Those McKettrick Men

They're way too fabulous.

I'm working on "McKettrick's Heart", the third in the trilogy, (February, March and April of 2007, so no long wait between books, God bless those HQN people!), and sometimes it touches me, this story, in such deep places that my first inclination is to push back from the computer and say, "Whoa!" These books are sexier than I usually write, and a little more frank, too. They'll be published in original paperback, and highly publicized. I can hardly wait for you to meet these McKettrick men. You're gonna love 'em!

Jesse, Rance, and Keegan.

Modern cowboys.

Be still, my beating heart.

The Secret

"The Secret" is a DVD, available from www.thesecrettv.com
It is a wonderful and inspiring production on how to change your life, and I know from personal experience that it works. Some of the information wasn't new to me, but I benefited, just the same. Got some new ideas on how to apply the principles.
I've been using this technique, albeit inconsistently, for many years. I have problems, like anybody else, but my life is fabulous, by any standard. I do work I love. I live in a beautiful home. I am blessed in countless ways.
I want that for you, too. Each and every one of you.
I want your dreams to come true, no matter how impossible they may seem now.
So, if you're ready, go to the above website and order.

Busy as a Bear in a Beehive!

That's me!

I'm writing "McKettrick's Heart", and it's a powerful story. I'm living it right along with the characters, and sometimes it seems like holding onto the boot of a runaway stagecoach by my fingertips. These McKettricks never do anything halfway!

The Lifetime movie of "The Last Chance Cafe" will be filming soon, and now there are MORE movie deals in the works. It's really exciting, but don't worry--I won't go Hollywood!

"The Man from Stone Creek" is doing well out there. Have you read it yet? Sam and Maddie might not be McKettricks, but there's no grass growing under their feet, either. Not a dull moment, with those two.

Tomorrow, I may just be telling you about "The Secret". Tune in to find out.

Back Home from Toronto

My great-nephew, Jaden James Chamberlain Lang, was born last night! My sister Sally and her husband, Jim, will make world-class grandparents!

The Toronto trip was wonderful. I could not be more thrilled to be writing for HQN.

Sadie has an upset tummy today, so I'm keeping an eye on her.

And I'm writing. Working on the third story in the contemporary McKettrick trilogy, which will be released in February, March and April, 2007. I told you the wrong dates before.

I need a keeper.

Fortunately, I have several.

Toronto

Early tomorrow morning, I'll be off on another trip--this time, to Toronto, for meetings with my wonderful publishers. I'll be back on the blog next Monday morning.

My iPod is loaded.

My dog is on the mend.

My head is brimming with story ideas.

It's all good.

Me and My iPod

It's love.
Wild, passionate, LOVE.
I picked up an iPod at Costco and, though I am famous for being a techno-phobe, I've learned to download songs and books into this marvelous little machine.
Music stirs me--especially my favorites--and makes me want to write and write and then write some more!
What do I love?
"One of These Days", by Emmilou Harris.
"The Cowboy in the Continental Suit", by Marty Robbins. (This song inspired the rodeo scene in "Secondhand Bride", and just listening to it makes me want to write that next western immediately!)
ANYTHING by Johnny Cash.
"Coat of Many Colors" and "Hard Candy Christmas" by Dolly Parton.
And books? I have something like TEN different books on my iPod.
Oh, yeah. It's love all right.

Today's TV Appearance Postponed

I hope none of you Spokanites got up early to see me on TV this morning! The appearance has been postponed to July 2, again, KXLY. I'll post a reminder in the blog ahead of time.

Saturday's KHQ appearance is still on, and so is the booksigning at the Northtown Barnes and Noble. 2-3 in the afternoon.

I'm really hoping to see some familiar faces from the past.

Birthday Bash!

Dad's 80th birthday celebration was a real bash--well-attended, and lots of fun. My gift was a surprise visit from our mutual friend, Peggy Knight, who flew in from Tennessee just for the occasion. (Caution: visits from Peggy may be hazardous to your weight loss program--she made biscuits and gravy this morning!)

