Some weeks, the days just slip right by. 

We've had a crazy busy week - I'm thrilled to announce that I have a sweet baby granddaughter.  She weighed in at exactly eight pounds. Unlike her brother who took thirty two hours to make his appearance, our little girl was more eager and greeted us in less than four!

As a result it's been a week of food prep, family visits, and playing pass the baby! She's already a great sleeper. At bedtime she nods off for three to four hours, wakes up for a snack, and goes back to sleep for a few more hours. We're all getting way more sleep than we expected! And big brother is fascinated with 'baby'. It's so much fun to watch. 

Of course, in early baby stage there are no words being written. I had expected this and June isn't even on the writing schedule, but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to scribble a few words to keep me ahead of the game. We're tinkering with titles. I'm wondering what your thoughts are?  I think book one will be - the wedding date.  Though I'd rather stick with names, I'm not sure if it's a good idea.  This is important so if you read the blog, please answer in comments. Do you prefer book titles that express something or book titles that just have the name?  

Sooo - here I am at 4:30 in the morning and wide awake.  Not sure if it's because I didn't take my bedtime gummy for sleep or because every time I roll over my bruised ankle wakes me up just a little.

Yesterday, for reasons I do not understand, I cracked my ankle against the corner of the coffee table. I have been visiting my daughter's house with some regularity over the last there years and never come close to that stupid coffee table! It hurt when I bumped it - and I rubbed it quite a bit in an effort to prevent bruising- but it still hurts. A friend told me to use Arnica salve and I bought some but unfortunately, it's home in Dallas.

Hopefully I won't fall asleep in the middle of day now LOL! I'm debating between turning on the TV or picking up a book or working on book three of the barons of Texas- I may try and get a few words in because with a new baby coming there won't be much time soon. 

Since I shared the opening scene of book two last month (that was Kyle's story), here's the unedited first draft of the opening scene of book three (Beth's story) :

“What you need is a man.”
Standing over her latest compound mixture, the dropper in her hand fell to the floor as Beth Baron snapped her head around to face her assistant. “Excuse me?”
“You work too hard.”  Isabel Santorini had been the best compounder, assistant that Beth had ever worked with. The standard white lab coat did little to hide the woman’s gothic wardrobe complete with heavy combat boots that thudded their way across the commercial linoleum floors. Nor did the plethora of strategically pierced studs along with bleached raven black hair and striking makeup choices give any hint of the brilliant mind that had worked beside Beth since the day she started Le Perfumerie.  “I can sense your tension the minute I cross the threshold. You need a good roll in the hay.”
“What I need,” Beth spun around and handed Isabel a list of her latest choices, “is for you to compound these and leave my love life alone.”
“Would love to. If you had one.” Isabel flashed a toothy grin. “Love life that is.”
“My love life is just fine. Thank you.”
Isabel set a dish of cheese and fresh finger fruits in front of her. “Sure it is. That’s why you’ve been sleeping on the sofa in your office all week.”
Beth could do little more than roll her eyes. The woman was right. Beth loved her work, loved being her own boss, and often when she was working on a particularly enchanting scent, time would get away from her and she’d crash on the sofa. On the bright side, working crazy long days for stretches at a time kept her from remembering basic necessities in life like food, which helped keep her in the same size clothes she’d worn since high school. Thankfully, a caring nagger, Isabel made sure that Beth at least didn’t starve to death.
“Thanks. I didn’t realize I was hungry.”
“For food or men?”
“Will you stop that!” The last thing Beth needed now was a romantic liaison with a man.
“I’m serious. Never mind the roll in the hay. When was the last time you were out on a date with a man?”
“Two weeks ago at the Shelters for Women annual gala.”
One pitch black eyebrow lifted high on Isabel’s forehead and her charcoal lips pursed in bitter disagreement. “Jack Preston doesn’t count. Even though the man is sexy as hell, he might as well be your brother. Heaven knows no honorable man would be willing to cross the line with his best friend’s little sister. Especially when the brother is a Baron and has two more brothers to back him up in brawl.”
There wasn’t much of an argument she could give. Jack Preston, her brother Kyle’s college buddy, had been her go to date for charity events and weddings for years. It made for great photographs, fed the gossip mill to keep her preferred charities in the news, and repelled unwanted gold-digging male attention. Too bad he wasn’t available for tonight’s Housing for Heroes event. The entire evening was planned around her donation of a recent creation with all sales profit of the new scent to go to the organization. The naming rights to the scent was one of the auction items tonight. Everyone expected the fundraiser to be a bumper crop night for the non profit that had done so much for struggling veterans. At least for tonight her grandparents would be in attendance. Not the same as an escort on her arm, but a safe haven none the less. Speaking of which, she glanced down at her wrist watch. Three o’clock. If she high tailed it out of here she’d be able to beat some of the miserable Houston traffic. One of these days she was going to move the operation out of downtown, sell her NEIGHBORHOOD condo, and set up in a cheaper less congested northern suburb. Some day.
She tossed a grape in her mouth and a morsel of mozzarella, then scooped the dish into her hand to finish nibbling on her way out the door. “Thanks for the snack, but I need to get moving if I want to wear something other than my lab coat to tonight’s banquet.”
Isabel stepped back and nodded. Beth was almost out the lab door when her assistant shouted after her, “If you find a hot bachelor, take him home with you!”

