A Different Sort of Fawn

I have been spending the winter with my parents on their Montana farm and recently we have seen an albino fawn in their pine trees. Its absolutely beautiful. After seeing it a few times though I have been concerned that it is often alone (my mother assures me he has a herd and she's seen him with other deer regularly). Still, it makes me wonder if the fawn's color makes the others uneasy. Sometimes it takes an outsider to see the true beauty in an animal or person who is different from the others. I like to think that part of a writer's job is to be that outsider and point out the beauty in the unusual. I posted on the Love Inspired authors website about this fawn and said I was thinking of using this fawn in one of my upcoming Dry Creek books and running it's situation alongside a hero or heroine is different in some of the same ways. What do you think? Vote here -- yes for the albino fawn!

World Book Day

I just heard that it is World Book Day today -- how fitting that I should be sitting here at my desk writing on my next book (I have a great series within a series coming up in Dry Creek). I can't tell you much about it except it involves a family crisis (mother returning from prison who asks her grown sons to come back to work on the family ranch). Lots of cowboy heroes and fiery heroines. The first book will come out around Christmas.

In the meantime, take a look at my April release -- 'Small-Town Moms.' Debra Clopton and I have a very entertaining story in two parts with this book.

A New Year Awaits in Dry Creek

One of the recurring themes of my Dry Creek series is 'new beginnings.' That fits perfectly with the heroine of 'At Home in Dry Creek', Barbara Strong. She is a single mother who brings her children to the small town in hopes of making a better life for them. This title is available anew in the LI Classic pictured on the right.

I know we all hope for a better life and the first of the year is traditionally a time to decide what we need to do to make that happen. I don't usually make resolutions, but this year I am. I plan to lose weight and exercise more (mostly, I plan to walk more in the nearby Huntington Gardens and smell the roses there). It's not just physical exercise, it's relaxing as well. How about you? What do you plan to do this next year to make your life more the way you want it to be?

Loving Chistmas Trees

It's that season and, those of you who read my books, know I love everything about Christmas. The meaning of the season as well as the light-hearted fun. I particularly like Christmas trees and wanted to share an upside down one with you. Isn't this amazing? I've never done an upside down tree, but this picture tempts me to try.

I won a Carol Award!

I'm so excited. Every year the American Christian Fiction Writers hold a contest for Book-of-the-Year in various categories. My 'Christmas Bells for Dry Creek' (in Mistletoe Courtship) just won in the historical novella group. Over 600 people (writers, editors, agents) were at a dinner Sunday night in their evening wear when the awards were announced. I've gotten congratulatory emails all day so I'm celebrating in fine fashion!

Hallelujah and Pass the e-books!

I'm excited because I just noticed Harlequin has issued my back-list as ebooks! Now, for those of you looking for those old titles, there is one place you can get the books (I know we don't all have e-book readers yet, at least I don't, but someday--).

Latest Dry Creek

My latest book from the heartland of Montana is 'Wife Wanted in Dry Creek.' Uncle Charley has put an announcement in the church bulletion, asking for prayer for a wife for his nephew. Of course, everyone knows it is Conrad even though no names are printed there.

Conrad is fit to be tied -- if he wanted a wife, he would get one himself. And then the woman of his dreams drives a car into his newly-opened garage and, just when he wonders if God has answered his uncle's prayer, he discovers the car has been reported stolen!

I'm thinking most of us have had moments like this on our lives -- just when it looks like everything is going to fall into place, things start to fall apart. Can you think of something like this in your life?