Color Me Surprised

Good news is always welcome, especially when things aren't going well. That's what happened today. While picking up by grandson from pre-K this afternoon, after fighting him only hours before about going to school, I received a phone call that turned my day around and brought out the sunshine. The short contemporary category coordinator for the National Readers Choice Award contest called me to let me know that my first Harlequin American, FAMILY BY DESIGN, is a finalist in the contest. NRCA is judged by readers across the United States, so being chosen a finalist is, to me, a very prestigious honor. This is my second time as a finalist in this contest. The first time was with my debut Silhouette Romance, RACHEL'S RESCUER, in 2001. I wasn't at all disappointed not to win, because just being among some of the best in the business was a thrill.

Sadly, I won't be attending RWA's National Conference in Washington, D.C. where the winners of the NRCA will be announced in July. But just knowing one of my books is again among books by some of the finest authors in the romance industry puts a big smile on my face.

Thank you, readers! And thank you, OKRWA!

A New Blog for Writers & Readers

I've been very busy! Working on galleys for THE RODEO RIDER and finishing last minute details on BACHELOR COWBOY have been a huge priority. It's so amazing to know that in only a few months, THE RODEO RIDER will be available in bookstores. I'll have more to share on that as the release date draws closer.

I've also recently completed a new website for Inspirational author Patricia Davids, who writes for Steeple Hill Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense. Pat and I would love to have you visit her new website and get to know her and her fantastic books.

But there's one other thing that's kept me away.

My local writers group, Wichita Area Romance Authors (WARA), started a blog on April 1, and you're invited to visit!

Bits & Bytes: Romance...the Writer's Way is all about writing romance. We're discussing all aspects of writing romance, from romance genres & sub-genres to the ups & downs of the publishing world and everything in-between.

Whether you're currently a romance writer, thinking about writing a romance, or a reader interested in the fascinating world of romance novels and romance authors, we'd love to have you visit our blog and let us know what you think or add to our discussion via a comment.

Bits & Bytes: Romance...the Writer's Way

WARA Website

More Book News!

The second of the books set in Desperation, Oklahoma has an official title. BACHELOR COWBOY will be released in January next year. For more information on both it and THE RODEO RIDER, check out the "Coming Soon!" link under "The Books" or click here.

Books News

It's been a long day with four grandkids here on spring break, but I have news on the release date for my third Harlequin American. TAMING KATE is the working title, and I should have the official one in a fews days. It will be a January 2010 release. This is the second book of a series set in the fictional town of Desperation, Oklahoma, and is the story of the best friend of the hero in THE RODEO RIDER, which will hit shelves this year in August. For more information on the Desperation books, check out my books page via the menu on the left.

Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!!!

March 2009 Harlequin Americans

If you haven't checked out the Harlequin American offerings for this month, now is the time!

Busy as a Bee

Yes, it's been a very busy time here and not what I had expected. All of us--kids and grandkids--have been down with something during the past month, whether it was colds or flu. Most of us are better, but my cold settled in my ears and although they don't hurt, I can't hear well. It makes for a lot of "excuse me's".

In spite of the not-so-great health, I've been working on several website projects. Besides the normal updating that's done each month, I created a new website for my local writer's group. If you feel the urge, take a look at WARA (Wichita Area Romance Authors). If you're a writer, there are some articles and tips on writing. Later next month, we'll have a blog--Bits & Bytes: Romance the Writer's Way--directly addressing writing romances. We're planning to have some great discussions, so I hope others will join us there, whether writers or readers or anyone curious about writing romance.

By the end of this week, there will be two more "new" websites. My friend, author Patricia Davids, who writes for Steeple Hill Love Inspired, and I have been working on a facelift for her website. We'll be unveiling it later this week. And Harlequin Romance author Susan Meier has a new blog about home cooking that we hope to have jazzed up by the first of next week at the latest.

I'll try my best to squeeze in a quick visit and post here this week and will post the March HAR covers. As always, they're great!

January & February 2009 Harlequin American

It's my pleasure to introduce my friend Lisa Child's first book in her newest series and all of Harlequin American's February authors and releases. What a wonderful Valentine's gift a book is for ourselves or to lift the spirits of a friend!

Feburary 2009 Releases

And if you might have missed them...

January 2009 Releases