Buttons, Bones, & a Battery: Trip Part 3

After another glorious breakfast, I took a little time to snoop around the Main House. Our hosts had some interesting collections, and I engaged in a little history conversation with Mr. H. after spying an old weapon on the wall. He showed me a drawer of Civil War-era bullets-- among them, an actual Minie ball. These balls were responsible for the loss of many soldier's limbs in battle.

He also had a bullet he had found in a nearby area, where Teddy Roosevelt was known to have hunted elk. Based on the age and type, this bullet could have been used by Teddy. I really loved this printer's cabinet. Just opening each drawer was a little like opening a present. You didn't know exactly what you'd find, but it was pretty cool. 

There were at least ten drawers of buttons!

Our first plan for the day was to spend several hours at the famed Hot Springs Pool. This pool "has been a sanctuary of relaxation and fun for over a century." Its "rich minerals have been soothing and restoring all who swim, soak, and play here for generations." Sounded wonderful. Upon arriving, we noted the sign to leave your marijuana at home, then paid the equivalent amount of four baby goats (just guessing?) to enter the pool. 

Before long, I realized that this is an international gathering. People come from all over to experience this place. We should feel privileged to even be here. Never mind the smell of rotten eggs, and the elderly European men in Speedos. I scrounged a couple of lawn chairs in the grass, then settled in to read for awhile. The kids took off for the pool. (But not the water slides, because those cost extra).
The people-watching was as good as at the airport. I noted a man nearby who had a very interesting haircut. In fact, I sketched it onto my notepad. Picture something that looked like a helmet, attached to a strip of hair that crawled from the temple, down and around the chin. Then, I saw three more men with the exact same haircut. Maybe a cultural thing? I knew of no men here who would don that hairdo, let alone with three of their buddies. 
A man sitting several feet from me (who left his gross flip-flops right next to my chair) was reading the SAME book as me ("Wild" by Cheryl Strayed). I quickly put mine away and pulled out my notebook instead, afraid I'd become his book club buddy. Plus, he was there first so he had the reading right. 

I tried to write a little, in between the head sketches and listening to other languages around me, enjoying the sun. Then the kids and husband came back. 
Grouchily, the kids laid down in the grass. "It stinks! I can't get that taste out of my mouth! I'm ready to go!"
"What? We can't go yet."
"I'm hungry!"
"Our lunch is in the truck, which is about two miles away. Once we leave, we don't really want to walk all the way back in here."
Clearly, the altitude and nibbling on the breakfast was getting to them.
"Plus, I just paid half your college savings to get in here!"
Of course, this was a joke. We have no college savings.
So after I dipped myself in the gray-ish warm water for a little bit, we packed up and headed to the truck for our tailgate picnic.
So much for the rich, nourishing minerals of the mountain springs. It was time to find our camp.

Here's a travel tip. It's not a great idea to spoil yourself at a Bed and Breakfast and THEN try to go camping. This was not my original plan, but that is how it worked out based on the availability of where we wanted to go. 

We drove back through the beautiful canyon, then off a road that took us to a locked gate. We had the code, so we drove on through the Ranch, up to the building where we were supposed to check in. People milled about, putting on helmets, getting on ATV's, with no one looking eager to help us. Finally, we went inside a little place and hesitantly paid for our next three nights. (That's another thing about camping-- you always pay BEFORE, which can be scary). 
The host/rancher said he would take us to the cabin, and hopped on his own ATV, complete with a real live border collie sitting on the front. 
Then guess what? Our truck wouldn't start again. Oh glee. So the rancher pulled up his truck, and after a jump, we were on our way. Farther up the trail. Up a completely rocky road. Around curves. For miles we bounced. Was he taking us up to the edge of a cliff? If he went over, would we follow him? 

Finally, the cabins. We had to park on the road up behind them. We jumped out, leaving the truck running, our flip-flops becoming shovels for the dirt. The rancher flashed a white smile across his tanned face. "How'd ya like the ride up?"
He took us down to pick out our cabin, since there were three open. First of all, I should say that the view was breathtaking. But it was remote. The air was dry, the ground was dry, and the flies were biting. We were close to a big bath/shower house, but there was no electricity despite the lightswitches inside. We located the power outlet as big as my fist, just laying outside, taunting us. Apparently, they did use the juice for special events (people get married up here), but not for campers. 

