Lauri Robinson's Blog, page 11

New Contract

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I haven’t posted since before Halloween. Sorry about that, but I had to prioritize and dedicate every spare writing moment to a new contract—a free read for Harlequin. The opportunity was very exciting, even with the quick turnaround timeline. The story will be released on Harlequin’s website, one chapter a day, for twenty days in January-February. I had a wonderful time creating a story closely related to The Major’s Wife , which will be released in February.  
WILL THE TRUTH SET THEM FREE?  

Major Seth Parker knows his wife, and the woman standing before him isn't her. The manipulative vixen who tricked his hand in marriage could never possess such innocence—nor get his heart racing like this! 

Millie St. Clair has traveled halfway across the country to pull off one of the greatest deceptions ever. But with everything at stake it soon becomes clear that the hardest part might be walking away from the Major when it's all over….

We had a fun Halloween with all of the grandchildren. Even Bear, the granddog, went trick or treating dressed as Bat Dog.  And last weekend we had a family gathering for my brother’s surprise birthday party.

There was also the Bootlegger’s Ball last weekend! Here we are, having a wonderful time! I will have to return to the history center to actually ‘see’ the exhibit. There just wasn’t time with everything else they offered for attendees to do that evening.


My focus is now set on completing my second roaring twenties story, and getting ready for Thanksgiving of course.

Be happy. Be thankful. It’s all good.

Snowbound with the Sheriff

Here is the cover for Chayston and Violet’s story—I’ve posted a short excerpt over at the Cowboy Kisses blog along with my post about Cody, Wyoming if you’d like to read a snippet. It will be released December 1st. 
Speaking of December—I’ve started my Christmas shopping. Mostly on line, I do love the ease of that. I’m really not a crowd person. I know the cold weather will soon be upon us, but I’m not looking forward to it, nor am I looking forward to putting my car away for the winter. But I will accept both. I must. 
I am looking forward to November 8th! Several family members and I are attending a Bootlegger’s Ball in St. Paul. We are dressing up as flappers and gangsters! 
Yesterday I was asked to write a special short story for Harlequin—I’ll tell you more about it at a later date—so I’m taking a quick detour from my roaring twenties story to create another one set in Oklahoma Indian Territory in 1878.
The next book to hit the market after Snowbound with the Sheriff will be The Major’s Wife in February. Haven’t seen the cover art yet, but those artists at Harlequin are so amazing, I’m sure I’ll be overly delighted once again.
Have a list of things to complete today, so must make this short. 
Enjoy life, and be good to yourself. You’re loved!

Ask and you shall...

Due to requests, here are pictures of the pistol bathroom accessories I bought in Wyoming. I do love them, and I do enjoy hearing from readers, so thank you. I’m including a picture of the ‘antler’ door knobs I bought for the kitchen cupboards, too. I didn’t buy those in Wyoming. They were on an online purchase I just couldn’t resist. I figured they matched all the ‘dead’ things hanging on the walls from dear hubby’s hunting over the years. Various fish, birds, deer heads and a very old elk head we inherited (long story) decorate our living room walls. The coffee table and lamps are made from moose antlers and I’m still on the lookout for the ‘right’ ceiling fan made from antlers to replace the one over the dining room table. I’ll find it eventually.

On to writing. I’m hoping to wrap up the final edits of my first roaring twenties story today. What a hoot this story has been. The second one is well underway too, and I’m having just as much fun writing it as I did the first one. I’m meeting a very dear friend for supper this evening. She’s going to help me brainstorm the story that blasted into my head while hubby and I were in Cody, Wyoming. This story has a ghost in it, and I need her expertise to really flesh it all out. I like to have two or three stories going on at the same time. That way, if I run into a block on one, I can work on another one while the first one gains momentum again. I have a Colorado lumber baron picking on the back of my mind I’ll have to get outlined soon, too. It’s all good and I’ll never complain. Not about writing anyway. 
Thank you, too, dear readers, for keeping Christmas Cowboy Kisses on the historical and holiday best selling lists. You are so awesome! I do hope you are enjoying Tanner and Anna’s story!
One final thing—the field trip to the apple orchard was fun. Cold and rainy, but spending the day with Isabelle gave me lots of inside warmth. Next week is the pumpkin patch with Hayley and I’m looking forward to it. They will spend Friday night with us. Hayley brought her suitcase over last night—since she was already packed. 
Count your blessings every day, you’ll be amazed by how many there are!

