Summer Reads

I've settled in my new location and I'm getting back to all the work of writing and editing I've ignored for the past two months.

This month I've been excited to hear about some summer reads which are great sequels to books I loved. If you are looking for a continuing series, you might want to check out these authors.

Lisa Hendrix' sequel to Immortal Warrior is being released tomorrow. I loved the first book in every way. The plot, the characters, the writing. I'm really looking forward to reading Immortal Outlaw.

This time the Viking Warrior is Steinarr the Proud, condemned to live out eternity as a were-creature. At night he transforms into a lion. Will he ever find a maiden who can set him free to love as a man.





Coming in August is the sequel to the wonderful School of Gallantry (or is it seduction) series. Delilah Marvelle began the series with Mistress of Pleasure, which was a breath of fresh air among the usual historical romance fare. No shrinking violets overpowered by men in her books. The second book Lord of Pleasure will be out in August. It pits the rake of all London against a widow who suffered years with a philandering husband. I can hardly wait to see how these two work out a lasting relationship.

Frequently I need to leave the dark paranormal world, or the extremely sensuous and settle in with a book where I know that the romance has a spiritual center. My favorite author in the Inspirational Romance genre is Terri Reed, who provides a great story with a twist of suspense. Terri's next book is available now from Steeple Hill-- Her Last Chance. The mysterious man at her door swears he recognizes her. She's Leah Farley. Mother, wife—and suspected murderer. But her amnesia has wiped away memories of her former life. When a shower of bullets follows the man's claims, Leah is forced to accept the truth. She's in danger. And unless she can make herself remember, there's no way to stay safe. With bounty hunter Roman Black's help, she must uncover her lost memories—before the killer succeeds in keeping Leah's past and future buried forever.

Enjoy your summer reads.

Moving to God's Country

Fearing that losing my current job would be a very difficult transition to somewhere back east (or worse in snow country in the midwest), I have been blessedly surprised. Instead, I have been offered and accepted a dream job based in the California Redwoods. If you have never been to the redwoods, you can't imagine how amazing they are. No matter how many pictures you see, or how people describe the experience of being in a redwood forest, it is nothing compared to the reality. When the world's tallest trees surround you and present their own natural temple, it forces you to realize how small you really are in the scheme of things and yet how easily you can screw it up.

For me, walking through a redwood forest is truly a spiritual experience. It makes me meditative and so very thankful we still have places like this on earth. Now that I will be living among these magnificent trees again, it makes me smile from ear to ear.

In many ways, moving back to redwood country is a kind of coming home. I did my undergraduate work at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. I will now be living and working only five or six miles south of the university in Eureka, California. To make the move even more special, I have been introduced to a fellow RWA member--Terry McLaughlin--who writes for Harlequin Superromance. Already, she has been friendly and inviting. She has given me the scoop on local doctors, dentists, etc. Knowing there is a fellow romance writer in the area will make my transition even more smooth. After all, my life includes not only my passion for education but also my passion for writing women's fiction.

Over the next two months I'll be busy finishing my transition out of the job in Portland, packing, moving, unpacking, and starting my new job. Then it will be back to writing in the evening and on weekends.

I know how truly fortunate I am to have found something so perfect for me--a job I would have never seen if I hadn't been laid off. Life is truly amazing and my mother's reminder: "When a door closes, God open's a window" has once again proven to be true. I only pray that it is true for many more people who have been displaced in this economy.

Happy Writing!

Economic Woes and Wonders

It seems that every day there is another story of companies closing, workers losing jobs, and even publishing shedding employees. In my own family, the pink slip fairy has come calling as well.

At the risk of being called a Polly Anna, I've decided not to get lost in the throes of anger and frustration, which in the end get me nothing but momentary relief. Instead I choose to look at this as an opportunity to re-evaluate family goals and lifestyle choices. I have been very fortunate in my life to have never been without a roof over my head, food on the table, and depending on the decade I have often had both of those with some nice acoutrements as well.

Though times are going to be tougher, I still have the option to choose to live with less. I still have the option to choose to enjoy life at a slower pace, to do work that pays less but allows more time at home and less time in the office or traveling. Who knows, like many people in Polly's life, I may find that the new lifestyle of having less is in fact one of having more, one that may be very well suited to me.

Let's face it, we live in the richest country in the world--rich both in freedom and financially--in spite of this awful economic downturn. I've had the opportunity to visit many other countries in my life and to see the poverty the vast majority of the world's citizens experience. In this past year, I have seen hardworking people lose their homes and have to readjust their lives to living with other family members or doubling up with friends. I truly feel for them, but I also know that those types of lifestyle choices for many people in the world is the only one they have ever had or will have in their lifetime.

