March 17, 2014

I presented a cheque to Kate Foote from the Calgary Humane Society (with an assist from the handsome Charlie) for the Society’s 50% share of my 2012-2013 author royalties for Love To The Rescue.

THANK YOU to everyone who purchased a copy of the book! Encourage your friends to buy a copy of Love To The Rescue, and continue the sharing in 2014.

Link to purchase above.

Howdy folks!

It seems ages since I released a new book!

Of course, that’s because I’ve been working on the new Spirit Creek Series, a historical western romance set of six books (so far).  As some of you might know, whether reading them or writing them, I love a western!

Over the past two years, I’ve e-published several contemporary romance novels, but I’ve returned to my first love with this new series.  Book One, NO MORE, will be released in late March. Followed shortly by NO TIME in April and NO CHANCE is May. Three more books in the series will be forthcoming.

This first book is classified as sweet romance, so no need to get to blushing while you’re reading it. There are a few slightly spicy scenes in subsequent books, but nothing too scandalous.  

Meantime, click above on the Spirit Creek Series tab for an introduction to a few citizens of Spirit Creek, Montana.

Randy Barker, the current mayor, posted a letter there to welcome you to town. Some other folks will drop by with a few words of their own once in awhile.

Happy Reading!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

The holiday season has drawn to a close. People are returning to work and the kids are returning to school. It’s time to get back into a routine. In 2012 and 2013, I concentrated all my writing efforts toward contemporary romance, but in 2014 I’ll be working on my historical western romance project, The Spirit Creek Series.

I love writing romance novels. Here’s a fun list inspired by another nightly top ten list we are all familiar with.

TOP TEN SIGNS YOU MIGHT BE A ROMANCE AUTHOR. . .

10. It is 3 a.m. and you’re seated in your office, clicking the keys on your laptop because you just have to finish this scene before bed.

9. Browsing the aisles in Chapters, Barnes and Noble, or Staples is your idea of a fun shopping trip.

8. While you’re sitting in Tim Horton’s having your favorite beverage, several good-looking police officers walk in and your first thought is RESEARCH.

7. You have been busy and haven’t written a word in two days, and you’re going into withdrawal.

6. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon, you’re busy at your laptop, writing, still wearing your pajamas.

5. At 4 o’clock in the afternoon, you’re still writing, still wearing the pajamas, having decided it’s too late to bother getting dressed now anyway.

4. You’ve burned several pots of dinner because you decided to ‘just check my email’ while it finished cooking.

3. You’ve been so busy writing that you’ve been ignoring your family to the point that even the dog is giving you the evil eye.

2. You agree to leave your laptop at home during a family outing, and then start to hyperventilate.

1. Whenever someone asks you what you do, without a moment’s hesitation you say I’m an author.

As an author, I write. A lot. Almost every day. It’s what I do. I love it. But we are encouraged constantly to balance all aspects of our lives. And it’s true. So, tonight I’ll be taking time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a TV program I’ve been looking forward to for weeks now, ever since I first heard the advertisement.  A live show. On TV. The Sound of Music!

I’ve watched a program on the making of this production. Huge! And I’ve happened upon some of the stars doing interviews on talk shows and whatnot. Carrie Underwood OMG.

I cannot tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to this three hour live production tonight (Thurs. Dec. 5). Check your TV listings! I’ve also set my PVR. This one will be a keeper. Now, I just have to make the popcorn!

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my neighbors to the South!

Have a great day!

I just released Book Three, Never A Bride, in the Escape To Alaska Trilogy. It felt like I’d given birth to triplets, all girls, named Cassidy, Jeannie, and Debbie.

If you’ve read the books, or are reading them, you learned that these three friends are very interesting women coming from very diverse backgrounds. But all of them are caring, kind-hearted, hard-working individuals. Each woman will be an excellent mother, like Cassidy has become. These women value relationships and friendships, and they are gals any woman would love to call her girlfriend, too.

Most of all, these women are strong and independent. Each of them will overcome adversity with conviction, rewarded with their ‘Mr. Right’. I know, now I’ve given it away. But really, how else would a happily-ever-after novel end? Each of these women faces a different set of challenges. To learn what those obstacles are and how they win the man of their dreams, you’ll have to read the books.