We picked out our cabin. Was it a bad omen that there was a pile of BONES right outside it? I could feel a meltdown coming on. Luckily my daughter had hers first. I tried to convince her it would be fine, all the while wondering what I had brought us to. We unpacked our stuff, shoving it in the cabin. Then we took off again down the road, to town for a truck battery and for a reassuring sign of civilization.

Summer's not complete until you blow a wad of money on a local carnival. While hb bought the battery, the kids and I found a carnival just being set up for the town's Strawberry Days. We did not partake in Strawberry Days-- after all, we don't like crowds THAT much. But they did want to ride The Sizzler. Just the thing to take their mind off troubles. As soon as the ride started, my son's face went pale and he mouthed to me, "I'm going to throw up." There was nothing I could do but pray. His sister was on the inside of their seat, so it wouldn't hit her due to the shifting gravity, but who knows what would happen with flying vomit. Suddenly, I had a horrible flashback of a time my brother played on a huge bungee jumper at a ski resort, and then came down with crippling altitude sickness. I prayed that The Sizzler would not sizzle my son in the same way. My prayers must have worked, since after a couple of rotations, the color came back and he appeared fine. We blew more money in a maze of mirrors, then headed back to our happy little cabin.

The evening's dinner: hot dogs. Yes, it was part of the plan. After settling in, we all felt a little better. Up here, there was no wi-fi, but amazingly the phone service was great. This meant a lot of reading. I'm thankful to have kids who like to read (when there is nothing else to do). A group of horse riders came through, and tied the horses right outside our cabin while the riders went down to eat at the chuck wagon. I took a moment to go talk to them (the horses), and wonder what they were thinking as they looked back at me. The only other camper-- a lone woman-- came out to see them as well. Could I camp alone like her? I don't know, but maybe someday I will try that. 

At dusk, I walked around the pond, and hopped over a little creek. I stopped still when I heard some trampling through the brush. In a second, a deer and I came face-to-face under a full moon. Those kinds of things you can't plan for. 

Tales from a Family Trip (Part Two)

Outside of Denver, we drove higher and higher into the mountains, in awe of the scenery all around us. Some in our vehicle thought we should be there at this point. But no, our destination was deeper in the mountains, through a lush canyon, past a touristy town, up a dusty road, to a quaint Bed and Breakfast: our home for the next two nights. (For privacy sake, I’m not going to give names of actual places. You can ask me later).

I wrote more of my book by this creek.

I loved it the minute we stepped out. It was listed on the Historical Register, as it was originally homesteaded in 1885. We had a great little cabin, right next to the rushing creek, which could be heard each night through our open windows. The main house was where we would eat our breakfast each morning. The front door of the house was always unlocked, so we could roam about and make our way to the plate of fresh cookies in the dining room. Everything was magical and peaceful.
The first night, we did not want to trek back to town, so we relied on food brought from home. It came in a box. It was frozen. It was called Grandma’s Chicken & Rice Bake. We love it. It took about an hour to cook in the microwave. It was perfect. (All that food planning so far was going well). We explored the premises, and slept well that night.

The whispering Aspen trees

A bridge that led to an open clearing, where I kept hoping to see a black bear.

The cat in the Main House stared out at us.

Our breakfast was the kind you take pictures of. It is also the kind your kids merely nibble on, and you are then obligated to at least eat the majority of their leftovers so as not to seem rude. (For the record, they got cinnamon rolls instead of the omelet-- lucky). So it's really like two meals rolled into one. 

With no real plans in mind, we asked our hosts for suggestions on nearby trails. Mr. H. said we could hike to see Doc Holliday’s grave. Excellent! We drove into the town of Glenwood Springs and found the trail, off a small residential street. The “hike” was not too bad, except that it was dry and we are not altitude-accustomed. So there was a bit of a challenge, and the first lesson was learned, which was TAKE WATER EVERYWHERE IF YOU PLAN TO SWALLOW HERE. 