Hope you enjoyed that sneak peek!  We don't have release dates yet for the series but hopefully some time this fall! Will let you know when I know! 

In the meantime I hope y'all have had a good night's sleep.  

Stay in touch! 

What is it they say about a watched pot never boils? LOL.  That's what it feels like here. I spend a lot of time staring at my daughter's very prominent belly.  I am so excited to meet my baby girl that I can't stand it.  If anyone doesn't know it, I adore little babies. Can hold and rock them for hours no problem. Plant me in front of a tv or a few people to talk to (remember extrovert here who doesn't like quiet solitude lol) and I am a happy camper with a baby in my arms. 

On the bright side, I was a bit behind schedule on book two of the Barons of Texas so this is allowing me to catch up. I'm hoping it will be done by tonight or tomorrow - well - first draft anyhow.  This one is a little challenging because the hero is a racecar driver and races come up so I have to keep going to my experts for input.  One of these years I'm going to make the hero something I am more familiar with - like a window cleaner or realtor ! LOL. 

Now - I am having a challenging time deciding how to title these Baron books.  I've gone a bit lazy of late and my last two series the titles have all been hero or heroine names. Do y'all have a preference? I really would like your input - Do you prefer titles like my Aloha, Honeymoon or Family Secets sereis or is doing Names like Farraday and Hart Land okay? 

Enquiring minds want to know!  (yeah - I'm that old LOL) 

​thanks ! 

oday is a day when the flags come out and hang on our porches or lawns (if you live in Texas there could be a flag pole involved) and words are never enough to thank all the serviceman who defended our country and are no longer with us. 

In our case, it is a quite day. For me, I am at my daughter's waiting for the birth of my granddaughter - I'll be honest, I am seriously excited! Growing up I loved shopping and traveling with my Mom and Grandmother. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this little girl will enjoy it as much as I did some day. Of course, I'm also praying that I'm in good enough shape to enjoy it as well when she's old enough. Until then I'll be hear snuggling and singing until she's old enough to realize Oma can't carry a tune in a paper bag! LOL. 

Here's a little photo of me upon my arrival. I was handed a piece of chalk and asked to help color Of course I drew a big heart since mine is so full. 

I have no updates on the new books - still working on them but very slowly now. Though I will tell you that book two has a baby calf scene - don't you just love those?  I finished writing it the other day and my friend Author JM Madden (fantastic military romance author if you haven't read her yet) is my go to for all things barnyard and once again she made sure I didn't get it too wrong for a city girl! LOL.  

Anyhow - I had better get back to work now that the grandson is off to bed. Have a good week! 

Tell me what you did for your memorial day! 

​I can’t believe how quickly time is flying by.  Only a few more days before I head south to my daughter’s on grandbaby watch!  Yesterday I went to the high school graduation party for my dog sitter. She’s the middle of three girls and lives around the corner. I just know that I’m going to blink and my granddaughter who isn’t even here yet will be all grown up – for some things in life, time passes much too quickly.
 
Things with mom are going so so. We are thankful for a family practitioner who orders every therapy that medicare will cover and even though life is getting more expensive every day we supplement a few things that medicare won’t pay for. So far it appears that her digression is progressing more slowly than the average Alzheimer’s trajectory that she’s been on till now. We credit all the therapy. Nothing miraculous, but she’s still pretty healthy. The challenge of course is that she is still smart as a whip, too sneaky for her own good, and reminds me of a mischievous toddler more and more. Most recently we had to put a plastic lock box on the thermostat after a ginormous energy bill because she keeps turning the heat on in the middle of summer (Keep in mind that summer strikes Texas early lol). Well as I said she’s still smart so when no one is watching she’s taken a screw driver and pair of scissor to pry at it. Needless to say when she finally succeeded, she turned the heat back to 85.  We’ve put the plastic back, put a big note do not touch on it, then I wrote a note for her that my husband makes her read every morning when she gets her pills, so far it seems to be helping!
 
