I'm heading for southern California tomorrow, and looking forward to the warmth. On Wednesday, the 28th, I'll be signing books at Romance World in El Cajon, 619-588-5494, between four and six pm. If you live in the area, stop in and we'll swap howdies.
On Thursday, March 1, I'll be signing books at the Village Fest Street Fair, in downtown Palm Springs, from 6:30pm to ?? I plan to do some serious shopping at that event--I love street fairs.
I plan to take my laptop and will blog if I can, but I usually have trouble hooking into the hotel's system, techno-phobe that I am. I promise to do my best!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
Cleo May Be on Her Way Out
I've discovered something a lot more fun than playing slot machines--beading. I'm passionate about it! I've already made three bracelets, and I'm plotting to hit all the bead stores in every city I visit. (Debbie Macomber, a master knitter, does this with yarn shops.)
It's so much fun to look at all the beautiful beads and there are infinite combinations, too.
Well, you know what I'll be doing this weekend. NOT playing Cleo's dastardly game.
It's so much fun to look at all the beautiful beads and there are infinite combinations, too.
Well, you know what I'll be doing this weekend. NOT playing Cleo's dastardly game.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
All the News That's Fit to Blog
"McKettrick's Luck" is still hanging in there on the bestseller lists--holding at #8 on the New York Times and selling strongly. With all this excitement, it's hard to settle down and work on the project at hand. Especially when people are digging wells and using nail guns and a variety of other construction type things. Bernicie is not a fan of construction, and neither am I, so we'll be retreating soon, with Sadie-bean, to the lake house. (Trust me, it is hard to write with a panicked Yorkie clinging to your shoulder with tiny front paws!)
Lest you think I'm complaining, I hasten to say that I'm NOT. A beautiful new barn will come out of all this, and the horses will be able to come home. The floors will be beautiful and Yorkie proof.
It's hectic, but it's certainly worth it.
And the book will get written--they always do.
Lest you think I'm complaining, I hasten to say that I'm NOT. A beautiful new barn will come out of all this, and the horses will be able to come home. The floors will be beautiful and Yorkie proof.
It's hectic, but it's certainly worth it.
And the book will get written--they always do.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Life is What Happens...
When you're trying to: write a book, renovate your house, build a barn. You fill in the blanks.
Yesterday, I didn't even get to this blog, because I was in a meeting for most of the day. We accomplished a lot, but STILL. You don't know how REALLY glad I am that meetings are not a regular part of my day.
Since the barn-building and the renovations are only going to get MORE hectic, Sadie, Bernice and I will be moving to the lake house soon. The kitties will be happier staying right here; they do not like road trips.
On a career front, "McKettrick's Luck" is doing amazingly well, and excitement is building because it soon "McKettrick's Pride" will be available, too. February 27 is the big day.
That's what's happening in the world of Linda Lael Miller. It's all good.
If I just remember to breathe....
Yesterday, I didn't even get to this blog, because I was in a meeting for most of the day. We accomplished a lot, but STILL. You don't know how REALLY glad I am that meetings are not a regular part of my day.
Since the barn-building and the renovations are only going to get MORE hectic, Sadie, Bernice and I will be moving to the lake house soon. The kitties will be happier staying right here; they do not like road trips.
On a career front, "McKettrick's Luck" is doing amazingly well, and excitement is building because it soon "McKettrick's Pride" will be available, too. February 27 is the big day.
That's what's happening in the world of Linda Lael Miller. It's all good.
If I just remember to breathe....
Monday, February 19, 2007
My Secret Love Affair
For some time now, I have been carrying on an affair--with Abraham Lincoln. I guess it's a good thing more than a century separates us, not that I think Mr. Lincoln would stoop to cheating on his beloved Mary. Despite her spending habits and the probability that she needed major doses of Lithium, he adored her. He understood commitment in a way the rest of us would do well to emulate.
Oh, well. It's an affair of the intellect, anyway.
There are a lot of misconceptions about Mr. Lincoln--these things always spring up around an icon. For instance, it is widely believed that he had a morose personality, and was constantly depressed. Early in his adulthood, he suffered a very severe depression--I believe he was coming to terms with his enormous destiny, for which nothing in his childhood could have prepared him. Later on, the Lincolns lost two children--first, Eddie, who died when they were still living in Springfield, and then Willie, while they were in the White House. The grief of losing these children etched itself deeply into Lincoln's face and, I believe, his soul. Poor Mary was never quite the same. The Civil War began immediately after he took office, if not slightly before, and the toll this took on him was beyond most people's ability to conceive. He was accused, with some justification, of moving too slowly, especially when it came to tasks like firing that egotistical incompetent, General McClellan. (My family got a big kick out of my consternation over this as I listened to 'Lincoln' on my iPod. "Why doesn't he show that fool the road?" I would rave, waving both arms in frustration, and it did them no good to remind me that history had already written the story.)
