Rituals

It's both sunny and cold in Arizona this morning--cold by Arizona standards, anyway. How I love the sunshine.

I told you about my friend, Althea, in yesterday's blog. Well, she's arrived, and we've been talking up the proverbial storm. We've got great plans for setting our intentions for 2006, getting our visions clarified and in place. We have herbs, and today we're buying candles. (The new moon begins today, and I like to do nine-day novenas (formal prayers) beginning at this time). Rituals, in themselves, have no power--but they do focus the mind, which does have power. I believe there is a deep human need for ritual, for not just saying our prayers, but acting them out. There is tremendous healing in this. Women are instinctively drawn to ritual--a bubble bath, a walk, journaling--all these things can be prayer. So can reading a book, exploring another world, in the company of characters who dare to do and be all that they can. Tony and Clare are like that--they are bold adventurers, as well as tender lovers. Yes, this too, this losing ourselves in a story, can be a form of prayer.

My prayer for you is that you will find your own unique vision, and lay claim to it. That you will put your roots down deep, and grow into a great tree, sheltering seedlings beneath your generous boughs.

May you be blessed.

Have a wonderful weekend. Set an intention. Light a candle.

My Friend, Althea

My friend Althea will arrive today, with her delightful pomeranian, Ti Amo, in tow. (Or, more properly, peeking out of her purse.) He's even smaller than my beloved yorkie, Bernice, but he holds his own with the rest of the menagerie whenever they visit. The two of them spent Christmas in New York, with Althea's lovely and accomplished daughter, Ava. After the snow and the transit strike, Arizona will be quite a change.

It's a wonderful thing to welcome in a brand new year with a friend like Althea. We'll light candles, set goals, and talk about our dreams. We'll do plenty of laughing, too. Althea's a kick. She can calculate your astrological sign down to the degree, but has trouble with Weight Watchers' point system!

I hope you're preparing for a wonderful 2006, with your friends and family.

I also hope you're reading my new book, "One Last Look", and enjoying every moment with Tony and Clare and the regular secondary characters--Clare's best friend, Loretta, her niece, Emma, the dogs, Waldo and Bernice (no coincidence, and my beagle, Sadie, has her nose out of joint because she's only in one book, and Bernice is in three), the magical Mrs. K, and Eddie, Sonterra's former Scottsdale PD partner. Of course there are new people, too--some good ones, and some stinkers. I'll leave it to you to figure out which is which!

Back from California!

I had a wonderful time in LA, with my daughter and her beau, Jeremy. It was really hard to leave, but I'm glad to be back home, too. Pushing up my sleeves to continue writing "Sierra's Homecoming", the parallel lives story I'm doing for Silhouette Special Edition. (December, 2006). The dogs greeted me with a welcome home party, and the cats essentially said, "You again?"

Over my vacation, I went to see "King Kong" at the fabulous Arclight Theatre in Los Angeles. The movie was too long, and if you like animals, don't go. I hate to be negative about anything, but even though the special effects are awesome, the thing was three hours out of my life that I'll never get back.

The email registrations have jumped so much that I know you've received the email newsletter about "One Last Look". There's a lot at stake in this story, with Clare and Tony having to go through some real trials, but I promise you, you'll be satisfied with the ending, and the journey as well. You'll laugh. You'll have a hair-raising adventure. And when it all winds up, you'll be cheering for the good guys!

More tomorrow. To all of you who have already bought the book, "Thank you!" To those of you who haven't, "What are you waiting for?" :)

And now I'd better go. I have 200 scholarship entries to review, and the final winners will be announced soon. Are YOU one of them? And if not--well, we're gearing up to start all over again, so sharpen those pencils.

Good morning!

I am, as you can see by the time of this posting, an early riser. As of now, I have been up for three hours, most of which were spent writing in my journal and morning pages.

Today, I am off to LA, on Southwest airlines, and my beautiful daughter, Wendy, will be waiting for me when I arrive. We are planning to watch movies, check out the local Sephora store, which is one of our favorite things to do, and even to have some mother-daughter writing time. Wendy is a screenwriter, you see, and though she hasn't had anything produced yet, mark my words. She will. I can see her name up on that screen, clear as anything. The best part of this time, of course, is Being Together.

