Cover Reveal

One of my favorite parts of the publishing process, second only to the day the book releases, is the day I'm able to share the cover art with you. That day is today.

What do you think? I'm thrilled by the cover and believe it's the best one yet, which is saying a lot, since Revell has given me consistently beautiful covers.

After the Shadows is the first in a new series, the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. As you might guess, the stories all take place in a town called Sweetwater Crossing. And, as you might also guess, that town is in the Texas Hill Country.

So, what's the story about? Here's the description from Revell's sales catalog.

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boarding house, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

 Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death—and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

 Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Are you intrigued? I hope so!

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 1, 2022

 

Goats are famous -- or should I say notorious? -- for eating just about anything. These goats, however, are fussy eaters and prefer noxious weeds. That makes them perfect for environmentally safe weed control, which is why they played a part in the City of Cheyenne's maintenance program for years.

Seeing them and watching the way they devoured even prickly-looking weeds never failed to make me smile. Maybe I should hire one ...

Andrea's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 After she saw the blog post about Kathy Flinchum's prize-winning cinnamon rolls, my friend Andrea Dawson told me that she had a different recipe that might appeal to my readers. "It includes oatmeal," she told me. As someone who likes to add oatmeal to various recipes, I was intrigued. I was even more intrigued when I read the recipe, because it reminded me of what my coworkers in Philadelphia called sticky buns.

In case you'd like to try your hand at Andrea's favorite cinnamon rolls, here's the recipe.

Andrea Dawson’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 

Combine in small bowl:

1 pkg yeast

¼ cup warm water

 

Combine in mixing bowl:

1 cup quick oats (not instant)

¾ cup hot milk

½ cup shortening

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

 

Add and mix:

2 eggs

The yeast-water mixture

 

Gradually add:

3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour to make a stiff dough

 

Beat well

 

Cover and let rise until doubled (around 1 ½ hours)

 

While dough is rising:

Combine in 9x13 inch pan:

½ cup maple or maple-flavored syrup

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

1 tbsp water

2/3 cup chopped pecans

 

Combine in small bowl:

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp grated orange rind

 

Once dough has risen, roll out on floured pastry cloth to 12x24 inch rectangle

 

Brush with:

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

 

Sprinkle with brown sugar-cinnamon mixture

 

Roll up, starting with long side

Cut into 1-inch slices and place in prepared 9x13 pan

 

Let rise until doubled (about 1 hour)

 

Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown

 

Cool 1 minute before inverting onto wire rack or serving plate

 

 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 25, 2022

 

This sign isn't unique to Wyoming, but it's a very welcome sight for motorists traveling the long distances between towns.

When I see these signs, I think of the pioneers who walked -- yes, walked -- alongside their covered wagons on the way west. Such strength and determination!

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 18, 2022

 

Annie Oakley? Maybe. Actually, this cowgirl is a contestant in the Hell on Wheels Wyoming Territorial Action Shooting Competition. How's that for a long name? 

You may or may not know it, but "Hell on Wheels" was Cheyenne's nickname in the city's early days. As this article details, life in the towns established during the Union Pacific's expansion west could be a bit, shall we say, rough. https://bit.ly/3yiEf6p

And, yes, there were annual shooting competitions through 2019. Perhaps they'll resume this year.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 11, 2022

 

How often do you see towns with a population of one? Not often, even in sparsely populated Wyoming. 

And, while we're talking about the Cowboy State's population, did you know that Wyoming is the least densely populated state in the country? The most densely populated one is New Jersey, my previous home. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 4, 2022

 Wednesday in Wyoming is back! This month I'm going to focus on things that may not be unique Wyoming but that you won't find just anywhere.

We're starting with the small town of Medicine Bow. What intrigued me wasn't the sign for the diner but the "Madden Hall of Fame."

What is it? The next two pictures give you a closer look.

 By now you've probably figured out what the "hall of fame" is. (The crescent moon on the door is one of the giveaways.) But if you need another clue, here it is.

Yes, the hall of fame is an outhouse. 

Is there a family named Madden in Medicine Bow? I don't know. If there is, why did they put an outhouse here? Again, I don't know. 

Regardless of the history behind it, I was intrigued by this unusual sighting.

Were you?