B&N Southlands

My book signing for Searching for Spice at Barnes & Noble Southlands was a success. 

I met some of my writer friends for lunch beforehand at Paradise Bakery & Cafe. The manager, Sandy, was so warm and friendly. She took good care of us.  

This is a photo of me with Ruthie of Just Ruthie blog fame. She was a PK in China and blogs about her Chinese childhood memories. You should check it out. 

Here I am with Colleen Wisman. She's the wonderful CRM at B&N. You can tell she loves her job. She's so happy and enthusiastic. She's invited me back for November 29th when Out of Her Hands is available. 

I was pleased to have one of my daughters show up. Being the sweet girl that she is  and the amazing salesperson she is at heart, she cruised the store with a fistful of bookmarks directing folks my way. 

Lunch Anyone?

On Saturday, before my book signing at Barnes & Noble, I'm getting together with friends for lunch at Paradise Bakery & Cafe at Southlands. The address is 6240 S. Main St. It's just down the street from Barnes & Noble. 

And--you're invited. We're meeting at noon. BTW, many of my friends are also writers, so if you're interested in meeting folks in the publishing world, join us!

Book Signing @ Barnes & Noble

I'm excited to be signing Searching for Spice this Saturday (6/28) at Barnes & Noble, Southlands Town Center. Have you been to that mall? It's lovely. The B&N is at 6300 South Main Street, Aurora.

If you're in the area between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m, I would be delighted to have you stop by and say hello. I'll even give you a chocolate kiss or two. 

What?

Huh? Excuse me? I need to drive which way?

I pass this sign a few times a week, and it always bugs me. How am I supposed to go around the traffic circle? I don't know, and this sign does not help!

Book Signing in Cheyenne

Yesterday I went to Cheyenne, WY to do a book signing with three other authors. We signed at Cornerstone Christian Supply. Trisha Taylor, manager of CCS, was an amazing and welcoming hostess. She really has a heart for her ministry. 

From left to right are Jami Kirkbride (Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load & The Mommy Diaries), Tina Forkner (Ruby Among Us), Karen Mackey (Life Savors for Women), and me. 

My honey took the trip there with me, and we stayed at the historic Plains Hotel (1911). It was neat. 

The hotel lobby has a player piano. Nice touch!

That's me (duh) sitting on a cowboy boot. 

In case you're wondering, this is a sample of the views between Cheyenne and Denver. 

P~A~R~T~Y Friday!

Today was a day of celebration with some good friends. I met my writer girlfriends to celebrate Jan's birthday over lunch at Carrabba's. 

Jan's birthday party rule was that guests must wear hats. The only hat I have is one of those straw hats only suitable for gardening. And what a coincidence, we both ended up wearing tiaras. Sweet! Believe it or not, I got a few odd looks. As if people never see a grown woman wearing a tiara. Come on!

And then tonight we went to our friend Ron's 50th birthday bash.

These are my neighborhood peeps. My honey, me, birthday boy Ron, the lovely Leah, sweet Marie, and techno-man Andy. In the front is Ryan (look out L. A. in 2010!) and the rhythmic and charming Sheri. It's always great to get together with these dear souls. We've cared for each other as if we were family since 1994 when we all bought homes on the same street. I try not to talk about my neighbors too much, it makes other people jealous.

DragonLight by Donita K. Paul

It's finally available! DragonLight, the fifth book in the Dragon Keeper Chronicles is fresh off the presses.

About DragonLight:

The fantastic land of Amara is recovering from years of war inflicted on its citizens by outside forces–as well as from the spiritual apathy corroding the Amarans’ hearts. With Kale and her father serving as dragon keepers for Paladin, the dragon populace has exploded. It’s a peaceful, exciting time of rebuilding. And yet, an insidious, unseen evil lurks just beneath the surface of the idyllic countryside. 

Truth has never been more important, nor so difficult to discern.

As Kale and her father are busy hatching, bonding, and releasing the younger generation of dragons as helpers throughout the kingdom, the light wizard has little time to develop her skills. Her husband, Sir Bardon–despite physical limitations resulting from his bout with the stakes disease–has become a leader, serving on the governing board under Paladin. When Kale and Bardon set aside their daily responsibilities to join meech dragons Regidor and Gilda on a quest to find a hidden meech colony, they encounter sinister forces. Their world is under attack by a secret enemy… can they overcome the ominous peril they can’t even see?

Prepare to experience breathtaking adventure and mind-blowing fantasy as never before in this dazzling, beautifully-crafted conclusion to Donita K. Paul’s popular DragonKeeper Chronicles fantasy series. 

 I met Donita in 2001 at my very first writers conference (CCWC), and she's been a wonderful friend and inspiration. Her writing is fresh and arresting. She's created an entire world of fascinating characters who experience amazing adventures. I'm a big fan of Donita, and her books are on my list of books I give as gifts to friends young and old. 

