Have you enjoyed your summer as much as I have? I’ve just returned from a week in New York where I was a speaker at Craftfest, and then moderated a panel on “Balancing Life and Work” at Thrillerfest. While there, I was interviewed about writing extraordinary characters, and you can read the RT BOOK REVIEWS interview here.

My daughter also attended, and we were able to enjoy exploring the city, especially walking the Chelsea High Line and eating at Grimaldi’s, a famous pizzeria under the Brooklyn Bridge. Here’s a photo and, no, I didn’t eat it all!

Wyoming Bride

I’ve put WYOMING BRIDE, the second book in my brand-new Mail-Order Bride series, cover here on my website. I think it’s beautiful so please let me know if you agree. I also just finished copy-edits for WYOMING BRIDE. (Whew!) Writing a book reminds me of cooking a holiday meal where the preparation time–inviting family and friends, looking at recipes, shopping for food and then cooking–can take days, and then the meal is consumed in what seems like minutes. You might find this photo interesting, as it’s the stack of drafts I did while writing WYOMING BRIDE.

Summer of Re-Issues

The TexanIf you’ve been enjoying a little summer reading, I hope you’ll take time out to enjoy re-issues of a few of my previous novels you might have missed.. In June, Barnes and Noble featured my 1993 novel OUTLAW’S BRIDE (now in a 16th printing), in their stores. In THE BAREFOOT BRIDE (first published in 1992), both bride and groom neglect to tell the other party about their children–who aren’t the least bit happy to become part of a blended family. The groom’s daughter, Patch, a spoiled brat who’s only twelve in THE BAREFOOT BRIDE finally wins Ethan Hawke’s love as a grown-up lady in OUTLAW’S BRIDE.

Now THE TEXAN, first published in 2001 and the second book in the Bitter Creek Series, is available with a new cover. Owen Blackthorne is a lone wolf, a man who doesn’t need anyone. Then Bayleigh Creed appears on his doorstep, demanding his help in locating her missing brother. Together they head into the desolate West Texas wilderness, a Blackthorne and a Creed, mortal enemies obliged to join forces to survive in the West Texas wilderness.

Other News

Did you know that some of my novels are available as audiobooks? They’re the perfect companion whether you’re on the go or you enjoy a good story. I’ve added excerpts from THE PRICE and A STRANGER’S GAME audiobooks to my website.

For those many of you who’ve asked, I’ve added a Hawk’s Way Family Tree to my website. You can view it here. Or print it out. I’m still working on the other family trees and hope to have them for you soon.

Montana, here I come!

In a few weeks, I head west for the remainder of the summer. I’m looking forward to hiking in the Colorado mountains, but primarily I’ll be doing research for MONTANA BRIDE, the third book in my Mail-Order Brides series. The trip involves exploring small towns in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley and learning about the life of lumbermen in the 1870s. I’ll be blogging about my travels, so check in to see how the research goes. By the way, the first chapter of MONTANA BRIDE will appear in the back of WYOMING BRIDE, which is in stores December 26, 2012.

Happy Reading!