Wednesday in Wyoming - June 20, 2018

Not everything on the capitol complex is being changed as a result of the Capitol Square Project.

The statue of Chief Washakie, which stands on the opposite side of the main entrance sidewalk from one of Esther Morris, already had its change. It used to be on display inside the capitol itself, but a few years ago it was moved outdoors.

Who was Chief Washakie? Here's an interesting article that I found.

Unfortunately for first-time visitors to Cheyenne, the statue is currently hidden by the fence that surrounds the capitol during construction.

Cover Reveal - A Tender Hope

For me, one of the major milestones between the time I turn in a manuscript and the day the book is actually available for purchase is when I can share cover art with you. After all, even though we're told not to judge a book by the cover, we do ... or at least I do.

A great deal of planning and effort goes into the development of a cover. I'll blog about costume choice, how the background was developed, and the other details that you've told me you enjoy learning as we get closer to the release date, but today I wanted to share the finished product with you.

So, without further fanfare, here it is: the cover for A Tender Hope, the third of the Cimarron Creek books.

What do you think?

I hope you're as pleased with it as I am. I loved the historic costume (notice that it buttons what we would consider the wrong way) and the medical bag that's so essential for Thea's profession as a midwife. As for the house, wouldn't it be fun to live in one like that as long as you didn't have to clean it?

If the name "Thea" sounds familiar to you, it's because you met her in Paper Roses. So many of you asked for her story that I couldn't wait any longer to tell you what happened to her when she grew up.

A Tender Hope will be available on March 5 next year. I know it's a long wait, but while you're waiting, here's a glimpse into the story.

The Really, Really Short Version
An abandoned baby and a young woman warm the heart of a Texas Ranger seeking justice for his brother.

The Longer Version
As far as Thea Michener is concerned, it's time for a change. Her husband murdered and her much-anticipated baby stillborn, there's nothing left for her in Ladreville. Having accepted a position as Cimarron Creek's midwife, she has no intention of remarrying and trying for another child. So when a handsome Texas Ranger appears on her doorstep with an abandoned baby, Thea isn't sure her heart can take it.

Ranger Jackson Guthrie isn't concerned only with the baby's welfare. He's been looking for Thea, convinced that her late husband was part of the gang that killed his brother. But it soon becomes clear that the situation is far more complicated than he'd anticipated and that he'll need Thea's help if he's ever to find the justice he seeks.

A Tender Hope is available for preorder at Amazon now and will be available at the other retailers soon.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 13, 2018

Last week I featured the repairs to the capitol dome, but that's only a small portion of the work being done as part of the Wyoming Capitol Square Project. A major office building, the Herschler building, is being remodeled and expanded. As you can see, it's located adjacent to the capitol itself, and like the dome, is having its exterior renovated.

For more information about the Herschler project, click here.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 6, 2018

It's construction season in Cheyenne, and nowhere is that as apparent as at the capitol, which is undergoing a multi-year renovation and restoration project. The latest part of the building to see changes is the dome, which is now surrounded by scaffolding and shrouding. I wouldn't want to be the workers on top of it. Would you?

This isn't the first time the dome has had work done. In 2009, the gilding was replaced, and for a while, the dome itself was covered with wood.

Here's what it looked like between the regilding project and today.

I have to say that it seems strange to drive Interstate 25 north into Cheyenne and not see the golden dome. But in another year or so, it'll be visible again.

If you're interested in more information about the dome repairs, here's a link.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 30, 2018

We end this month's tour of Fossil Butte National Monument with the town of Kemmerer's homage to it. I've always been fascinated by murals on the sides of buildings, and this one, with its subtle coloring, is one of the most interesting I've seen.

If you go to Kemmerer to visit the J.C. Penney Mother Store, you can't miss the mural. It's right across the street and yet another reason to visit this small town in southwestern Wyoming.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 23, 2018

Sagebrush. At least for me, sagebrush prairies are synonymous with the American West. They were, in fact, one of the reasons I moved to Wyoming, but that's another story.

This prairie, complete with beautiful cumulus clouds, is part of Fossil Butte National Monument, which has been our featured location this month.

Imagine hiking across the prairie, being surrounded by the scent of sage, and wondering what the pioneers were thinking when they reached this part of their journey.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 16, 2018

In addition to the possibility of discovering new fossils at Fossil Butte National Monument, the site has numerous opportunities for hiking.

I've included this picture to show you all the green. Depending on where you live, green may be a familiar color to you all year round, but that's not the case in Wyoming. Because it's a semi-arid region, many parts of the state have minimal rainfall and are often golden brown, but for a few glorious weeks, the grass is green. That's definitely cause for celebration.