“It may be that those who do most, dream most.” ~Stephen Butler Leacock, (1869-1944), Canadian author Life’s been a bit crazy lately, what with novel #1 launching May 1 and novel #2 due to my editor on May 1. Did anyone else notice that those two things happen on the same day? Sometimes when a friend asked me how I …
Wish You Were Here: What’s Up with the Llamas?
So, let’s talk llamas. I know, I know. I write romance. I should be introducing you to the hero in my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. But the llamas — Kuzko, Pacha and Banzai — have have always attracted a bit of attention along the way to publication. The conversation usually goes like this: Interested person: So what’s your …
In Others’ Words: You
“The better part of happiness is to wish to be what you are.” ~Desiderius Erasmus (1466? – 1536) , Catholic priest I gotta be honest with you: I wasted a lot of time thinking the only way I could be really, truly happy was if I was somebody else. Someone more like you, maybe. I spent a lot of time …
In Others’ Words: Gifts
“A wonderful gift may not be wrapped as you expect.” ~Jonathan Lockwood Huie, author For the past 11 months, daily episodes of vertigo knocked my life off-kilter. Pardon the play on words. I’ve learned to throw humor at something that made me wonder if putting my mascara on is going to cause the world to rock-n-roll. The first episode …
In Others’ Words: Moments
“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the ‘Titanic’ who waved off the dessert cart?” Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), author & humorist Seems everyone’s talking about the Titanic these days, what with the 100th anniversary of the ship’s maiden voyage, when it sank after striking an iceberg. The movie “Titanic,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet has been re-released in …
Contemporary Romance: Meet Allison Denman of Wish You Were Here
“Why can’t life be black and white, God? Why won’t you give me a happy ending?” She drew her knees up, resting her chin on her folded arms. “I’m trying to do the right things–shouldn’t that guarantee me happiness?” ~Allison Denman in Wish You Were Here In less than two weeks, Beth K. Vogt is going to share my life with all her …
In Others’ Words: Bricks
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” ~David Brinkley (1920 – 2003), American newscaster If somebody throws a brick at me, I’m gonna duck. If somebody throws a verbal brick at me — an insult, an accusation — sometimes I make the mistake of embracing it like it’s …
In Others’ Words: Progress
“The fatal metaphor of progress, which means leaving things behind us, has utterly obscured the real idea of growth — which means leaving things inside us.” G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), English writer I came across this stop-me-in-my-tracks quote as I read author Ann Voskamp’s A Holy Experience blog. I was reminded of it today as my husband measured the pencil …
In Others’ Words: Comfort
“There’s nothing like staying home for real comfort.” ~Jane Austen, author Trips are fun — the whole going someplace new or going back to a favorite vacation spot. But for all the excitement of the planning and the preparation, for all the memories made while I’m gone, my favorite part of a trip is … coming home. Ah, the feeling …
Romance & Wish You Were Here & Llamas
Yes, that’s me playing “get to know you” with a llama. Ah, the things novelists do for the sake of research. What do llamas have to do with inspirational contemporary romance? Some would say nothing. But since I am the author of Wish You Were Here, I would say llamas add a whole other layer of fun to a …