There’s been a lot of fun involved with writing my first novel — and a lot of hard work too. This past Saturday was all about fun! Family and friends joined with me to celebrate the launch of Wish You Were Here — and the wonderful photographer Lisa Anne Meeter, of Lisa Anne Photography, took photos for me. My family …
In My Words: A Wedding Gown Revisited
I hadn’t seen my wedding gown in almost 32 years. You read that right: 32 years. I celebrate my 32nd wedding anniversary with my husband Rob on May 24. With my book launch celebration slated for May 5 (just a couple of days ago), I decided it was time to unpack my wedding gown. Why? In Wish You Were Here, …
In My Words: Celebrating Friendships & My Debut Novel
Look carefully at that photo and you’ll see I’m holding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 stars! And while I’m committed to unhitching my wagon from the stars — not making my writing career about reviews — I will treasure those 5 stars forever. I am blessed — yep, blessed is the absolutely best word — to be part of the …
Wish You Were Here: Burnout and Dreams Come True
I am a huge fan of burnout. Four years ago, my writing want-to burned down to the faintest of glimmers of my former passion. What I didn’t know was that moment of “I can’t do this anymore” exhaustion would bring me to today: the launch day for my debut novel, Wish You Were Here. In the early days of burnout, …
In Others’ Words: Anticipation
“Never forget that anticipation is an important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excitement, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s coming.” ~Nicholas Sparks, Three Weeks with My Brother Tomorrow all the anticipation comes to an end. On Tuesday, May 1, my debut novel Wish You Were Here hits the shelves …
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 …
Wish You Were Here & One of My Favorite Things: Photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen
httpv://youtu.be/apXX4seSwyc During today’s two minute vlog I introduce you to one of my favorite things: the nature photography of Thomas Mangelsen. As I say in the vlog, one of the fun things about being a novelist is including things I love in my novels. And when I wrote my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, I decided to slip one …
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 …
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 …
It’s a Real Book: Wish You Were Here is here!
A package arrived at my house on Tuesday — two packages, actually. In one was a copy of my debut novel, Wish You Were Here, with a note from my editor, Jessica Wong, saying the book was “hot off the presses.” That’s a cliche any author will embrace. The second package contained several additional copies of my novel — but …