Thurston Thursdays are Coming!
Starting Sept. 29th, a book in the 12 book Thurston Hotel Series
will be available every Thursday on Amazon.
How did this series come about? For several years, I’ve served on the board of directors for CaRWA, my local RWA chapter. Our membership lady had repeatedly spoken of doing another group project since a previous one, the Bandit Creek Series, had been so much fun. At the same time, I’d been harping about a need to mentor our new authors. Everyone agreed those were great ideas, but nothing had come of it.
Last January, it occurred to me that the best way to achieve both goals was doing another series with the assistance of several published authors and inviting unpublished group members to participate as a means to mentor them. Voila! The Thurston Hotel Series was born as payback if you will, for present and past CaRWA authors who’d mentored several new authors, including me, when we participated in the Bandit Creek Series back in 2011.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
How often have we heard the phrase ‘better late than never’?
Some things in life try our patience. Reading books in a series and then having to wait for the next one to be released can be difficult and trying and annoying. Especially if you have issues with patience. Or if the author gives you a timeline and then life gets in the way and you have to wait longer still.
This has been the case with the final book in the Spirit Creek Series. And for that, I sincerely apologize. But, alas, it is now available, in ebook only at present, on Amazon at this link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C3K6LM0 and will be available in print later in the year.
Autumn… my favorite time of the year
The blistering days of sunscreen applications and nasty weather watches on the weather channel are behind us. Replaced, of course, with a slight nip in the morning air, cool afternoon breezes and an occasional frost warning. 
Autumn. My favorite time of the year, especially with Mother Nature wearing her prettiest clothes in reds, oranges and golds. I’ve always loved autumn. Could this be because my favorite color is orange? Of course, my favorite flower is the tiger lily and I love those adorable ginger-colored kittens. But I digress.
Autumn means hearty stews and healthy soups made from recently harvested root veggies like beets, carrots, turnips and potatoes. (Of course, I don’t garden anymore. And there is no better reason to support your local Farmers’ Markets.)
Spirit Creek Series Update
The year is 1/6 over! I cannot believe March is here already! Time flies when you’re having fun. And I am having so much fun writing the Spirit Creek Series that I haven’t posted anything new here in months! Please accept my apologies! Here are a few words on my journey with this series.
The title, No More, has never changed since the first draft over ten years ago, but the plotline evolved over time and several scenes were cut. Of course being of the opinion that this ‘brilliant writing’ *wink, wink* couldn’t be lost forever, I toyed with the idea of writing a trilogy. And some of the rejected scenes went into book two. Then the trilogy morphed into a six book series when plotline ideas wouldn’t stop popping into my head! I suppose that’s a good thing. I prepare a detailed plot summary (yes, I’m a plotter) of each book before I start writing. And I write down ideas for scenes as they occur to me, but plotline changes are constantly evolving even as I write.
Just in Time for the Holidays. . .
NO PEACE is a bonus-read Christmas novella that is not part of the six book Spirit Creek Series. Although it works as a stand alone story, this book is a continuation from No Ties and Blake Connors’ dilemma with the outlaws. And, if you’ve been wondering what the heroes and heroines from the first four books have been up to, an update on several of Spirit Creek’s citizens is woven throughout the tale.
* * *
Recently-retired undercover Pinkerton agent, Blake Connors, orchestrated the incarceration of countless bank and train robbers. Now that Blake’s secret life has been revealed, outlaws are gunning for the man they consider a traitor. Christmas is the season for peace on earth, but Blake’s life is anything but peaceful. He fears for the safety of his loved ones, and unless he can find some way to keep his beloved Gertie safe, he questions the wisdom of proposing and subjecting her to a lifetime of danger.
Gertie Winsom intends to marry Blake Connors, if the fellow lives long enough to propose to her. She loves Blake dearly and considers the opportunity to spend the rest of her life with him worth the risk of facing the danger surrounding his life at the moment. But is she being selfish? Should she step away from Blake and give him the freedom to renew his employment with the Pinkerton Agency far from the uncertain future he faces in Spirit Creek?
Should Blake and Gertie simply go their separate ways? Or can they discover a solution to their dilemma, ensuring them a future filled with happiness and, more importantly, peace?
Available now on Amazon http://amzn.to/11rKrpA
Happy Reading.
THE BIG ONE CRAFT SALE IN BRANDON, MANITOBA CANADA HELD OCT 18/19
I’ve just returned home after attending this craft sale (and spending a couple days visiting with friends and relatives as well). The record-breaking attendance numbers didn’t translate into record sales for many vendors, but the two-day event proved to be a lot of fun!
As you know, I donate 50% of my author royalties from Love To The Rescue to local humane society shelters, and thus, the Brandon Humane Society received the shared royalty proceeds from this sale. I’m happy to announce I sold 19 copies of this book and rounded up the royalty share to $5 per copy. On Monday morning, I stopped by the Brandon Humane Society Shelter and presented them with a $95.00 donation.
Here, I am presenting the check to Liz Anderson,
a shelter employee,
holding a four-month-old female Lab cross named Haven,
one of the adoptable dogs at the shelter.
Haven is thinking it over.
Yep, a big wet kiss on the ear for me.
I believe that was her doggie version of ‘thank you for the donation’.
Haven, you’re very welcome!
If you live in Brandon or surrounding area, and you’re interested in acquiring a new four-footed family member, drop around to the Brandon Humane Society at 2200 – 17th Street East www.brandonhumanesociety.ca/ and meet the dogs and cats available for adoption. Hey, maybe you could adopt my new buddy, Haven!
A special thank you to my booth mate and fellow author, Doreen Winona Logeot.
Also, congratulations to Jennifer Taylor, the winner of our gift basket draw.
Happy reading!
Coming Soon
