Wednesday in Wyoming - June 26, 2019

How much snow does Yellowstone get? If you look at the red pole in the lower right hand corner of the picture, you'll get an idea. The pole, which is used to guide snow plows, indicates that there can be a LOT of snow there.

Why? Part of the reason is the altitude. Much of Yellowstone is at 8,000 feet above sea level. That's why it's frequently the coldest spot in Wyoming. And because of that, the park has recorded snow in every month of the year. Yes, even July and August.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 19, 2019

If you study this picture, do you see what look like sponges? They're not sponges, of course, but are rocks formed by one of the many geysers in Yellowstone.

It's sights like this that make Yellowstone so popular with visitors from all around the world. We expect to see Old Faithful, but "sponges" aren't part of most guidebooks. That makes them all the more special.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 12, 2019

Brilliant colors, evergreen-covered hills, plumes of steam rising from the ground. Yes, this is Yellowstone, one of my favorite places on Earth and one of the reasons I now live in Wyoming.

The geysers and waterfalls are famous. So too is the variety of wildlife -- everything from wolves and bears to elk and bison. But the park has much more to offer than simply thermal features and wildlife. There are quiet spots to enjoy peaceful interludes, even during the crowded tourist season.

If you haven't been to Yellowstone, I suggest you add it to your bucket list. You won't regret it.

Out of the Embers Cover Reveal

For me, the most exciting part of the whole publication process other than holding the first copy of the finished book is seeing the cover art. Even though we've all been told that we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, if you're like me -- and I suspect you are -- we DO judge by the cover. That's why I wait anxiously for my first look at the cover design. This time the wait was even more nail-biting, because I knew Revell was going to give my new series a new look.

I shouldn't have worried. Once again, they've given me what I think is a fabulous cover. I hope you agree.

I love the fact that Evelyn looks strong and determined, because she is, and a field of bluebonnets plays a special role in the story, so I'm delighted that it was included on the cover. As for the apron, well ... what else would a woman who opens a restaurant be wearing?

If you're curious about the story itself, here's a blurb designed to intrigue you.

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents’ murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don’t include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

Are you intrigued? I hope so.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 5, 2019

 What caused the unusual holes in this boulder, and where would you find it?

You'll find the answer to those questions here:

Yes, the boulder is in Grand Teton National Park, was formed by lava and moved by glaciers, hence the "fire and ice" title on the sign.

While most people associate the park with spectacular mountain scenery -- and that's an important part of it -- there are other, less well known attractions, including this one. I highly recommend a trip to Grand Teton.