I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We had to skip it this year.  My grands got sick and then gave it to my daughter. I wound up working all day - but progress is progress!  Though I did indulge in Pumpkin pie anyhow! LOL. 

I'm trying to get more walking in. Yesterday we went for a walk at an old golf course.  There were these bushes along the trail.  Anyone know what they are? 

While I'm staying with my friend - I have made some new friends - Tiger is a sweet little fifteen year old girl who is usually a bit anti social - you know, a cat lol.  Anyhow - it seems she's taken a liking to me.  I was an hour late leaving the house this morning because she climbed up on my chest and I didn't have the nerve to disturb her! LOL 

So - Mitch's story is off to my review team in preparation for next month's release.  It took forever to edit. My editor says that the heroine is the most interesting character I've written.  Has anyone seen the old Bette Davis movie Now Voyager? It's one of my favorites of Bette.  As soon as Gwyneth's name came up in book one, I knew she was going to be much like Bette in that movie. When it releases, I'd love to know if anyone agrees with me! 

With that off, my day was spent at the project house. The floors are in and I'm so excited. It looks SO much better than before!   What I have to decide is what to do with the fireplace.  My tendency is to leave it natural brick, others say I should paint it.  WHAT do you think? 

Let me know what you think! 

 ThHow is everyone today? 

This is going to be a busy week for me.  It started Friday, I'm working myself on that project house - in the process of filling nail holes and sanding shelves for all the closets I added to the house. The pantry was originally a small five shelf pantry and it's now a walk in fifteen shelf pantry - and I'm sanding all of them.  Then we have a few new linen closets and a couple of storage closets and I see a lot of sanding in my future! LOL. 

Back to Friday, after a long and tiring day (face it, I ain't as young as I used to be lol) I had dinner with my daughter and her family, then I arrived home to this note and this delicious cupcake for my birthday! 

 DMy weekend progressed with more sanding and wood filling - SO many shelves LOL. But then I came home to hold the couch down - after all, we don't want the couch floating away! LOL.  So there I am on the sofa, resting my aching back when my friend's kitty comes to visit. Do you like cats? This girl is small but fully grown and just loves her pets.  Do you like kitties, or are you a dog person? 

And the weekend ended upon my friends' return with a nice dinner out - I ordered stuff flounder because I'm fond of spinach and crab meat (what it was stuffed with) and boy was I surprised to get the whole fish!  Tasted better than I expected, but I don't remember ever being served flounder with the tail and all. I always expect that with trout.  And for the record - those pistachio glazed carrots were amazing! 

So that brings us to this week.  I feel like I'll be sanding shelves forever (and I am using an electric sander) but I'm also fitting in edits for Just One Chance, my editor was not happy with me so I have a lot of work on this one, but hopefully y'all will love it. 

In the meantime, remember what happens tomorrow? Yep! Just One Shot will finally be here. The book I told you that was in many ways inspired by the song "My Girl" by Dillon Scott.  Who went to watch the video? 

Who is ready? Or did you buy your copy early from my website? I'm super pleased with this one and hope everyone loves it! 

​okay- off to go sand some more! LOL 

This has been a busy week.  I'm back to driving between Houston and North Texas.  Finishing up that real estate project I started earlier in the year. We had several set backs, but we're making progress again.  I'm rolling up my sleeves to help with simple things that I can do, like painting or sanding.  At the same time I'm working on two books. 

This is a first for me - trying to write two books in two different series at the same time.  Just One Chance, Mitch's book, is at the editors and scheduled for release in December.  Just One Shot - Siobhan's book - is coming out next week and available early at my website for anyone who does not want to wait! (and at a discount too!) 

A little something about Just One Shot - do you know that I often get inspiration for my storylines from songs?  A thousand years ago there was a song "Probably Wouldn't Be This Way" sung by LeAnn Rimes.  Well after hearing that over and over on the radio - it was the spark for the book Hopes' Corner.   Later on, Carrie Underwood's song "Church Bells" gave me the idea for where to take Brooks in Farraday Country.  Between the song and a sad history with a neighbor, I discovered Brooks' heroine.  Though the song didn't inspire the content, while I was writing Finn from Farraday Country, I kept playing Rascal Flatts "I l Like the Sound of That" It just put me in Finn's head a bit and made it easier to find his story. 

