Happy New Year!

I can't believe it. 2009 is already here. Wow. In another year we'll almost be through the first decade of the 21st Century. Seems like just yesterday we were all worried about the Y2K stuff.

Since it's a new year, as usual, I have many goals I hope to accomplish in the coming months. Hopefully this year will be less stressful and I can get my writing career back on track---that not only includes seeing a couple of books published this year, but getting my personal writing schedule on a consistent schedule. I've learned over the years that in this business consistency is one the big keys to success. As a writer you have to write consistently, submit consistently, and have books published consistently to develop that coveted readership.

I also just bought a new horse! Yes, I'm so excited. So, I hope to spend a lot more time in the saddle this year. One of these days I'll post some pix of my horse family for you to see.

In the meantime, what are some of your plans/goals for 2009? Have you been writing a book, but have yet to submit? Maybe this is the year to take that plunge. After all, you can't sell a book if you don't submit it to a publisher. Speaking of publishers. I'd better get busy. I have revisions to finish on Eight Seconds!

Nebraska Finishes Strong at the WNFR!

Well, the 2008 WNFR is in the history books. I watched as much as ESPN would allow while nursing a cold from you know where. I’m proud to say the Nebraska cowboys and cowgirls did pretty darn good, too. First off, my congratulations go out to Kristin Schott, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, for finishing in the Top 10 of the Miss Rodeo America pageant. That’s no small feat, let me tell ya. Way to go, Kristin.

Also, a big congratulations goes out to Steven Dent. Steven not only finished second in the Bareback Riding at the WNFR, but it looks like he’s finishing the year in second place for the All-Around title as well. Yee-Haw! Dean Gorsuch also finished second in the Steer Wrestling, and Todd Suhn finished ninth. Wow! Again, no small feet. These cowboys are the best of the best. Long Live Those Nebraska Cowboys! Check out www.prorodeo.com for all the final results and some great pix as well.

As a writer I’m always on the look out for inspiration and I can certainly find it at prorodeo.com. Well, and mix in a few pix of George Strait, Dierks Bentley and Elvis Presley and I’m set. Speaking of inspiration, now that I have it for the morning, I’d better put it to good use writing. I have two manuscripts I need to finish by January 15th. Can I do it? You bet I can! I hope. ;)

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Underway!

I'm in Heaven! The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo kicked off yesterday in Las Vegas, and since I love Cowboys, I'm excited. And hats off to Nebraska Cowboy, Steven Dent! Steven finshed second in the first go-round of the Bareback riding last night. And to further toot Steven's horn, he's currently leading the World in Bareback, and is second in the All-Around! Yee-Haw, Steven!

Also, a big good luck to Kristin Schott, Miss Rodeo Nebraska, during this week's Miss Rodeo America competition. MRA 2009 will be crowned on Saturday, Dec. 6th. I'm pullin' for ya, Kristin!

I just wish I could have made the trip to Vegas to enjoy all the excitment of the 50th Anniversary of the National Finals. Oh, well. Maybe next year. Right now I have books to finish! BTW, my lifelong love of rodeo, the western way of life, and hours spent in the saddle are what helps me write those steamy cowboy books for you all. Keep a sharp eye out for Eight Seconds coming soon from Ellora's Cave. If you love bull riders, you'll love Devlin McCord in Eight Seconds.

And don't worry, if you enjoyed Cowboy Fling, the sequel, Country Fling, is close to being done. I hope to have it into my editor very soon.

So, if you're a lover of cowboy/western romances, contemporary or historical, what is it about this sub-genre that you love so? Yes, there is just something majorly sexy about a man in a cowboy hat, a nice fittin' pair of jeans and chaps, but that's just the surface. What else attracts you to the cowboy? Is he a man of mystery for you? Is he forbidden? Untamable? Is it his code of honor? Let me hear from you!

Thanksgiving Blog Blitz Winner!

I have a Blog Blitz Winner! Congratulations go out to Tami C. She is the winner of an autographed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman on Top! Tami, please e-mail me privately at sherryjames@hamilton.net with your snail mail address and I'll get your book out to you.

Thank you all for stopping by last week and posting. It was fun. Keep stopping by for more news about Eight Seconds, coming soon from Ellora's Cave, and other future releases and contests.

What Are You Thankful For?

Since Thanksgiving is now less than a week away, I thought on this final day of my Blog Blitz we’d talk about what we’re thankful for. First of all I’m thankful for all of you faithful bloggers who have taken the time to stop by this past week. Thank you. I appreciate your support.

This past year has been a rough one. After losing both of my parents in a ten-month time span, I’ve come to realize even more how precious life is. But as difficult as this loss is, I’m thankful I was blessed to have two such wonderful and caring people for parents. My mom and dad were firm but fair, and taught me to respect others and to lend a helping hand. They didn’t just give us kids everything we wanted, but instead taught us that working hard and being patient can reap great rewards. That in turn taught us four kids valuable lessons in respect and appreciation. I am forever grateful. And I miss them both terribly. My life is forever changed by their passing, but I am who I am today because of them.

