The Story Behind the Cover -- With Autumn's Return

This is my seventh book for Revell, so you'd think I'd be used to having wonderful covers, but I still get excited by each one, and I'm still fascinated by the process. 

As you can see, once again, Cheryl VanAndel, Revell's Art Director, has given me a fabulous cover.  What you may not know is how that cover was developed.

The first step was to choose the model.  It took two tries and an extensive search for an appropriate wardrobe, but Cheryl finally found the perfect woman to portray Elizabeth.  Once the model was chosen, she gave me a choice of several different gowns, including this one.

Plaid was definitely correct historically, but I wasn't thrilled with it.  On to the next choice.

Pretty, but the cover of Waiting for Spring had a blue dress.  The color could have been changed with Photoshop, but the style was also similar to the one on Spring.  And that brought us to this one:

To be candid, although I liked the style, I wasn't sure about the print.  Fortunately, I'm not the Art Director.  Cheryl saw the possibilities in this one and told me she thought it was the best of the three.  She was right.  (She's always right!)

Once the gown was selected, it was time for the photo shoot.  Out of all the pictures, Cheryl selected two and asked for my opinion.

We both preferred this one.  One of the reasons I liked it was that it minimizes the bustle.  Let's be honest: bustles aren't the most flattering garments.  I also liked the shawl and the lace gloves, since a lady of that era wouldn't have gone outside without gloves. 

This, as you can see, became the photo for the cover.  You'll notice that it was flipped so that the model had a pose similar to those on the previous two Westward Winds covers. 

Next came the background.  As was true for the other two Westward Winds books, Cheryl used one of my husband's photographs.  I was delighted!  In case you were wondering, the building is the Union Pacific Railroad depot, which was completed at the time With Autumn's Return takes place.  It's still a major landmark in Cheyenne, although the city no longer has passenger rail traffic.  Thanks to talented artists and Photoshop, the modern elements like the tables and planters, were replaced with more historically correct grass.

You may recall that I said Cheryl liked two poses from the photo shoot.  Here's the second, the one with the prominent bustle.

It was so good that rather than simply discard it, Cheryl used it on the book's spine, once again flipping it.  This was the first time I've had a different pose on the spine.  It may not seem like a big deal to you, but I was excited about that.

After that came back cover design and writing the copy that helps readers decide they want to buy this particular book.  Erin Bartels, who is herself a published author, is the person behind the back cover copy.  It always amazes me how Erin can condense a very long story into just a few paragraphs and intrigue readers without giving away too much of the plot.  She's a master at it!

The whole process took months, but at last we had a finished cover.  I hope you agree with me that it's a winner.  

I thank Cheryl, Erin and everyone else at Revell who was involved in giving me another wonderful cover.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!  Though beautifully decorated trees, Santas and reindeer seem to be everywhere, today is the day to remember the true reason we're celebrating -- the birth of a Child in a humble manger more than two thousand years ago.

May your day be filled with love.

(And, in case you wondered, I found this somewhat unusual nativity scene in the Wyoming Historic Governors' Mansion as part of the Tinsel Through Time exhibit.)

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 18, 2013

Santa on a chicken?  I think the reindeer might be surprised by that. 

What is the most unusual Santa ornament you've seen?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 11, 2013

If "The 1,000 Faces of Santa" exhibit is at the Children's Village in Cheyenne, it's a sure sign that Christmas is approaching.  How many Santas can you count on this tree?

Free Today -- December 7, 2013

Are you in the mood for some Christmas reading?  If so, I'm delighted to tell you that my bestselling book, Christmas Roses, is available as a free e-book today.  And if you miss the giveaway, it'll be available at a reduced price until the end of the year.

I've included links to the most popular online sites, but I believe it'll also be available on others.

Amazon
 B&N
 CBD

Here's the back cover copy to give you an idea what it's all about:

Celia Anderson doesn't need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

Amanda Cabot invites readers to cozy up with a romantic, heartwarming tale of the greatest gift of all--love.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 4, 2013

Does this put you in the holiday spirit?  It certainly does for me.  Hot chocolate (with marshmallows, of course), Christmas lights and perhaps a little ice skating -- all those things tell me Christmas is coming.

