Fresh FIction Box Not To Miss
Amanda McIntyre | Earth Day April 22, 2014
Author Guest / April 22, 2014

“Salt of the Earth” Many of you are familiar with the term, used in biblical text , it not only refers to a spiritual meaning, but has a context, too, that refers to one who is grounded, a person who respects the earth, cares for it—in short, those generations of farmers and ranchers who have sustained the temperament of weather, markets, and life itself to sustain and serve the world with crops, produce and education. Born in in Oklahoma, I have lived all my life in a small town community in the Midwest. Much of my writing comes from my experiences living in a farm town. There is a sense of being close-knit. From the local diner where the farmers meet each morning for coffee, and where discussions revolve around the latest in model of combine or how many acres they plan to put in come spring. It’s about helping out your neighbor, oftentimes working dawn to dusk, looking a man in the eye when you shake his hand and taking pride in what you believe. Around here, “Earth Day” is not simply a day—it’s a way of life. A fav song on my writing playlist is the Dixie Chicks…

Amanda McIntyre | COWBOYS!!!
Author Guest / February 26, 2014

It’s romance Wednesday and so a perfect time to bring up “cowboys!” The term can imply the rugged cowboys of the Wild West totin’ a Colt 45, or it can mean a fearless, young bull-rider matching wits with the meanest bull in the country. It can be the hard-working rancher setting out on a cattle drive in Montana, or a determined farmer plowing his fields atop his John Deere as he prepares to plant his crops. To me, however, the term “Cowboy” is an attitude. It’s a way of viewing work, life, and loyalties. It’s a no-nonsense, sometimes stubborn to a fault, but tender as a newborn lamb ideal. And it is all of these examples that fuel the foundation for my contemporary rancher series, THE KINNISON LEGACY. Meet Wyatt, Rein, and Dalton—the formidable men of the Kinnison Legacy. When tragedy strikes the lives of three young boys, they are placed under the care of wealthy cattle baron, Jed Kinnison. He raised three as his own sons, leaving everything to them, including a special dream he had for the ranch. Rugged Hearts Kinnsion Legacy #1 Rustler’s Heart Kinnsion Legacy #2 RUGGED HEARTS, BOOK I, in this series features Wyatt Kinnison,…

Amanda McIntyre | Life in a Blender
Uncategorized / February 2, 2009

Not very often, thankfully, life tosses in a time of great challenge to you on many levels. I am sure that many of you are nodding your head in agreement. Such has been the case in my real life this past few weeks. My mind is only just today slowing down from the whir to be able to grasp something as “normal” as writing this blog. But in the greater picture of life, it is also these moments of great challenge that can provide a clearer perspective on your life. Maybe get you to slow down a bit, or reassess your time and goals, maybe organize things a bit better to make life less stressful. There is no way of finding the magic cure-all for such moments in life–they are going to happen and it is in how I handle these times, what blessings I find, or lesson I learn, that will make the difference. Interestingly–and perhaps it touches a part of me that has before experienced these moments–it is why I like to write about heroes and heroines, who for the most part (depending on the era) may have ordinary lives that are similar to yours or mine. Granted…

Amanda McIntyre | Time Keeps on Tickin
Uncategorized / October 15, 2008

Is there ever enough of it? It seems our lives fairly leap from one moment to the next, barely allowing the time to savor the moment, sometimes even “taste” it! Parenthood, careers, schedules, social lives, volunteer work—it wraps us up so tight sometimes that we long to stand alone on a mountaintop and scream to release the stress! (Okay, that may be “my” vision and yours may be different.) REALITY ALERT: (not for the faint of heart) But in reality, I have to ask myself would I want it any other way? Here is a glimpse of my past week—Deadline of a novella, football game (away) Band contest (45 minutes drive each way) -parent-sponsored/served lunch, transporting grandmas to and from contest parade and field contest-sitting all afternoon waiting for your band to perform, drive home, launder kids clothes, pack to leave Sunday morning-them going to a two day choral festival, us to see oldest son on opposite side of the state. Pick up another son next day, and transport him back home to participate in a football game-where we sat most of the game watching him play in the pouring rain. (They won, that made it all worthwhile) Pick up…

Amanda McIntyre | Perceptions
Romance / February 25, 2008

As I step ever so lightly toward another birthday this week, the one that comes “after” the milestone one we all remember our parents getting to. I am reminded again of how very different perceptions of youth, not to mention birthdays can be. I honestly don’t think about growing older. I don’t think I would trade all that I have learned, for the chance to go back and relive it. Besides, I’ve far too many adventures ahead of me yet to want to return to the blossom of my youth. Nevertheless, to each his/her own; though we joke about it, I have a dear friend (who looks much younger than I look, but is, only by a month and killer genes, I’m guessing) who has made me swear I must never allow her to be placed in a nursing home. She claims *GASP-those are for old people. She isn’t going to get old. Given that, I should never have to worry seeing her in a home for the aged, since she never plans to be old. Her humor and attitude though, is what I admire and emulate. We see ourselves as an aging Thelma and Louise, making our spur of…