I am also thankful for my wonderful, supportive husband. And yes he has many of the hero qualities we talked about yesterday—including a bit of the domestic side. He’s a great cook and if I had my way, he’d be doing the cooking seven days a week! I’m also thankful for my two beautiful children, my health, my wonderful in-laws, my brothers, and their families. I’m also thankful I live in a country where we are free, and thankful for the men and women who put on uniforms every day to keep us that way. Thank You! And God Bless You! If you have a family member or friend who has ties to the military, past or present, please also extend my thanks to them and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving.

As Mama Bear in the Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin so aptly put it, “Thanksgiving isn’t about contests or prizes. It’s about giving thanks. And it seems to me we have a lot to be thankful for.” And yes we do. Even in this turbulant economic time, we still do.

So, tell me what you’re thankful for, and remember, every time you post a comment to any of my Thanksgiving posts for the week your name will go into the drawing for an autographed copy of Studs for Hire: Woman on Top. Chances to win close at midnight tonight and I will draw the winner some time this weekend. Good Luck!

Here's an old recipe my family brought over from Germany. It's a little bit of work to prepare, but it's delicious and was always a family tradition at holidays.

Big Dumpling
½ Cup of Lard or Shortening
½ Cup Sugar
1 Tsp. Salt
3 Eggs Beaten
1 Cup Milk
3 Cups Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Powder

Cream together lard, salt & sugar. Add beaten eggs. Sift flour with baking powder. Add to first mixture alternately with milk. Mix well. Pour into well greased coffee tin and cover with foil. Set tin into a larger kettle of boiling water. Cover with lid. Steam for 2 hours. Tooth pick should come out clean when tested. Serve with a fruit sauce of raisins, prunes, apricots, or cranberries.

Hero Qualities

I’m thrilled to say that I’ll have a novella, Eight Seconds, coming out next year in one of the Caveman anthologies, Flavors of Ecstasy, from Ellora’s Cave. I don’t know which volume yet, or what other EC authors I’ll be paired up with, but I’ll share as soon as I hear.

Eight Seconds is the story of rancher, romance writer Taylor Westfall, and professional bull rider Devlin McCord. I love cowboys! And I loved writing this story. It was great therapy for me after losing my mom, and it was nice to immerse myself in something positive and fun. Plus, I had a deadline to meet which is always great motivation.

Eight Seconds takes place one snowy weekend before Thanksgiving. I’ve always wanted to write a holiday connected story, and although this one only mentions Thanksgiving, the time of year and the snow reiterate her loneliness and the isolation she faces on her ranch. And, she’s in much need of some sexual inspiration for her writing. She’s bound and determined not to spend another harsh winter all by herself. Cowboy Devlin McCord is sexy, hot and just what she needs to get the creative juices flowing again! Hey, I wouldn’t mind spending more than eight seconds with this guy. Too bad I can’t make my fictional characters come to life in the flesh. Oops! Don’t tell my husband I said that!

Besides being good-looking and sexy, Devlin is honest, caring, and loyal to the bone. All qualities my heros must have, even if they don’t realize they have them. And yes, the hunk in the photo is George Strait, a true American cowboy who inspires this writer's work all the time! What are your favorite must-have hero qualities?

What's in your Autumn TBR Pile?

Hey, fellow bloggers! Sorry I’m so late getting my Wednesday entry up. It’s been one of those days. I’ve been busy getting my lap top PC all set up again after my darling daughter crashed the hard drive on it the other week. Then, our well decided to go on the fritz late last night, so we were without water for a good portion of today. Fortunately our nice repair man, Mark, made it here in good time and got us taken care of. Thanks, Mark!

While I was outside visiting with Mark, we both commented on how nice the weather was today for November 19th. I love Autumn. It’s a beautiful time of year, and here in the Midwest we can experience weather ranging from sunny days in the low to mid 70's, to below freezing temps with a mixture of freezing rain and snow to make driving life interesting. But on those days when the sun is shining and the temps are fair, it’s fun to get outside and enjoy Nature’s palette of golds and reds, hear the leaves crunching beneath your feet and listen to the few remaining crickets singing their songs. The cooler, dry days of Autumn are such a relief after the hot, humidity packed days of summer we have here, too.

Ever since I was a kid I’ve loved fall. I think it’s the beginning of a magical time of year with all the fun things we did at school, and the anticipation of the many holidays ahead of us. The vibrant colors of fall are a delight for the eyes, and the days get shorter, giving us permission to take more time to squirrel away with those books we have stacked on our TBR piles.

Speaking of which, I have more than one TBR pile. I need to get busy! Some of the books stacked in those piles for this Autumn are Julie Miller’s Brotherhood of the Badge series from Harlequin Temptation. I just picked up the fourth and final book, Kansas City Christmas, the other day, but it has to wait until I read the first three. I also have Picture of Perfection by Kristin Gabriel, Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich, and Alien Overnight by Robin L. Rotham, to name a few. I can’t wait to read all of those wonderful authors. Those books are my rewards for getting my own writing done. Who needs chocolate?! Well . . . okay, I admit it. I DO! But no books or chocolate for me until I get my work done. Right now I’m working on revisions for Eight Seconds which will be released by Ellora’s Cave next year in one of the Caveman Anthologies. I’ll share more details about Eight Seconds in tomorrow’s post. If you love cowboys, I hope you’ll like Eight Seconds.

So, tell me what titles do you have in your TBR piles for this fall and winter? I’m always on the look out for new books and authors to add to my stash!