Visitors Expected!

It's a beautiful spring day; reason enough to celebrate, right there! But there's more!

Debbie Macomber and her good husband Wayne will be visiting today, for the first time since I moved. Debbie and I have been close friends for more years than either of us care to count, and over the last decade, our lives and careers have taken us in such varied directions--we were like ships passing in the night. Now, we're taking every chance we can get to reconnect and catch up. We've laughed together, we've cried together. Where Debbie is concerned, I'm a shameless name-dropper. Her success is positively inspirational. Here is a woman who paid her dues, and what a joy it is to see her reap the benefits.

Debbie's new book, "Susannah's Garden", is out now. I've read the first few pages, and already I'm drawn into the story. For you Northwest gals, there's an extra benefit--it's set in Colville, Washington!

Colville is just 40 miles from Northport. What a kick to read about a place I know so well.

Hmmmm. I've been thinking about writing a big historical set in Northport...

Lovely E-mails

Several wonderful women have written to thank me for offering non-traditional scholarships, and to that I say, You're welcome, and Please Apply! The 2006 scholarship program will be launched soon, and all the information will be posted on the website. I cannot express too often how much I care about all the women out there, struggling so valiantly to make a better life for themselves and their children. I wish I could help all of you.

I can't think of a better investment than mothers, young or otherwise.

Mother's Day is coming up soon. Let's all celebrate with extra verve this year!

Computer Frustration

I have a love-hate relationship with this machine. It can do so many marvelous things. It can also drive me crazy.

More tomorrow.

Spring Has Definitely Sprung!

I am dazzled by the beauty of a Washington spring--I had forgotten, during my long sojourn in the desert, how very lovely this clearly defined season can be.

I have peonies to plant, and my cousin/housekeeper, Mary Ann, has already put in several lilac bushes. One of my fondest memories of childhood in Northport is the lush, heavenly scent of lilacs--we always displayed them in a mason jar. That's country elegance for you!

I love seeing the seasons change, but that doesn't mean Arizona doesn't have a special place in my heart. The sunrises and sunsets in the desert are unmatched, when it comes to breathtaking beauty. I have often stood in my courtyard at Springwater Station, transfixed by the changing sky, and nothing beats those winters. (The shopping ain't bad, either.)

How blessed I am to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Friday??? ALREADY???

I swear, this week went by so fast, it makes my head spin!

I've written 80 pages of "McKettrick's Pride" since Monday, and plan to hit the 100-page mark today. The story touches my heart in special ways, ways I've never really experienced before. Of course every book is unique, and I always do my best, but I feel this one so deeply.

I bought six peony plants this week, too. Peonies are hands-down my all-time favorite flower, and they wouldn't grow in Arizona. Here, in my big, green backyard, they will flourish. It delights my heart to think of them reaching their roots down into the soil and taking hold, producing summer after summer of blossoms.

I am feeling very blessed. Yesterday, after finishing my pages, I poured a glass of wine and stepped out onto the deck to admire the view. Trees, trees, and more trees, as far as the eye can see. I had done a good day's work. My dogs and kitties were at my feet. I had just ordered a marvelous painting that I spotted in a gallery during a brief visit to Cave Creek--if I can, I will post it to my website. I thought of my family, my many friends, and you, my dear, faithful readers. Thank you, and may you be blessed.

Make it a good weekend. Plant something. Think good thoughts--they are like seeds, and they will take root, just like my peonies, and grow into something beautiful.

Friday??? ALREADY???

I swear, this week went by so fast, it makes my head spin!

I've written 80 pages of "McKettrick's Pride" since Monday, and plan to hit the 100-page mark today. The story touches my heart in special ways, ways I've never really experienced before. Of course every book is unique, and I always do my best, but I feel this one so deeply.

I bought six peony plants this week, too. Peonies are hands-down my all-time favorite flower, and they wouldn't grow in Arizona. Here, in my big, green backyard, they will flourish. It delights my heart to think of them reaching their roots down into the soil and taking hold, producing summer after summer of blossoms.

I am feeling very blessed. Yesterday, after finishing my pages, I poured a glass of wine and stepped out onto the deck to admire the view. Trees, trees, and more trees, as far as the eye can see. I had done a good day's work. My dogs and kitties were at my feet. I had just ordered a marvelous painting that I spotted in a gallery during a brief visit to Cave Creek--if I can, I will post it to my website. I thought of my family, my many friends, and you, my dear, faithful readers. Thank you, and may you be blessed.