So, back to Siobhan and Just One Shot.  Every time I heard Dylan Scott's song "My Girl" on the radio, I could just see Siobhan dancing around making a scene, lol.  So, when I wrote Just One Shot, I played that song A LOT in the background and even used some of the lyrics and scenes from the music video for guidance on the book - yeah - there's a reason they do archery and make s'mores LOL.  Go ahead and watch the music video before you read the book and then tell me if that doesn't remind you of the feisty teen from book one?? !! 

Okay, as I started to explain, this is the first time I'm working on two books from two different series at once.  I'm trying to do Just One Mistake - about Rachel Baron (the restoration architect) - and at the same time, finish the first book of the new Sweet Family series (don't have a name yet for the series).  We'll see if I can track two things at once!  Say a small prayer for me because I want to keep giving you Baron books and then have the Sweets ready for release in the fall of next year - this is the most I've ever pushed myself in a long long time! 

Now I have to share something I find just adorable about my granddaughter - she's almost a year and a half and learning more and more words. It's easier and easier to know what she wants. And she has such a cute little Texas accent when she says "Yeess" lol.  She also is still grasping concepts. She understands the concept of pick me up and put me down, she just hasn't mastered the language.  Regardless of if you're holding her and she wants down, or if she's standing and wants up, she says the same thing: ready?... Up Me Down.  LOL Every time she says that I just laugh like a loon!  Grandkids are way more fun than kids ever were! 

Sorry, no photos today, nothing interesting to share in pictures. Have a great week!  And hope you're not getting soaked like Texas!  See you soon! 

This morning I'm going to be short and sweet--why? Because I am on the road again to visit the grands!  You know how much I love that - though I truly wish they were close enough to visit for a few hours at will, but it is what it is. 

I have however been feverishly working to finish Mitch's story  - This one came rather easily because I've had visions in my head of this story ever since the first time Broody Mitch looked out the window lost in thoughts and Eve and Craig brought up Ugly Duckling Gwyneth Van Klein.  I had visions of Bette Davis in Now Voyager dancing in my head - after all - who doesn't love a Cinderella story? 

There are two little scenes left to write and then the project goes off to my editor and hopefully will be ready in time for your holiday reading - oh - and even though it's not a Christmas story - we did throw in a little Christmas tree happenings! 

And for those of you who are aware of my tumble at Targets almost two weeks ago and my sore tail bone - well - it's still sore. I have no idea why bending over hurts, but it does, so - no bending over.  Something fell on the floor; oh well! LOL. And my heating pad and I have become good friends! 

I also had one thing checked off my to-do list that made me very happy. As you know, last time I was visiting my daughter my phone did this crazy light show moments before dying. Which meant I had to buy a new phone - for the record - I hate breaking in new things when they are forced on me (well, except for our TV, turns out I love the new TV more than the old one even if I miss the remote control swivel feature). Anyhow, this dumb phone did all sorts of things I did not like - like beep every time "I" send a text. I know I sent it - I didn't need it to remind me! I hated the backscreen but couldn't change it. I hated having to swipe to see my screen - oooh that drove me nuts lol - I couldn't figure out how to put the new protector on and the list went on from there!  Well, one stop at my local t-mobile and all my frustrations were fixed. I even have a sweet screensaver of my granddaughter to make me smile when my phone rings! 

Oh, and we may have nailed down whose Baron book is next - cousin Rachel. The restoration architect, Devlin, Cooper, and Leah's sister, who we met at the end of Just One Taste.  She's not talking to me very much yet, but it looks like she may have a very handsome contractor coming into her life, even if his brother was her low life ex.  What do you think? 

So, let's try something different,  How Was Your Week? 

​This was the week of electronic beeps.
 
First was my fridge. We lost electricity for a few hours when the neighborhood transformer did its occasional fritz thing. You hear sizzling and then the lights go out. Well, when we woke up the next morning all was well, except the fridge. Every time I open the door it beeps like when we walk away and leave a door ajar.  Annoying as heck. And I have no clue how to stop it – or if I want to pay for a repairmen to come fix it.
 