There was beauty along the hike. A tree with colorful streamers grew from the rock. We spied a view of the entire valley. Then—what? My husband saw someone he knew. Out here in the middle of nowhere. An intern from work last summer. He talked with him, while the kids and I talked with his family. The first of random strangers you talk to on vacation that you know you will never see again, but you still make a connection that means something if only for those few minutes. But really, isn't that weird? What are the odds, I ask you?
We had to wander around the old cemetery to actually find the stone. I also wondered as I wandered how they carted "everything" up here. Not exactly convenient. I can just imagine that conversation-- never mind. I commented that I would like to come back here at night, to which the kids screamed that we would not be doing that.

I found a great name for a book character, by the way.

On to Doc's grave. What is sad is that it may not actually be his grave. He is somewhere in the cemetery, but the exact spot is unknown. Doc Holliday, as we reviewed while we were there, was a dentist who developed tuberculosis. He then moved to this area, known for its healing springs, in hopes of improving his health. Of course, he became quite the gambler and gunfighter.There was a sign in town at a hotel: “Doc Holliday died here.” We did not go in, but still, it was quite fascinating.

Next, we drove into the canyon to see the majestic Colorado River. We found a spot right by Grizzly Creek, where the water was loud and ice-cold. The sun was warm, and we had nowhere to be. Just paradise. My family loves rocks, and we could have stayed there all day. We actually seem to spend lots of time by rivers, looking at rocks. Anyway, this finally felt like vacation. Words can’t really describe it.

We found gold!

Back in town, we found the necessary bookstore, where I found the perfect used book. Then on to the ROCK SHOP. I think it was the kids’ favorite part of the trip. I’m not sure how long we were in there, but we got well-acquainted with the worker. She loved her job, and it showed. She was quite surprised when I asked her to pose for a picture. By the time we left, we were contemplating coming back for their “meditation” hour in a special room they had with large bowls on the floor. When she ran some kind of meditation stick around them, they let out different ringing tones that penetrated through your ears and down your spine. I could have meditated on many things there. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

Because we needed to eat. This time, we found a local pizza joint. The large calzones really hit the spot. The kids ordered $1 ice cream cones—they looked so good, I couldn’t resist one. I don’t know if it was the soft-serve or the sprinkles on top, but I had to have my own. The guys who worked there were so nice, and were whip-sharp. My husband ordered our cones at the counter, and I heard:
“Some mom must have got tired of washing bowls, man.”
My hb: “Wh- what?”
“Yeah, that’s probably how the ice cream cone got invented.”
Awkward silence.
Hb: “Why couldn’t it have been a dad?”
“Oh. Well, yeah, I guess it could have.”
I know I took more notes on my phone from the things those guys said, but the notes have since disappeared. The only other one I can remember is after seeing an acquaintance of theirs who came in the store. “Man, she’s been pregnant a LONG time.”

Back to our little home away from home! We had to savor every minute left at the cabin by the river. This meant: taking advantage of the free Wi-fi and making sure we didn’t miss the Finale to "The Voice." 

Tales from a Family Trip (Part One)

A common habit nowadays is to "blog your trip." I've read some great tales of my friends' road trips, and I don't know how they did it along the way. So now that I've been home, settled, and started vacation withdrawal (and because I don't want to be left out), I'm going to blog about my trip after-the-fact. 

In the hopes of looking at something different than we're used to, we took a family trip to Colorado. I am the planner, and I had planned where we would stay, which would include three nights of "camping." (Meaning: I am not a camper; I only hoped I would become more of one in CO since there is a lack of humidity and mosquitoes; we would be in a cabin with beds; there would be showers nearby; it would save money). Still, I looked online to find "camping lists" so that we could pack properly. The lists I found out there were obviously written by people who planned to spend entire summers in an RV, with lots of little kids, who wanted to be outdoors and also cook a lot. Items like "potato peelers," "Dutch ovens," "musical instruments," and "sidewalk chalk" graced those lists. They also planned for a lot of accidents, because the list for the first aid kit was long enough to open a small emergency room. 
Scratch that list.
I made my own, and started packing a week beforehand. I felt a little like Kate Gosselin, which was weird since I only have two kids. Still, with a full-time job, I had reason to bark at everyone to quit laying around. "There are only six days left to pack!" We wanted to leave at 4 a.m., which is unheard of. "The entire truck has to be loaded and ready to go the night before!" I had to plan almost a week of meals, which was the worst part. I barely accomplish this at home. But we couldn't eat out every meal, and again, camping-- I wanted something other than hot dogs. 