As for my writing, I’m still working on book two for the billionaire series – which has a name. Ready? Drum roll: LOL: The Barons of Texas.  Book one will be Chase Baron’s story. Book two his brother Kyle and three his sister Beth. I’m pretty excited to finish book two and get to three because it will be my first time writing a scientist heroine who creates perfumes!  The goal is to have book two finished before the baby comes and then do my best to start working on the next book. I should have some release dates soon – if all goes well – the first books will begin releasing in October but that’s not confirmed yet.
 
As I mentioned earlier, summer strikes Texas earlier than up north. This year 90 degree weather struck early in May. Yesterday we were cooking. I suspect had a I cracked an egg on the sidewalk it would have fried – lol.  Today a cold front moved in – well, that’s if you consider 77 cold – but it’s been a nice break. The next couple of days will bring some much needed rain for the yards. By the time the heat returns I will be heading south.
 
What’s the weather in your neck of the woods? Do you live in early summer or late spring country? 

Time is just flying by!  Every year I gather with a group of friends who enjoyed the TV show JAG. This weekend was the weekend and we realized next year we will have been doing this for twenty years! 

Anyone who really knows the show JAG and reads my books, from time to time will notice a nod to the TV show. I forget which book, but someone had lobster oven mitts. Yep - that was a nod to JAG LOL! 

This weekend we ate, we laughed, we watched DVDs and played games. Since it's crazy hot already time was spent cooling off in the pool too! Unfortunately, it also means that I didn't get my Friday words in or my weekend catch ups - but I should be able to catch up this week - I hope! ​ And here you go - a photo of first JAG weekend nineteen years ago and today - the crowd is a little smaller but we still have fun! 

My hair may be longer and more gray - okay very gray LOL - but at least I can still fit in the same pants!  Okay - I wasn't wearing the same pants for this photo - but I do still own them and I do still wear them so I know they fit lol ! 

​While I have you - reminder that tomorrow is release day for Honeymoon for Five - make sure to grab your copy now! 

So, tell me - Do you have any hobbies you share with friends? Do you have a favorite TV show you never miss? An old show you wish had lasted a little longer? 

Sorry this was late today but it's been a whirlwind few days. 

I have family all over the world. Literally. I actually know and communicate with third cousins who we share childhood memories!  I have one set of relatives who live in Holland who are my fourth cousins. For those who don't quite follow the family line my fourth cousin and I share the same Great Great Great grandparent ! Pretty cool huh? 

Well a little more realistically I am blessed to have a first cousin and his family who are relocating to the same state as me. That means that the last few days have been spent looking at so many houses and neighborhoods and schools that my head is still spinning! 

On the bright side in about six weeks we'll all be in the same state. I'm looking forward to one day attending my niece and nephews graduations and hopefully I'll still be around for weddings and maybe even their children - of course that has a way to go since the youngest is still in elementary school - LOL !  

Do you keep in touch with cousins? 

Also, even with all the house hunting, I've still been tinkering with one of two new series. I really hope y'all are going to like it! 

here's a sneak peek at the opening paragraphs: 

“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Kyle Baron’s sister Beth threw her purse onto the white leather sofa on the family yacht and stood with her hands on her hips. “Do you have any idea how many years you just shaved off of my life?”
With only one hand, Kyle poured himself a drink.
“A little early in the day to start drinking, don’t you think?”
“It would be if it were something stronger than cola.” He took a slow sip of the fizzing drink. “I gather SOANDSO called you?”
“He. Did.”
The sharpness in his sister’s voice made the hackles on the back of his neck rise. He did his best not to wince at the venomous tone. “Do I want to know what he said?”
Her hands still fisted firmly on her hips, she stared daggers at him. “I was informed, in a voice mail, that you went sky diving. That alone wasn’t alarming considering speed and risk go hand and hand with you. We’re all used to it. The problem is the next part. Apparently you had a little accident.”
He didn’t dare meet her gaze.
“How the hell do you have a little accident falling thousands of feet out of an airplane?”
“You don’t.”
“Exactly.” Now her foot was tapping. “I had visions of your body splattered across miles of empty field. Piece by bloody piece.”
Now he did wince.
“Thank heaven’s the hospital informed me you were alive before I called Mom or worse, the Governor and Grams. News like you’d been in a skydiving accident could have sent all three of them to their graves. At least all I need now is for my hairdresser to hide the newly sprouted strands of gray.”
He really would have to have a chat with SOANDSO about what information was shared with his next of kin. In Kyle’s profession, there just might be a day when he really was sprawled piece by piece across a track and voice mail was not how he wanted his family told.  “I’m sorry. Really.”
Finally, on a long slow breath, her hands fell to her sides and a softer expression washed over her face. “Why couldn’t you have been an accountant?”
That made him chuckle. His entire life his mother had tried to steer him in the direction of a stable career. What she really meant was safe. Sadly for his mother’s nerves, few things in life could beat the adrenaline rush of coming across the finish line at almost 200 mph. If there was a thrill involved, whether it was on land, on the water, or in the air, Kyle was all in. 