New Release and Vacation

The Harlequin Christmas anthology, Christmas Cowboy Kisseswill be released tomorrow! My story, Christmas with Her Cowboy, introduces readers to Tanner and Anna. I must admit, I’m a Christmas story junkie. Any genre, if it’s a Christmas story, it goes to the top of my TBR pile around November first.
And VACATION! 
DH and I spent seven days traveling from Minnesota to North Dakota and Montana, and then back home through Wyoming, and South Dakota. We stopped at museums and National Parks including the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota and Yellowstone. We also visited several western wear stores. Needless to say we had a wonderful time, saw too many buffalo to count, and brought back some unique souvenirs. My favorites are the pistol towel rack, toilet paper holder, and hand towel holder that I bought for my bathroom. They are adorable, and match the antique photos I have hanging in there. 
My favorite stop…Cody Wyoming! The Buffalo Bill Cody Museum was fabulous. However there was another museum on the edge of town that I loved. Old Trail Town was so unique, and so untouched! I spent hours there, and am already looking forward to a return visit someday. This is also where I bought my above mention bathroom accessories. Another little museum in Mobridge, South Dakota, was a close second to being utterly fascinating. 
As much fun as the trip was, we were very glad to arrive home. We’d not only missed our oh-so-comfortable bed, we missed the grandchildren tremendously. This week I’ll be blessed to go on a first grade field trip to the apple orchard. My granddaughter and I are going shopping on Wednesday night to buy supplies for our ‘bag lunch’ and we’ve already decided to wear our matching Yellowstone sweatshirts. It just doesn’t get much better than that. Other than the pumpkin patch field trip in October with the preschool classroom. Yes, that granddaughter and I will be wearing matching sweatshirts, too. 
Be kind to yourself—if you aren’t, no one else will be either.

Slipping Away

Summer is slowing slipping into fall. The grandchildren are all back in school/childcare. The days are getting shorter. The temperatures are cooler. I’ve even pulled out a couple pair of jeans. Yes, time is marching forward. We had a wonderful summer. Lots of fun days spent with the girls, and the most wonderful day of all, the arrival of our grandson Connor. 
I must admit, I’m a four-season person. As much as I love summer, I cherish each of the other seasons for all they give us. I feel fortunate to live in Minnesota, where we truly get a full serving of each and every season. 
I also love Minnesota for our rich history. When I started researching for my roaring twenties stories, I was astounded with all that took place right here in my home state. Last week my friend and I took a ‘field trip’ to White Bear Lake, where gangsters where known to visit in the twenties and thirties. We visited the historical society there, drove around to get a feel of the area, spent some time in an antique store, and overall had a simply marvelous time. I came home with all sorts of tidbits to include in my stories. 
My editor said she raced through the pages of my first roaring twenties short story, and that she believes this time period will be a roaring success. I truly am enjoying it and have started a second story. Currently, though, I’m working on edits for Don’t Tempt a Lawman. I’ll never give up my westerns. Hubby and I are planning a trip west—Montana and Wyoming. He’s putting together the itinerary and I’m looking forward to all the places he’s found for us to visit, which I know will spark story ideas.  
I hope you all have a spectacular week. Life if full of choices and one is to be happy. Take it.

Gotta Love Those Long Weekends!