What foods and other traditions do you use to mark the advent of Christmas?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 27, 2013

And I give thanks for all of you who've given me so much support. 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 20, 2013

Unless you live in this part of the country, you probably haven't spent a lot of time thinking about snow fences, but they're a prominent part of the landscape along Wyoming highways.  As their name implies, they're critical for keeping snow where it will do the most good, namely on the prairie, and not on the highway.  In some areas, the snow fences are living fences, consisting of several rows of carefully planted trees, but what motorists see most often are the old-fashioned wooden ones like these. 

The Wyoming Department of Transportation, better known as WYDOT, is responsible for the placement, construction and maintenance of snow fences, and it's a big job.  How big?  There are more than two million -- yes million! -- linear feet of snow fences in the state.  I don't know about you, but I was impressed with that number.

Did you ever wonder about the placement of the snow fences?  I hadn't, but it turns out that that's the responsibility of WYDOT's Winter Research Teams.  Those lucky employees get to travel the highways in the worst weather the state can offer -- think heavy snow and 40 mph or higher winds -- to see where the worst drifting is occurring.  I'm thankful that I'm a writer and not part of one of those teams! 

So, tell me, are there snow fences where you live?  If not, what other weather-related things do you see along the highways?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 13, 2013

What is this?  A dachshund race.  It's part of the annual Dachshund Derby in Wheatland (Wyoming, of course).  Can you picture those short little legs running?  The truth is, some of the dogs were more than a little reluctant to run.  I can't blame them.

The races aren't the only part of the derby.  There's also a costume contest.  Don't you love this little guy's  hat?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- November 6, 2013

Did you know that although modern day Wyoming is a semi-arid state, it wasn't always that way?  Literally thousands of years ago, the area was covered by inland seas.  The proof is here in the various layers of rock that were deposited during those wet periods.  If you look closely, you can actually count the layers ... if you have enough time, that is.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- October 30, 2013

What do you think about urban art like this?  The painting, which graces the side of a building in downtown Cheyenne, was controversial when it was first unveiled. 

Do you like it?  Why or why not? 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- October 23, 2013

At first glance, you might think you'd stepped into the nineteenth century, but there are a number of clues that this is actually a museum in Encampment, Wyoming.  How many anachronisms did you spot?

I found three, but I suspect there are more.  My list is:

• The modern bench in front of the ice cream parlor.
• The electric street light.
• The box on the street light pole.

What did I miss?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- October 16, 2013

Can anyone guess the name of this sculpture?  Hint #1: the coyote isn't planning to have a friendly chat with the rabbit.  Hint #2: the rabbit has no intention of being dinner.

Did you guess that the name is Fast Food? 

And, if you were wondering, this sculpture is found on a street corner in downtown Cheyenne.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- October 9, 2013

Why would anyone take this picture, and even if they did, why would they post it on a blog?  The reason is that the lovely green lawn isn't grass at all.  It's astro-turf.  Now you're probably wondering why that's noteworthy.

As I've mentioned several times in the past, Wyoming is an arid state, one that treasures each drop of water.  The picture was taken at one of Wyoming's roadside rest areas, and the Department of Transportation, better known as WYDOT, takes conservation seriously.  The rest areas use solar panels for heating, and this one decided that artificial turf made more sense than normal grass.  I agree!

Do you have any examples of conservation that you'd like to share with readers?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- October 2, 2013

What is it?  No, it's not a baseball, although it's actually larger than one.  This is a mushroom.  Those of you who live in areas with normal rainfall might not think that's noteworthy, but Wyoming -- especially southeastern Wyoming where I live -- is a fairly arid region.  We rarely see mushrooms.  Now, thanks to the considerably heavier than normal rainfall that we had a few weeks ago, they've cropped up.

