One of the most fun parts of my job as a novelist is going on a research trip to the city where a future book will be set. WHAT MATTERS MOST is the final release in the Texas Gold Collection. This story is set in AUSTIN, TEXAS and features a down-on-her-luck gal who finally lands her dream job, only to …
Behind the Scenes
My new book A REASON TO STAY released a few weeks ago. Since that time, I’ve been attending book events, book clubs and meeting with readers. It’s been so fun sharing some of the background of this story. Faith Marin is a successful Houston news anchor. Our local NBC station allowed me to spend the day observing the internal operations …
How a Book Cover is Made!
The publishing industry fascinates me! Since signing my first contract in 2011, I’ve watched with wide-eyed awe what happens when I turn a manuscript in to my editor and my talented team creates a novel that ends up on retail bookshelves and eventually in the hands of my readers. I’m particularly intrigued with the cover creation process. I’ve never released …
Party Time!
Next week I’ll be packing up and moving into the Hyatt Regency for a week of FUN! The party of the year for readers, authors, publishing industry folks, librarians and book sellers is coming to town and I can’t wait! On Tuesday, Deeanne Gist and I will join Kathryn Falk (the owner of RT) and together we’ll host a bus …
Is Paper Dead?
In publishing circles, there is much discussion about the onset of e-books and whether or not Kindle reading will soon replace holding a physical book in your hands. Great arguments can be made on both sides, and sometimes emotions can get fired up in the process, especially if the conversation drifts into the effect Amazon and e-books have had on …
Labor Pains
The biggest joys of my entire life were the mornings I birthed my baby boys. After months of wearing maternity clothes, doctor appointments, baby showers and reading stacks of parenting books . . . the big days finally arrived. Contractions turned to holding my sweet infants in my arms. Nothing on earth compared! While I very much anticipated holding my …
A Fresh Start
I love new beginnings! And there’s no better time to turn the page and start new than at the first of the year. In 2014, I primarily blogged with several fellow authors over at Southern Belle View. It was so fun to get to know some of the best authors in the business and to connect with the readers there. …
Pioneer Storytellers
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” ~Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees Don’t you love that quote? It’s true, isn’t it . . . that well-told stories define us? Much of who we are is formed by the stories …
A Blog Hop!
A blog hop is like a giant game of tag to help readers discover authors who are new to them. For this hop, authors are answering 10 questions about what we’re working on now. This week, I’m it. I was tagged by Christa Allen. Visit her blog to see who else she tagged. At the end of this post, I’ll tag …
Book Tour DuJour
Shhh…..I’m going to tell you a secret! Publishing a book is every bit as much fun as they say. MOTHER OF PEARL debuted on September 1, and I’ve been riding a whirlwind of events (and fun) over these past couple of weeks. First, we went to Boise, Idaho for our big launch party. The Adelmann Event center (only blocks south …