I'm also a student of history. I know that our country is great and that this too shall pass. I know that economies cycle and, though this downward cycle is the most painful in my life, the economy will turn upward again and the country will be prosperous again. The key is finding a way not only to survive this time, but to thrive--finding a way to still smile at the wonder of love, the beauty which surrounds me, and to recount each and every gift I've been given.

Polly Anna is a good role model for me. Now, if I could only find that hat I'm sure it will make my look complete.

If I see you on the street, or hear from you in email, and you call me Polly Anna I will smile and thank you.

New Year's Book Looks

The New Year has already started off with a bang. After the snows from the arctic blast, the new school term began and it's been fast and furious. Then this past weekend, my chapter had a two day retreat with the marvelous Alicia Rasley. She did a marvelous workshop and shared lots of great ideas and knowledge. After meeting her and listening to her, I'm convinced she must be an editor who truly makes books significantly better. Too bad I don't write erotica (she is editing for Red Sage) or I would submit to her in a heartbeat.

Last week I was invited to comment on Delle Jacob's author blog. I was asked to follow-up on a comment I made about the possible impacts of romance books on the reader's expectations in their own personal relationships. If you are interested or have a comment about how reading romance has helped or hindered your personal relationships, go to Delle Jacobs blog and read my post.

I've also decided that I don't always have something interesting to say here on my blog and so need to invite other guests on occasion. (Some might argue that even what I've already said isn't interesting. :) In any case, what I know is interesting to most readers is getting to know authors and learning more about releases on a deeper level than the tag line in a magazine or a review on Amazon. So, once a week I will invite an author to answer questions about their new book release.

I'm going to concentrate on debut authors, but I will also invite others that I happen to like and would highly recommend. So keep an eye out. If there is someone in particular you want to have me interview, let me know and I'll do my best to get them here.

Reflections on 2008

I took this picture at Thanksgiving time in Bend, Oregon. We were walking around the Peterson Rock Garden and Museum and this reflection really caught my eye. The shed is nondescript, but the white and red stood out to me. Also, the brown leaves and dormant flowers combined to remind me more of the coming winter.

Reflections are like that for me--an honest look back at the past year. These few days before the New Year rings in, I tend to reflec on what went right, what went wrong, what I will do differently in 2009. Of course there is the usual, exercise more and eat less that seems to be the same every year. There were a lot of changes for me: youngest son graduating from college, moving away and starting a career; not getting a fiction book published though I was certain 2008 was my year; a new Dean joined our university which means lots of change is still coming; and ongoing questions in my mind about the balance of day job, writing, family, church, and pure me time. I'm not sure I'll ever figure that one out.

On the positive side, my involvement at church has been much more focused this past year and I feel good about that. I did a lot of good and innovative things at my day job. My fourth non-fiction book about online learning was published. This was my first with a co-author which is a very different experience from writing solo. Being true empty nesters has been a wonderful time for me and my husband, kind of like a second honeymoon year. There is certainly a feeling of freedom with no children or young adults under foot. On the fiction writing front I became more focused on marketing and I have a much better sense of my voice and style. I think that will yield results.


For 2009 my watchword will be focus. The Peterson Rock Garden and Museum brought that home to me. It is an eccentric place, but it certainly speaks to focus and the vision, passion, and art of one man. Born in 1883, in Denmark, Rasmus Petersen immigrated to the U.S. in 1900. In 1906 he had settled around the Cascade Mountains in Oregon, just outsid of what is now known as Bend. This area had a lot of volcanic activity in its past and he began to collect rocks on his land and then using them to construct miniature buildings, monuments, and bridges. By 1950 he had built so many of these monuments on his property it had become a museum. I don't remember how many monuments we saw (10 maybe). One was a panorama from the Statue of Liberty to the Golden Gate Bridge--all made of rocks.

Anyway, it is that kind of passion and focus that I want to give to my life in 2009. I've always been pretty passionate and focused, but it is often spread among too many things. I think that this year I'm going to make choices more carefully and allow more time for that focus. It will be interesting to see what comes out of that.

How about you? What is your watchword for 2009? What will be your focus?

Holiday Gifts and Fun

It's 18 degrees outside in Portland, Oregon. This is NOT normal for us. It is snowing, the roads are covered with ice, and even the beaches have snow. Brrrr! When I moved from Ohio I thought I was putting all this behind me. I don't even own a down coat anymore.