Yes, not just one, but a number of them decided that the prairie grass was a good place to grow.  I wonder if any of our local wildlife will eat them.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 25, 2013

Now that it's officially autumn, I couldn't resist including one of my favorite pictures.  As you probably guessed, those are the Tetons in the background.  Aren't the trees beautiful?  And the mountains are always awe-inspiring.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 18, 2013

Doesn't this just say "old west" to you?  I can't imagine that it was comfortable riding in one of these wagons -- no rubber tires or shock absorbers -- but they appear to be practically indestructible. 

Although I enjoy reading (and writing) about the old west, I'm glad that I live in the twenty-first century.  How about you?  If you could live in any time period, what would it be?

Who Reads Amanda Cabot's Books? The Kersey Bookbuddies Do

This month I'm delighted to feature the Kersey Bookbuddies from northern Colorado.  As you can see, the members dressed for the holidays as they read Christmas Roses.  Let's learn a bit more bout them.

When was your bookclub formed?
     Around 1998.
I'm impressed that you've been meeting for fifteen years.  That says a lot about the group ... and the books you've been reading.

Where do you meet and how frequently?
     We meet in the homes of members once a month.
That sounds like it's a lot of fun -- more personal than meeting in a bookstore or other commercial venue.

How many members do you have?
     Twelve at present.
And almost all of them were present for the photo.  How nice to see a variety of ages represented!

Are you looking for new members?
     If someone cares to join us, they are welcome.

Do you read fiction, non-fiction or a mixture?
     A mixture.
No wonder your club has lasted so long.  Your choice of books ensures that no one becomes bored.

How do you choose the books for your discussions?
     Members recommend ones they think would be interesting or relevant.
That sounds like a much better approach than just picking books off the bestseller list.

What was the first Amanda Cabot book that you read?
     Christmas Roses

How did you choose that?
     It was a suggestion of members who'd read it. 
Since I know that one of your members is, like me, part of Front Range Christian Fiction Writers, I can guess which one was responsible for the recommendation.  Thanks, Inez!

Is there any other information about your club that you'd like to share with other readers?
     We are an eating group that discusses books. We try to have foods that have been mentioned or relate to the book we are discussing. We truly like one another and have a great time sharing, laughing, fellowshipping and having lively discussions on the book of choice.
What a terrific idea!  I wonder if you had Swedish pound cake when you discussed Christmas Roses.

The more I learn, the more I know I'd enjoy being one of the Kersey Bookbuddies.  Thanks so much for sharing your story with us.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 11, 2013

If you're looking for a unique and historic way to tour Yellowstone, this might be for you.  A few years ago, the park reintroduced its iconic buses.  They weren't the first form of public transportation. That honor goes to horse-drawn carriages, also yellow.  These vehicles, which are now called the Historic Yellow Buses, take visitors on tours of various parts of the park.

As you probably guessed from the shape, the buses are definitely historic.  They were built between 1936 and 1938.  Fortunately you don't have to worry about cracked leather or any of the other problems you might associate with vehicles of that age.  They've been restored, and unlike school or commercial buses, they have multiple doors, making it easier for riders to get on and off.  To add to the fun, there's a soft top that rolls back so riders can get better views of wildlife and geysers and everything that makes Yellowstone so special.

I have to admit that I haven't ridden in one, but it's time for me to schedule another trip to Yellowstone, and this time I just might ride in one of the yellow buses.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 4, 2013

Though it was only in existence for about a year and a half (April 1860 to October 1861), the Pony Express continues to be one of the iconic emblems of the American West. 

I knew about the riders and their frequent change of horses (approximately every ten miles, in case you were wondering) and the fact that the Pony Express was established to provide faster mail delivery to California, but until I visited the Historic Trails Museum in Casper, I didn't know how the mail was carried.  I had envisioned ordinary saddle bags, but instead each rider had a mochila (Spanish for pouch or backpack), which functioned a bit like a saddle blanket.  I don't know if all the mochilas were orange like this one, but I do know that they were critical to the success of the Pony Express.  Up to twenty pounds of mail were carried in the four locked corner pockets.