While I’ve never been to Alaska or Anchorage, I researched the daylights out of the place before and during the writing of this trilogy. I feel like I’ve visited Anchorage three times, right alongside my heroines.

I can visualize the Ted Stevens International Airport where I landed late at night and caught a cab to the Anchorage Hilton right downtown—the same place where Cassidy’s father, Mr. Donahue, stayed. Hey, while using your imagination, money is no object, right?

I’ve dined at Endless Nights (my characters’ favorite high-end restaurant in Anchorage) on several occasions. While being seated, I heard the gentle sound of water cascading down the waterfall feature situated in the middle of the dining area, and I gazed up at the white fairy lights that twinkled above my head in the dimly-lit room. The tropical- getaway décor felt immensely relaxing. I savored the tantalizing aroma of the juicy, perfectly-cooked steak that the waitress, Ruby, set in front of me. My mouth waters just remembering it. That Patricia Graham is one heck of an excellent chef! Ruby earned her generous tip, as always.

Naturally, I headed over to Gold Diggers for a nightcap after my excellent dinner. The bouncer, over two hundred pounds of muscle on a sexy six-foot-six frame, recognized me and I sailed past him with a ‘good evening’ greeting. No more heart palpitations like I experienced the first time I entered the bar. Now I look forward to seeing that Kodiak bear, and I patted his paw when I crossed through the entryway. So brave of me. Of course, my ursine friend has been dead for years.

Sherry Lawrence waited on me and brought me a Harvey Wallbanger, the drink Clayton served Cassidy after her first shift at the bar in Book One, Not What It Seems. Mmm, it tasted so good; Clayton is an excellent bartender. If I had a dollar for every Harvey Wallbanger I’ve drunk in my lifetime… But I digress. 

Randy Rock, dressed head to toe in black, sang country tunes on stage, and I leaned back in my comfy upholstered chair and listened while I sipped my cocktail. At another table to my left sat Terry and Jeannie Wilson, the couple featured in Book Two, Almost Doesn’t Count.

After Randy’s last song, he settled into a chair beside Terry and they invited me to join them at their table. These people are such nice folks! Of course, when I paid my tab I included a generous tip for Sherry, her being a single mother and all. Remember, money was no object in my little fantasy. After extending everyone a pleasant goodnight, hugs all around, I grabbed a cab and headed back to my hotel.

Next day, I spent an exorbitant amount of money shopping at the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall (fantasy dollars again) and then I grabbed some lunch at the airport while waiting for my flight. Such pleasant memories. Maybe I’ll visit again, when Jeannie or Debbie has a baby! Or not.

Readers, I cannot tell you how much I’ve loved writing this trilogy. I hope everyone enjoys these stories for years to come. Happy reading!

And now, it’s on to my next project. 

Note to readers:

The Ted Stevens International Airport is an actual place, as is the Anchorage 5th Avenue Mall and the Hilton Anchorage.

 Sorry, folks, if you travel to Anchorage, you’ll be disappointed to learn that the Endless Nights restaurant and the Gold Diggers bar don’t exist. You’ll have to find somewhere else to dine or drop by for a cocktail.

Lastly, Howard Rock founded the Tundra Times, a newspaper forum for native peoples, but Randy Rock and Annie Rock are characters totally borne of my imagination, as are all the other characters in this trilogy.

 Links to the books exclusive to Amazon:

 Not What It Seems http://amzn.to/M9jeio

 Almost Doesn’t Count http://amzn.to/OrLPf0

 Never A Bride http://amzn.to/14Y5092

For anyone who has read Book One and Two of my Escape to Alaska Trilogy, you’ve been patiently waiting for Book Three which I originally planned to release last December. Of course, life gets in the way of our best-laid plans. A December release didn’t happen.

Being an Indie author means no editor or publisher was breathing down my neck, making threats, etc.  It does, however, result in confused and/or disappointed readers. And for that I sincerely apologize.

Currently, Book One  in the series, Not What It Seems, is FREE until July 5th, and finally, Book Three, Never A Bride, will be available on Amazon on July 6th.

Happy Reading! And again, I apologize for the delay.