Wednesday in Wyoming - March 29, 2023

 

Although the art I've featured in previous posts this month has been two-dimensional, the annual Glass Art Show at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens also has three-dimensional pieces, including this one from the 2020 show.

I would never have thought to combine candy dishes like this. Would you? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 22, 2023

 

The opening of the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory gave the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens a new way to display art from its annual Glass Art Show, with pieces hanging in front of the second story windows overlooking the conservatory.

This piece was part of the 2019 show.

Book Birthday

 

The wait is over! Today's the official release date for After the Shadows, which means that it should be available in brick and mortar stores as well as all the online sites.

I'm particularly excited about this book, because early readers have told me they think it's my best. Is it? As an author, I'm too close to my stories to judge them fairly, but Library Journal liked it so much they called it a "must-buy" and gave it a starred review. I was thrilled!

If you'd like more information about After the Shadows, here's a link. 

And, if you're reading this before 5 PM EDT on March 21, I hope you'll join me for an historical romance panel sponsored by Baker Book House. Tracy Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse, and I will be talking about the challenges -- and the fun -- of creating books set in times gone by.

Most of all, I hope you'll enjoy Emily and Craig's story. Happy reading!

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 15, 2023

 

Glass Art brings additional beauty to the original conservatory at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens in this photo from the 2015 show.

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 8, 2023

 

Since space was limited prior to the construction of the Grand Conservatory at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, glass art was displayed in the growing area next to the original conservatory. I found the juxtaposition of natural and manmade beauty intriguing in this picture from the 2012 Glass Art Show.

Cover Reveal

 I'm always excited when I have a new cover to show you, and it's especially exciting when the cover is as beautiful as this one.

This cover was a "first" for me in two ways. Normally I see cover art when it's almost finalized, but this time the Art Director gave me three designs and asked which I preferred. The first two were lovely, but this one really caught my eye. I was delighted when it turned out to be her favorite and that of my editor and the VP of Marketing.

The second "first" is that this is the first time I've had cover art for the second book in a series before the first one releases. That's because instead of waiting a full year for the next Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing book, readers will have a much shorter wait. Against the Wind is scheduled to be released on October 3 of this year and is already available for preorder at some of the online sites.

What's it about? Here's the description from Revell's sales catalog:

Doctor-in-training Louisa Vaughn has no intention of remaining in Sweetwater Crossing. She’s just there for a few days to help a friend. But she can’t abandon the injured man she finds at the side of the road. Until his broken leg heals, she’ll serve as the town’s doctor and midwife. She may not be fully qualified yet, but surely she’s better than nothing.

 Josh Porter’s plans to win his grandfather’s challenge and fulfill his father’s final wish to gain full control of the family business hit a roadblock when he breaks his leg. But his enforced stay in Sweetwater Crossing gives him new ideas about the expansion of the company into new territory—ideas Louisa could help turn into reality.

 If only the town were more accepting of Louisa’s talents! Someone is determined to convince her to abandon her dream of healing others. Can Josh help her uncover the person behind the threats before it’s too late? And is there any future for them together when neither of them plans to stay?

 Are you intrigued? I hope so.

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 1, 2023

 

In honor of the annual Glass Art Show at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, which continues through this month, I'm going to feature some of my favorite pictures from previous years' shows.

Prior to the construction of the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory, the show was held in the much smaller conservatory of the original building where art and plants were in close proximity.

In case you're curious, this picture was taken at the 2009 show.