Authors4Veterans Giveaway

After delivering our gift bags to Fisher House, it's time to give you readers the chance to win one of these amazing bags.  We have four insanely awesome bags to give away and the best news is they'll be mailed out before Christmas, so enter for the chance for yourself or the reader on your shopping list.
Here's what you could win:

3 Runner Up Reader Bags $160/ea Value:
Thirty-One Thermal Tote, 8-10 signed books, audio book, socks, handmade card pack, assorted extras, and more awesome author swag!
(Shown here is one unpackaged gift bag and the two other gift bags to be given away.  Winner of the unpackaged bag will not receive all three bags. Contents in the other two bags may be different than what is shown)

Authors4Veterans website post link: (won’t go live until 12:01 am November 27, 2017)
http://authors4veterans.com/2017/11/its-giveaway-time/ 

Grand Prize $250+ Value:
A4V monogramed Thirty-One Weekender Bag, 10 signed books, 1 audio book, fuzzy socks, post-it pack, nail kit, handmade card set, handmade bookmark, filled toiletry bag, candle, and lots of author swag!

What do you need to do to enter?  Click on the Rafflecopter below and enter as many times as you'd like.

Giveaway ends at 12:00 a.m. December 11, 2017.

Stay up to date on our charity, participating author releases and contests (yes, we have a few more goodies to give away over the coming months) by signing up for our newsletter here.
Authors, if you're interested in hearing about our next charity drive, please sign up here to be notified when we're accepting authors.  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners must collect their prizes within 30 days or they are forfeit.

Chillin' and Discovering treasures

A couple of weeks ago, my two best friends and I met in Sister's Oregon for conversation, browsing, and lots of laughs. These two ladies make this introvert come out of her shell.

Troublemaker, Negotiator, Along for the ride

We met at the Sister's Coffee House, visited, then strolled around town taking selfies, browsing, and some shopping.

I'm behind schedule in my writing but sometimes a person needs to step back from the things that bring on pressure and stop and laugh and visit and remember that work doesn't define your life, it's the friendships and good times that do.

We talked writing and books. One is a writer and the other an avid reader.

While browsing through a book/antique shop, I spied a book. The title caught my attention first: Triggernometry- A Gallery of Gunfighters by Eugene Cunningham. That grabbed my attention. Then I read the copyright and the first copyright on this was 1939. The person who wrote the book actually talked to people who knew or were associated with the gunfighters. So this is kind of a first person account. That is the kind of book I love to get my hands on for really learning about people and places that I write about in my historical westerns. More exact information than what a book published today contains. 

You can bet some of the interesting things I glean from this book will be used in upcoming Silver Dollar Saloon books. ;)

What I've learned so far is most of the time, the people gunned down were innocent and press or writers of Dime Novels idolized the person doing the shooting, making them heroes and famous gunmen. This is the truth I like. My guess as I read this book, I'll discover most of the gunfighters we see in movies and read about in books have all been more fabricated stories than truth.

Another treasure I purchased has nothing to do with writing and everything to do with my love of Candlewick glass and cake stands.

Giveaway and Find Great Authors! #LitRing #Prizes

 A group of authors, me included, have put together a fun way to find new authors and great books.What Will You Read Next? -- Quiz and Giveaway, by LitRing.

Take the quiz and you are eligible for the great prizes listed below and you have chances to pick up some wonderful books at great prices! The prizes are awesome:

• 1 $500 gift card
• 4 $100 gift cards
• 1 Kindle Fire
• 1 Nook Color
• 1 iPad Mini
• 1 Kobo Aura

All you have to do is take a fun quiz.  How cool is that?

Alphabetize or Categorize

That's the question at the moment.

I have empty bookcases that are aching to be used. My books are still boxed up. I hope to get them into the house this weekend and start placing them on the hallowed shelves. There is nothing that warms the cockles of my heart like seeing my bookcases full of books.

Most of my books are for research. I have two shelves on Native Americans, one shelf on murder, three or four on American history, one on cowboys/western life in the 1800's.And one shelf on Mayan and Aztec cultures. As you can tell most of my research reflects what I like to write about.