I'm taking a hiatus from my stresses and worries (yes, even published writers have them!), and concentrating on staying in the moment and enjoying my many blessings. My daughter is the greatest of these, along with the privilege of doing what I love for a living, having so many friends, some of whom have four legs and fur, and living in a free country. I'm on a first-name basis with God, and I'm growing. I'm learning. I'm stretching. Sometimes, it hurts a little, but it's all worthwhile.

Like Clare and Tony (five days now), I'm determined to show up, suit up, and play the game with all my heart, no matter how rough it may get. The key is to remember that it IS a game, and that's hard sometimes, I know. It can be fun and easy, too, this game--if we choose to see it that way. There is enormous power in Vision, and we are always at choice.

I'm choosing joy. I'm choosing faith and courage. What are YOU choosing?

I will be back on this blog on the morning of December 28. Meet me right here, okay? I'll have a lot to tell you!

In the meantime, Merry Christmas. Relax and enjoy.

May you, and all your loved ones, human and furry, be blessed in all things and in all ways.

6 Days and Counting

"One Last Look" is on its way to you, in trucks and airplanes, right this very minute!

It is a romantic suspense, so there is a lot of both those things. Murder and mayhem, and some really hot love scenes.

What do I love most about Tony and Clare?

Their can-do, keep-going spirit. Their love for each other. Their humor. Their intelligence.

If you've registered in the guest book, you'll be receiving a beautiful newsletter soon, by regular mail, and another by email.

Take some time out, after all your holiday doing and giving, and give yourself a gift. "One Last Look" probably won't change your life or improve your mind. But it WILL entertain you, I promise.

Blessings to you and yours.

One Week From Today...

Tony and Clare will arrive!

What makes them special? I've thought about that a lot. They are people who "stand up on the inside". In the face of adversity, they still dream. They still persist. In moments of joy, they celebrate. Even though they are fictional characters, they are fully alive. In fact, if I met either of them on the street, I'd know them. (Just as I would any McKettrick, but to be fair, most of them would be easy to spot, because of the western dress and the six guns!)

What does it mean to 'stand up on the inside'? It means that no matter what is happening in the outer world, you know you'll be better than all right. You'll win, simply because you believe in your dreams and you're not a quitter!

Watch for "One Last Look". Lay in that tea or cider. Unfold your favorite afghan, and prepare to snuggle in and share the adventure.

What An Age We Live In

I just ordered groceries online for the first time. Wow! No driving, parking, pushing a cart through a crowded store. No lugging the stuff from the Avalanche to the kitchen once I get home!

I am so jazzed!

Maybe it's the approaching New Year, but I'm in the mood to try things. This old dog is definitely learning some new tricks.

One week from tomorrow, "One Last Look" will be in the stores. After all this time and all these books, it still makes my heart beat a little faster to see a book with my name on it.

I cannot wait for you to meet Tony and Clare, either for the first time, or again.

Saturday Mornings

I love Saturday mornings.
I used to sleep in--alas, Sadie and Bernice, my dogs, do NOT sleep in, so I don't either, but still, it's lovely to wake up with nowhere I have to go. The cards and packages have been sent, and I'm looking forward to spending Christmas in LA with my absolute favorite person in all the universe, my beautiful and brilliant daughter, Wendy. Did I mention that I'm ever so proud of her? She is a passionate, and compassionate woman, a talented writer, an animal lover and an all-around good person. I learn so much from her, about writing and about life.
Today, I'll be working, because I have a pressing deadline, but that is a blessing, too. You are going to LOVE "Sierra's Homecoming", I just know it. I'm pouring my heart into it, and even though it will be a full year before you see it, it gives me joy to know that next December, you will meet these very special people--Sierra and Travis in the present, and Hannah and Doss in the past.
In the meantime, the countdown has begun for "One Last Look". Clare and Tony are waiting in the wings, ready to make their appearance on December 27. They've got a wonderful, exciting story to share with you, and they come with my best wishes for each and every one of you.
May the Reason for the Season bless you abundantly, in all things and in all ways.

The Best Gifts

I am truly the Woman Who Has Everything.

This year, my mother and a very dear, longtime friend picked up on that, and sent gifts to World Hunger and Habitat for Humanity, in my name.

I am deeply grateful, and so touched, and I hope this becomes a trend among those who insist upon giving me gifts.

I have way too much stuff as it is. Do you? Still, I am grateful for every gift, because it is given out of love.

From my heart, I speak joy and abundant blessings into each and every one of your lives.

1002 Scholarship Entries!

This year's participation in the Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women program was HUGE! I could not be more delighted.

