Review of The Lawman's Christmas Wish

In case you're interested, some kind blogger posted a review of my latest book. Click the blue link to read it.

FREE BOOKS Today

I don't blog much but today I'm visiting a lovely blog called, Inkwell Inspirations. There, I'm discussing faith and big dreams, AND giving away a packet of three books including the latest one, THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. Won't you come over and leave a comment? You just might be my big winner!

NEW BOOK -THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH

My newest Love Inspired novel, THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH, has been sighted in Walmart, Walden's, Borders and other book stores, so it has arrived a few weeks early. It's Book six and my only contribution to the ALASKAN BRIDE RUSH series, a fun series about a missing treasure, a dying Alaskan town, and a lot of good looking wilderness tour guides and the ladies who love them.
THE LAWMAN'S CHRISTMAS WISH is about Christmas with a twist of mystery, some danger, and a very brave hero and his equally heroic dog. I hope you like it!

Home again

I'm back from Orlando. Didn't win another RITA but I had a wonderful time reconnecting with author-friends and seeing Disney World! I took Masha, my 14 year old, along with me. Despite the heat, we soaked up the wonder of Disney. So much color, so many parades and characters and rides and shows. It's an amazing place!

Orlando and The Rita Award

On Tuesday, I’ll be traveling to Orlando, Florida to the Romance Writers of America’s national conference. There, industry professionals from all over the globe gather for an intense business conference that is also loads of fun. The culmination of the week of learning, working and networking, comes at the RITA Award ceremony on Saturday night. It’s a fancy, formal affair with lots of glitter, glitz and class. If you’ve never seen your face on a giant Jumbotron-type screen, let me tell you, it’s—well, a little disconcerting! This year, I’m a finalist in the contemporary romance category so Jumbotron, here I come again!


Most people outside the industry may not be aware of what a huge deal the RITA is-or even what it is-so I thought I’d post about it.

The RITA Award, named for one of the founders of RWA, is the “Academy Award” of Romance Writing. It recognizes outstanding romance fiction published within the past year. The awards are broken down into twelve categories that represent the various types of romance novels on the market-contemporary, historical, inspirational, paranormal, single title-to name a few. Just as Oscar winners are judged by people in the movie industry, our books are judged and scored by RWA members. Finalists from over 1,000 entries are announced in March and the books are scored again by a different set of judges. The winners are announced during the glamorous award ceremony at RWA’s national conference in July. The result is an award that’s hard to win and therefore carries a certain clout within the industry.

I won in the inspirational category in 2008 and this year, I’m a finalist for a contemporary series book, THE SNOW-KISSED BRIDE. I consider myself a dark horse, the only traditional in a huge category with books that vary in content from spicy to sweet and from Nascar to a desert sheik. The other authors are amazing writers, so I’m thrilled and honored to be in their midst. For a complete list with book covers and photos, click here.

Wish me luck!

Author Extravaganza

What a week! The airport, shopping for a fancy dress, the hair-dresser, a birthday party, a rodeo and on Saturday the big booksigning. Oh, yeah, and somewhere in there I'm homeschooling and writing books!

Please come by Mardels Book Store if you're in the Edmond, Oklahoma area between 11 and 3 on Saturday, July 17. Along with seven other Oklahoma authors, I'll be signing books, giving away free stuff (including books and chocolate), and having a great time. K-Love Radio will be there broadcasting, too!

Can't wait to see you there!

Booksigning July 17-Drawing for Free Books!

I will be signing my favorite new book, THE WEDDING GARDEN, July 17 at Mardels in Edmond, OK. I love this story of the return of Redemption River's bad boy and think you will too.

Six other authors will also be on hand for a fantastic meet and greet opportunity.

 Come by and say hello and sign up for the giveaways. I'd love to see you there!

THE WEDDING GARDEN

THE WEDDING GARDEN

My newest book in the Redemption River series will hit the stands anywhere books are sold sometime during the last week of April and the first week of May. I hope you'll pick up a copy and let me know how you like it.

To order from amazon.com click this link:

RITA Nomination!

THE SNOW-KISSED BRIDE is nominated for a RITA Award!

REDEMPTION RIVER - New Series

My new series from Love Inspired began with January book, FINDING HER WAY HOME. It's still available so please order a copy or pick one up from your local book seller. Walmart is out already so please try elsewhere.

Book 2 - THE WEDDING GARDEN arrives in May. I'm already getting some exciting buzz about this book that just thrills me to pieces.  Love Inspired has asked me if they can send out first chapter samples of the book, a good indication that the editors love it too.  No cover yet, but when I get one, I will post it here.

There are 3 more books already scheduled for next year in this series about a small town where hope and healing flow like a river.

Please join me Redemption very soon!!

FINDING HER WAY HOME

FINDING HER WAY HOME has officially found its way to bookstores, Walmart, Amazon and anywhere else you might want to buy a book. Hope you like it!

Snow Ice Cream!!

We rarely have snow in my part of the country. Maybe once a year we get a dusting or if we’re really lucky, a couple of inches. This year, on Christmas Eve, I witnessed my very first blizzard, resulting in snowdrifts up to several feet of wonderful, fluffy, dry snow.