And I can't forget the shelf that has the "how to" writing books.

I also have several cool rock bookends and with my Native American art I purchased this summer I hope to also add a few of those knick knacks to the shelves.

I'm looking forward to unpacking my books and putting them on the shelves. Before I just had the books placed on the shelves with like books, this time I'll put them in the category they belong in and alphabetize them. It will make finding and replacing them much easier.

Speaking of the Native American art... I stare at the walls in my office trying to decide where I want to put the Sun God, where the three warriors picture should go and how to hang the tomahawk. Should it hang or should I put up a shelf for it and the pottery? Decisions, decisions. And I still need to write!

Novel characters what was I thinking?

If you haven't already heard, my first western historical novel Marshal in Petticoats is behind made into an audio book. I'm excited. I've heard the first fifteen minutes of the book and had shivers listening to my characters come to life.

What I hadn't expected was the narrator to ask me what TV or movie characters did I think best represented my characters. ???  It's rare that I base a character off a character from a show. I usually see, especially my main characters, as an independent person. Not a caricature of someone else.

Granted I have used a few- Holt, the hero in Bridled Heart, has some resemblances to actor Simon Baker. And the hero, U.S. Marshal Beck Harlan, in Improper Pinkerton was a composite of a football player I watched on Dancing with the Stars.

But when the narrator of Marshal in Petticoats ask me for TV and movie characters to stylize my characters after...I drew a blank.  And now thinking back, I should have told her Darcy Duncan, the heroine, was like Sandra Bullock's FBI characters, instead I told her Zoey Deschanel- a cross between her TV character and the one she played in Failure to Launch. And I told her a young Tom Selleck in a western for Jeremy Halsey the hero.  She already had the mayor figured out- Boss Hogg from Dukes of Hazard only not as goofy.

So now as I think about the next books in the Halsey series, because the plan is to get them all in audio, I've got to do some better thinking on the characters I believe my characters are like.

Outlaw in Petticoats-
Maeve Loman - She's going to be hard. She's stern and set in her beliefs.
Zeke Halsey - is more the young Tom Selleck. Kidding and then getting down to business when it needs to be done.

Miner in Petticoats-
Aileen Miller - a fiercely loving mother, who has been through a lot and doesn't want a man.
Ethan Halsey - Head of the Halsey clan. Feels the weight of his family rests on him.

Doctor in Petticoats-
Rachel Tarkiel - Funny but I think she is a good Keira Knightly character. She came easily to me when I saw Keira on a movie trailer. Everything she's been in speaks to me as Rachel.
Clay Halsey - Stubborn, independent - Almost a Rocky Balboa, nothing is going to keep him down. But not so silent.

Logger in Petticoats-
Kelda Neilsen- Strong, doesn't see herself as pretty, enjoys her loving family.
Hank Halsey - All business, out to prove himself. Probably Sam Elliott in his usual western portrayal.

So anyone out there have any ideas either from my descriptions or from reading the books?

Miner In Petticoats

I received word today that the release date in both e-book and print for the third Halsey brother book, Miner in Petticoats, is June 12, 2009. So you Halsey brother fans can be on the look out for the next book.

Here is the blurb:

Shouldering the burdens of his family and the mining community, Ethan Halsey devotes himself to providing for his brothers’s growing families.

However, Aileen Miller, a widow, also looking out for her family’s interests, refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle- one to push his dream to reality and the other to prove no man will hurt her again- their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide.


And the excerpt:
She slid her arms around his neck and pressed her body against him. “That’s okay. You taught me numbers, I’ll teach you what a woman wants.” Her lips brushed his lightly, back and forth, teasing, tingling. Her wet, warm mouth opened and he surrendered to her instruction.

Aileen owed the man kissing her back passionately, yet, she wasn’t sure how much she was willing to give. She wanted him. Her body wanted him. He’d proven his gentleness and was now proving his desire as his hands roamed over her hips and back up over her bottom and around just brushing the sides of her breasts. The feel of his strong, yet, gentle hands brought back faded memories of being loved. A feeling she thought would never happen again.

