighting for themselves. They fought for women kind, so future generations would have more say, more opportunities to live a life of equality.

So in 2008—88 years after the right was granted, I’m asking all women to please respect the women who changed our lives. Honor their trials, tribulations and deaths by voting.

A final voting tidbit—Mickey Mouse, via write in lines on ballots, has won elections across the United States. The cartoon character has won everything from school board elections to state Governor. The only election he hasn’t won is the Presidency of the United States. The fact that an 80-year-old mouse (no matter how loveable he is) wins any election should be an embarrassment to all political parties, and not what I believe our foremothers fought for.

Vote in 08! Put your mark on the ballet and proudly wear your little red stickers!