Make it a good weekend. Plant something. Think good thoughts--they are like seeds, and they will take root, just like my peonies, and grow into something beautiful.

A Request

Will everyone please pray for my cousin Doris's daughter, Michelle? She's just been diagnosed with cancer.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Just for Fun

Check out my friend Mark McElroy's podcast for his new book, "The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Tarot". www.ideadeck.com/abgtarot1.mp3.

Mark is a wonderful and gifted teacher, as well as a fine writer. If you want to explore a new and fascinating world of creativity, think about studying the Tarot.

A caveat: I do NOT see the Tarot as a tool for predicting the future. The future is determined by the choices you make, and the actions you take, right now, today, mixed with a very generous portion of GRACE. Rather, I think of the Tarot as a map of the personal and collective psyche. I use it to plan stories and get insight.

Mark's books are the best guides I've come across on this subject.

Off and Running

"McKettrick's Pride", the second book in my contemporary trilogy, is off to a great start. I finished Chapter one yesterday, and polished it this morning. "McKettrick's Luck", the first book, told the story of poker-playing bad-boy, Jesse McKettrick, and his lady, Cheyenne. In "McKettrick's Pride", you'll meet Rance and Echo.

I swear, two people couldn't be more different than this pair! That's okay, though. It makes for a lot of sparks.

We're gearing up for "The Man from Stone Creek" to come out in June. I'm so excited about that book, I can hardly contain myself. I'll always be a little in love with Sam O'Ballivan, and you'll see why when you read it. Alas, his heart belongs to Maddie Chancelor, his spirited heroine.

Another beautiful day in Spokane.

How did I get so lucky?

I'm Back Home from Buffalo!

What a wonderful trip I had.
First, I spent a couple of days in Arizona, speaking at an event in Sedona, along with Dale Brown and Kathy--her last name escapes me, and it's a five mile walk to the kitchen, where the information is--a professor who lived incognito as a university student for a full year. Fascinating! Dale writes military thrillers, consistent NYT bestsellers, and is a funny, down-to-earth guy who flies his own airplane. (Contradiction in terms?) Joe Neri, of the Well Red Coyote, a bookstore in Sedona, was a prince, squiring us everywhere.
From Arizona, I went on to Buffalo, with my trusty assistant, Jenni, in tow. I visited the Harlequin Distribution Center, where books are warehoused before shipping out to the stores, and it was a fabulous experience. Laura Wiltse, and her boss, John, treated me like a queen! I had a tour of the facility, which was an experience every writer should have, an education in itself, and met a lot of wonderful, hardworking people who make it all happen. Oh, and I signed almost 3000 copies of "The Man from Stone Creek", which is beautifully packaged and will be in stores around Memorial Day.
Then it was back to Phoenix for a day and a half of theraputic shopping and resting. Man, did I need to REST.
Now, I'm back home, and ready to start the next McKettrick adventure, "McKettrick's Pride". The first book, "McKettrick's Luck", Jesse's story, is finished and, I am proud to say, my editor loved it and asked for zero revisions!
So I will write, and enjoy this beautiful Spokane day.
See you tomorrow!

Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head

I'm ready for a little Arizona sunshine.

While it's true that April showers bring May flowers, I'm up for some better weather.

Today, "Fletcher's Woman", my very first novel, should be available in many bookstores, as well as on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. Do look for it, and let me know what you think.

Meanwhile, there's a new contest coming up on the website, if it's not already there, in honor of the June hardcover release, "The Man from Stone Creek." I am so excited about this book, and it will also be released on CDs and audio tapes, by Brilliance Audio.

Watch for the first of several "Stone Creek" newsletters soon.

And remember, I might be off the radar for a while, after tomorrow. I'll be thinking about you, though, and I'll have plenty to tell you when I get back!

Home Again--Briefly

I just returned from the DARA (Dallas Area Romance Authors?) conference, Dreamin' In Dallas, and it was a wonderful experience! My thanks to all those hardworking Texas gals. A country girl couldn't ask for better company.

I finished "McKettrick's Luck", as many of you know, and will soon be starting the next book in the series, "McKettrick's Pride." In between, though, I've got a road trip to make. Since I seem to be laptop challenged--meaning I always have problems hooking up to the internet in hotel rooms--my blog visits might be hit or miss for a while.

I'm sitting here at my desk, looking out at the pine-filled draw behind my house. Would you believe a few snowflakes just drifted past?