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Where do the days go? Seems like I just wrote the holiday newsletter for 2002 last week. At least I have the pleasure of reflecting back on the year and say its been a good one! This may be the last newsletter I write . . . maybe. My daughter, Kristen, is ready to take this part over. Finals are over, graduation is near . . . finally. So, the New Year will bring a fresh new insight into the Romance Authors Page and its newsletter. Watch for lots of changes next year. We both wish you a GREAT holiday season and look forward to next year!
Sandi Price
My upcoming March Superromance, THE WRONG MAN, is
also set in a gorgeous part of the country–Whitefish, MT, in the
spectacular Glacier Park area. Picture sparkling lakes, rugged
snow-capped mountains and some of the friendliest people on the
planet.
We had our “family fix” at Thanksgiving when
twenty-seven gathered at my daughter’s Kansas City home. Although
several family members will be visiting here after Christmas, on the
25th we, along with another couple, plan to spread cheer by hosting
a Christmas dinner for those from our church who are “holiday
orphans.”
I’m raising a cup of cyber eggnog in a toast to
you, our loyal readers. May your holidays be filled with joy and
the spirit of giving!
Happy holidays to all,There's still leftover turkey in the fridge and a few little fingerprints on my patio door from the grandchildren who were here helping celebrate Thanksgiving. I make a point not to wipe them off because I like to look at them and remember their little faces. Before all of you have a heart attack picturing my house covered in sticky fingerprints, I will admit that they never last longer than the next visit from my cleaning lady. We've had some cold days here in Oklahoma already, but nothing really bad. No ice. No snow. No twenty mile an hour winds. I would like to think we could get through winter without any of that, but I realize it's asking too much, so I'm just going to be thankful for the good weather we have left. While I have the opportunity, I also want to thank all of the readers who took the time to write to me via my website to let me know how much they enjoyed OUT OF THE DARK. It was a difficult book to write, and all of your kind and heart-felt comments were welcome. I'm trying to shop for Christmas and finish a book at the same time, which means I'm about to tear out my hair. On a good day, I don't like to shop. Ever. During the holiday time, I absolutely hate it. But, I love giving presents, so I have to get over the attitude. I'm also in the midst of a move. A few months ago I bought some land south of where I live now. Not too far, but more rural, which certainly suits my purposes. I am not a city person and never will be. However, this means I must pack and move, then unpack in a different house, which also means not knowing where anything is for a good six months. I dread the packing and the move, but look so forward to being back on the land with Bobby and the horses. Two of my newest acquisitions are Triple A runners and are with foal. I'm not into racing horses so much, but raising them to sell is another thing. They are beautiful, magnificent animals and I love having them around me. So, when Christmas day rolls around for all of you, picture me eating some take out food on a paper plate with my laptop nearby, still trying to finish my book as the movers carry out my belongings. Happy holidays to all, Sharon Sala
HO! HO! HO!
Merrrrry Christmas! Happy Hanukah! Happy Kwanza! This is a crazy
time of year, but I love all the insanity. (If only I didn't have a
crushing deadline on top of all that) Not a lot of time for shopping
and baking, but I do decorate in a big way. My house is filled with
trees and pointsettias and decorations and since I live in a
neighborhood legendary for Xmas decorations, we decorate the outside
of the house, too and the children laugh at the cute Santa house in
our front yard. The streets get so crowded it's hard to get in and
out of them. On the weekends, it's like one huge party with carolers
and large trucks filled with children. It's great fun! With that said, I'm back to work now, hurrying to finish up my book that will be out in July, MISS PRUITT'S PRIVATE LIFE. Marcy Pruitt is a fun character, and Evan is such a devil. But more about them later. In January I have my next Desire Dynasties book coming out: THE CINDERELLA SCANDAL. The Danforths are a rich and powerful family in Savannah and my hero, wealthy playboy Reid Danforth has set his sights on Tina Alexander, a baker's daughter! Three words best describe this book: sex and scandal and secrets!! I'LL BE GIVING AWAY THREE COPIES OF THE CINDERELLA SCANDAL in January, picking randomly from my guest book entries--really, you don't have to sign up again in you're already in there--you're automatically entered. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE! Barbara McCauley
Aside from turkey-watching, our holidays are busy. We've filled the house with decorations, including homegrown gourds painted silver, a plastic ornament I won in a first-grade spelling contest (My winning word? "SEE,") a wobbly manger scene I used to play with as a kid, (which is why one of the Wise Men rides a three-legged camel,) and a giant collage of vintage Christmas cards I found in my grandmother's attic. But work goes on at Smithville, despite the holidays. As editor for BelleBooks, the small publishing company I co-own with four partners, I'm polishing the fourth book in our Mossy Creek Hometown series. I'm also working on the second book in my mermaid series. Look for DIARY OF A RADICAL MERMAID July 1. Plus I'm planning some fun promotions for the launch of SWEET HUSH in paperback in January and the publication of my new hardcover, CHARMING GRACE, in February. If you've seen Teresa Buoch's fabulous jewelry on my website, you'll be thrilled to hear I'll give away one of her gorgeous necklaces in a website contest. If you haven’t joined my reader e-list, take moment to do so now, via my guestbook on www.deborahsmith.com, so you’ll have a chance to win this beauty. Happy Holidays to you and yours, and Happy Reading in 2004! Best wishes, Deborah Smith
Looking forward to 2004 – my daughter, Wendy, and I will travel to San Miguel Allende in early February. San Miguel is a sort of Venice, sans water, in the middle of Mexico, and there is a huge international art community there – lots of writers, too. I hope to do some watercolors and expand my collection of junque for the collages. I’ll also be in New York in late March for the Romantic Times Convention and in Dallas in July for the Romance Writers of America National Conference. Meanwhile, I'm working on the second Clare and Tony book, the sequel to DON’T LOOK NOW -ONE DEADLY LOOK, due out in September. And for all of you wonderful readers who have written to ask, the third book in the McKettrick Brothers trilogy, SECONDHAND BRIDE, will be out in November next year. My deepest wish for the coming year is peace on earth. To all of you who have loved ones in Iraq, pursuing peace, my thanks to you and your brave soldiers for the sacrifices all of you are making for those of us here at home. You are in my heart and in my prayers. My best wishes for happy holiday times with family and friends – Linda Lael Miller
I have just been notified that To Tame A Texan, my 2003 long historical, has been chosen as one of the year's 10 best romances by Booklist. Look for To Tame A Rebel in March 2004.
Paperback Recipe Winner for
Debbie Macomber's THE SNOW BRIDE:
That's All for
this month, |
