‘Cause you never know where you will find them! And considering all the books I’ve signed recently, I sort of feel like an Easter bunny–hopping across the country and signing books wherever I go. And if you live in Wichita, you may find some of those signed books I left behind. And even if you don’t live in Wichita, there is a way for you to get your hands on one–but more of that later.

When an author travels, they love to do what is called “the drive-by.” Which means, you locate all the bookstores in a reasonably doable radius … Read more »

I have to say the number one thing that struck me about Wichita. The people are really, really nice. I mean, really nice. Polite, helpful, friendly, always ready to help and pitch in. Traveling with Niki Burnham, who hails from the Boston part of the country, and me coming from the West Coast, we met in the middle–and discovered where all the good manners have gone too. Now I am not saying there are no good manners on the coasts, but when you are just struck dumb by how kind people are, then you realize what is missing back … Read more »

And this time I mean that. No really. When I asked for everyone to post a list of books, I thought I’d get a decent list, but you all came through and gave me a fantastic list to pass along to a whole bunch of librarians. If you haven’t posted your favorites yet, I’m still taking recommendations and you have until Saturday midnight to get entered into the contest to win an Amazon.com gift certificate. So post away, I am loving these lists.

Next week is coming fast–there is so much going on.  Confessions of a Little Black Gown arrives … Read more »

Ever wondered when you find an autographed book in the grocery store or the Target how it got there? Did the author do–as it is known in the business–a drive-by? Or did they, as I just did this week, find themselves in a warehouse surrounded by pallets of books (yes, I said pallets, not boxes) and were asked to sign all of them, so that not only your Target or Meijer’s or Krogers has an autographed copy, but so do every other store in that chain, state, or region.

That is how I found myself this week in a warehouse … Read more »

It seems to me that March always comes in like a lion, and then like a lion, chews on me for 30 some days, then leaves me in some forgotten part of the pride land, dazed and bleeding. Can you tell we’ve been watching The Lion King around our house?

But carnivorous animals aside and months that start with “M”, it always seems like March just knocks me over. I always end up with a book due around this time of year, so March is the month of finishing a book. Don’t believe me:  Last year I was working on … Read more »

That is really what the Celebrate Romance conference should be called, because Wow! what a great group of readers. This was my first CR, (and please, don’t let it be the last!!) and I had so much fun. I knew the trip was going to be great when on the train going down to Portland, the movie showing was The Philadelphia Story–that wonderful, Academy Award winning movie with the indomitable Kathrine Hepburn, the gorgeous and sophisticated Cary Grant and the always amazing Jimmy Stewart. A great romantic comedy to start off a weekend of romance and laughter.

Now I had … Read more »

Last week I spoke on a panel at a meeting of the Pacific Northwest Writer’s Association, and was astounded at the number of people who showed up.  Lots of folks interested in being writers and looking for those tips and hints that pushed each of us toward publication. Of course, I forgot my camera, so I can’t prove that there was a crowd, so you’ll just have to take my word.

What was great about the panel is that we were a divergent crowd. Authors of suspense, urban fantasy, mystery, YA  and romance wouldn’t seem a likely mix, but it … Read more »

First off, thank you everyone who has posted a comment, emailed me privately, or spread the word about the sneak peek inside Confessions of a Little Black Gown via the links in the comment section that will take you to Facebook, MySpace or your favorite social site, because your excitement is my excitement. And yes, that cover is to die for gorgeous.

But also coming up is fan-fueled conference, Celebrate Romance (“CR2009” to those in the know) February 27th – March 1st in Portland, Oregon. Now let me say, I have never had a chance to go to CR, but … Read more »

I recently got a copy of Naughty Paris,  A Lady’s Guide to the Sexy City by Heather Stimmler-Hall, and had a great time, if only from the comfort of my couch, designing the perfect naughty visit to Paris.  Now this is not Rick Steves travel, or the kind of trip you’d book with your mother (unless your mother is really out there), but the sort of What-happens-in-Paris, Stays-in-Paris adventure guide for a girlfriends gone wild on an unforgettable long, long weekend.

Chapters reveal hints into why Frenchmen are better lovers, where to find your hotty Frenchman, and how not to … Read more »

So I had an interesting evening the other night. I went to the third annual (at least I think this is the third year) of the Librarian Meet & Greet which is in conjunction with the Emerald City Writer’s Conference. Don’t ask me how the conference was, as I didn’t go this year. But I did make it to the Librarian gathering as it is too much fun:  essentially our hostess with the mostess, Deborah Schneider of the King County Library System–seen here, and the esteemed Mary Buckham gather together librarians from western Washington, get them all in a … Read more »