Less than a month now!!

Its been an exciting year since the March 18, 2016 release of Sawyer's Rose. And as I now wait not so patiently for the release of book two in the McCades of Cheyenne series...WYATT'S BOUNTY I can only smile. Dreams do in fact come true as always in my case with hard work, perserverance, determination and even prayer.

I was thinking back to when I started writing Sawyer's Rose. I had recently joined RWA and GRW and with what I had learned in a short few meetings, I realized the stories I had been working on didn't fit in the "romance box" of what was required to possibly get published. So I started over on a whim...I set out to write inside that box about some kind of mail-order-bride meets sherrif story to learn the ropes so to speak.

Well, what I learned was that I had done better at the process of writing though I still had a lot to learn and still do but somehow I hadnt written a story that fell fully into the romancs box. And so for those folks aspring to write...I rewrote Sawyer's Rose nine times with three major story changes on three of those writes. What I did finally figure out is while I wrote western historical romance, I didnt write enough western to identify myself in the category of westerns, i.e. my cowboys carry revolvers but I often do not describe exactly what kind. And for those true romance readers sometimes the cowboy stuff and family drama are not what they were looking for though many gave the story good ratings.

So I do think I have something going here but the biggest thing is you just have to keep writing what you write. I know I have likeable characters and romance and family saga and the old west all wrapped up in a story that still doesn't fall into that romance box but seems to leave readers waiting on the next story. And its been very humbling to have people I don't even know tell me they loved this story or that character or they cant wait for the next book. Wow...people are really reading.

And so as I anxiously await the April 12th release of Wyatt's Bounty I am excited and nervous at the same time. Will people like the story and will it sell as well as Sawyer's Rose has? The one thing that surprised me was the pressure I put on myself in finding the next story so hard to write. And now as I am working on the third installment Dawson's Haven...its just the same. It is hard to write the next story with the excitement of the one before and the pressures that go along with..."will this story stand alone", "will people like it", "am I giving the characters what they deserve as well as the readers"...and the list goes on.

It seems in the writing world everyone has advice, the good and the bad and the ugly. But every writer's journey is different and while I have asked questions and paid attention to what others are saying and doing...this is my journey to take and I have had to be careful not to let the ideas if others crush what I am accomplishing along my path. While there are those that support and congratulate...there are also those that think their journey is far better and you can not possibly understand whats on their level. I've let that kind of negativity pass by me and not deter me because there are good people in writing who will share ideas and boost you and those are the ones to follow.

The good thing was after nine rewrites of that first story and all that went into making it better while working with a very cool editor... I learned a lot. This second story was better written and so I would say I rewrote it twice and with only one major story change. If I wasn't such a panster it might be I wouldn't hit these road blocks. But hey, whats the fun in plotting it all out. I like to see where the cowboys in my stories are gonna take me when I type along with a general idea and they get crazy.

Writing is hard work. If it wasn't everyone would do it. So as I trudge along working on the third story, ignoring my chores and sometimes my family...sorry gang...I have to smile that I set out to seek publication and did it. It wasn't easy and these days in the writing world I take nothing for granted like getting that next contract. Yes it can be a scary thing. But I worked hard and things happened and yes I am proud and celebrate the small and large victories that go with it.

So as this journey continues I would like to encourage others aspiring to write for publication to never give up. Keep writing. Keep going to meetings and learning. Enter the contests for the feedback, find critique partners who encourage you to write your best. But most of all finish the book...and it will happen!!!

Wyatt's Bounty coming in 2017!!!!!

Bounty hunter Wyatt McCade is taking down outlaws one at a time. He’s been in love with Tess Sullivan for years, but she refuses to give in to her feelings. Reeling from the rejection of his marriage proposal, he chases bounties with little concern for his own safety. When word reaches him that Tess never left for Boston, he rides for Cheyenne to confront her. Instead, he is ambushed and left for dead.

Doctor Tess Sullivan shattered her heart by refusing Wyatt McCade’s marriage proposal and making the biggest mistake of her life, by holding onto a secret. Pining for his return, she blames herself when he arrives in Cheyenne near death. Forgiveness comes quickly in his arms, but she finds herself a pawn in a deadly game of revenge.

When McCade lands are threatened, Tess is caught in the balance. On the bounty hunt of his life, Wyatt will risk everything to rescue the woman he loves.

Wyatt's Bounty gets Contracted!!!

I found out last Friday that I got the contract for Wyatt's Bounty. I had been worried as most authors are with submitting a new work, but while the hard part is still ahead with edits, I couldn't be happier. I take nothing for granted in the crazy world of writing.

I know you folks who have read Sawyer's Rose are anxiously waiting to read Wyatt's Story and for that I am grateful. The funny thing is several beta and critique partners have said they loved Wyatt's story more than Sawyer's. At first I cringed but then I realized this is probably a good thing.

Again the edits take time and evidently I have my work cut out for me but I am ready to make this story the best it can be. So stayed tuned and I will post the steps until Wyatt hits the trail some time I suppose in 2017. It always seems like a long wait but the lessons I learned with Sawyer's Rose made the story a better on and my hopes are you wont be disappointed once you have Wyatt in your hands.