Sunrise!

Anyway, we made it out of the house by 5 a.m. Still, an accomplishment. But wait, at the end of the street, we had to turn around for something. Heading out again, we made it to a gas station. While there, I realized I had left a bag of cash* at home. To my husband's credit, he did not kill me. So delaying us about 20 more minutes, we turned around for that. Finally, on the road to Kansas! That long, lovely state that lay between us and our mountainous destination. (*We do not normally have bags of cash at home. We had sold something on Craigslist and had saved the money for the trip. It was hidden. Too well). 

Art made from fossils

A week before, while looking for my book of Colorado state wildflowers, I came across a brochure advertising a museum in western Kansas. I whipped it out, and we made a stop at this Fick Fossil & History Museum in Oakley. I would highly recommend it to anyone. The massive amounts of fossils and bones, from the days when Kansas was under a giant sea, were found by locals who had donated them. Mrs. Fick created amazing folk art from thousands of shark teeth. (I imagine her sitting with Mr. Fick, saying, "Dear, what should we do with all these teeth?" "Why don't you make a mural of a shark? Or our nation's flag?" "That's a great idea. I'll get started right now.")

Shark teeth and fossils

U.S. Flag made with shark teeth

After picking out some cheap souvenirs (a shark tooth, postcards, and candy sticks), we climbed back into the truck. The battery was dead. This meant: my daughter was forced to play on the dinosaur playground equipment while we waited. (Not saying who forced her). I took pictures because my kids are almost past the playground age. And I had never seen a climbing apparatus like this. Fortunately, the truck battery soon revived itself, and we were on our way. We skipped the Prairie Dog Exhibit at the next exit.

We were almost to the edge of Kansas when we stopped at a little gas station. Inside, the clerk asked if we were heading west. We told him indeed we were. He said there were tornado warnings, and to be careful. He showed us the bright red radar on his little black box tv, we thanked him, then my daughter freaked out outside. ("Are we going in that direction??") Seriously, THANKS FOR THE WARNING, MISTER.

Not one to shy from warnings, my husband drove right on through. I kept an eagle eye on the clouds, sure a twister was going to drop any second. I know I saw swirling in the dust. I tried to keep a calm look on my face, but my exit plan was spinning through my head. Thankfully, we hit some rain, but the worst of it was always ahead and to the north. Once we got to Denver, we heard there had been a touchdown right by the airport. There were news crews right on the highway. Apparently, this was a big event. 

Nothing to fear here, right?

Did I mention we could see for MILES?

Just rain?

Sheets and sheets of rain?

What the Bill Paxton is that?

Low, angry clouds

Lord, please get us through this. . .

Ahh, blue skies again. 

The mountains were just ahead of us. On we drove.

The Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West & a Giveaway

Just like this book, I have gone missing from this blog. But I've hopped back in to recommend a fun thriller for your summer reading.

I came across this book when I was looking for ebooks to download one night. It's still 99 cents, so go snatch it up while you can!

Here's the blurb (and yes, the heroine's name is Jameson. . .Interesting!):

Jameson Quinn is sick of trying to find herself in the big city. After a gallery opening ends in a trip to the ER and an argument with her self-involved boyfriend, she decides to take off for the peace and quiet of a small town — Ruth Valley. The small town has everything Brooklyn lacked: simple people, peaceful surroundings, and a feeling of safety. Jameson even finds the perfect house to rent from the town’s most eligible bachelor, Sheriff Jack. Life is finally headed in a promising direction. But something isn't right. A young man is mysteriously injured, then disappears — and Jameson finds he isn't the only person to suddenly vanish. The suspicious behavior of an abrasive nun and a creepy priest set her off on an investigation of what's really happening. Will she figure out the secrets of Ruth Valley before she's the next to go missing?

