I used to love holidays. Easter eggs, Halloween costumes, even flag day was fun. But since my kids have left home (Yippee, empty nesting!), I can’t be bothered to notice the passing of days. Well, that’s not exactly true. I count days by words written and deadlines missed or (fingers crossed) made. So now that we’ve finished Thanksgiving and are heading toward Christmas, Hanukah, and Kwanza (not to mention Omisoka, St. Lucy’s day, and New Years) guess what my holiday plans look like. Plans? Who plans? I’m going to sit by a fire and read while my cat tries to drink my wine Husband is doing the tree and outdoor lights. I’m shopping to feed 1000 (aka my teenaged nieces and nephews). And amazon is delivering the rest. What holiday? Talk to me after I finish my next grizzly bear shifter romance. (Sign up for my newsletter /// here to get a sneak peek…um, coming as soon as the book is done. Which will be soon, I swear!) Pass the egg nog. My manscripts are written, the presents are bought, and… bwahahahaha! I couldn’t even finish typing this because it’s too ridiculous for words. I’m turning off the news, my…

Last week, I had the pleasure of being an author at the Historical Romance Retreat in Spokane, WA. Delilah Marvelle and Renée Bernard did an incredible job. I thought I was way cool in a teal blue Regency gown created by Victoria Vane and a costume from the Titanic movie. I was put to shame by the fabulous outfits so many women wore. And as for the men, oh la la, they looked quite impressive. Workshops included writing using a quill (I was horrible), a perfume class (very fun), a hat-making class with Eloisa James (mine fell apart), and of course author chats. Delilah worked with the chef to create amazing historical foods which we ate during Low Tea, Absinthe night, and the Grand Ball. We also got to see a fun period movie at the Bing Crosby theater, and then we enjoyed ballroom dances at the Grand Ball. There are many pictures on the website www.historicalromanceretreat.com. My poor photography skills were not up to the task but I will show you some of the wonderful costumes that I was able to capture on my phone. Next year’s retreat will be in the Los Angeles area. I won’t be allowed…

Well everyone, I’m doing something new this week. I’m in Mexico (in August) sweating because it’s about 90% humidity when it isn’t raining. My daughter and I are doing a vegan/raw cleanse at a yoga retreat. Yeah. So anyone ever hear me talk about yoga? No? That’s because I haven’t done it in years, but I am now! Twice a day! So guess what I’m learning while here… Vegan food can be fabulous! Especially when it’s lots of fresh mango and avocado As in my body surrendered into poses I didn’t think I could make. And then my shoulder surrendered when I tried a chaturanga and landed face first into my yoga mat. Oops. I can get used to feeling sweaty and sticky, especially when I’m exhausted from yoga and zenning out while watching the ocean waves. Everything’s good when reading a great book. Answer: All of the above! Yup, the food here is great. My shoulder did indeed give up the ghost on day 5. No more yoga for me. But that just means I have more time to read and watch the waves! And well, everyone’s sweaty here, so it’s all good! BTW, I missed the turtle hatching…

Well everyone, I’m doing something new this week. I’m in Mexico (in August) sweating because it’s about 90% humidity when it isn’t raining. My daughter and I are doing a vegan/raw cleanse at a yoga retreat. Yeah. So anyone ever hear me talk about yoga? No? That’s because I haven’t done it in years, but I am now! Twice a day! So guess what I’m learning while here… Vegan food can be fabulous! Especially when it’s lots of fresh mango and avocado Surrender. As in my body surrendered into poses I didn’t think I could make. And then my shoulder surrendered when I tried a chaturanga and landed face first into my yoga mat. Oops. I can get used to feeling sweaty and sticky, especially when I’m exhausted from yoga and zenning out while watching the ocean waves. Everything’s good when reading a great book. Answer: All of the above! Yup, the food here is great. My shoulder did indeed give up the ghost on day 5. No more yoga for me. But that just means I have more time to read and watch the waves! And well, everyone’s sweaty here, so it’s all good!  BTW, I missed the turtle…