No, Lincoln was not a terminal depressive. When he smiled, it would light up a room. He loved stupid jokes--today, he would probably be insufferable for forwarding them over the internet. When he laughed, the sound rang off the walls, and he laughed often.
As for the ignorant backwoodsman gambit--that was the 1860s version of spin. Lincoln was fiercely ambitious. He was a master political strategist. He was brilliant, and possessed of a literary eloquence that is miraculous in light of his limited education--three years, slap-dash. He came to most decisions very slowly, much to the agitation of his friends and advisors, because he thought things through down to the last seemingly insignificant detail.
But these are only some of the reasons I admire Abraham Lincoln. The primary ones are courage, persistence and compassion in the face of incomrehensible adversity, and the extraordinary discipline it must have taken to decide upon the right course of action and see it through--no matter what. He was unpopular. The war was unpopular. Everybody, including his own cabinet, thought they knew how to handle things better.
Thank God they didn't get to take the reins.
Oh, well. It's an affair of the intellect, anyway.
There are a lot of misconceptions about Mr. Lincoln--these things always spring up around an icon. For instance, it is widely believed that he had a morose personality, and was constantly depressed. Early in his adulthood, he suffered a very severe depression--I believe he was coming to terms with his enormous destiny, for which nothing in his childhood could have prepared him. Later on, the Lincolns lost two children--first, Eddie, who died when they were still living in Springfield, and then Willie, while they were in the White House. The grief of losing these children etched itself deeply into Lincoln's face and, I believe, his soul. Poor Mary was never quite the same. The Civil War began immediately after he took office, if not slightly before, and the toll this took on him was beyond most people's ability to conceive. He was accused, with some justification, of moving too slowly, especially when it came to tasks like firing that egotistical incompetent, General McClellan. (My family got a big kick out of my consternation over this as I listened to 'Lincoln' on my iPod. "Why doesn't he show that fool the road?" I would rave, waving both arms in frustration, and it did them no good to remind me that history had already written the story.)
No, Lincoln was not a terminal depressive. When he smiled, it would light up a room. He loved stupid jokes--today, he would probably be insufferable for forwarding them over the internet. When he laughed, the sound rang off the walls, and he laughed often.
As for the ignorant backwoodsman gambit--that was the 1860s version of spin. Lincoln was fiercely ambitious. He was a master political strategist. He was brilliant, and possessed of a literary eloquence that is miraculous in light of his limited education--three years, slap-dash. He came to most decisions very slowly, much to the agitation of his friends and advisors, because he thought things through down to the last seemingly insignificant detail.
But these are only some of the reasons I admire Abraham Lincoln. The primary ones are courage, persistence and compassion in the face of incomrehensible adversity, and the extraordinary discipline it must have taken to decide upon the right course of action and see it through--no matter what. He was unpopular. The war was unpopular. Everybody, including his own cabinet, thought they knew how to handle things better.
Thank God they didn't get to take the reins.
Friday, February 16, 2007
The Hurrier I Go, the Behinder I Get!
I don't know what it is with me this week. Everything just seems to take a little longer than usual, including getting to the computer to write this blog.
Maybe it's because, this morning, after my devotions and journaling, I got to reading a copy of "McKettrick's Pride", the next book in the McKettrick Men series. Now, considering that I wrote the book, and therefore know how it all turned out, it was amazing how I got sucked into the story. The book runs very deep with me, especially the part played by the lost, bedraggled dog the heroine takes in and dubs Avalon. It touches a nerve--the defenselessness of animals, and how greatly they depend on our kindness and our willingness to go just a little out of our way to help. Some of Echo's issues are my issues, too--things I think most women would recognize and relate to. And on top of all that, I just like spending time with those wonderful McKettrick men. What makes them special?
Sure, they're sexy, and real easy on the eyes. But I love them because they live by their values--integrity, honor, compassion, and courage, especially in the face of adversity.
Have a fabulous weekend. If you haven't read "McKettrick's Luck" yet, you might want to pick up a copy and get started. They're an outfit on the move, those McKettricks.