Okay- I'm calling it a night - see y'all next week! 

I can't believe how quickly our vacation came and went!  Then I was blessed to have two lovely writer friends join us for a working retreat. I can't think of anywhere nicer than the beach to work and think. 


And we did work.  I am very excited to have not one but two new series under way - we'll see which one comes together soonest.  My K9 family saga is still on the burner but I've been a little distracted with a Texas Billionaire Cowboy series too! ​

I'm especially excited because I have the first book in the Billionaire series already written. I got my rights back to it years ago and have finally gotten around to editing it into the first in a new series.  I'm hopeful that with the help of my plotting friends (see why we holed away at the beach lol) that I can whip this series out by the fall. We'll have to see which one comes together sooner! ​​

And of course, what would a working retreat at the beach be without some fun bird watching - This fellow - I think he's a crane of some kind- showed up our last full day at the beach just wandering outside our door! So much fun to watch. And a little inspiring too! 

Do you have a favorite theme or trope for books you read? I would love to know what's on your To-Be-Read pile? Are you more interested in the family saga with a little marriage of convenience thrown in, or some Texas billionaires? Let me know! 

Until next week - ta ta! lol. 

​Honestly, I think this is the first family vacation since my son’s tenth birthday trip to Disney World.  I’ve gone places with my mom and daughter in the past, or just my mom, or just my husband, or my husband and daughter (to a family wedding) or my kids and me to visit family, but this is the first time my husband and both my kids and I have gone somewhere – to make even sweeter, my mom is here too (in body at least). And of course making it more fun for Oma is the grandbaby. It’s just hanging out at the beach, but it’s been warm, and casual and fun.
 
My grandson really loves chasing the birds, sticking his fingers in the holes in the sand, though we have no idea what animal make them, and dancing in the waves. He’s a little young to jump over them yet, though Oma tried to teach him and learned at my age it’s best to do a one foot at a time jump versus two footed landing (the knees don’t like that!). 

​Of course, digging in the dirt was a fun adventure as well for both the grandson and the PawPaw (granddad). This was mostly accomplished under the tent that took a village to assemble – after we broke the first one and bought a bigger one!  (I of course was the official photographer for the big event LOL.

​I was raised in the northeast and we all just fried at the beach. LOL. The tent seemed like a much better idea after too long in the sun!
 
All in all, fun memories were made and now it’s down to work with some author friends to bring y’all more books!
 
Will keep everyone posted – where is your favorite place to vacation? 

I haven’t had many experiences in my career where people recognize me, but when it happens I freely admit it is seriously fun for me.  The first time it happened I was at a book signing in California at a winery. Lots of strangers there for a tour or lunch wandered into the room and perused our books, some even bought a few. One woman walked up to me and I asked do you like to read romance? She said yes, I’m in KU, then she told me my name looked familiar. I proceeded to explain that she wouldn’t have read me as I’m not available in KU. She was scrolling through her phone and told me if she loves an author she’ll buy their books. Then she got a bright smile and showed me her phone. She owned every book I had written to that date. It was an amazing feeling to find a real fan. 
 
The next time that happened to me I was on a cruise with my mom (before she had dementia) and we were in a massive line getting off the ship. We struck up a conversation with the women behind us. As usual, my mom started bragging on me. The women asked what do you write? I said romance and handed them each my business card with a photo of Adam on the front. One woman actually squealed. Then she told me she’d read all my books and loved me and could I please autograph the business card. Surprised the heck out of me, but once again made me smile.
 
Just the other day it happened again. I had to have a stress test due to a bout with unexplained chest pain (apparently having a mother with dementia isn’t good for a daughter with stress induced heart disease). As you can see from this photo, I was pretty well hooked up, and they let me do the treadmill barefoot!  Due to a few mistakes (like the hospital wanting to charge me 8k instead of 1.5k – and yes heart disease healthcare is expensive so please tell all your friends to buy a few books! LOL) I had to do the treadmill instead of the injection nuclear test. The nurse/technician was lovely and very helpful as I was draped over the treadmill hanging on for dear life (doctor says I’m in horrible condition for my age- but it’s hard to be in good condition when you’re whole day is spent on your derriere hovering over a computer lol).  After it was all over I gave her one of those book cover business cards. She smiled at me and waving the card told me – I knew your name looked familiar to me! Another fan! It put a happy spin on a rather stressful day!
 
I hope everyone who celebrates Easter and  Passover  has had a blessed time with family and friends. Next week I’ll be writing from our family vacation at the Beach! Yay!
 
Do you have any family traditions this time of year? My favorite Easter tip is to let kids color eggs with the egg in a whisk J