When I was a kid, we couldn’t afford ice cream but when it snowed, Mom would make snow ice cream. I loved it then. I love it now. My kids and grandkids love it too. So here is my recipe for all of you have snow. (Please note, I know some people think it's gross or unhealthy to eat snow. If you do, don't make this. I personally think it's fine.)

Snow ice Cream

(All ingredients are approximates)

1 lg. (3 quart bowl) of clean, dry snow
1 cup of sugar

2 ½ TBS. Cocoa

1-2 tsp. real vanilla extract

½ cup of Milnot

¼ cup of milk (approx.)

Mix cocoa and sugar together, then sprinkle over the top of the snow and mix in lightly with a fork. Once the snow is chocolate colored, slowly add the vanilla and milks, mixing with fork after each addition. Continue until you reach a nice thick ice cream consistency. Put in freezer for a few minutes. Then eat and enjoy!

CHRISTMAS CLASSICS

I received an early Christmas surprise from Love Inspired. They have released my first two books as a duo just in time for Christmas. Both stories have Christmas themes. The shelf date is December 4, so if you've not had a chance to read these, I hope you'll pick one up for a cozy Christmas feeling.

LOVE those Santa cookies on the cover, don't you?

COWBOY DADDY, JINGLE BELL BABY

Even though the title is hokey and the cover not much better, I hope you all enjoy my latest traditional romance from Harlequin Romance. In the story, the cowboy is cuter and the baby is newborn!

But tell me, do you think that baby on the cover is real? Or does she look like a doll to you?  Just saying....

Exciting new series-REDEMPTION RIVER

Coming in 2010 from Love Inspired:

The first two installments of the new small town series, REDEMPTION RIVER.

FINDING HER WAY HOME - January 2010

THE WEDDING GARDEN - May 2010

Two More Sweet Romances on the Horizon

For those of you who enjoy my traditional 'sweet' romances from Harlequin, I have two more scheduled, but no covers yet to show you.

COWBOY DADDY, JINGLE BELL BABY - coming to the U.S. in November and the UK in September.


HER PRINCE'S SECRET SON - - will be released in Dec. 09 in the UK which means it will likely arrive in the U.S. in February.

WHAT'S COMING UP?

Free Downloadable books - including one of my Love Inspireds - A VERY SPECIAL DELIVERY - These are available all this year - Enjoy!!


NEW BOOKS:


Available in April - Perfect as a gift for Mothers' Day!!

Order here


COMING IN MAY - the story of Nic Carano, who first appeared in "A Season For Grace," 2007 ACFW Book of the Year.

Order here

NEW BOOK COMING MARCH 1!

Single Christian teacher Rainy Jernagen is a kid crazy foster mom. Rancher Nate Del Rio is burdened by the responsibility of his three siblings and never wants children. Can there be a future for this mismatched pair?

HOME TO CROSSROADS RANCH - Available March 1 where ever books are sold or order here.

New Book Coming in January

Romantic Times magazine gave the book 4 1/2 stars and said:

Living alone, with only the rescue dogs she trains for company, suits Melody Crawford perfectly. The locals think she's crazy, which is fine with her too -- it ensures her privacy unless she's needed for a search-and-rescue. That changes when ex-Army Ranger John North is hired as the team's management director. He enlists Melody's aid to improve the inadequate maps of the area and, in the process, befriends her. Trust is hard for Melody, due to her tragic family history, but somehow North gets to her, because intimacy isn't simple for him either. Goodnight offers a unique story with extra-special characters.....

Available January 13, 2009 Preorder now!

Order or read an excerpt at Amazon

Thanksgiving Recipes--yum

It's time to share some good eatin'! If you have a favorite recipe to share, please leave it for me in the comments. Here are a couple of my family favs.

Goodnight Sweet Potato Casserole

Casserole for a crowd:
3 big cans or 6 big, big sweet potatoess (baked/boiled and peeled and cut in hunks. You can also mash the potatoes if you like that consistency. )
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups brown sugar
½ cup pineapple juice, opt.
1 tsp. cinnamon –can add a sprinkle more
Mash this all together and spread in a 9 X 13 baking dish.

Sprinkle with the following praline topping
½ cup brown sugar
3 T. butter cold
4 Tsp. flour
Mix with fork until it crumbles.
Add ½ cup finely chopped pecans
Sprinkle over 9x13 casserole and bake at 350 for 30-45 min.



This salad, which is more like a pie to me, was a big hit its first time out last year at Thanksgiving. We're making it again this year.



STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

ngredients:
2 cups crushed hard pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
3 tablespoons sugar
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
2 cups whipped cream or whipped topping
1 package (6 oz) strawberry gelatin
1 package (10 oz) frozen strawberries, thawed
2 cups boiling water
1 cup sugar (Splenda works fine, too. In fact this recipe can be made with all low-fat ingredients for a great dessert that doesn't feel )low fat.

Preparation:
Mix together the crushed pretzels, butter or margarine, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Pat into a 9 x 13-inch baking dish; bake at 400° for 8 to 10 minutes. Beat the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar, and whipped topping and place over the cooled pretzel crust. Put this in the fridge while you make the next layer. Mix gelatin into boiling water, then add frozen strawberries. Put in fridge until it is 'jelly-like' but still spoonable. Spoon the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Put in the fridge until it all sets up nicely. (This is one of those things you can make the day before. Yay!)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!