Lauri Robinson's Blog, page 20

Pumpkin Day

Papa and I were barely out of bed this morning when the phone was ringing and an excited little girl was asking, "When are we going to Uncle Cody's?" Uncle Cody had promised they could have as many pumpkins as they wanted. Besides picking pumpkins, we gathered eggs, played with the dogs, and took a very, very long four-wheeler ride that included visiting the pumpkin field and picking a few more pumpkins. Yep, it was a wonderful day, and Papa is now taking a nap.
If you are familiar with Good Reads, I'm on an author chat over there this week. Ask An Author, Win A Book Corner: Lauri Robinson (October 2 - October 4) Stop on over and say hello.
Copyedits are done and approved, but we are still working on titles for the duet of Undones that will be released in Jan and Feb. These books are set in El Dorado, Kansas and are about two widows and the town Marshal and Deputy.
For a Sister's Love that I co-wrote with author Paty Jager is still on sale for .99 cents at Amazon (Kindle only).
Final edits for Unclaimed Bride were accepted so now I'm just awaiting a release date. This will be my first full length in Harlequin's Historical line.  
Make it a great week. You can do it.

Perfect Day

We all have a little Buzz Lightyear in us. No matter what anyone says, we know who we are.  And that's a good thing. 
All is good on the home front. We had DH's happy birthday this week, and a sleepover with our four-year-old granddaughter, who said the next morning, "Oh, Grandma, isn't this the perfect day? It's just me and you and Papa and Pooh." It was a grand day indeed. 
Today I went to a craft sale with my wonderful daughter-in-law Jackie where we bought some lovely and unique items. I truly am blessed. Not only do I have three terrific sons, I have THE three best daughters-in-law on earth. I arrived at Jackie and Cody's in time to take pictures of them and Bear and Gander (the Granddogs) with their successful morning goose hunt, and then Jackie and I were off to the little town of Nowthen for their Heritage Day festival. 
The story is that when the small town known as Burns Township asked for a post office in 1876, Washington D.C. stated there was already a post office in Minnesota with the name Burnstown Township therefore they couldn't approve another one and asked for new name suggestions. Jim Hare, the first postmaster, sent a return letter with several suggestions, and ended the letter with 'nowthen' as he normally started and ended most sentences. The 'Post Office Department' thought that was as good a name as any, and hence the town was named Nowthen. 
I've always loved that tidbit of information. I'm a touch behind in my writing schedule with all the visiting this week, so will spend this evening working on edits that are due in October. Aw, yes, another perfect day. 
Remember who you are. It's important.  

Pooh

This is Pooh, the little fellow we inherited from my mother. He is a character and very set in his ways. Such as, he lives to travel. My mom took him everywhere, so when he sees an open car door, he jumps in. He sat in the front seat of my car while I vacuumed it the other day, with no fear whatsoever that I might vacuum him up in the process, and a few nights ago, he was so intent on 'going' somewhere, DH took him for a drive down to the mailbox and back.
Pooh went up north with us over Labor Day weekend, and we kept him 'double' chained, remembering a couple years ago when he was with us up there and ran away the morning of the 4th of July. Our property is in the 'woods', eight miles from the closest town. There are miles upon miles of 'uninhabited' areas, not to mention bears, wolves, and other forest creatures that might have considered him easy prey.  We searched and searched, on foot and on the four wheelers, for miles on end, but found nothing. The next morning, on the off chance someone might have seen him, we went to town (where the cell phone finally has signal) and called my sister-in-law who went to my mother's house to check the answering machine in hopes someone had called the number on his tags.  
Sure enough, some people visiting the area (Northern Minnesota) from Florida, had seen him running along the highway, and since there are no visible homes in the area, they had picked him up. An easy task with the way he likes to travel. They left a number for us to call, however, their phone didn't have signal, either.  We did finally connect, and Pooh and mom were reunited. (Above photo.) We discovered they'd picked him up minutes after he'd "escaped" his chain. They later sent us photos of Pooh at the 4th of July Parade, Pooh at the fireworks, and Pooh at the street fair. We, my husband and I, my mother, son, and daughter-in-law were scouring the woods all that day and therefore missed the parade, street fair, and fireworks.
Needless to say, no matter where we are, DH and I are vigilant in knowing where Pooh is at all times.
Life is good here, the sun is shining and the birds are singing (and Pooh is sleeping at my feet). I plan on making  two more batches of jam, one plum and one raspberry, today, but only after I hit my daily word count. This story is flowing well, and low and behold, the hero has a dog that takes to the heroine right off the bat.
Enjoy life, it's yours, make it count.