Here's what I liked:
There was nothing distracting about the writing. 
The story kept me guessing until the end, although there were enough hints to make it satisfying.
The witty banter that goes on between Jameson and the "creepy priest" is great.
In fact, there is quite a bit of humor in the writing, which of course, I love.
Another strong, law-enforcing main character, Sheriff Jack.
I really couldn't put it down at night-- a hallmark of a great book, right?
It was not as dark as this cover makes it look, but it was just eerie enough to keep you reading.
For those who like a lighter romance, this is the book for you. It was definitely a side-plot, and there is nothing here that will make you cringe or hide it from your grandma. Not to spoil anything, but I liked how it all turned out!

You can find Amber West, the author, at her site www.withoutsushi.com or on Twitter (@amberwest). 

I'll give away two digital copies in a random drawing. Readers, tell me: What's been the best thing about your summer so far? 

In Need of a Good Wife & Giveaway with Kelly O'Connor McNees

I love discovering new authors. Kelly O'Connor McNees has made me a fan with her book In Need of a Good Wife. The title and the cover pretty reveal that this is going to be a book about mail-order brides (of which I am very fond). The twist on the plot, though, is that Clara Bixby is the woman who turns this marriage venture into a business. . .

"For Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order brides is a golden business opportunity-- and a desperately needed chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build an independent, new life away from her own loss and grief." 

The book is ultimately the story of Clara and two other women, all willing to take risks and start anew in the year 1866. McNees has a wonderful way with words, and I found myself taking notes on my favorite words and phrases. I enjoyed the little details, the characters, and the romance- which was not overdone and added to "sell" the story. The tension surprised me, and there were nights I could not put it down! The letters that go back and forth between the potential husbands and the New York women are so funny-- definitely a highlight for me.

Yes, I decided I needed to find out a little more about this author. Welcome to A Story Club, Kelly!the journey west is a struggle and the new life that waits for them in Nebraska is far from what they expected. These travelers soon learn that they must leave their pasts behind in order to lay claim to the women they want to become.
or Clara Bixby, brokering mail-order marriages is a golden opportunity—a chance to start again. If she can help New York women find husbands in a far-off Nebraska town, she can build a new life away from her own loss and grief. Her ambitions are shared by a quiet Bavarian immigrant named Elsa, who hopes to escape servitude and make the most of her remaining years. And by Rowena, a once-wealthy widow who jumps at the chance to marry a humble stranger and repay a heartbreaking debt.

But the journey west is a struggle and the new life that waits for them in Nebraska is far from what they expected. These travelers soon learn that they must leave their pasts behind in order to lay claim to the women they want to become.

What has surprised you most about having a published novel?

Kelly O'Connor McNees (photo by Kate Emerson)

I'm still surprised that it happened! I really never dared to think it might. In some ways, getting published changes everything. Of course it is wonderful to get that validation from the world--a few people like the thing you made. But in other more important ways, it doesn't change much. It doesn't make the writing itself any easier. Each day you still have to sit down and type one word after another. You still feel all the same doubt and anxiety about how the novel is going.

Was there anything you learned from your first novel that helped you when writing the next?

I learned that outlining really helps me piece a first draft together. Somehow I had gotten the idea (maybe from creative writing classes) that outlining was cheating somehow. That if you were a real writer, the novel would just spill forth fully formed. Maybe that's how it works for some writers, but I found that a rough outline (which I was free to deviate from at any point) helped me get past that blank-page terror each morning: I knew what was coming next. 

Where and when do you write?

My most productive time of day is first thing in the morning, and the earlier I can get started, the better. I wrote my first novel between 5:30 and 8:30 am, before I went to work. I was a little more relaxed about the schedule for my second, sometimes writing in the afternoons when I had time. Then I had a baby. Needless to say, I now write whenever the hell I can! I almost always work in my little alcove office off our bedroom. I have a secondhand table that came from a school--it still has petrified gum stuck to the bottom. 

What are your dreams for the future?

