Summertime is Fun Time!
Summer is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere, bringing sunshine, warm temperatures, outdoor adventures, and all kinds of other fun. Thunderstorms are frequent and, thankfully, often bring much-needed rain. My husband and I are spending more days and evenings at our Wyoming mountain property, located only 20 minutes from our residence in town. We are blessed to have this place, and each outing we feel grateful to enjoy dinner or overnights at the property.
The pine forest refreshes us. The tranquility calms us. The birds, butterflies, deer, and other animals make us smile. It's a wonderful place for me to write, and a lovely place at which to read. We are celebrating 22 years of owning the land and 17 years of having the cabin. All of our dogs spent time there, and Jeremiah, our shih tzu, continues to enjoy short walks and contented rests at the property.
Significant milestones occur this year, including during this season. My husband and I celebrate 25 years of marriage in October, and my parents’ 65th anniversary happened on June 17. I'm blessed and thankful to still have them in my life. We had a "card party" for them, asking friends and remaining relatives to send anniversary cards, and many did so, bringing Mom and Dad great joy. My dad’s 89th birthday takes place July 28, and we as a family plan a special dinner and a nature outing for his special day.
My parents are very special to me. They taught me at a young age to respect and care about nature. I not only enjoy wildlife watching outings and trips to national parks, but I also weave special settings, such as places in Wyoming and Montana, into my stories. Mom and Dad gave me an enjoyment not only of the outdoors, but also for reading. I share books with my mom, including sweet romance and cozy mysteries, and dad still has authors and subjects he’s enjoyed for years. They also instilled within me a compassion for living beings, human and animal. I'll always be grateful for those precious gifts and for my parents.
This summer also brings to life some manuscripts I’ve been working on for a few years as I launch two new books. In July, it’s Pawprints On Our Hearts, Book 8 of my Pet Rescue Romance – Yellowstone Country series. It’s available as an e-book or in print format. August brings Rescued Hearts (first branded as Rescuing Sarah). This is a stand-alone, Christian romance and part of my Montana Pet Rescue Romance collection. The story is set in central Montana, around what would be considered Lewistown; my fictional community is Clear Springs. My parents lived in this area for nearly 30 years. The mountains and valleys are beautiful, and the artist Charlie Russell lived in this area during the 1800s. I even mention Mr. Russell in the story. This book has been a long time coming, and I’m excited for its release mid-August. Stay tuned!
The summer also is exciting for me because I’m submitting a manuscript to Harlequin – Love Inspired. I responded to a challenge to submit a first chapter, story synopsis, and inquiry letter to the editors back in March. In early April, I received a nice letter asking for the full manuscript. I am completing that work and will turn it in July 31. Editors will notify me in October if they accept the story for publication or not. Stay tuned on that as well!
It’s a busy and exciting season! And the rest of the year will be as well with more writing and more books!
Now 2025 is half-over. Soon schools will start, and holidays will shout from the horizon. I have some travel plans in the fall, including a writing retreat to Kindness Ranch with friends and a writers’ conference in Arizona. I’ll use that opportunity to see people I know in the Phoenix area and take a few more days to visit areas of the state I’ve either not been to or haven’t been to in many years.
I hope your plans for the rest of this season and the months to yet come will be enjoyable. Take time for yourself, read some books, spend time in nature, and embrace friends and family. Time passes quickly – just ask my 89-year-old dad!