How did it get to be summer already? Part of my brain is still wondering if I got everyone Christmas presents like I intended. But the rest of me is fully enjoying tank tops and stretchy shorts. I’m not as thin as I used to be, but fortunately, my fashion sense has completely disappeared. Instead of being shamed by the way I look in shorts and a thin tee, I think about how comfortable I feel and don’t look at the lumpy cellulite in my thighs. So now that we’re all cringing from that mental picture, how about I distract you with a question? Guess what my favorite thing to do in summer is. Cook out! Or maybe barbeque. Anything that involves meat and eating outdoors in the sunshine! Rollerblading. If it’s too hot to walk on pavement, just pull out the in-line skates and let the hot breeze push you along. If your wheels melt to the pavement, well, it was time to buy new ones anyway, right? Basement movie nights. It’s cool and dark down there. Perfect time to watch The Accountant or Logan. Who doesn’t love tortured hotties in cool, dark places? Ice Cream. Yeah, I’m lactose…

Guess what I did on this great three day weekend? Hung out with good friend Julie Ann Walker, Cindy Dees, and Heather Snow. Plus others, but I only have a picture of Julie and me. Oops!  Went to NYC with hubby for Broadway shows. That’s after taking out a 2nd mortgage to afford Hamilton tickets. Well, not really. There weren’t any Hamilton tickets available. Slept, ate fattening foods, and convinced hubby to rub my feet. Heaven! Remembered stuff. It’s Memorial day, after all! Answer: Everything but A. The writing retreat with my buds was the week before, so that doesn’t count! So yes, I did go to NYC. Saw Keven Klein in Present Laughter.  Also saw Waitress and silently crooned along. We did eat great food and yes, my loving husband finally was convinced to rub my feet. And yes, I spent a few minutes remembering my loved ones who have passed, but I admit, I spent a lot more time creating new memories with the ones who are still with me. And now for some AWESOME NEWS!  Guess what it is! I was abducted by aliens who taught me how to get my dog to poop diamonds and pee…

I’ve had the same style hair for a decade—short bob that the kids didn’t grab or bury in peanut butter. My clothing style was comfortable and hardy. And my home décor has been decided by the previous owners of the furniture I inherited. But I’ve been empty nesting for a few years now. Life has slowed down and my husband and I are earning enough to have a little extra. And here’s the clinker. My twenty-something daughters have emphasized that “Style” isn’t a dirty word. Now if you’ve met me at a conference, you know I have some beautiful clothes. Flowy fabric often with an Asian flare. Beautiful right? That’s style, right? Of course it is. And it fit perfectly with my penname Jade Lee. Except I’m also Kathy Lyons who is publishing more and more contemporary fun books. Laugh out loud books, some with paranormal twists, but all with distinctive modern humor. So…style update. Guess what I’ve changed. (Hint: can be more than one) Long blonde locks. Yup, grew out the hair, bleached it until it’s almost white, and then added some curls. Red highlights. I’ve got dark hair so that shock of red…well, it’s not so shocking. In…

A couple weeks ago, I finished my contracted book. It’s a great book, coming out next year, titled (for the moment) The Duke’s Cunning Plan by Jade Lee. It was a ton of fun to do, but before I dive into the next one, I decided to do something weird. I’m now writing a book just for me. I’m making it as fun and quirky as I want. No thought of contracts or market or even genre. Whatever comes out, that’s what I’m writing. Now you have to understand, I’ve been a professional writer for two decades. The idea of creating something with no eye toward selling it? Something just for me? Well, that’s…like going to your job on your vacation. Except writing isn’t just a job for me, and somewhere along the road, the magic got buried under the technique and business of writing. But there is good and bad with this process. The great thing about writing just for fun is… A. No deadline. If I don’t feel like writing today, I can sleep in and read Pride and Prejudice. (Actually, I’m listening to it in audio which is making it much more fun) B. We’ve entered conference…