Blog

When I learned I’d be speaking and signing at BookPeople in Austin, TX, on Saturday, January 20, I knew it’d feel like coming home. And the day didn’t disappoint. BookPeople is one of my all-time favorite book stores, which made it all the more significant. But it was the crowd that made this day so memorable: uncle, cousins, siblings (Tessa and Paul), friends, former co-workers, even folks from Granger (a town of 1,200 where I grew up) arrived after seeing me interviewed on KXAN-TV early that morning. My sister-in-law, Camm, and her friend drove all the away from Corpus Christi. One of my... Read More0

I couldn’t have asked for a better launch event than the one that took place at Maria’s Bookshop in my current hometown of Durango, CO, on January 17. More than 50 packed into the venue, crowding the aisles. Nerves rattled my insides but friends said it didn’t show. The night was a bit of a blur but perhaps these photographs will help me remember this special night once my memory starts to go. (I baked the treats for the evening: gingersnaps, salted graham crackers, Oreo truffles and Mexican chocolate shortbread.)0

It’s less than two weeks to the release of THE LAST SUPPERS on December 26. That’s 12 days, 12 hours and change. The whole journey to publication has been mind-boggling – and lengthy. Which makes 12 days seem like a blink of the eye. I started writing the book in September 2013. I just looked back at one of the first Word files I saved. The first page of chapter one is almost word for word what the printed book features, except that the draft was in first person and the finished product is in third person. (Many thanks to my nephew, Hunter... Read More1

My fabulous agent, JL Stermer, emailed me the photo of the YAY cats after some particularly great book news. The image made me laugh out loud. With the release date only 22 days away, there’s been a lot of promotion by my publisher, but the book is getting buzz all over. Library Journal gave it a starred review. Barnes & Noble noted it as Best  New Fiction in December 2017. TheEveryGirl.com listed it among 10 Highly Anticipated Books Coming Out This Winter. But there is more quiet publishing news that makes me (and my husband) yell “Yay!” almost every single day. All... Read More0

In a recent interview, I was asked about the recipe appendix in my upcoming novel, THE LAST SUPPERS. Most of the recipes come from two cookbooks published in the 1930s. What rich source material! (Thanks to my cousin Kathy who found them at estate sales in Virginia.) The interviewer asked if I’d made all the recipes myself. I plan to, but so far, I’ve made three. One of those recipes — for spoonbread — is one I’ve had in my own recipe box for years. It’s one of my all-time favorite comfort foods and something I make quite often. This custard-like version of cornbread makes... Read More0

Seven years ago, I entered the rough and tumble world of publishing thinking I had a good idea of the frustrations and challenges that lay ahead. On social media, I followed other writers, published authors, agents, publishers, and others who were quite frank about what to expect — including rejection at almost every step of the process. What I wasn’t prepared for were the cheerleaders who championed my work. My friends, family, fellow writers and my amazing agent fall into that category. Today, though, I’m giving a shout out to John Scognamiglio, editor-in-chief at Kensington Publishing. This month, John celebrates 25 years... Read More0

BURN GIRL officially debuted on September 1, but I’ve been feeling the love since July when friends and family from afar pre-ordered the book from Amazon. Here in Durango, CO, friends have flocked to Maria’s Bookshop to buy the book, keeping it on the store’s bestseller list for more than four weeks. Your support and wonderful reviews have made this one of the most extraordinary times in my career. I’m looking forward to upcoming events and appearances so I can talk to more readers in person. Next up? The Hot Mamas reading group here in Durango.  Good food, great conversation and new friends.0

As BURN GIRL’s release date of September 1 draws near, I find myself checking early reviews (NetGalley and GoodReads) a little obsessively. Because reviews are subjective by nature, so is the definition of ‘good.’  Sure, it’s awesome to get the five-star reviews and anyone would count those as good reviews. I’m finding, though, that two- and three-star reviews aren’t necessarily bad. I get insight into what other readers look for — what turns them on and what turns them off. For example, one woman didn’t like that I used the F word three times in the book. Another was angry that the... Read More0