9-11

We do not always remember days, but we do remember moments.

Home

First, I just have to share this adorable picture of my son, his baby, and my nephew and his baby.
We went up north for the long weekend with family from Iowa. Had a nice time even though the fish weren't biting on Lake of the Woods. It was just too windy. Which was fine, we had many other things to do and people to visit. I also read a couple wonderful time travel stories while traveling the six hours up and back. Reading always revives me and now that I'm home, I'm ready to dive into writing my next story—already on chapter three and I'm loving these characters.
In just the few days we were gone the plums seemed to double on their branches so I made plum jam this morning, and will do another batch tomorrow I'm sure, as well as one more batch of raspberry. Isabelle loves the raspberry, Hayley likes both the cherry and plum, and Karlee, well, she eats just about anything.
It's sad to see summer coming to an end. It seems like just yesterday was June and September seemed so far away. But fall brings new activities and events to look forward to, so all is good.
I'm off here for now. Promised Papa I'd make a coconut cream pie today. Have a wonderful week! Oh, and For A Sister's Love is still on sale for .99 cents.

Release Day!

For a Sister's Love is now available, and it's only .99 cents! This book about sisters, Loralei and Maggie Holmes, is two stories in one. I wrote the younger sister's story, Loralei, and Paty Jager wrote Maggie's story, the older sister. It was a fun experience to collaborate with Paty on creating the back stories, settings, characters and research.
Blurb: Lorelei and Maggie Holmes make a desperate vow to reunite after an Indian raid on their wagon train leaves them orphans. Eight-year-old Lorelei is taken in by an impoverished family headed to a Colorado mining town and ten-year-old Maggie finds herself on the way to Portland, Oregon to live with a woman widowed during the Indian attack.

Ten years later, Lorelei's adoptive father gambles away her birth mother's locket and her only connection to her lost sister. Believing she needs the locket and to find Maggie, she sets out after the gambler and ends up in the company of a citified lawyer searching for the same man.

While cleaning a hotel room, Maggie discovers her mother's locket in the possession of a gambler. Fear for her sister increases Maggie's determination. Never one to give up, she dogs the gambler until he agrees to help her find her sister.

Two sisters, two adventures, will they find one another or will the men helping them be their destinies?
An April to Remember is still on sale for .99 cents, too. I'm not sure how long it will stay at that price, but it's been fun to offer a story at a discounted price.
Life on the home front has been busy as the summer winds down. Family will be arriving from Iowa next week and we'll head up north to enjoy the woods and some fishing.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and stay safe!

On Sale at Amazon for .99 cents!

The Kindle edition of An April to Remember is on sale for .99 cents at Amazon.

When we went to Memphis for our anniversary a few years ago I heard the story of the Sultana, America's greatest maritime disaster, and was so intrigued I came home and after months of research, created this story.

Night Owl Reviews says: Truly this is one of those books that needs to be savored.

And the Long and Short of it Reviews said this about it: 
This was a wonderful read and I wish it could go on forever. It's one of those books you HAVE to know more about their lives. I think it's a keeper for any bookshelf!