Sadie's foot is healing well, and I'm happy to say she is no longer a conehead. The top of her paw is a little raw (rhyme not intended), from the bandage, but the incision is healed and she's really on the mend.

Looks like we might get a goose-drowner of a rain storm today. Makes for a cozy day inside, but sister Pam is flying back to Phoenix today, and I hope she doesn't get a bumpy ride!

Have you read "The Man from Stone Creek" yet? I have been listening to the unabriged audio on CD, (yes, I already know how it turns out!), and it's a kick to hear my own words read back to me in a deep cowboy voice.

Spokane and the surrounding area: if you're an early riser, look for me on TV tomorrow morning. KXLY (ABC), "Good Morning Northwest". I'll be on KHQ Saturday morning, probably in the 9 o'clock hour, and signing books from 2-3 the same day, at the Barnes & Noble on north Division. Come by and say howdy!

My Dad is 80 Today!

I'm just back from my Texas tour, and this big house is bursting at the seams with beloved company. Today, we're all off to Grand Coulee, 80 miles from here, where my dad will be celebrating his 80th birthday. Interestingly, it's my birthday, too. My brother and mother also share a birthday.

Sadie has her bandage off, and doesn't have to wear a plastic boot when she goes outside, but she has to wear the cone just a little longer, so she won't chew on her poor little paw. She bears it in good grace, as she does just about everything. She looks like the RCA dog, only instead of looking up at the gramophone, she's wearing it on her head!

Meanwhile, "The Man from Stone Creek" is available in book stores everywhere, and I'm getting some great feedback. Yesterday, I received copies of the audio book, and it was great fun to listen to my own words being read back to me.

A special hello to Maria and Brenda, two readers who showed up for a San Antonio autographing. I so enjoyed meeting you in person.

More on Monday.

Headed for Texas!

On my way to Texas tomorrow, and so looking forward to it!

"McKettrick's Pride", Rance and Echo's book, is finished.

Practically the moment I get home, I'll be starting the final story in the trilogy: "McKettrick's Heart." I can barely wait.

Sadie's on the mend, and Mary Ann, Jenni and Larry will be taking excellent care of her while I'm gone. In fact, by the time I get home, she might not be a conehead anymore!

I'll have stories to tell when I get back, as usual.

For those of you awaiting an answer to a personal email, I've been swamped, and I'm still deleting most forwards.

Sadie, Texas, and TV

Sadie is still a conehead, and she has a fresh bandage on her foot, as of yesterday afternoon. The Doc says she's healing nicely. Now, if she just doesn't tip her water dish over again...

Tomorrow, she goes back for another bandage. The vet says she's healing up nicely, and when the sutures come out, hopefully on Monday, the cone comes off. Of course I'll miss that great moment, because I'll be on a plane headed for Texas, where I will be between June 5 and June 9.

Here's some info, for you Texas folks.

On June 6, I'll tape a TV interview for "Metroplex Today", out of Arlington, for Comcast Cable.

That night, at 5:30-7:00, I'll be at Waldenbooks, in the mall in Hurst, Texas. The store's phone number is 817-589-1021. I'm hoping I get to meet a whole bunch of you there.

At 6:00AM on Wednesday, June 7, look for me on KSAT-ABC's "Good Morning San Antonio". June 8, from 7-8pm, I'll be at Barnes and Noble, on Fiesta Trail. 210-561-0718. San Antonio is one of my all-time favorite cities--here's hoping I get a chance to do the Riverwalk and shop a little!

Back home on the 9th, just in time to head to Grand Coulee the next day, for my dad's 80th birthday bash!

For the Spokane crowd, I'll be on KXLY's "Good Morning, Northwest" on June 14th, and at the Northtown Barnes and Noble, from 2-3 pm, on June 17th. I will also be on KHQ TV that morning, but I don't know the details yet. I'll pass them on when I do.

I was born in Spokane, and lived here for many years. I'm really hoping to reconnect with some old friends at that signing, and make some new ones, too.