What caused the demise of the Pony Express?  A faster form of communication -- the telegraph.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 28, 2013

Modern wind turbines and the vertical windmill I featured earlier this month are wonderful new inventions, but I'm still fond of the old fashioned windmills that dotted farmlands across the country. 

What do you think?  If you were putting a windmill in your yard, which kind would it be?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 21, 2013

Weather is a major factor in Wyoming, and so it's not surprising that one of Cheyenne's "These Boots Are Made for Talking" boots includes pictures of all kinds of violent weather.  This boot is located in front of the new NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) building just west of the city. 

Who Reads Amanda Cabot's Books? The Novel Book Club Does

This month I'm delighted to introduce you to not one reader but a whole group of them as the spotlight shines on The Novel Book Club of Eaton, Colorado.  I've had a chance to meet the members of this book club, and I can assure you that they're a delightful group of women with an avid interest in books.

Now, let's learn a bit more about them.

How did you choose the name for your club?
     We began meeting at the Novel Bookstore.
I was intrigued by the name and did a little research.  It turns out that the Novel Bookstore has closed.  (Sigh!)  But it seems that there's a new place to buy books in Eaton.  A Novel Shoppe is a combination florist and bookstore.  I'm putting that on my 'must visit' list the next time I get to that part of Colorado.

When was your book club formed?
     2006
I'm impressed!  I've seen other book clubs have promising beginnings but end after a year or two.  It's a testimony to all of you that you're still such a vibrant group.

Where do you meet and how frequently?
     We meet at the Hawkstone Clubhouse in Eaton once a month.

How many members do you have?
     We have about twenty ladies.
Wonderful!  With that many, I'm sure you have some spirited discussions.

Are you looking for new members?
     We don't actively look for new members, but we accept those who are interested in joining.

Do you read fiction, non-fiction or a mixture?
     We read a mixture.
That makes it more fun, doesn't it?

How do you choose books?
     Usually by a member recommendation.

Which was the first Amanda Cabot book that you read?
     Summer of Promise

How did you choose that book?
     Member recommendation.
My thanks to that member and to all of you who read my book.

And, readers, if you're in the Eaton, Colorado area and are looking for a bookclub, this is one you might want to consider.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 14, 2013

Wyoming is noted for its wind, and so it's not surprising to see wind farms like this one as you travel throughout the state.  What always amazes me about them is the size of the turbines.  Those are ordinary power lines in the foreground, giving you an idea of just how tall the turbines are.

While they're designed to handle even Wyoming's winds, one particularly strong storm resulted in one of the turbines collapsing when the center shaft bent over at a 90 degree angle.  Only in Wyoming, or at least I hope so.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 7, 2013

What is this?  I don't blame you if your first guess wasn't a windmill, because this is not your normal windmill.  Instead, it's a vertical one, designed for use in small spaces like this one at the Paul Smith Children's Village, part of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. 

Have you seen other vertical windmills?  I haven't.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- July 31, 2013

As the month ends, so does my tribute to the Thunderbirds.

I couldn't resist including this picture with the speed limit sign.  Needless to say, it didn't apply to them.  (And, if you're wondering what the equipment in the foreground is, it's a combination of tracking, recording and communication.  There's also an announcer who describes the formations the planes will be making and a sound system playing music before, during and after the show.)

If you're ever in Wyoming in late July, I recommend Frontier Days.  And, with some luck, the budget for the Thunderbirds will be reinstated next year.  At least I hope so.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- July 24, 2013

It looks a bit like a fountain, doesn't it?  It's actually four Thunderbirds creating a picture in the sky.  As one of my friends says, it's moments like these that make her proud to be an American. 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- July 17, 2013

Last week I wrote about the Thunderbirds' precision and the beautiful formations.  Here's another example.  This was one of those days when the weather cooperated, a bright Wyoming sky with clouds the color of the jet trails.  Gorgeous!

