HOW TO HANDLE A COWBOY is the first volume in my Cowboys of Decker Ranch series. I just finished the first draft of the second book in the series (HOW TO WRANGLE A COWBOY) and I can’t believe how much fun I’m having. It’s obvious that romance readers love to read series books, and writers love to write them. From Nora Roberts to J.R. Ward, from Debbie Macomber to E.L. James, authors are giving readers what they crave: books that allow them to really get to know a group of characters, so opening the next book is like joining old friends. Books that give readers a sense of place, and create towns they want to return to again and again. Books where favorite characters drop in for surprise appearances. I wrote six stand-alone books before I embarked on a series. Too many times, I’d read books that were second or third in a series and found myself confused, or felt left out of little treats that were clearly “in-jokes” for returning readers. I’d also read books where the author spent page after page of Book Two summarizing the first book in the series. I read one where nothing new happened…

Every author is different in how he/she writes a book, but most fall into one of two main categories – either a plotter or a pantster. I’m a pantster, meaning I write by the seat of my pants. Or in my case it’s more precise to say my characters tell a story – in their own sweet time – and I just get it typed up. It’s a tough way to do business because in the real world of publishing, editors want to know what a book will be about long before I’ve written it. There’s a lot of overlap in publishing. For instance, right now DASH OF PERIL is out, BACK TO BUCKHORN, HARD KNOCKS, and NO LIMITS are turned in, and I’ve just gotten started on writing HOLDING STRONG. Busy, busy! There’s plenty of promo to do on DASH OF PERIL. (Yay, thank you!) I just wrapped up page proofs on the other three. At the same time my editor wants a summary of what HOLDING STRONG will be about, along with character descriptions, so they can start conferring on covers. All I can tell her about the plot is that it’ll end happy. ::grin:: I know what…

If I told you you’d love a hero who was frightened of literary societies and muffins, would you believe me? Probably not, but read on, and maybe I can change your mind. For me to enjoy a romance, I have to love the hero. Generally I like one who’s strong, tough, and honorable, a take-charge kind of guy, the kind of guy who relishes trouble, who’s a fighter as well as a lover. But sometimes an unexpected hero simply arrives on the page. The hero in THE WINTER BRIDE, Freddy Monkton-Coombes appeared in the previous book (THE AUTUMN BRIDE—a RITA finalist) as a minor character. He was the hero’s best friend, a sidekick kind of guy. He’s neither tough, or take-charge —he’s a beta-hero, a funny, charming, bad-boy rake. Freddy isn’t even a heroic kind of name. But somehow, I knew he had to be the hero of the next book. Even though he’s horrified by things like literary societies and muffins. Freddy on the literary society Damaris (the heroine) attends: “The horror stories those girls read are enough to make a fellow’s hair stand on end.” Max frowned. “Horror stories? They don’t read horror stories, only entertaining tales of…

You don’t know me (or maybe you do… that would be awesome!), but I’m a mystery writer. I’m the author of the Lola Cruz Mystery Series and A Magical Dressmaking mystery series. A KILLING NOTION, book 5 in the Harlow Cassidy series, released today! When you aren’t a regular on a blog, it can be hard to know what to write, and how to present it to a brand new audience. Should I be funny, like in my books? Serious, because murder is serious business? Or some combination of the two, perhaps? The truth is, I’m no stand up comedian (not by a long shot), but like any fleshed out character, I’m a combination of things. I love a good mystery (cutting my teeth on Nancy Drew, graduating to Agatha Christie, and branching out from there), read the occasional romance (Julia Quinn makes me laugh), but stick mostly with women’s and/or literary fiction (The Help is a favorite). How, then, did I come to write mysteries, and why are some of my mysteries sexy and sassy (Lola Cruz) and some very down home (Harlow Cassidy’s A Magical Dressmaking mystery series)? The short answer is, I like the mystery device. What…

MAD ABOUT YOU is based on one of my favorite romance tropes, both as a reader and a writer–Best Friends to Lovers. Maybe I’m drawn to these types of stories because that’s how my husband and I got together. I’d just come out of a relationship when I moved into a group house where my future hubby was living with mutual friends. We shared the house for a whole year before we got together romantically. At first I thought he didn’t like me. Later I found out he was shy because he was attracted to me! Then we both went traveling, separately, and returned home within a few days of each other. I’ll never forget the first moment we saw each other again. It was like a scene from a movie. Time seemed to stop as we saw each other through new eyes. Suddenly, possibilities opened up for something more than friendship. Not long after that, on New Years Eve, we kissed for the first time. And the rest, as they say, is history. 🙂 Scott and Cassy in MAD ABOUT YOU had known each other much longer when the story begins. At seven years old, Scott set up a…