Apparently, fate doesn’t want to leave it at that. Next I hear an odd hum coming from my oven. What the heck? Apparently it started when my husband tried to reset the clock.  Now we have no time displaying and the option of leaving it in self clean mode (the hum) OR – yep – let it beep every fifteen seconds.  We can not figure out how to turn the dumb beep off – we tried. Believe me we tried. Finally we did the only sensible thing. Turned off the breaker.  Why not? I don’t cook. We all know that. No Secret. Though I will need it to cook for Thanksgiving so we’re going to have to figure it out soon.  The plan is to turn the breaker back on tomorrow morning (I had too much going on today) and if it doesn’t reset and still beeps- call in the repairman for both beeping appliances!
 
On the bright side – edits for Just One Shot are finished and the manuscript is with the proofers.  It took EIGHT passes with the editor but we think we whipped that sucker into shape.   Have you preordered yet? Just for fun – here’s a little snippet.

     "Hi Mum. You're on speaker." Siobhan’s eyes lit up.
     Though he tried his best to be discreet, Jack couldn't help but watch her.
    "Hello to everyone.” A chorus of hello, hi, and good morning echoed around the room. “Tell me, girl, how was the wedding yesterday?” Her mother’s musical lilt came through the phone.
     A wide grin on her face, Siobhan leaned back in her seat and began recounting the events in more detail than before. With each story of the night, Siobhan’s enthusiasm grew. Practically bouncing in her chair, her smile bloomed and her eyes sparkled. Her love for her mother seemed to energize her every sentence. The same could be said for her mother. Jack didn't listen to the words, but the tone. In every question her mother asked, the pride in her voice couldn’t be missed.
     The delight in Siobhan's voice and her sweet relationship with her mother washed over him. She looked downright adorable. Though he was pretty sure Siobhan would give him an earful if she heard him think that. Grown up or not, her smile was infectious. No way could he watch her excitement and not smile back.
      When the call was over, Siobhan gave a wistful sigh before digging back into her food.
     “Your mother sounds good.” The Governor sipped his coffee with one hand and scratched behind Moon’s ears with the other. Honey’s littermate leaned into the Governor’s leg. Those two dogs were as lucky as the rest of the Baron clan.
      “I worry about her all alone sometimes, but it’s good to hear all is well.”
     And wasn’t that the icing on the cake. Not only did the kid like her mother, she worried about her too.
      "Governor?” Siobhan wiped the corners of her mouth with her napkin. “I was planning to hit the mall today. There are a few things I need to pick up at the camera store. Since I don’t have my car, may I borrow one of the other ones?"
      "I can take you." The words slipped out before Jack had time to think better of it.
     Eyes wide, Siobhan's gaze raced back to his. “You don't need to go out of your way again."
    The way Mitch and the Governor’s attention had whipped around to him, he almost thought twice about his offer, but instead, his mouth kicked into gear before his brain could stop him. "I need to stop at the mall also. Today is as good as any.”
     "Are you sure you don't mind?"
     His gaze casually took in the additional sets of eyes staring him. What the heck, it was just a ride to the mall, he wasn’t asking for the kid’s hand in marriage. “I’m sure.”
    “Then I guess I don't need a car after all." Siobhan pushed to her feet. “Give me two minutes to grab my purse and I'll meet you at the front door."
      Containing the urge to smile back as brightly as she was, Jack nodded.
     Siobhan bounced out of the room, her absence leaving a vacuum. He dared to look at the others at the table. He couldn’t swear to it, but he thought he saw a glimmer of suspicion in Mitch’s gaze. Same with the Governor. Shaking his imagination clear, he stood. He had to be reading into their expressions. Siobhan was just a kid and he was just helping out a friend’s little sister. Walking to the other end of the table, he kissed Lila again. "Thank you for your hospitality."
      "Thank you for rescuing our girl." The older woman smiled up at him again.
     “My pleasure.” Nodding at the Governor, he turned, noticing Mitch was no longer seated. He found Siobhan's brother at the front door, a stern expression directed at him. Jack stopped a few feet from him.
     "Our baby sister thinks she’s all grown up.”
     Jack nodded.
    “Just so we’re clear.”
    Again, he bobbed his head. He knew better than anyone that not all that long ago he was partying hardy with Kyle and the others while Siobhan was still in pigtails and braces. So why had he not let her use one of the other ranch cars?
 
Did I ever mention the inspiration for this book? Every time I heard the song My Girl by Dylan Scott on the radio, I would think of Siobhan.  I actually incorporated much of the song’s lyrics into the scenes.  I hope y’all love it as much as I do!