The winners will be announced on the website soon, along with rules for entering next year's contest.

Here at Springwater Station, we are preparing for a low-key (but not low-JOY) Christmas. The shopping is done. I'm spending the holiday with my daughter, in LA, and of course the move to Spokane is in the offing, so no big tree. Next year? Look out! There will be decorations everywhere you look.

With "One Last Look" hitting the stores on the 27th, anticipation is high. I received a couple of copies of the final book yesterday, from my editor, and the cover is beautiful. Clare and Tony are sure to approve. (Once, Jeb McKettrick warned me off a pink cover. "No way," he said.)

May you be blessed, in this Holy Season and always. From my heart to yours.

2006 Will Be the Year I...

You fill in the blanks. Write your answers and read them over every day, keeping in mind that our theme is VISION. See yourself, as you read, reaching those places you never thought you could reach.

What am I seeing?

My beloved horses coming home to a new barn at the new place in Spokane.

My books, delighting people, touching their hearts. When you read one of my books, I am holding out my hand to you. I am saying, "Have courage. Believe. Do the right thing, no matter what." This is the message of Tony and Clare, in "One Last Look" and the previous two stories, as well. This is certainly the McKettrick credo, too. The McKettricks don't just talk, they DO. They have their sorrows, like everybody else, and they get knocked down a lot. The difference between them and the lesser characters on stage with them? They get up again, as many times as necessary. Bloody or bruised, they have a vision, and they follow it.

Let 2006 be the year you come to know that the Universe delights in you, just as you are. It is only by accepting this that you can become more. More than you ever, ever imagined.

"One Last Look" is coming soon. Are you ready?

Word of the Year

My good friend, Debbie Macomber, always chooses a theme word for each new year. She explores the meaning of that word, in her journals, in her prayers, in her life. She celebrates and honors the word, and claims the quality for her own. (Did I mention that Debbie is one of the smartest women I know?)

My word for 2006 is a big one.

VISION. I want to see my dreams, plans and goals clearly in my mind, in as much detail as possible. I've even purchased a special journal for this purpose, with a lovely medallion on the front. The prompting sentence is: 2006 is the year of...

What kind of year do YOU want 2006 to be?

Back from the Land of Debbie

What a marvelous time I had!
Debbie and I had lots of girl time, and since she's a really inspirational person, I came away walking on air.
We talked. We shopped. We laughed. We shared our hearts.
On Wednesday, we attended a luncheon with such stellar names as: Jayne Ann Krentz, Stella Cameron, Cherry Adair, Katherine Stone, Megan Chance, Christina Dodd, Kristen Hannah, Jill Barnett--gosh, if I missed one of you famous ladies, I apologize. What a great time it was! All of us go way back--we knew each other when. What a blessing these creative and dynamic women have been, and how lovely to reconnect in an elegant atmosphere. Thanks, Jayne and Stella!
Most of all, thanks, Debbie. (No, the tator twister is not your hostess gift. Flowers on the way!)

Linda's Big Adventure!

I'm off to the Seattle area tomorrow morning to spend a few days with my good friend, Debbie Macomber. We're going to laugh, and probably cry a little, too. We're going to talk, in depth, about things that really matter. We're going to eat and shop and drink good wine.

I'll be back to the blog on Friday, with a report.

Be blessed.

I've Had the Flu

Sorry about not writing a blog. I've been down, but not out, with a bug.

Plenty of good things going on, though. I had lunch with my sister, Pam, yesterday, at PF Chang's, and we did a little medicinal shopping afterwards at Barnes and Noble.

I've made an offer on my dream property outside of Spokane, and it looks like this place will sell any day now.

Best of all, I'm going to LA to spend Christmas with my daughter!

Now, off to smear myself with Vicks, set up my laptop, and work on the story I hope you'll be reading at this time next year--"I'll Be Home for Christmas" will headline an anthology from Pocket Books.

In the meantime, the countdown for "One Last Look" has begun. It will hit most stores on December 27. I'm SO excited, and if you're on our snail-mail list, you can expect a beautiful printed newsletter as well as email notification. (If you've signed the guest book on the website, you're on the list.) The newsletter, prepared by the inimitable Nancy Berland and her wonderful staff, contains pictures of the horses, and of me with some of the Harlequin crew, under the Springwater Station sign my dad made. That's going in a place of honor in the new place, as I've told you, and I'm sure Dad can be prevailed upon to make one for the Triple L.

Maybe you have a blessed weekend.