New Reviews

We attended a game fair with our son and daughter-in-law this weekend. Granddog Bear was so very excited. It was like taking a kid to a carnival the way he wiggled in line waiting for his turn. We were very impressed by his performances, although we always are, and seeing his abilities compared to other dogs was eye opening even for us. Now we not only think he's talented, we know it. Furthermore, his manners are excellent. (I felt bad for some of the other dogs behaviors, and their owners.) But then again, Bear did graduate Top Dog with Honors from obedience class recently.
I've received several reviews lately –all for the Quinter Bride series. I do miss those Quinter boys, might have to consider moving on to the next generation. Lots of other things to complete first, though.  Anyway…I so appreciate those who take the time to read and share their thoughts on my stories. It's a perk that always brightens my day. Here there are:
Four hearts from The Romance Reviews for Wild Cat Bride.http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=3009
Five hearts from Sizzling Hot Reviews for Boot Hill Bride.http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/boot-hill-bride-by-lauri-robinson.html
Five hearts from Sizzling Hot Reviews for Guardian Bride.http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/guardian-bride-by-lauri-robinson.html
Five hearts from Sizzling Hot Reviews for Shotgun Bride.http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/shotgun-bride-by-lauri-robinson.html
Four hearts from Sizzling Hot Reviews for Badland Bride.http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2011/08/badland-bride-by-lauri-robinson.html
So very exciting!
Off to get in some writing time yet today. There's a lot going on in the world. Be kind with your thoughts, actions, and words, it does make a difference.

Top Down Weather

Yep, we're loving this weather!
As I sit on the deck in the warm August sun, I'm working on a Christmas story. Watching the hummingbirds zip between the feeders is delightful, but not reminiscent of the blizzard blanketing the earth in the story, which is okay, considering the stories I worked on last winter were full of blazing heat. That's how it is. Books take production time. This story will be released in December of 2012. Yes, 2012, with a deadline for completion by December of 2011. The length between completion and release varies at times, but six to twelve months is probably the average. Leastwise, that's what I've discovered, and what I told a person who recently asked several writing questions. Each writer's journey is different and a ride that is genuinely their own. Mine's been awesome so far, and I'm so thankful to have been given the opportunities I've been blessed with.   
The birthday party for our youngest granddaughter this past weekend was a blast, and included several games of water volleyball that still have the muscles in the backs of my arms stinging. Yesterday I attended swimming lessons with my other two granddaughters. For two girls who do not like to get their faces/hair wet, I was amazed at how well they are doing. They spent the rest of the day with us, and after picking cucumbers, we made a wonderful cucumber dressing/veggie dip. If you like cucumbers, you may want to try this:
Mix ½ cup real mayonnaise with ½ cup sour cream. Dice up one small onion and about two tablespoons of onion greens/chives. Peel and seed one cucumber and finely dice. Mix well. Add fresh dill and salt and pepper to taste.
The girls sampled it with carrot sticks. Hayley was eating it by the spoonfuls, but that's Hayley. Papa and I had it on salads for supper and it really is tasty.
Okay, back to my story. Have a wonderful week and don't let August slip away from you. Make every day count!

Bubble Baths

I love bubble baths. Just to sit and soak, meditate a little, or once in a while, read a book with bubbles up to my neck and steam clouding the room (though I do refrain from using my Kindle there), is one of my favorite ways to relax. Romance novels are full of bathtub scenes, I've written plenty myself, but that is one place where reality, as it was, is somewhat exaggerated. The tub in this photo is barely three feet long and a foot high, not much room for soaking, let alone anything else. But, then again, even though historical authors spend a lot of time researching to make sure they are portraying history correctly (no zippers on clothing for instance), novels are works of fiction. A story woven for entertainment, one that takes the reader to once upon a time and happily ever after. A form of relaxation and stress release, not so different from a bubble bath.
I'm happy to say I've finished my mail order bride story, sent it off, and have moved on to my Christmas story for the Harlequin anthology. The heroine of this story is named Cora, and I simply love that name. Don't even know how or why I chose it, but I do like it. And her. She's a persistent gal. Which reminds me, I will update my WIP page.
Our youngest granddaughter turns one this week, with a big party planned for Saturday, and I'm hoping to make it up to Braham for Pie Days on Friday where my writer's group will have a booth. Have a lot to get done between now and then, so I'll close for now.
Remember to relax and recharge…perhaps take a bubble bath.