Wyatt is the second brother in the series: The McCades of Cheyenne and he has a thing for the town's physician, Tess Sullivan.

For those of you wondering...

What happens when a bounty hunter set on revenge has to rescue the woman who walked away?

Stay tuned!!!

From the Chuck Wagon...

Unless the 1880's cowboys were eating with the Chinese working on the Central Pacific Railroad, not sure they would have had a menu of Peanut Butter Chicken over Jasmine Rice. Oh well, too bad for them. Cook up some diced chicken in a teaspoon of olive oil, add two tablespoons of Peanut Butter, 3 Tablespoons of Soy Sauce, A tablespoon of Thai Red Pepper paste and simmer adding in a half of cup of heavy cream and stirring until mixed well. Toss a few chopped green onions on top and put over a plate of rice. Any cowboy would like this!

Auburn Public Library Historical Day

I will be speaking about Sawyer's Rose at the Auburn Public Library on June 25th at 2:00pm So those of you in the area need to come out and say hello! I must admit I am a bit nervous as I have never been good at public speaking, but it boils down to wanting to get my story out there! So many of us introverted writers do it anyway. Kind of scary that my name is first, but I will have a few fun things there and of course books for purchase along with fun swag giveaway. Come join the fun!

From the Chuck Wagon...

The cowboy decided on a little something different this month This is an easy and quick supper for the hungry little cowgirls that live here too! How about western ground beef tortilla taco boats with cheddar cheese and a relish of cilantro, avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and lime juice--salt, pepper and taco sauce to taste. Not sure they had this back in the 1880's but we'll go with it for now!

Fifty things about me...for my 50th.

So on this momentous occasion of turning fifty, I thought I would list fifty things about me some of you might or might no know. In looking at fifty, I only remember saying at about twelve years old that I wanted to be published by the time I was fifty and I made it...just barely. But here goes:
1) I am a Christian.
2) I hate to eat fish, but I like other seafood like crab legs, shrimp and oysters.
3) I played ten years of girls softball, the old high slow pitch. I was a catcher and third baseman.
4) I have water skied, snow skied, roller skated like a champ & busted my rear on ice skates.
5) I have spinnakered on a sail in Can Cun and snorkled off St. Maartin.
6) I am a percussionist. I play drums, xylophone, bells, tympani, tri-toms and a good bit more.
7) I am a certified keelboat sailor and passed the boating and written test with a 97.
8) I spent 5 summer vacations whale-watching off the coast of Gloucester Massachusetts.
9) I have seen the group Alabama at over 400 plus concerts.
10) I gave birth to a 9.25 pound baby girl that more than one physician told me I would never have.
11) I managed the paperwork and travel to bring home a daughter from China.
12) I graduated Nursing school and have a Masters in Adult Learning.
13) I hate to fly.
\14) Clowns scare the hell out of me. Ever read Stephen King's IT? Shhh, don't tell anyone.
15) I have seen a number of  plays over the years: Fiddler on the Roof, Stomp, Grease, Diego.
16) I only write in pencil. I hardly ever write with a pen and I print, no cursive.
17) I do not like coconut anything. And no anchovies please.1
8) I went to the opening ceremonies of the Olympic in Atlanta in 1996.
19) I held a baby tiger once in Can Cun and another time in Myrtle beach.
20) I had my picture made with the African Queen, the boat used in the movie.
21) I pulled all my baby teeth by the time I was ten...no fair. 22)  ICruised to Nova Scotia once.
23) I get motion sick easy, Bonine for all long trips unless I am driving.
24) I Volunteered at ZooAtlanta for over a year.
25) I Saw a Picasso exhibit once and relics from the Titantic.
26) I've Been to Biltmore several times.
27) I hate musicals. Do not break out in song in the middle of my drama.
28) I was born while my father was in Viet Nam. He came home when I was five months old.
29) I have lived in Georgia, Texas and Tennessee.
30) I rode a motor cycle from age 6 until my teen years. My Dad didn't have sons.
31) I Once I played ball for a church team and when we didn't have enough players my mom played. She and I alone were responsible for 30 points.
32) I lived in Nashville only down the street from Dolly Parton before she got to be a big name.
33) When I was first born, my mom worked in my grandmothers daycare and I lived there in a crib.
34) I caught my first bass at age 3. Still love to fish.
35) When I was young I got up before the TV even came on and would sit and watch the static. age 3.
36) I learned to swim at five.
37) I am a total introvert and no I can't just get over it. ISTJ too!
38) I once worked in my grandparent's western store.
39) I worked at my father's Tire company.
40) I worked with the handicapped citizens of Clayton County before I was a nurse.
41) I played flag football in high school.
42) I have milked a cow.
43) I finaled in the Maggies and the Golden Heart. (OR Sawyer's Rose did.)
44) I fear spiders. Not snakes or lizards. Spiders. They know what you are thinking.
45) I was voted helping hands nurse of the year in 2003.
46) I have slept on the balcony of a hotel all night.
47) I have an Olympic Pin collection.
48) I snore...sometimes.
49) I love the beach and the mountains, but what I love best is being on vacation.
50) And...I am fifty.


And there is much more but you might have to wait another 50 to find out.