And now I’m on to Mitch’s book.  I have big ideas for that one and hope I can pull it off. 

​What a busy week this has been.   As you know, last week started with a second cousin visiting and we went to visit my first cousin in Austin. From there, the tour of Texas continued with a drive to visit my daughter and her family in Houston.
 
Honestly, except for NASA, I have no idea what’s worth seeing in the Houston area except for my grandbabies LOL.  We didn’t have time for NASA but we did do a quick drive through downtown on our way to an afternoon in Galveston.  We went to a restaurant that used to be a favorite of my mom and me.  We both loved the lobster bisque there – always so good. And thankfully, it still was!  I also had shells stuffed with crab and spinach. Tasted way better than it sounds- lol!
 
Then we went for a nice walk on the Strand, the main tourist shopping street of old Galveston. Lots of little shops and a fun place to tourist around. After that we went for a drive by the beach. Ever since my family and I started taking an annual weekend vacation at the beach, I’ve coveted having my own beach house. Of course, that would mean I’d either have to win the lottery (which I always forget to play!) or y’all would have to literally tell a million or two of your friends to please buy my books!  But, just in case, I bought a sign at one of the local shops on the strand to hang on the some day wall!
 
Another day, my cousin made a nice dinner for the family, but first we had to hit the grocery store and I spotted the biggest pumpkins I have ever seen! The photo does not do it justice! 

Now for the book news – are y’all ready for Paige’s story? Because in less than 24 hours it will be available at all vendors! I can’t believe how quickly this series is coming together. Siobhan’s story, Just One Shot is at the editors now, and I’m already working away on Mitch’s story- Just One Chance. So many stories to write!
 
Okay, that’s it for my update on the life and times of Chris Keniston and family LOL – and feel free to let me know in the comments if there things you want to read more of – or less of ! 

I’m here in Austin for the weekend with family. I love visiting family. It’s probably why I love writing about family. I am an only child so I don’t have tons of siblings and immediate nieces and nephews, but I have so many first and second cousins and ‘nieces and nephews’ that there is never a shortage of family.
 
Every family keeps track of relatives differently. We all know the ‘technical’ lineage. For instance my first cousin’s daughter is technically my first cousin once removed, but in our family, anyone young enough to be your child is a niece of nephew and you become their aunt or uncle. All cousins are just – cousins. And I actually am still in contact with third cousins! For those of you who don’t keep track of lineage – third cousins share the same great great grandparents! Imagine that.
 
And the funnier thing, is because we have all stayed in touch – there are a few family traits that we can pinpoint where they must come from. For instance. My mom has a second cousin on my grandmother’s maternal side who if food does not burn your tongue then it’s cold and not edible. My mother is the same way. But so is my second cousin on my grandmother’s side.  To muddy the waters a little more for you – lol – my cousin is the granddaughter of my grandmother’s brother.  So my mom and my cousin could have inherited that trait from either of my grandmother’s parents’ families. But – because my mother’s second cousin also has that trait – we know it comes from my grandmother’s maternal side!  I find stuff like that fascinating.
 
On my mother’s side of the family we can actually trace both my grandparents paternal lineage all the way back to the late 1400s – that is truly mind-boggling!
 
Anyhow, this Friday Just One Shot goes off to the final editor. I sure hope y’all enjoy Siobhan’s story – I’m trying really hard to do her justice!
 
Okay - Here's a photo of my morning view as I drink my tea and write this blog. Welcome to Texas Hill Country! 

I've always wondered if this is really true.  Are there some things that late just doesn't cut it? 

I'm hoping this blog isn't one of them. 

I'm making small - very small - progress on Siobhan's story. Our family had a bit of a shock last week when my husband's brother had a heart attack and passed very unexpectedly.  This has rocked our family for several reasons. We've always looked at my husband's family as being genetically long lived. My mother in law passed at 91, her mother in her mid nineties, most of her siblings on either side of ninety with only a couple of exceptions (mother in law was one of ten).  Now - a sense of mortality is knocking at the door.  

The hard part is that the two brothers share a few similar traits, the most problematic, a dislike for regular checkups or doctor visits. The other challenge is convincing them of a need for changing bad habits for good one.  I'll let you know if I succeed in talking him into at least walking every day with me - not holding my breath, but going to give it the college try. 

the other challenge for families that live half a country away is wondering if more could have been done. If things should have been said. Always a hard thing second guessing ourselves. 