She placed her hands on either side of his rugged face and pulled back enough to keep their lips separated as she looked into his eyes. “Ah’ve a hunger fur ye. But Ah’ve bairn to think aboot.” The desire in his eyes didn’t lessen as his lips curved into a smile that dazzled her senses.

“I’ll keep my hands to myself when the children and others are present as long as you promise to slip into my arms when we’re alone.”

She studied his face. Was he willing to not bed her? Even though she knew he was rock hard and had to be hurting.

The first chapter of this book is in the back of Outlaw in Petticoats.

It Never Ends-

Closure on one story only opens up the possiblities of several more!

I had a successful week last week. It felt so good to stay in the creative mode and write every day. And it worked. My second contemporary western is finished. Now, I await the last chapters back from my CP to see where I might nave dropped the ball. I'm reading back through another time cleaning up, reorganizing sentences, then I'll send it to a beta reader. When it gets back from there, I'll check anything she targeted, then read through one more time to make sure it sparkles then send the full to the editor who requested.

This book couldn't have happened without a lot of help from many people. I'm making a list and they will all be acknowledged in the front of the book when it's puboished. I've been to several rodeos in my day, but I'm not a huge fan of watching horses and bulls slam men against fences, or men getting stepped on or kicked. But I do like watching the barrel racing. And roping is ho-hum for me. So getting other people's views on what goes on behind the arena was fascinating! There's a rodeo coming here this month and I'm going to try and drag my dh to it. Just to keep an eye on the behind the scenes stuff.

As soon as this book gets off to the beta reader I'll jump back into the Historical western that has been calling to me and an agent is waiting for.

I also have book thongs to get made for my book signing next month. At book signings I always give a book thong I've made that relates to the book with each signed book. This time I found a cute cowgirl holding a pistol charm that I'm putting on one end and I have beads the color of the cover on the other end.

How busy is your week looking?

Promo Wednesday

Not much happening in the promo department here. I've slowed down on the big push of promoting Outlaw in Petticoats. The next big push will be when it comes out in print in November. Right now I'm gearing up for RWA Nationals at the end of the month. I'm blasting out pages on the WIP so I can pitch it and have it ready to go if an agent or editor wants to see it. I'm working on my pitches. Glad my RWA chapter is having a pitch meeting next week. I can use help and practice giving my pitch.

I found out I give my workshop at the Historical Conference the Wednesday of Nationals in the morning. Which means I'll help with the literacy signing set up in the afternoon. That first day I have a pretty busy schedule!

I received a print copy of my critique partner, Nicole McCaffrey's book "The Model Man" autographed by her and I can't wait to read it again. This is a feel good, sexy read that you want to read over and over again. IF you don't have a copy you need to get one! You can download it electronically here or buy it in print here.

Another author friend has been raking in the good reviews for her two latest published works. Lauri Robinson's short story "An Unbelievable Journey" and her novel, "A Wife For Big John" are two feel good, funny reads. You can find these at The Wild Rose Press.

Anyone else have any exciting news?

Friday Five- things I've discovered this week

My FREE READ , Standoff For Love is available at www.thewildrosepress.com Hop over there and download a copy!

This has been a week of enlightenment and disappointment. Several of my RWA chapter mate's blogs on our blog, has got me to thinking and incidents that have occurred personally have been a disappointment.

So without further ado, here is my list-

1. I've discovered I can make it through a week with little to no writing getting done (due to outside influences) and not go entirely insane! I have been edgy wanting to write, but due to company, meetings, promo, and work related things, I've not written a single sentence on any WIP. Though I have done some research and made some connections for that.

2. While I am enjoying going to the gym and working out- it is taking away some writing time. Not sure if I'll stick it out after my two months- we'll see.

3. I'm having a milestone birthday next week, but I can't do what I want because my dh says we have to go to our other property and water the barley.

4. On the upside- one of the blogs this week on the chapter loop made me step back and rethink the next two Halsey brother books.

5. And Alice Sharpe's blog on Wednesday about how much is left on the cutting room floor from a movie and how we as writers need to bite the bullet and cut. Though if I cut too drastically, I'd have nothing left! LOL But it made me think harder about some scenes I had playing out in my head for the WIP. Are they necessary or are they just filler?