Have you been wondering what gifts you can get that don't cost too much, will last awhile, and be truly personal? I have the perfect thing for you--books! Rose City Romance Writers have produced a lot of books during 2008. In December alone we had seven releases. None of the December books appeal to you or the person you wish to gift? Then click on READ MORE button at the bottom of the new release page and see all the books our authors have produced during 2008.

Don't have any money? I still have fun things for you to do around the web. The RCRW authors are always having online contests, parties, and other events for you to attend. Here are a few of the ones I've personally enjoyed.

Elisabeth Naughton's FORTUNE and GLORY CONTEST. Embark on your very own quest, partner up with a sexy treasure hunting guide and enter to win a $100 VISA gift card. If the first guide doesn't meet your fancy, try again. We all have different tastes. This is anticipation of her book release in January, Stolen Fury.

Delilah Marvelle's blog is a hoot. Ever wonder about sex in the Regency Period? Every week she adds another post with amazing, and often hilarious results. Also, don't miss her book, Mistress of Pleasure. What would you do if you inherited a Bordello but didn't want to be a madam? Delilah's story provides a novel resolution to this dilemma.





What have I read lately that I can recommend? I've been traveling a lot over the past few months, so I've read lots of books. Here are just a few I REALLY enjoyed.

I just completed Kristin Hannah's two books: The Magic Hour and Firefly Lane. I loved them both. I you like books about women's lives, choices, relationships these are great. Fair warning, however, both will require hankies as you are reading.






Looking for a more historical read with a paranormal twist, then try Megan Chance's The Spiritualist. I was turning pages as fast as possible and loved the ending. A really strong book with an independent heroine.

Looking for a little more fun and light reading, then I recommend Jenna Bayley-Burke's Her Cinderella Complex.




Finally, if you are looking for more of a holiday read. Please pick up Terri Reed's book, Double Threat Christmas. She is a great inspirational writer, and this is the third in her inspirational suspense series about the McClain's. Of course, I've now read all three McClain family books and I can guarantee you won't go wrong by picking up the entire series.

Lots of choices, and lots of fun.


Happy Holidays! I wish you lots of friends and family surrounding you, good food accompanying you, and a time of prayerful peace and reflection on the past year and plans for 2009.

I Wish You Thankful and Blessed Holidays

The past six weeks have been a whirlwind for me with lots of travel for work. I've barely had a chance to think about anything but packing, getting on a plane, finding my hotel, , then getting on a plane to head home only to leave a couple days later. I used to love this type of schedule when I was in my twenties. In my fifties it is not quite as appealing.

In deference to my husband, who has only seen me packing and repacking lately, we decided to take the Thanksgiving holiday and just spend five blessed days alone and away from the world. We usually spend Thanksgiving with numerous cousins, aunts, uncles, and my parents. But this time we were completely selfish and just took time for ourselves. It was the best thing we could have done.

We escaped from home so we wouldn't be tempted by chores or work. We spent a lot of time outdoors in nature and some time in museums. I did miss seeing family--a little--and all the variety of foods we share. But our time together was so refreshing and renewing that I wouldn't trade it for the world.

As I enter the holiday season I am reminded how fortunate I am. Yes, my life tends to be overly busy and overly committed, but that is a minor discomfort in comparison to the sorrows of so many other people. My parents are still alive and fairly active. Our sons are currently safe and happy in their lives and each is actively pursuing their life long careers and loves. We both have incomes that don't seem to be in jeopardy, in spite of the economic woes of our country. We are truly blessed.

This feeling of thankfulness is one I treasure as we enter into Christmas and the New Year. It has always been our tradition to honor Christmas by giving what we can to those who need it most, and this is year is a particularly dark year for many families and non-profit agencies. With so many requests it is hard to choose, but I believe anything we can do will be greatly appreciated. I hope you will consider something similar as well. Food Banks are in great need across the country. Shelters for families and abused women are filled to the brim. Churches have found their tithes and offerings to be severely limited, making it difficult to maintain staff or to pay for services they often contribute to the poor. There are many ways you can help. Choose something that speaks to you.

Finally, as I enter the New Year I always take time to reflect on the past year and make goals for the next year. I think it is important to become a better person each year. It's not enough to rest on my accomplishments of the past. I need to continually improve--at work, at home, in writing, in life. Actually, I treasurer this time of reflection because it always brings me great hope. I'm not sure yet what my goals will be, but I'm sure they will be challenging. They always are. :)

I hope your holidays are filled with opportunities to be thankful, the ability to share with others, time for reflection, and ultimately great hope and anticipation for 2009. Blessings.