As a result, what should take me only a short while is taking a very long while. As in this blog that's hours late. 

On the upside, my cousin and his three sons came over Sunday to help clear weeds. I have quite a good size yard and more weeds than plants. Now the front of the house looks nice and tidy. Not magazine worthy, but pleasantly tidy.  I'm very happy to not be the messiest house on the block anymore. 

lastly, for folks who have followed my kitchen renovations, it has been mostly done for months, but around my travels there were a handful of tweaks that still needed to be done. Doors that didn't quite fit, drawers that didn't quite close or stay closed (apparently we do not have a level floor and ceiling lol) and the missing range hood. I did have to give up on white and install stainless, but I don't think it looks too bad.  Anyhow, here's a photo - for someone who doesn't cook, I'm very pleased with the outcome!  What are my favorite features?? I LOVE the drawers under the sink instead of cabinet doors. So easy to open the top drawer for the sponges and dish soap - the bottom drawer for whatever mess I store under there LOL. I love that everything pulls out, either drawers, or shelves, no bending over and crawling under to find what's been lost. I love that my coffee maker and small appliances are hidden behind closed doors. It's not easy but clean countertops is a joy. But my two truly favorite features are the three trash bins and three junk drawers LOL.  I have a trash bin by the coffee bar, another by the kitchen sink, and a recycle bin in the island. Then, I've had a junk drawer for years. since I have so many drawers, there are two nice sized drawers under the junk drawer and you guessed it - they all have junk now. Organized, but junk! LOL. 

Okay, that's it for now - at least I still made it on Monday! 

take care, 

Guess who was nice and prompt and wrote this blog first thing this morning - and then - forgot to post it! Yep - yours truly.  I swear with the amount of vitamins and fish oil I take, you'd think I could remember whether I'm coming or going a little more easily LOL. 

And then - if that wasn't enough - for some reason I can't copy and paste from my word doc - so - guess who is even further delayed retyping! sigh. Oh well, onward. 

I have spent an entire week in my own home and let me tell you, it's been nice. I have a crazy long to-do list and I'm delighted to have been knocking off at least one thing a day. Some times two!  Who knew crossing things off lists could make a person so happy!  It feels great. Just one little accomplishment every day! 

My favorite is probably the new laptop – let me tell you I grumbled and moaned for over an hour, closer to two, trying to set the darn thing up. I specifically thought I’d picked a refurbished computer in order to keep my windows ten – well – it’s windows eleven. Have I mentioned how much I hate technology? Finally after a long night, the laptop is set up so for the most part I can find what I need. Hopefully no one will ever ask me to find something new or it will be hours of asking ‘where the heck is….’ But, now I can write and work without juggling portable screens, untangling connections, and waiting forever for my hotspot to work.  This new laptop has a better internet connection (don’t ask me why, but thank heavens it does!)
 
As you know, last week was the release of Just One Take, book four in the new Baron series.  This one has been lots of fun because it’s had a Barnes and Noble bestseller tag all week!  Isn’t that pretty green banner on the upper left corner of the cover seriously cool??​

Later this month, Just One Taste releases, and then in November, Just One Shot – Siobhan’s story. You remember her? The youngest Baron who was injured in book one? Well, for your Monday morning reading, here’s a snippet from the start of Siobhan’s book.
 