Colorado Rockies VS Cleveland Indians: 10-2!

Last night was the perfect night to enjoy a ball game. 

As usual, there was a bit of traffic on the way up I-25.

Fortunately the back-seat passengers were in a delightful mood.

Then we parked and took the loooong walk from the lot to the stadium.

We arrived early to enjoy dinner at the ball park. Maybe the Rockies Dog wasn't a good idea. Actually, this is 2/3 of a Rockies Dog. I enjoyed that treat for hours, if you catch what I'm saying.

I called this guy, "Conflicted Fan." Was he rooting for the Rockies? The Indians? His T-shirt was half and half. 

When the Rockies hit a home run, the fountains behind the outfield shoot up in celebration!

It was a sweet night!

Words For The Journey

Some days are blessed. Today was one of those days. I was able to enjoy lunch with my writing friends at a lovely park. 
This morning was the weekly meeting for my WFTJ writer's group. After today's meeting, we all took sack lunches and went out to eat together at a local park. 

See the lovely cotton tablecloths? Those are vintage, from the 1940s and 1950s. I love that style and the substantial feel of the the fabric. BTW, they're all mine. I always carry a tablecloth in my car. You never know when you're going to need one. Some of the girls thought I was kidding when I said that. Not so. See this post and this one for further explanation. I usually have one tablecloth in the car, but today I grabbed some extra for my friends. 

I pack a lunch when I go to my day job a few days a week, and another thing I always have is a linen napkin. See it? I stuffed it in the top of my green purse on the bench. I think we should take good care of ourselves and our friends. Having the simple pleasures of nice tablecloths when you eat on a public table is a luxury. Ahhh. 

Oh, I didn't get the hat memo. Apparently Robbie, Kay and Chris did. 

The Bookworms

Last Friday I was invited to visit with The Bookworms, a metro-Denver bookclub. They had just finished reading Searching for Spice, and we had a great discussion. What a lively, intelligent, fun group of ladies. They also gave me some great ideas for my wip.     :)

Being summer, the entire group couldn't make it. As you can see, I'm a better writer than I am a photographer. 

Searching for Spice Book Trailer

And the winner is . . .

I had my drawing from Andrea's Summer Blog Tour. 

The winner of Searching for Spice is Feisty Irish Wench!

A Friend in Kneed

I’m blessed to have Darcie Gudger as a friend. We met at the 2007 Colorado Christian Writers Conference and have seen each other regularly at our Words For The Journey and ACFW meetings.

Darcie is a woman after God’s heart. She’s funny, smart, loving and interesting. Some of my favorite attributes in a friend. She's on the right in the photo, in front of Sharen during a WFTJ meeting.

Anyway, the poor dear had her meniscus repaired yesterday (knee surgery). Please say a prayer for a quick recovery and hop over to her blog, Joy in the Litter Box, to leave a note of encouragement for her. After all, aren’t we supposed to show our care for friends in kneed?

Watch This Book

A Wall Street Journal article caught my eye this weekend. The title of the story is "Watch This Book." 

The article discusses the several different kind of videos authors produce and poses the question of whether they're worth the $$ authors spend on them. 

It also lists the new outlets for book trailers and author videos. 

Check out the article yourself.

PS: I still plan on making a book trailer for Searching for Spice. I'll share it with you when it's finished. 

New Radio Ad!

Check this out ~ and book giveaway!

Author and certified Christian life coach, Andrea Boeshaar, is hosting a Summer Blog Tour on her blog, The Write Word For Women. 

Check it out! 

I'm her guest today, and I spill the beans on all my deep, dark secrets.  Well, maybe not, but Andrea asks some great questions. 

Oh, I'm also giving away a copy of Searching for Spice. Go to Andrea's blog to find out how to qualify for the drawing. 

Language, sweet language . . .

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm addicted to words and their usage. This morning I was checking the weather forecast and had to chuckle because in all the years I've been reading weather forecasts most of the terminology has said, "mostly sunny." This morning it read, "mainly sunny." 

So, what do you think? Do you think there's a new web editor at the weather channel? Someone who's a rebel and wants to shake things up?

I love it. 

There, now you know it doesn't take much to tickle my fancy.

I'm going to Cheyenne, Wyoming!

Cornerstone Christian Supply at 1507 Stillwater Ave., Cheyenne is hosting a premiere event:

4 Local Female Authors Book Signing!

June 21st at 6:00 p.m.

I'm honored and delighted to be included in this function along with Tina Forkner, author of Ruby Among Us, Jami Kirkbride, contributor to Laundry Tales to Lighten Your Load and Mommy Diaries, and Karen Mackey who has a story in Life Savors for Women.

I look forward to spending time with other writers and to meeting book lovers in Cheyenne. If you're in area, please stop by and say hello. 

Prairie Walking, take 2

By the way, in case you're thinking I'm striding through the weeds and grasses, we have a beautiful concrete path that goes on for miles and miles.