Here today, gone tomorrow

That's exactly what happened with the snow in our area. One minute it's snowing, schools are closed, kids are out building snowmen, I'm looking for Jackie O-No's PUGGS and peacoat (No, she doesn't really have either, I can't bring myself to actually purchase boots or a coat for a dog, but she does have a sweatshirt!)...... And then it's G.O.N.E.

Really, it happens that fast. But maybe that's why I love the winters here. We get the beauty and coziness the snow brings, but only a glimpse, because then it's gone and we're back to rain. rain. rain. I'd rather drive in the rain than the snow though.

On the other hand, now that the holidays are over and I'm really getting into AFRAID TO DIE, snow for a few days wouldn't be so bad. Like I said, here in the Pacific Northwest, we only see snow once a year and usually only one or two inches so it kinda freaks everyone out. It's like, "what is this stuff and how do we get around in it?" It gives me a good excuse to lock myself in the house, keep the coffee on all day and write, write, write. And with AFRAID TO DIE set in the often snowed-in little town of Grizzly Falls, it's all the more inspiring!

Coming Up in the New Year

I thought you might want a glimpse of what I’ve got planned for early 2012.  It’s a busy year and I’m writing like mad—what could be better?  Cold winter days, a cup of hot coffee, Jackie O-No snoring nearby as I write another new story—sounds like heaven, yes?  Currently I’m wrapping up AFRAID TO DIE, the fourth in the “TO DIE” series featuring Detectives Selena  Alvarez and Regan Pescoli and set in Grizzly Falls, Montana.  But I’m getting ahead of myself.

I wanted to tell you about my next release!  In February, DARK EMERALD will be re-released with a brand new cover.  It’s gorgeous and at that time it will also be available as an e-book!!!  I’ll be promoting the book along with DARK RUBY, it’s prequel, and DARK SAPPHIRE, it’s sequel, both already available as e-books.  It’s a fun trilogy filled with spells, witchcraft, adventure and hot romance all set in 13^th century Wales.  This trilogy was a lot of fun to write and I hope you like it! 

Now . . . currently Jackie’s sawing logs, so where’s that cooling cup of Joe?

For The First Time Ever.....

I know, I know, it’s January, right?  Eons away from the next holiday season.  And I’m not one of those who run out and shop the Christmas sales in anticipation of having the perfect wrap at half price for next year’s presents.  So it’s weird to me that I’ve actually bought something for Christmas 2012, a fun little gift for my grandson.  I guess that’s okay, right?  Christmas is for little kids.  Even if it’s over 300 shopping days away?

Who knows, maybe this year we’ll celebrate Christmas in July?

Ringing in the New Year!!!

Okay, I admit it, the house looks a little bare, but it puts me in a new mode and I’m looking forward to it.  2012 has had such a bad rap.  The whole Mayan calendar thing and movies about the end of the world.  So I guess we’d better live it up until December 12^th, which seems a long time away, doesn’t it?  Well, maybe not when you consider the end of the world, but I’m not going to look at it that way.  2012 is a new year, filled with promise and hope and I’m looking forward to it.  I’ve got trips planned, books to promote, family and friends to hang out with.  So I’m tipping my glass to 2012.  Bring it on!!! 

It's beginning to look a lot like.....

I've always been a traditionalist when it comes to Christmas. When my boys were young we would got out as a family on the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree, chop it down ourselves, haul it home and decorate it. This signaled the beginning of Christmas in our house.

Once my boys were older and out of the house, I realized pre-lit and fake-o were two new words I had to add to my vocabulary. Going out, chopping down, and hauling home a Christmas tree by myself was too cumbersome, not to mention, not quite as much fun! And that was as far as I was going, my tree might be a poser, but at least from a distance, it looked natural.


At 60, I realized I might not have a plethora of Christmases in my future, so I thought why not get something fun?  Something funky?  Why not do an un-traditional Christmas.  But pink? Could I really be that UN-traditional?

So I started looking for pink trees and the first one I found online was $549.00.  I gasped.  No way would I pay that much for probably a one shot deal.  Fortunately a very practical friend of mine suggested a big box store and sure enough, I found my gem of a tree for $20.00.  (Even cheaper than my original budget of $75.00) and it came prelit (pink wire) with its own little stand.  It’s only 3 and a half feet, perfect to keep away from my grandson.  So here we go—non traditional, funky Christmas! Let the good times roll.

And Happy Holidays to everyone, traditional or non, pink-tree-loving or real tree go-getters, and everyone in between!

Cyber Monday........and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and.........

Uh-oh, as my adorable grandson likes to say. I think my on-line shopping habit may be getting a little out of control! I thought I'd get a jump start, but now I think I'm almost D.O.N.E. with my shopping and I have NOT set foot in the mall.

I'll be the first to tell you, I don't like malls. Well, it's not malls I don't like, I don't really like shopping. SHHHHH! Don't tell anybody! Fighting through crowds, scanning racks and shelves for the size/shape/color you want, not my cup of tea. But, I don't know, there's something about shopping during the holiday season that's OK. Everything is decorated so beautifully and it's a great excuse to treat myself to a full-fat gingerbread latte.

So, I'm going to try my best to save a few things to purchase in an actual store.

Let it ((NOT)) Snow!

Ok, so I don't know what it is, but I've really got the Christmas spirit the last couple of days. Maybe it's that the trees are completely naked, or how my neighborhood is suddenly illuminated at night? I'd say, the only thing missing is snow, and truthfully, I'm fine with that!

Now, don't get me wrong, I love the snow. It's beautiful. It brightens a winter day, and night. Snow says winter is HERE! But it's no fun to try to get around in. Especially here, in the Pacific Northwest, where we aren't all that used to snow and a couple of inches can really bring the city to a stop. So, for now, I'm content with the Christmas trees glowing in the windows and chimneys with billowing smoke. Let's save the snow for when the shopping is done and all we have to do is enjoy the company we're in.