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.

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!

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.

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.)

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!