Did you have any AHA moments this week about yourself, work, family, writing, the weather??
If so share.

Monday, Monday!

Gray and gloomy again today! Sheesh! We had gorgeous weather half of Saturday and all day Sunday, but today, we're back to cloudy skies that look like they would like to down pour!

I've shifted gears from the western historical series to a contemporary western. It's the book that has been calling to me, and I've decided with some nudging from writer friends to go with the book that is swirling in my head. Don't fear, the series wasn't the Halsey brother books! I'm working up the fourth book as well as working on the contemporary.

I'll be chatting at Coffetime on Wednesday- day and I'm the featured author at Romance Book Junction Wednesday evening 5 PM PST and 8 PM EST. Then I'll be all day at Brenda Williamson Romance Party. So this is busy promotion week. Stop by one of the chats if you can.

What are your plans for the week? Are you having typical summer weather in your neck of the woods or has it been cool and wet as well?

Promo Day!

So far the sun is shining! We have had unusually wet and depressing weather. In fact my dh who usually doesn't complain about the weather has been.

There is a lot going on at Wild Rose Press this month and all of it good stuff! They are promoting both the lines I have books in. Yellow Rose and Cactus Rose. Yellow Rose has a cowboy trivia contest going on so stop by and check that out. Then in the Cactus Rose line they started a new series called Earth Songs for Native American love stories 40K and under. And they have a new contest going where you can win a Sony E-Reader! So stop by and check all those out and my latest release Outlaw in Petticoats. Oh, and they have free reads! Romances 2500 words or less for free written by their authors. So you can get a taste of a line or author before you purchase their books.

One of my writing friends, Lauri Robinson, has her miniature rose(short) story, An Unbelievable Journey, available at Wild Rose Press. It is a time travel. The heroine is from contemporary times and is transported to 1880's Nebraska. It is funny, warm, and a delight.

My CP from way back has her contemporary "Model Man" our in print. This is a witty, fun, and HOT read. So check out "Model Man" by Nicole McCaffrey.

One of my RWA chapter mates received a three book deal from Dorchester and her first book "Stolen Fury" will be out the end of the Year. So watch for Elizabeth Naughton's book in the Romantic Suspense section of your local book store.

I'll be on an all day chat at Love Romance Books this Friday. Outlaw in Petticoats will be featured at allromanceebooks all next week and I'll be the featured author at a Romance Book Junction chat on Wednesday, June 11th and at an all day chat the next day at Brenda Williamson's Romance Party.

And that's only the beginning of the month! I have lots of promotion gigs all month long! So this month is going to fly by!

What do you have planned for the month of June? Anything exciting? Trips, vegging, I'd love to hear.

Glorious Monday

Yes, for a brief time this morning the internet is working so you will get a blog from me today! Yeah!

I had a prolific weekend! I wrote over 3000 words on the WIP and wrote a 2500 word short story to submit to my publisher The Wild Rose Press for their Free Reads project. And today I am off to interview Bobby Mote a National Finals Champion bareback rider to get myself into the head of my hero for my next contemporary.

A head's up, you will be hearing a lot about my publisher this month because it is Cactus Rose and Yellow Rose lines month to promote. Since I have books published in both lines, I'll be passing along most of the events they have planned. the first being- A new series will be launched this month in the Cactus line. It's called "Earth Songs". Basically they are looking for stories 40,000 words or less with Native American hero, heroine or both that are set between 1870 and 1890 in the U.S. I've had a few ideas bouncing around in my head, but they will have to wait until I finish the first book of the western series, the next contemporary western and the next Halsey brother book. Whew! That made my tired just writing that! LOL

Besides my own onslaught of promotion this month to kick off the release of Outlaw in Petticoats, I will have a guest blogger on this blog on June 27th. I'll give more details as we get closer.

If one of my writing friends would like to guest blog here, just shoot me an e-mail. I'd love to have you!

My weekend was a flurry of yard work, cattle work, and not feeling 100%. But I'm better today and ready to get cracking on my writing.

How was your weekend and how is your June shaping up?