Maybe it's because, this morning, after my devotions and journaling, I got to reading a copy of "McKettrick's Pride", the next book in the McKettrick Men series. Now, considering that I wrote the book, and therefore know how it all turned out, it was amazing how I got sucked into the story. The book runs very deep with me, especially the part played by the lost, bedraggled dog the heroine takes in and dubs Avalon. It touches a nerve--the defenselessness of animals, and how greatly they depend on our kindness and our willingness to go just a little out of our way to help. Some of Echo's issues are my issues, too--things I think most women would recognize and relate to. And on top of all that, I just like spending time with those wonderful McKettrick men. What makes them special?
Sure, they're sexy, and real easy on the eyes. But I love them because they live by their values--integrity, honor, compassion, and courage, especially in the face of adversity.
Have a fabulous weekend. If you haven't read "McKettrick's Luck" yet, you might want to pick up a copy and get started. They're an outfit on the move, those McKettricks.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Phew!
This week has just gone racing by! There was so much excitement, and so many things to catch up with after my whirlwind trip to Phoenix, and then I had routine doctor and dentist appointments...
I think I forgot to cover last Friday--I had a signing at the Desert Ridge Barnes and Noble, overseen by my good friend, Erica Ashcroft, and dinner the same night with my sister, Pam, and brother-in-law, Jon Reily. We had Thai food and a good visit.
Another highlight was a multi-city media tour--I got up (at 1:30AM) and headed to a studio in Phoenix with my escort, where a makeup artist was waiting to doll me up for the cameras. I sat in a studio, intermittently, and did something like 14 TV interviews about "McKettrick's Luck", which, I am happy to say, is on the bestseller list again this week! Soon, thanks to my friend Deitrich, one or more of these clips will be available on the website. I was so tired after that media tour that I went back to the hotel at noon, closed all the curtains, put out the do-not-disturb sign, and crashed for three hours! The next day, I went up to Prescott (pronounced Preskit by the locals) and appeared on TV there, and it was a lot of fun.
I did a lot of stock signings in Phoenix, too, which simply means I went into book stores and signed what they had on hand.
That about covers Phoenix.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you a little about "McKettrick's Pride", the next book in the McKettrick Men series. It will be on sale February 27.
I think I forgot to cover last Friday--I had a signing at the Desert Ridge Barnes and Noble, overseen by my good friend, Erica Ashcroft, and dinner the same night with my sister, Pam, and brother-in-law, Jon Reily. We had Thai food and a good visit.
Another highlight was a multi-city media tour--I got up (at 1:30AM) and headed to a studio in Phoenix with my escort, where a makeup artist was waiting to doll me up for the cameras. I sat in a studio, intermittently, and did something like 14 TV interviews about "McKettrick's Luck", which, I am happy to say, is on the bestseller list again this week! Soon, thanks to my friend Deitrich, one or more of these clips will be available on the website. I was so tired after that media tour that I went back to the hotel at noon, closed all the curtains, put out the do-not-disturb sign, and crashed for three hours! The next day, I went up to Prescott (pronounced Preskit by the locals) and appeared on TV there, and it was a lot of fun.
I did a lot of stock signings in Phoenix, too, which simply means I went into book stores and signed what they had on hand.
That about covers Phoenix.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you a little about "McKettrick's Pride", the next book in the McKettrick Men series. It will be on sale February 27.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Be Jesse's Valentine
If you haven't been romanced by Jesse McKettrick, hero of "McKettrick's Luck", you just plain haven't been romanced!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Better Late Than Never
As many of you know, I usually blog early in the morning--generally before the sun comes up. Today, I had a doctor's appointment--nothing serious--and simply didn't get to the computer on time. It's around two in the afternoon now--since I get up before the chickens do, it's dern near bedtime!
More on Phoenix. We're up to last Saturday now. I got to sleep in, and appeared at artist Ron Burns' Vessley Gallery in Scottsdale. To my disappointment, Ron was painting that day (he does the most wonderful portraits of dogs and cats), so I didn't get to meet him. I did buy a print, though, one I will proudly display. The animals in his paintings have the most soulful, liquid eyes I have ever seen. You just want to tumble right into them. Like me, Ron is associated with the Humane Society of the United States--his wonderful work hangs all over their national headquarters.
They're still drilling for the well out front. Bernicie is fit to be tied. She barks and barks. ("Mom! There's a truck on our property! DO something!")
I'll be on time for tomorrow's blog, good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.
More on Phoenix. We're up to last Saturday now. I got to sleep in, and appeared at artist Ron Burns' Vessley Gallery in Scottsdale. To my disappointment, Ron was painting that day (he does the most wonderful portraits of dogs and cats), so I didn't get to meet him. I did buy a print, though, one I will proudly display. The animals in his paintings have the most soulful, liquid eyes I have ever seen. You just want to tumble right into them. Like me, Ron is associated with the Humane Society of the United States--his wonderful work hangs all over their national headquarters.
