Crazy Days!

Allie Pleiter here.  This past week was a crazy/happy/busy one for me!

Last Friday I had the honor to accept the RT Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Love Inspired Novel at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Dallas TX.  My book A Heart to Heal earned the distinction.  

I love a celebration, so I made the most of it, getting all dressed up and having a splendid evening with my friend and fellow nominee Lenora Worth.  Often our lives as writers are quiet and solitary, so the chance to get out and celebrate with friends is a welcome event for this raging extrovert!  It’s always nice to have our work recognized, isn’t it?  Congrats also go to other LI author recipients Janet Lee Barton and Jodie Bailey.

From one extreme to the other—I spent the next night visiting my new friends (four-legged and otherwise) at the Lucky B Bison Ranch in Bryan, TX.  The owners and I have become friends since I started researching my upcoming Blue Thorn Ranch series which will debut next year.  From evening gown galas to bison ranch pastures—I have the best job ever, don’t I?

Then I shifted again, this time to Austin TX to help my son move out of his University of Texas freshman year dorm and come home for the summer.  A large, tedious job made better by outstanding meals upon our return to Dallas for the flight home: barbecue, fried chicken, and pie.  You know how I love pie.  Pie makes everything better (and yes, yes it did).

Now life has calmed down.  I’m back in Illinois working away on the Lone Star Cowboy League continuity series that comes out this fall and a second Blue Thorn Ranch book for next year.  My diet had better calm down, too, although turkey breast and rye crackers can’t compare to all the Texan goodies I enjoyed!

Summer time....

Summertime adventures, anyone?

Can you believe it's mid-July already?  I don't know where this spring went, and here we are, heading into shorter days already.

After a moment or two of thought, I know why our spring and summer have been speeding by....quite a bit of travel, and lots of family events.

Here is the  lemon bundt cake I made for the party celebrating our daughter Emily's college graduation in May--she got her MS in Special Ed.  Her husband graduated too, so we had lots to celebrate!

Then a few days later, she and I headed to the Gulf so she could start looking at property and get a feel for the area, before we headed over to  New Orleans for the Romantic Times convention.

Oh, my.  What a wonderful time we had, enjoying the restaurants in the Garden District and French Quarter, and just soaking up the atmosphere down there.   I love New Orleans!

Have you been there?  Every time, I find myself on a Swamp Tour.  Bayou country is so beautiful, with its  mysterious waterways, Spanish moss draped trees  and creatures lurking in dark water.  Invariably,  the tour guides lure alligators from the shore with marshmallows, hotdogs or chicken.

This year, the guide seemed overly friendly with the  swamp creatures.  I was relieved when he didn't get hauled into the water... and glad that I was on the nice, safe boat.  :)

This little feller was  released after we had a chance to meet him.  I suspect he won't be nearly as friendly in another year or so.


 I hope you've been having a wonderful summer, filled with sunny days, time with family, and plenty of good books to read.

I would love to hear about some of your memorable summertime experiences!


Blessings,  Roxanne Rustand
www.roxannerustand.com
www.facebook.com/roxanne.rustand

Valentine's story

Hi all, Terri Reed here, popping up out of a looming deadline to let you know about a fun Valentine story we're writing over on the Craftie Ladies of Romance blogspot.    The story began on Feburary 1st and runs through the 14th.  I'll be posting a segment on the 8th.  Todays installment by Teri Wilson made me laugh out loud!

I recently had my personal blog/web page redesigned.  Check it out if you have a moment. www.terrireed.com

Upcoming a March release, The Cowboy Target.  

FRAMED!

For years after the suspicious death of his wife, single dad Wyatt Monroe isolates himself on his Wyoming ranch...until he’s accused of murder. With a body at his doorstep, he’s arrested and Wyatt has only one hope—a blue-eyed, blonde bodyguard. But it’ll take more than skill for work-obsessed Jackie Blain to save her reluctant client, who just wants to be left alone. She’ll have to gain his trust by keeping him and his daughter safe. With their lives in her hands, Jackie is faced with her toughest assignment ever—saving the cowboy and guarding her heart.

 A 4 star review from Romantic Times Magazine. See the review below.

Wyatt Monroe is stunned to find his ranch hand, George Herman, dead on his porch. He knows he is being framed for murder, but worries that people will believe he is guilty, as they falsely accused him of murdering his wife. Jackie Blain, a bodyguard and former cop, is called in by her uncle to prove Wyatt’s innocence. Some neighbors are upset at Wyatt for refusing to sign away his mineral rights. Is someone willing to kill those Wyatt loves in order to force his hand? Reed’s fast-paced action will keep readers wondering who and why in this quick, enjoyable read.