“Is it always this hot in Texas?” Siobhan’s friend and former college roommate, Bridget waved her hand in front of her face. As if that was actually going to help.
     Her gaze fixed ahead, Siobhan didn’t bother to look up. “You’ve heard the expression, fry an egg on the sidewalk?”
     Squinting at the sunlight, Bridget nodded.
      “Texas invented it.”
     “I think next time I visit, I’ll pick a cooler month.”
     Her camera centered on a baby bird pecking at the dirt under a scraggly shrub, Siobhan snapped the shot before facing her friend. “Probably October. As long as rain doesn’t bother you.”
     “I think I’d rather be soggy than melting.”
     Siobhan chuckled. Her friend did have a point.
     “Remind me again, why we’re traipsing out here in this horrid heat?”
     “State Fair.” Texas has some of the most undervalued national parks in the country. If she wanted her photographic career to flourish at a level suitable to the Baron name, she needed some recognition. Winning a ribbon or two at the Texas State Fair would fit the bill. Animal and Nature photos dominated the history of award winning photography, and the Texas parks had both in abundance.
     Bridget unscrewed the cap on her warm water bottle and guzzled what was left inside.            “You’ve got twenty, thirty minutes tops to get your prize photograph and then we’re heading back to the hotel for a water refill.” Bridget’s mouth tipped up in the closest thing to a smile Siobhan had seen all day. “And a dip in the pool to cool off sounds pretty good too.”
     Once again, her friend had a good point. The heat was a tad, oppressive, this time of year.       “Deal.”
     Now a true grin spread across Bridget’s face.
     Ten minutes later, Siobhan lowered her gaze along the precipice to one side and spotted the perfect shot. “There.”
     Bridget’s gaze danced left and right, up and around. “There were?”
    Leaning against a boulder, her arm outstretched, Siobhan pointed at the lone pink bloom thriving amongst the rocky side. “Right there. That flower.”
     When Bridget’s gazed reached the end of Siobhan’s finger and settled on the flower, a deep frown formed between her brows. “Doesn’t look like much of a shot to me.”
     “Oh it will be.” In her mind, Siobhan could see it now. She just had to get. “Closer.”
     “What?” Bridget inched forward, glanced at the drop only a few feet away, and eased back.     
     “There has to be another… hey, be careful.”
     Standing at the very edge of the hillside, Siobhan tipped her head and her camera but there was no way she could get the angle she wanted. Blowing out a deep breath, she looked up. Even she didn’t have the nerve to climb along the rocky edge to get closer. Maybe if she had the right equipment, but not barehanded. And then she spotted it. A lone tree up above.
     “I don’t like that look.” Her hand shading her eyes, Bridget lifted her gaze upward. “What ever you’re thinking, this is a bad…hey. Where are you going?”
     Anxious to get her shot while the sunlight was behind her, Siobhan took off up the narrow path at a fast clip. “The tree.”
     “Tree?” Bridget followed, her attention on the rocky path. “Are you sure you Barons aren’t part mountain goat. Slow down.”
     “I don’t have much time.”
     “You have your whole life ahead of you. That is unless we fall off this cliff. Slow down.”
     “There.” The lone tree stood strong and tall, if a little lifeless.
     “What do you want with a dead tree?” Bridget inched left, avoiding the edge of the rocky path. There was no missing the moment Bridget’s gaze shifted from the drop to her right, then back to Siobhan. A gasp could have been heard clear across the ravine. “Get off that tree.”
  
What do you think? Are you liking the Barons?

​Just came back from several days at an author conference on St. Pete’s beach.   Because it’s business and so hectic, I kept forgetting to take photos! LOL.  But a few folks did manage to snap a picture here or there
 
The nice thing about visiting the Florida Gulf Coast is that unlike the beaches of Galveston Texas, there’s lots of white soft sand. A challenge to walk through but so pretty! 

​Thank heaven for other associates taking pictures!  Here we have one over lunch with some author friends, Kellie Coates Gilbert, Deb Clopton, Jan Moran, and Kay Correll are all lovely women, and I’ve read each of these authors, all great storytellers!  Of course the best part about conferences is meeting new people, it just takes me a while to remember names! LOL. But I have to thank Jan Moran for the solo photos – I’m thinking it’s worthy of replacing the old photos of brunette me – what do you think?  Maybe I'll wait to Spring when I lose a few pounds LOL. 

​Of course – we have to include the last night dinner –a beach blanket (okay tables) bash worthy of a movie.  The food – as you can see – was delicious. I didn’t get a desert photo but I’m sure y’all will forgive me.  Of course, my former assistant and still good friend Maria can always be counted on to take at least one photo of the two of us!  

​And then there was the best sunset show. This part of the Florida Gulf Coast (west side) is known for its amazing sunsets. 

​To end it all – my last afternoon working with authors – lunch was ordered and I got the biggest kick out of my fortune cookie – I guess there are perks to being a little nutty! 

​Time to catch up on everything I’ve learned – oh – and I’m very proud of myself for writing every day despite all the business meetings!  Just One Shot is on schedule!  I’m off to work – have a great week!