We had a lovely long weekend. Our youngest granddaughter spent Saturday night with us. She and I went shopping on Saturday for all the things we’d need on Sunday for the family gathering of her baby cousin being baptized. Papa gave her a list of things he needed and she had a one-tracked mind to get everything on it, until we came across a Doc McStuffin Doctor’s Kit. She does make a wonderful doctor. Granddog Bear will agree. Really. Just ask him. 
Sunday arrived and although Grandma got up extra early so there would be plenty of time for us to be at the church by 8:30, we were still strapped for time. One forgets how long it takes to get extra little people ready. We made it in plenty of time for the service, which was beautiful, we just needed to stop back home to pick up all our foodstuff before going to the celebration. 
Little Connor was a real gem through all of it. Not a fuss or peep during the service, and he didn’t mind being passed from arm to arm as all the family members needed a turn to hold him. His new God parents were so proud, as we are of them. His Godfather flew in from Oklahoma for the wondrous event and his Godmother worked until 5:30 am, showered, and drove an hour to be at the service in plenty of time. Yes, we are truly blessed with our wonderful family, and I do thank the Good Lord daily for each and every one of them. Here’s three generations of Robinson boys. 
Monday was calmer. We had a nice visit with old friends while our house was being bug zapped to get rid of the bees we stirred up while removing the retaining wall in front of the garage a couple of weekends ago.
Last Friday Papa and I took a jaunt to a car museum, where the museum owner allowed me to ‘cross the chain’ and get up close views of cars from the 1920’s for my latest WIP. It was fabulous, and this coming Friday a friend and I are going to take a cruise to where Al Capone was known to hideout in Minnesota. I am really enjoying researching the twenties! What an amazing era! 


Give your loved ones an extra hug today. They deserve it. And so do you!  

Dedicated to:

Book dedications are usually looked upon as a thank you. An opportunity for an author to publicly acknowledge someone for the inspiration they’ve provided. 
I’ve dedicated books to several people over the years because I’ve sincerely appreciated their inspiration, help, support, and/or assistance in creating/writing the story, and I’ve had them thank me with authentic sincerity, but I’d never watched someone as they read the dedication for the first time. That changed last week.
My next release, Christmas with Her Cowboy, part of Harlequin Christmas anthology, Christmas Cowboy Kisses, is dedicated to our oldest granddaughter. “To my oldest granddaughter, Isabelle. Born on December 23rd, she continues to be a Christmas miracle we enjoy year round.”
After receiving my box of books, I gave one to Isabelle, and pointed out the dedication. Following the words with one finger, she read it aloud. My heart literally swelled when she finished reading and looked up at me with her blue eyes sparkling. Overly excited, she wrapped her arms around me. “Oh, Grandma, thank you.” 
I never imagined she’d be so impressed, but watching her read it over and over, and then aloud to Grandpa and her parents, I saw just how special it was to her. 
Granted, Isabelle is only six, and she loves me unconditionally as I do her, but her reaction gave me a new insight to dedications. They truly are a one of a kind gift that is not given or taken lightly. A true honor to give and receive. The sweet little event that she and I shared when I gave her a copy of this book on my front patio last week will stay with me for years. 
Cherish those little moments that take your breath away—they are the heartbeats of life.