Most of my dreams involve things I look forward to doing with my daughter, who is just ten months old. I can't wait to swim in Lake Michigan together. When I was pregnant I bought this beautiful illustrated edition of The Secret Garden. I can't wait to read that with her. When she's big enough to enjoy them, I look forward to going to the museums and out for her first grown-up lunch, to riding the train, going to the movies. Every fun "first" is ahead of her.

What have been the best books you've read lately?

Kelly's debut book- on my TBR list!

Stephen King says that if you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write. I really believe that. Reading is very important to me--it's why I started writing in the first place, because I love stories and language. I recently read The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and loved it. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey is wonderful. The Flight of Gemma Hardy was really good. Everything by Barbara Kingsolver and Alice Munro...

Three random facts about you?

I am from a huge family that includes about seventy first cousins, and endless stories.

If I could live anywhere, it would be northern Michigan.

I moved eight times in nine years before settling in Chicago, and I never want to move again!

What is your advice for aspiring authors?

Read, read, read, read.

Thank you, Kelly! Thank you to everyone for stopping by A Story Club today. Questions for readers: Do you have a favorite period in history? Or what do you like about mail-order bride stories? The author is generously giving away a signed copy of In Need of a Good Wife. It could be you! (Winner drawn randomly on 1/19. US only).
The winner is Hallie! Thank you to everyone who took time to read this interview, and to those who commented. 

Go visit Kelly and become a fan!

Website: www.kellyoconnormcnees.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/kellyoconnormcnees

Twitter: @komcnees

Miracle in New Hope by Kaki Warner & a Giveaway

 Read an excerpt here!

Kaki's back! This time, with an e-novella just in time for the holidays. I can't wait to snuggle up with this book and a cup of tea. Cookies too. This e-book will be released on Dec. 11, but you can pre-order it now! Imagine, a Kaki Warner story sent straight to you on Dec. 11 without you lifting a finger! Oh, the technology!
Check out this blurb:

Amidst the snowy peaks of the Rocky Mountains in 1871, Daniel Hobart keeps to himself—a man with a hole in his heart that matches the scar on his face. But when Daniel starts having visions of a young girl crying out for help, he begins to fear that solitude may have caused him to lose his mind. Determined to find out the truth about the mysterious girl, Daniel travels into New Hope and learns that she’s the missing daughter of widow Lacy Ellis. 
After a year of heartbreak, Lacy isn’t sure what to make of Daniel’s claims of seeing her daughter. But when he sets out to find Hannah on his own, Lacy decides to join him, allowing herself one last chance to hope. And as they retrace the long-cold trail of Hannah’s disappearance, two broken people manage to take some small comfort in each other, and in the possibility of a miracle… 
So enticing! Naturally, I had to ask our author a few more questions. Welcome, Kaki! 

What exactly is a novella, and how was the writing process different for you?

A novella is a work of fiction that’s longer and more complex than a short story, and shorter than a full novel. It usually runs 15,000 to 40,000 words and often covers a shorter time span. Since most novels range from 80,000 to 130,000 words, you have to limit description, backstory, and long narration or introspection. You’ve probably heard how in a novel every scene must move the story forward? In a novella, every word must do that. You still have to introduce the setting and characters, establish a conflict, and build toward a crisis that leads to a climax and satisfying ending, but you have to do it by using fewer adjectives and adverbs, and with less extraneous dialogue and more precise description. Gads.

MIRACLE IN NEW HOPE came in just under 40,000 words, and it was a battle to keep it that short. In my full-length novels, I take a long time to develop the characters and relationships, and I also add a host of secondary characters—including the setting, which I think of as a character, too, but one that necessitates a lot of description. I had to pick my scenes carefully, make sure each drove the story where I wanted it to go, yet showed my characters in varied situations. Since MIRACLE is a Christmas novella, I also had to keep that foremost, too. Sound daunting?  It isn’t. Just start with a single event (in my case, an avalanche) and build the story from there. Try it. It’s fun.

Are there plans for more novellas?