I’ve always loved playing in the dirt and making mudpies … I still do. 😉 Growing up my older brother, two younger sisters, and I were always outside, either helping mom with her vegetable garden or playing. Some of my favorite times were spent at dusk and then just after night started to fall and we’d sit on the patio out back and listen to the raccoons calling to one another. We’d be really quiet and watch for them to come out of hiding. There was this really big branch that hung straight out over mom’s garden, that a big old raccoon used to lie on as if he was waiting for something to happen. Little did we realize that he was waiting for the veggies to get big enough for him to eat! One morning we heard our Mom scolding something, we ran outside and she was holding up an eggplant and a couple of cucumbers for us to see the claw marks and bites the rascally raccoon had taken out of her prized vegetables. We thought it was hilarious … Mom didn’t. 😉 When my darling hubby and I moved into our house 32 years ago, the front…

Wonderful ways to use a bobby pin…or two. A friend posted the picture above of the correct way to use a bobby pin and I was surprised by how many people didn’t know that the bumpy side goes on the bottom (to grip the hair). As a hairstylist I was taught the correct way to use them so I guess it never occurred to me that not everyone knew this. It got me thinking about all of the other ways bobby pins can be used (or misued). So I decided to compile a handy dandy list. As jewelry. I know! Who knew? Paint your pins (or don’t) and wear them in a whole new way.     To hold a nail. This is as genius as using lipstick to mark where you want to put a nail in a wall. No more bruised fingers. As a nail art tool. Polka dots, flowers, snowmen, leaves, stripes, and tons of other designs are now your beyotch. To pick a lock. Just like in the movies! There are websites with step-by-step instructions and everything. You know I had to test this out right? As a bookmark. Always have a way to save your…

ClassicalRush.org is a website and on-line music service based in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to serving the classical music lifestyle. The primary aim is to change the way that classical music is enjoyed by providing worthwhile content in the digital space. You can listen to extraordinary music through the site, as well as find out a wealth of information about arts and culture throughout North Texas, and the world! Classical music is a part of our everyday experience. In addition to hearing beautiful music in concert halls and venues, you can explore classical music in every media, from commercials to movies and from video games to theater; it has permeated our culture. While you listen to ClassicalRush.org, you’ll not only hear recognizable classics, but also stay up-to-date on the current state of contemporary classical music. You will hear the very best of classical music, from amazing archived concerts to exciting new developments in the genre, including crossover interests with rock, blues, jazz and folk. The mission of ClassicalRush is exciting: ClassicalRush is an organization dedicated to growing the community of those who recognize the essential human need for artistic endeavor. ClassicalRush keeps you informed, featuring music coming up in the area…

Passion drove me to write my latest novel, AN ACCIDENTAL LIFE, released by B&H Publishing in September, 2013. This is a fast paced story, a love story and a murder trial, but although this is fiction, it is based on fact. Three years ago I was watching a television show and heard a horrifying tale. Jill Stanek, a pediatric nurse, was talking about testimony she’d given before Congress in 2000, and I could not believe what I was hearing. Stanek said that in the hospital in which she worked – Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois–babies born alive during late term abortions were sometimes left to die, in deference to the woman’s right to choose. Several witnesses confirmed her testimony, and as a result the Infant Born Alive Protection Act was passed in 2001. The Act left a gaping hole in moral law however, as it was applicable only to federal hospitals and institutions—not in state run hospitals or private abortion clinics. I practiced law for twenty-five years before exchanging my partnership in a large firm for writing. As a result, research became a tool for me, for digging out the truth. So I researched Ms. Stanek’s testimony, and found…

When a man kisses a woman—and the two care about each other in an amorous way—well, we’re most likely guaranteed some sweet magic. Maybe even some bolts of lightning. And we women never tire of experiencing or watching or reading about those dreamy moments when a man and woman feel those first stirrings of attraction, affection, and then love. However, in many of today’s modern novels, the romantic scenes go far behind an ardent kiss. So, what sets the inspirational romance apart from the others when it comes to those scenes of passion? First of all, writers and readers of inspirational romances are not saying that these fiery feelings aren’t being played out in their own marital beds. However, they are saying they don’t want to be peeping toms in someone else’s boudoir. They have discernment for what is meant to be enjoyed and a healthy respect for what is meant to be private. These same readers know their minds and hearts—they are more satisfied when the hero and heroine struggle toward real love, rather than merely give in to lust. Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece, Jane Eyre, is one of the most wildly passionate love stories ever written, and yet we…