This and That

Yes, our grandson has arrived, and DH is still grinning. Though he admits he’ll be more involved when the little guy starts running around and talking. That’s Papa for you. All is well on the baby front and we are so thankful for that. Babies truly are a miracle and we count our blessings this little one and his mommy are both doing fabulously. Our daughter-in-law is the best little mommy, and there, too, we know we are blessed. 
And our two-year-old granddaughter (a cousin to the new baby) turned three last weekend. The birthday party was a blast. She wanted a birthday cake with her picture on it, so that’s what we had. However, the picture also included her bunny rabbit “Two” and she wasn’t impressed when her mommy cut him in-two. I was thankful I didn’t get that piece of cake. 
I promised to tell you what I had in store for the girls once their baby brother was born—here it is: A glow in the dark bubble bath. They loved it. We filled the bathtub with water and lots of bubbles, all three girls climbed in, and then I tossed in about four dozen glow sticks. (DO NOT attempt to break the glow sticks open. The cracking sound you hear when you activate them is glass breaking inside the plastic tube.) I switched off the light and the water lit up in an array of colors. Giggles could be heard for miles I’m sure. The girls were in that tub until completely “pruney” and then we put the glow sticks in a vase and set them beside our bed for a night light. It was lots of fun and we will repeat it. 
This weekend we have a birthday bash for our neighbor, which is always a fun time. I’m making Special K bars and jalapeño roll ups. Two of the granddaughter’s favorites.  
On to writing….The Stetson and Scandals miniseries is selling extremely well! Thank you, all. I do hope you enjoy Garret and Roy in Dance with the Rancher, as well as Trace and Annabelle in Rescued by the Ranger. There is a little guy in that second story, Wyatt, whom I just fell in love with. Maybe he’ll grow up to have his own story. 
That, however, can’t happen for a while. Another three book contract is in the works, giving me five to write…and I’ve decided to try a new time period. The roaring twenties! (I’ll still have plenty of cowboy and old west stories, too. I’ll never part with them completely.) The research so far has been amazing. What a wild and adventurous time! I’ve plotted out two books and am itching to start writing them. Watch out world, the Nightingale sisters are a hot bunch of tomatoes! 
I’ve things to accomplish this morning, so must get to them. Have a wonderful weekend. Count your blessings. And tell someone you love them. They may already know it, but will enjoy hearing it!

He's Here!

Connor Ray arrived yesterday at 6:55 PM weighing in at 7 lbs, 11 oz, and stretching out to be 20 inches long! 
He is perfect in every way and he and his mommy are doing very well!
Since Connor was taking his time in making his grand entrance, Papa and I took his two older sisters shopping for their cousin’s birthday presents. 
Our curly haired granddaughter will turn three this weekend. She told me she wanted a book for her birthday, when I ask what kind of book, she said a yellow one. So, we found the book department at the Wal-Mart next to the hospital and low and behold, look what we discovered on the shelf.

It’s also release day! Both books in the Stetsons and Scandals Mini-series, Dance with the Rancher and Rescued by the Ranger, are now available for download! 
Oh, and a quick update on granddog Bear—he got his stitches out today. He needs to continue wearing his T-shirts for a few more days, but is otherwise all healed.   
We're sure to have a fun-filled weekend with baby Connor coming home and the birthday party, and I hope your weekend is just as wonderful!
Blessings to all for your congratulatory emails and messages! I really do appreciate each and every one of them and in sincerely appreciate each of you!

Not Yet

Still no baby…but our daughter-in-law does have an appointment to be induced at 7AM tomorrow (Wednesday) if nothing happens tonight. SO, stay tuned! I will soon have pictures of the newest addition to our family.
In the meantime, here is Bear, wearing his pink T-shirt. He has stitches in his leg, which will come out later this week—thank goodness. In order to keep him from licking at them, I’ve been making him wear shirts—and changing them up to three times a day. Labs love water and can find it when no one else can! He does have one of those silly ‘cones’, but it truly is pitiful. Bear is over 100 pounds, so the cone is larger than a lampshade. He can’t go through doorways with it on, and the first day, he tried to follow Cody up the stairs, but the cone kept hitting the steps above him. In the end, Bear turned around and backed all the up the flight of stairs, including where it turns the corner. That couldn’t have been good on the stitches, so I dug out old T-shirts. 
Other news…Thursday, Aug.1st is release day for the Stetsons and Scandals mini-series! I really loved writing those two stories and hope readers will enjoy reading them! 
My editor just emailed me this morning with the title for my Christmas Undone story…Snowbound with the Sheriff. What do you think?
That’s all for now. I’ll update you on the baby as soon as I have news.  And pictures.