I hope so. I had a great time writing MIRACLE. That’s not to say it was easy—it still had to have all the elements needed to create a good story and compelling characters—but it was a nice break for me, and certainly taught me discipline. But right now I’m contracted for three more Heartbreak Creek novels, and a short story for an anthology, so I’m pretty busy. That said, I’ve long thought it would be great fun to go back for a Christmas visit with the Wilkins clan. We’ll see.

Which characters or scenes did you particularly enjoy writing in this new story?

I love these characters, especially Daniel, the hero. Here’s a man who has lost everything—his family, his looks, his purpose. He’s content to live the rest of his life as a recluse, making furniture for rich folks, and talking with his loyal companions, a hound and an escape-artist horse. Don’t worry. They don’t talk back. Not really. Yet Daniel hasn’t let bitterness or loss rob him of his sense of humor and determination to do what he thinks is right, which is what leads him on a desperate search for a child lost in the Colorado Rockies. Sounds like a downer, doesn’t it—a scarred man, a grieving mother, and child who was presumed dead a year ago? But it’s not. It’s about hope, second chances, and the courage to believe in the impossible. I guarantee a tear and a giggle.

Do many of your real-life experiences find their way into your books?

Some. I’ve never been in an avalanche or tunnel explosion, thank God, but I have been within coughing distance of a forest fire, raised horses, children, dogs, lived in snowy mountains, chased cattle, watched loved ones die, and laughed a lot. But the drama and angst you find in a romance novel? Not really. I’ve had a charmed life. So I guess it’s a good thing I have a vivid imagination, right?

If you had to write a book in a completely different genre or set in a different part of the world, what would you write?

Since the settings in my books are like secondary characters, I’m reluctant to write about places I’ve never been. The American west is where my heart and imagination reside, even though I’ve lived in cities (under duress). So I’m content to write about what’s most familiar. Yet I’ve also thought it would be fun to use the historical west as a setting, but add a touch of the paranormal to it. MIRACLE has a tiny element of that in the psychic connection between Daniel and the lost child. But I’ve left it to the reader to decide if it’s something paranormal, or miraculous, or simple faith and hope at work. And no matter what my sissy daughter says, it’s not creepy.

How will you be spending your holidays? 

Lucky me! A road trip to Texas and a long visit with the prince. Oh yeah, and his parents, too.  A hot, snow-less Christmas. What a treat. No, really. We’re looking forward to it. Beats sliding around on icy roads and having to plow our steep, quarter-mile driveway all the time (or so my husband says). But we’ll sure miss the princesses, who live up here. Oh yeah, and their parents.

Readers, we would like to know how YOU will be spending your holidays? What do you have planned? Whom will you see? Two random winners will be selected on Dec. 9 to receive Miracle in New Hope for your e-reader. Please include your e-mail.

(Don't forget: if you don't have an e-reader, you can still download the free app for reading on your phone or PC.)  Congratulations to winners, Christi and Kim! Thank you to all who commented. 

Thankful For You & a Giveaway

I am so thankful this year for friends and readers who have taken a minute out of their day to support A Story Club! I started this blog as a way to share the great books I've read, with a few writerly thoughts along the way, and I still strive to do just that. I've even had some gracious authors give of their time and resources, answering questions and offering advice. Each of those interviews has meant so much to me.

Your comments and thoughts have blessed me, your love for reading has encouraged me, and your interest in my writing has motivated me. 

Never fear, the year is not over and I have some great interviews still in store. . .stay tuned! Subscribe by e-mail so you'll never miss a post-- or go like my Writer Facebook page, where I always announce my newest post. My page focuses on writing, reading, and fabulous authors I want you to know about, plus a few silly comments thrown in now and then. I would love to chat with you there!


As a way of saying 'thank you,' I would like to give away a collection of a few of my favorite Trader Joe's products. These will be hand-selected and shipped to one commenter (U.S. only). I'm just telling you, you'll like this-- I think I have good taste. And it's a unique, great store. 

So I would like to know: What is the best book you have read this year? What makes it the best? 
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
(Random drawing held on Nov. 28- please put your e-mail in your comment!)

The winner is. . .eyeballlucy! Congrats and thank you to all who gave great recommendations!