They're still drilling for the well out front. Bernicie is fit to be tied. She barks and barks. ("Mom! There's a truck on our property! DO something!")
I'll be on time for tomorrow's blog, good Lord willin' and the creek don't rise.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday Afternoon
I had a postively wonderful time at the signing at Walden Books yesterday afternoon! So many of you came out, even though it was rainy and gloomy outside. But, then, what better way to spend a rainy afternoon than inside a book store???
The sun is barely up as I write this, and the draw is shrouded in thick fog. I did my morning devotions in front of the living room fire, in the company of my dogs and cats. (Friends, it doesn't get any better than that. I am so blessed.)
I promised to tell you about last week's book tour in Phoenix, so here goes. The sunshine was positively medicinal, a Spokane winter being--well--a Spokane winter. My able assistant Jenni and I arrived on Thursday, picked up the rental car and checked into the hotel. Then we did what any sensible women would do--we shopped! On Friday morning, I appeared on "Midday Arizona", where I was delighted to make the acquaintance of Wilbur, a small and ridiculously cute kitten soon to be adopted, courtesy of Phoenix's wonderful Humane Society shelter. As if that wasn't enough, I got to meet Jimmy Wayne, a young (and very cute) country western singer. I was VERY impressed with Jimmy, not only because he has a terrific voice, but because he's associated with a wonderful organization called HomeBase. They work with homeless street kids. Jimmy's own story is pretty inspirational--check him out at www.JimmyWayne.com.
I'm working on getting some autographed copies of his CD to give as prizes on this very website.
So that's today's installment.
On the book front, "McKettrick's Choice" is riding high on the bestseller lists. Yeehaw!!! (As Jesse would say.)
The sun is barely up as I write this, and the draw is shrouded in thick fog. I did my morning devotions in front of the living room fire, in the company of my dogs and cats. (Friends, it doesn't get any better than that. I am so blessed.)
I promised to tell you about last week's book tour in Phoenix, so here goes. The sunshine was positively medicinal, a Spokane winter being--well--a Spokane winter. My able assistant Jenni and I arrived on Thursday, picked up the rental car and checked into the hotel. Then we did what any sensible women would do--we shopped! On Friday morning, I appeared on "Midday Arizona", where I was delighted to make the acquaintance of Wilbur, a small and ridiculously cute kitten soon to be adopted, courtesy of Phoenix's wonderful Humane Society shelter. As if that wasn't enough, I got to meet Jimmy Wayne, a young (and very cute) country western singer. I was VERY impressed with Jimmy, not only because he has a terrific voice, but because he's associated with a wonderful organization called HomeBase. They work with homeless street kids. Jimmy's own story is pretty inspirational--check him out at www.JimmyWayne.com.
I'm working on getting some autographed copies of his CD to give as prizes on this very website.
So that's today's installment.
On the book front, "McKettrick's Choice" is riding high on the bestseller lists. Yeehaw!!! (As Jesse would say.)
Friday, February 09, 2007
Wonderful News
"McKettrick's Luck", I'm happy to say, debuted at #5 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is #8 on the USA Today list to boot!!
I had a fabulous time on my trip to Phoenix to promote the new book, and there is so much to tell you! I'll probably be spending all of next week just bringing you up to date!
Bernice, the Porky Yorkie, has been barking her brains out this morning, alerting us all to the news that there are construction trucks on the property, clearing space for the new barn. We're actually rolling! One day soon, my four horses will be coming home for good. All I've got to say about that is, HALLELUJAH!
My sincerest thanks to every one of you who went out and bought "McKettrick's Luck". Enjoy!
I have a signing this weekend, Sunday, February 11, from 12-2pm, at the Walden Books in Spokane Valley Mall. I hope a whole passel of you will show up to say howdy.
More on Monday!
I had a fabulous time on my trip to Phoenix to promote the new book, and there is so much to tell you! I'll probably be spending all of next week just bringing you up to date!
Bernice, the Porky Yorkie, has been barking her brains out this morning, alerting us all to the news that there are construction trucks on the property, clearing space for the new barn. We're actually rolling! One day soon, my four horses will be coming home for good. All I've got to say about that is, HALLELUJAH!
My sincerest thanks to every one of you who went out and bought "McKettrick's Luck". Enjoy!
I have a signing this weekend, Sunday, February 11, from 12-2pm, at the Walden Books in Spokane Valley Mall. I hope a whole passel of you will show up to say howdy.
More on Monday!
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