If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you might be aware that I adore Thanksgiving. Any holiday dedicated to a week’s worth of cooking that is devoured in about 20 minutes makes my heart go pitter-pat with delight. I mean, come on, I have an entire Category on this blog dedicated to Thanksgiving. There is just something about the marathon aspect of Thanksgiving, the countdown to the big meal, the planning, the recipe sorting, the shopping, the secondary shopping, and the “oh, crap I forgot to get (insert item here)” shopping and then an entire day of … Read more »

Have you seen this Staples commercial? I’ve been humming this tune for the last week or so. You see, when the little darlings go back to school, then I get to work. Lately, I’ve taken to hovering around my office, tapping my foot and anxious to get back at it. But for now, I’ll have to settle with cart dancing down the aisles of Staples.

Now if you also have kids going back to school, might I suggest this in their lunch boxes? These Apple Raisin Bars are delicious and very easy to make. I finish them off with a … Read more »

I’ve been spotted again. First I was in Italy with Julia Quinn. (And my heartfelt thanks to Julia for finding me over there. But next time, Julia, how about bringing me along? I’m just saying . . . ) And now it appears I am on the road again. And not with Julia, who I believe is in the Galapagos Islands this week. Julia, if you are out there and find one of my books translated into giant tortoise or penguin, let me know.

But off to my new adventure. Just as a girl has a chance to get … Read more »

Imagine me rolling my hands together, my eyes glazed over with a madness over my own inflated worth . . . or just see me laughing that I actually had more say in something than I ever thought possible.

You see as an author, you build a career slowly. And from the very beginning, you learn one very simple rule, well hopefully you learn this rule: The only thing you have power over is your writing. If you don’t learn this lesson quickly, you become an author who doesn’t last long. Or one who beats their head against the wall … Read more »

Oh, that title ought to drive Google crazy. But there it is. I had to just get it right out there in the open and share, because my book, His Mistress by Morning, was recently featured in an article, Why Foreplay for Women is a Novel Concept, in the Irish Independent newspaper. I think the funny part of the article is how shocked the author was to find, sex, yes sex, in the book a 64 year old granny was reading. My book, to be exact.

I like the idea of my book in Ireland, the land … Read more »

I had one of those Mom moments today that no one ever tells you about. What it is like to put a kid on a bus and send them off to camp. For a week. Egads, I thought my heart was being ripped from my chest as I watched that big bus roll away from the school. He’s been off to sleepovers, stays with his Grame for as long as he can finagle, but this?! Goodness, I don’t know if I can make it until he sends me a postcard and lets me know he is doing well. I’ve already … Read more »

To celebrate the release of Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress, I’ve got a huge stack of autographed bookplates to send your way (as if my wrist wasn’t sore enough) but I wanted to make sure as many of you got at least a bookplate, if you can’t get your hands on a signed book.

All you have to do is send me a self-addressed address envelope and I’ll fill it with as many bookplates as you would like, and then I’ll stick on the postage. Get it to me ASAP and you could give Mom, a special Aunt, … Read more »

I’ve got way too much going on right now. A deadline in two weeks. Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress coming out next week. Everyone still excited and writing about Confessions of a Little Black Gown. And, if all that isn’t enough, another round of events. Just call me the girl who can’t say no.

So in case you need to plug a few things into your social calendar, so you can get on this crazy merry go round as well, here is the Cliff Note version of what is coming up:

• Two Internet radio interviews
• Two booksignings

‘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 »