Who Reads Amanda Cabot's Books? -- Rebecca Stegall Does

I'm delighted to welcome another international reader to my blog.  This month's featured reader is Rebecca Stegall, who currently lives in Indonesia.  The picture was taken in Dubai where she and several of her friends had a rendezvous while Rebecca was on her way back to the States for a brief vacation.

Now, let's learn a bit more about Rebecca.

What was the first of my books that you read?

     Waiting for Spring.

How did you discover that book?
     My best friend passed along her copy for me to take on one of my trips back to the United States from Indonesia.
My thanks to your friend for introducing my books to you.  It's always exciting to hear that someone enjoys my stories enough to recommend them to others.

If you have a favorite Cabot book, which one is it?  (And why is it your favorite, if you'd like to share that with others.)

     I have only had the opportunity to read Waiting for Spring and cannot wait to read the other books within the trilogy.  I enjoyed the hope within the story of second chance love.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Charlotte's story.  It was fun to write, in part because I also enjoy stories of second chances at love.

Who are your other favorite authors?

     I don't have a favorite author and always enjoy reading new authors.

I'm flattered that I was one of those new authors.  Again, please thank your friend for lending you her copy.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not reading?

     I have three beautiful children, including a set of two-year old twins who keep me very busy.  I enjoy spending days with my wonderful family and exploring life in Indonesia, including volunteering in the communities.

With all that going on, I'm surprised you have any time to read.  Thanks so much for being a part of my blog.  It's a pleasure to "meet" you this way.

Rebecca sent me two pictures of herself in Dubai, and I couldn't resist including both of them.  Here she is in front of  the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- July 10, 2013

One of the things that amazes me the most about the Thunderbirds is the precision of their flying.  The pilots are so expert that they can fly considerably faster than commercial jets all the while that they're practically touching each other, yet they maintain exactly the right distance to create some beautiful formations.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- July 3, 2013

It's July, and that means Cheyenne Frontier Days, the largest outdoor rodeo in the country, is approaching.  (It's ten days long, spanning the last full week of July.) One of the highlights of CFD, as it's referred to locally, is the annual US Air Force Thunderbirds air show.  Due to budget cuts, all of the Thunderbirds' shows have been canceled this year, but in honor of all the pleasure they've given me and literally millions of other people, I've decided to feature them on my blog this month.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- June 26, 2013

Today's the day to reveal the location where you can find all of the exhibits I've highlighted this month.  Is it a new museum?  Not exactly.

It's actually the "welcome to Wyoming" visitor center on Interstate 25 just south of Cheyenne.  In addition to providing the usual tourist information that you'd expect from a welcome center, this one (as you've seen) has exhibits that help to bring the state's rich history to life.

If you look closely at the sign, you'll see that the base appears to be layers of different colored rock.  It's actually something called rammed earth, which is a highly efficient building material.

The welcome center was designed to use minimal energy.  In addition to the rammed-earth walls, it has a living roof and windmills to generate much of the power that it uses.

Those of you who've read my bio know that I'm an avid traveler and that much of that travel has been by car.  As a result, I've visited many, many visitor centers, and I can honestly say that this is one of the best.

So, welcome to Wyoming!

Wednesday in Wyoming -- June 19, 2013

Although the movie industry has been known to glorify outlaws, they were anything but glorious to the early residents of Wyoming.  Even when they were apprehended and incarcerated, some of the most notorious managed to escape.  That's why this exhibit is titled "Running From the Law." 

If you look closely, you'll see that an enterprising inmate has dug a hole in the left side of the jail cell.  Young visitors can enter the cell and climb into the hole, escaping to waiting horses on the other side.  All right.  They're not live horses, but still .... 

Where can you find this exhibit?  The answer is coming next week.

Who Reads Amanda Cabot's Books? -- Andrea Suzanne Dawson Does

Today it's my pleasure to introduce a woman who took time away from her birthday celebration to attend my first booksigning in Cheyenne.  Since then, she's become a friend who's done everything from catering book launch parties to creating a special dress in honor of Waiting for Spring.  Let me introduce Andrea Suzanne Dawson from Cheyenne.

