Picture it. My husband at a drive-thru with 9 kids in the van and an order as long as your arm. He begins. "I'd like a Chicken, Bacon, and Swiss, two--" "Would you like that as a combo?" Concentration lost, he blinks at the screen before catching on. "No, no. Two, ham and cheese..." As Continue Reading
New Release
The Exciting Fairy Tale I Never Wanted To Tell
You see them everywhere. Sometimes it's done deliberately--someone retelling a familiar story in a new setting with a twist. Other times, it's accidental and even the author goes, "Oh! Yeah." What am I talking about? Retellings. Whether Austen characters and storylines or Shakespeare, Robin Continue Reading
The Best Marriage Advice We Got Accidentally
"You guys have something going for you." I don't know if my fiance said "What's that?" or just looked at him waiting to hear what our genius thing was, but he continued. "You were friends first. You've got something to hold you together if the romance dies." Little did he know he was Continue Reading
Can We Create an Amazing Garden in the Desert?
Truth be told, I don't know. Some do. We have gorgeous gardens here in Ridgecrest (which is only an hour from Death Valley... just for reference). None of those gorgeous gardens have ever grown at our house, aside from that amazing crop of corn we had one year. Usually, we are content to grow Continue Reading
Are You Ready for a Few Happy Mishaps & Prizes?
This week, Mishaps off the Mainland released. Seriously, guys. You want to check out this book about a sassy dog groomer, the dog that ran away, and the guy who ran away with her heart! To celebrate launch week the authors got together and "groomed" our pets for a sort of online pet pageant. Continue Reading
3 Things I Love Most about “That Boyfriend Book”
The manuscript hit my inbox with an electronic thud that still rings in my ears. No joke. Secret Beach Boyfriend. What had I gotten myself into? Seriously! One of the best things about these Independence Islands Series books is that I'm the content editor. That means I get to read them Continue Reading
Announcing: The Top Foodie Items You Loved
Well, I think we've established that I am not part of the cool crowd. Everyone has their favorites... I'm just not one of them. Want me to prove it? Well, let's look at the foodie contest winners! I had seven chances to "win" the contest between the authors from our "Foodie release" and... Continue Reading
Time to Spice Up Your Life—and Your Reading!
Have I lost my ever-lovin' mind? Am I now writing "Christian erotica?" Excuse me while I laugh and hurl at the same time. Oops. One more. Just a second. Okay, now that I'm back down to chortles and snickers at the idea I could even manage it if I wanted to (anyone who knows me knows I'm Continue Reading
Why I LOVE Barbara Cornthwaite & Think You Will Too
I met Barbara Cornthwaite almost twenty years ago on a message board. As an American, married to an Irishman, living in England with her adopted children (from several countries), her mere existence fascinated me. Her kindness and humor drew me in, but… I know, I know. It’s self-serving and Continue Reading
Deadlines Might Just Be the Death of Me
It happens every year. February looms. With it, comes the deadline for the next Madeline book. I write in a panic. Will I make it in time? Will the book actually be finished, edited, proofread, and uploaded by the release date? I never know. Maybe I should know. Actually, no maybe about it. I Continue Reading
When You Dance, Who Is Leading, Anyway?
The synopsis beckoned with the wheedling crook of one practiced in the art of reeling others in. California? 19th century? It wasn't like I had a whole series planned about that era—even one in print already. So, of course, I had to read it. Right? But I couldn't find it. See, I was Continue Reading
Is Above the Fold Really the Best Place to Be?
“I found a picture.” Okay, so I should point out that I can’t remember who I said this to. Was it my friend? My launch team? In my Reader Group? Whoever I said it to wasn’t surprised. But I couldn’t stop talking about it. “Can’t you see it? She could be Madeline’s daughter—a reporter. But with Continue Reading
