Seriously? You want to hear about ME? Well, okay, but I hope your Coke is loaded with caffeine.
I started reading romance by chance. When I was fifteen, I spent a week with my grandma in Kansas City. The day before I was to leave, we spotted a forgotten Harlequin Romance on the seat of a cross-town bus. Since I had a long ride home ahead of me the next day, Grandma handed me the book to while away my time. I couldn't believe my luck and stashed it away, not to be seen again until I'd safely left the Greyhound station.
So started my love of reading romance. I devoured them--historical, contemporary, category or single title. Soon I yearned to be able to move a reader to laughter and tears and to sigh over the overwhelming passion conveyed with mere words on a page. But I didn't think I could, even with a degree in English. For one thing, I had to earn a living, and [insert laughter] trust me, one doesn't get into fiction writing, and especially not romance writing, for the money. It's a lonely task, and it's hard work, but believing my book might touch the emotions of a reader is...well, SO COOL. That's the payoff. If you've been bitten by the writing bug, you have to write.
I joined Romance Writers of America and found MORWA, the wonderful local chapter in St. Louis. I soaked in the knowledge these generous writers shared. I attended conferences with workshops to improve my craft. I learned about the business side of the industry. When I got THE CALL (one of the top five most incredible days of my life), I was ready.
HA! All the writers and other people who've been on this journey with me are laughing their behinds off. Because as much as I'd learned, there's ten times that I still don't know. And trying to deal with emerging technology (website? blog? online presence? Oh, my!) is mind-boggling. Can't I just write the books and trust readers will go look for me? Nope, not anymore.
Fortunately, I have a very supportive husband and two kids who don't remember a time when Mom didn't write. We live in the Midwest, where the weather has an imagination of its own.
I also offer editing and proofreading services. Email me at MKBooksEditing (at) gmail (dot) com or visit my editing website for more information
Coming Home has released! Carrie's reunion with her widowed brother-in-law, Ryan, felt like steel striking flint. When her concerns grow about his daughter's care on the rodeo circuit, those sparks ignited. I had a lot of fun writing this book and hope you enjoy it too.
"The Wedding Rescue is a full bodied romance filled with a lot of emotional layers."
3 Stars, Long and Short Reviews
Romantic Times Book Reviews awarded Stand-In Mom 4 1/2 Stars and calls it a "charming romance" and "a runaway good read."
4 1/2 Books from Long and Short Reviews deemed it "rich in emotional detail"
Q: Do I need to read the books in order?
A: Nope. However, the first three books in the "Love in Little Tree" series overlap in time, so I would recommend you start with The Wedding Rescue, then Runaway Bride, and follow up with Baby Makes Three. Ghost of a Chance stands alone but you do meet Paul in Runaway Bride.
Q: When's the next book coming out?
A: Coming Home, Book Four in the "Love in Little Tree" series became available this past year. I'm working on book five, Adam's story, now.
Q: Sounds great (said the voice in my head). Can you tell us about Adam's story?
A: Sure! Our young pregnant Brandi needs a place to have her baby and get her feet under her. She's done with living in her car. Time for some stability. Her new boss, the ranch owner Adam is freshly back onto the wagon. Again. Can she take a chance on him?
Q: Can you tell us more about Coming Home please? (I hope someone is wondering this!)
A: Carrie Moore (friend to the Marshall twins in books 1 & 2) worries about her five-year-old niece, who's riding the rodeo circuit with her dad, Ryan. He's not been great at keeping in touch since Carrie's sister died. Does Sammie have friends? What are his plans for school? A permanent home?
Now he's back at his home next door, injured but still stubbornly planning to return to bronc riding. Every day Carrie falls more under the spell of this father-daughter duo.
Her need to raise her niece as her sister would have wanted conflicts with her growing feelings for Ryan. Keeping Sammie with her would break Ryan's heart. Letting her go will break Carrie's.
Then there are her feelings for Ryan...
Q: How do I get sneak peeks and learn more about your books? (Okay, this isn't a real question, just something I want to let y'all know about.)
A: Sign up for my Readers' Group at
https://tinyurl.com/2p8fhnja. The newsletter goes out about once a month, plus whenever I have news like a book release.