Those of you who've read Waiting for Spring know that it's dedicated to Suzanne, which is how she introduced herself.  It was only later that I learned that was her middle name.  If you're like me, you may wonder why she uses her middle name instead of Andrea.  When I asked her, she said that she actually prefers to be called Andrea.  (I'm trying to remember that.)  When she was a very young child, she couldn't pronounce Andrea, so her mother decided it would be easier to call her Sue or Suzanne.  I don't know about you, but I think both Andrea and Suzanne are lovely names.

Now, to learn more about her, I asked her a number of other questions.

What was the first of my books that you read?

     Paper Roses

How did you discover that book?

     I had gone to Barnes & Noble for my birthday just to see what books were out, and I noticed the sign that there was going to be a book signing, so I hung around until the author, Amanda Cabot, got there, started talking to her and bought her book, Paper Roses.

And, of course, I'm delighted that you came.

If you have a favorite Cabot book, which one is it?  (And why is it your favorite, if you'd like to share that with others?)

     My favorite is Waiting for Spring because it hits home in so many ways, and it was dedicated to me, so that makes it very special and one I will treasure all my life.

It's a special book for me, too, in part because it was the first one set in Cheyenne.  It was so much fun, learning more about the city's history.

Who are your other favorite authors?

     LaVyrle Spencer has always been a favorite of mine, but she doesn’t write anymore. I also really like Delia Parr, Dan Walsh, Deanna Gist, Joanne Kennedy, Kim Vogel-Sawyer, Suzanne Woods Fisher and all the Christian writers (just to name a few). An all-time favorite book of mine is Ashes in the Wind.

What a great list of writers!  I'm delighted to be in such good company.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not reading?
      When I am not reading, I sew, crochet, knit and work puzzles.

Is there any other information about your life that you'd like to share with other readers?
      I love being around people and especially children. I went on a mission to Juarez, and it was so rewarding that I would love to do that again.

See what I mean about Suzanne ... er ... Andrea being a special person? Thanks, Andrea for sharing your life with us.  And one final note.   Andrea and her husband celebrated their golden wedding anniversary earlier this month.  What a wonderful milestone!

Wednesday in Wyoming -- June 12, 2013

Have you ever considered how transportation affects a region?  Wyoming owes its existence as a state to the fact that major east-west routes crossed it. 

The first major migration was via covered wagon and the various trails, most notably the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer trails.  Then came the transcontinental railroad, which resulted in the creation of several cities, including Cheyenne, and greatly reduced travel time. 

The invention of the automobile changed travel again.  Cars needed smooth roads, so the Lincoln Highway, which roughly paralleled the Union Pacific route in Wyoming, was created.  When the Interstate Highway system was developed, portions of the Lincoln Highway were replaced by Interstate 80. 

Can you imagine what the original pioneers, who considered it a very good day if they were able to travel twenty miles, would think if they saw cars whizzing down the highway at 75 miles an hour?  

Where can  you find this exhibit?  The answer is coming on June 26.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- June 5, 2013

Did you know that Wyoming is noted for its archaeology?  I find it intriguing that dinosaurs once roamed the state I now call home.  And they were big.  How big?  Look at how small the shovel appears compared to the feet.

Those feet (and the rest of the dinosaur) are part of an exhibit at one of the state's newest locations.  Where is it?  You'll have to wait until the end of the month to find out.  In the meantime, here's another picture of the archaeological dig.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- May 29, 2013

Can you guess where this was taken?   If you look carefully, you'll see steam rising from the water -- a hint that this is part of Yellowstone.  Besides being one of the largest national parks, Yellowstone has more variety than many.  In addition to thermal features and wildlife, there are waterfalls, a large lake with excellent trout fishing, and what seem like endless trails for hiking.  Is it any wonder so many people agree with me that it's their favorite place on Earth?