Something to Smile About.... 4 1/2 Stars from Night Owl Romance

It's been a while since I've posted anything and that's because.... well, there hasn't been a great deal to post about. (Although I have been posting over at the Sweethearts of the West blog each month on the 22nd. My last post was yesterday.)

But surely this fits the bill!  I don't know why my Google searches haven't turned this up before, but I just stumbled across a review by Night Owl Romances from this time last year--last year!!!!

Jolene from Night Owl Reviews, I hope you know you made my summer!  Four and a half stars!  Wow!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Most of all thanks for reminding me why I loved writing this book so much!

Here is the full review:

Author: Nicole McCaffrey

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Tags: Historical Romance, Western

Reviewed by: Jolene387 | Jul 16, 2010 | 1-60154-849-4

A NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW

I fell in love with this couple. Wild Texas Wind was a wonderfully romantic western tale. For anyone who appreciates a bad boy cowboy, Raz Colt fits the bill. He’s arrogant, demanding and doesn’t like to explain himself. And Arden O’Hara is a woman with a fiery temper and a sharp tongue. Wild Texas Wind is the classicTaming of the Shrew set in the old west. I had a hard time putting this book down.

Arden O’Hara and Raz Colt were at loggers head many times but they always pulled together when the threat of danger appeared. And Kip Cooper was an added bonus as a lovable conman.

I loved the whole book and was actually surprised at the ending. I look forward to reading more of Ms. McCaffrey’s books.

As Mark Twain once said...

Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. *G*

While it is true I've been hiding out, thanks to a boatload of migraines, and haven't had nearly as much time for writing as I'd like between kids' school and scout schedules and the tear-your-hair-out stress that comes with being part of the Sandwich Generation, I'm still here.

If you've been missing me, you can find me in a couple of places.  First today, I'm blogging with my friends the Sweethearts of the West.  Those who know me won't be the least bit surprised to learn that I'm talkin' 'bout... what else? Cowboys.  And I even managed to work in two of my personal favorite cowboy-hat-wearin' heroes, Raz Colt and Kip Cooper.

Tomorrow you can see me live and in person at the Ogden Farmer's Library in Spencerport, NY.  I'll be participating in an author tea with several other local romance writers.

Hope to see you there!

The truth is revealed!!!

So which of yesterday's comments was a lie and which were the truth?  Read on and find out!


1.  I sleep with six pillows.  Plus a husband.


Totally true.  Monya has it right.  You gradually add pillows to cushion the aches and pains.  I added one for each pregnancy, then another for a chronically achy knee, another when I tore ligaments in my ankle and the next thing you know.... 

2. If I were to become single again (widowed, divorced) I wouldn't remarry.  I'd just have more dogs.  Cause.... you can train dogs.


So very true.  And this came from an actual conversation with my sons after they overheard a discussion about the divorce rate on the radio.  I had to reassure them that mom and dad weren't quite ready to trade each other in for younger models just yet--and that should that ever happen, I would definitely lean toward canine companionship rather than trying the whole husband thing again, LOL. 

3.  I once made radio legend Casey Kasem cry.


This is surprisingly true!  Back in the day, I never missed Casey's weekly American Top 40 Countdown radio program.  My favorite part was the long distance dedication, where listeners wrote a letter to Casey requesting a song be played for a friend or loved one they'd lost touch with or who had passed on.  I wrote a letter to Casey myself and was thrilled when it was accepted.  Only the radio station in my area had changed its format and I could no longer listen to the AT 40 Countdown.  I contacted them, was put in touch with Casey's producer and told her that I wouldn't be able to hear my dedication air.  She said "Oh, I remember you, you're the little girl who made Casey cry."  She went on to explain that while taping the segment where he read my long distance dedication, Casey  kept choking up and had to start over several times.  Long story short, a few days later I received a cassette copy of that portion of the show in the mail, and when I popped it in and listened, sure enough, about halfway through the letter requesting a song in memory of my aunt, who had just passed on from breast cancer, you can hear Mighty Casey's golden voice crack.  I still have the cassette, btw, and a handwritten note from Casey telling me to "keep reaching for the stars."

4. My sister is also an author.


True.  She writes contemporary western romance.


5. I once turned down a really great job because it was on the 18th floor.  And I'm afraid of heights.


True. Can't believe you guys doubted this one, hee hee. Caroline has it right--I thought I'd get a nosebleed on that long elevator ride, and at nearly every floor, it stopped and more people got on  until we were packed in there like sardines (hold on... I'm feeling faint...did I mention I'm also claustrophobic???).  But really, even the idea of being that far off the ground is hard for this self-proclaimed wuss.


6. Speaking of fears, I suffer from lepidophobia, or fear of butterflies.  I'm also not good with birds, moths --pretty much anything that flutters.
Oh so very true.  Donna,  beautiful butterflies? Or harbingers of doom???  shudder, shudder. Lilly, your poor daughter.  I'd have been catatonic! Not sure what it is about them, they just give me the heebie-jeebies.


7. As a teenager, I won awards for bowling and could have gone on to compete professionally if I'd wanted to.
Gotcha!  Only Maeve and Monya caught my lie.  I was actually a pretty good bowler; my dad coached bowling and did take some kids on to competitive status.  I just wasn't one of them. 


8. I haven't written a dang thing since summer began.

Harumph. I see no one doubted this one, LOL, but it's true.  My kids have driven me CAR-AZY all summer long.  There just hasn't been time--or sanity--enough to write.


So since Monya and Maeve both guessed the correct answer I'll put their names in a hat (I'm not afraid of hats, as it turns out, LOL) and draw.... drum roll please....


The winner is Maeve!!  Email me at nmccaffreyauthor@yahoo.com with your choice of which e-book you would like to receive a copy of and I will get that out to you!


Thank you, wonderful TWRP authors, for your amazing show of support.  I won't forget it and will try to get out and visit your blogs soon as well (and Monya, I know I still owe you an email, I haven't forgotten!)

Forced out of my summer doldrums....

Darn that Darah Lace.  Not only does she tag me, forcing me out of my sleepy summer doldrums (read laziness!) , but now I actually have to come up with something to blog about.

Darah tagged me with the Versatile Blogger Award.  I have to list eight things you probably didn't want to know about me, and one of them has to be a lie.  If readers guess which is the lie, they win a prize.  (Okay, that part I like, LOL, I'm good with prizes.)

So here goes.  I'll list eight random things and the winner who guesses the "oopsie" gets a free e-copy of any of my releases.  Small Town Christmas, The Model Man or Wild Texas Wind.  Your choice.

1.  I sleep with six pillows.  Plus a husband.

2. If I were to become single again (widowed, divorced) I wouldn't remarry.  I'd just have more dogs.  Cause.... you can train dogs.

3.  I once made radio legend Casey Kasem cry.

4. My sister is also an author.

5. I once turned down a really great job because it was on the 18th floor.  And I'm afraid of heights.

6. Speaking of fears, I suffer from lepidophobia, or fear of butterflies.  I'm also not good with birds, moths --pretty much anything that flutters.

7. As a teenager, I won awards for bowling and could have gone on to compete professionally if I'd wanted to.

8. I haven't written a dang thing since summer began.

Okay, I nominate the following authors for the versatile blogger award:

Susan Macatee
Isabel Roman

Leave your comments and guesses as to the truth versus the lie.  I'll be back tomorrow to post the winner and reveal the truth!

Welcome Special Guest: Paty Jager

Hi Nicole, Thinks for sharing your blog on my release day!

Yes, today, Friday, August 13th is the release of my first historical paranormal Spirit of the Mountain. This is one of those books of the heart. I have put a lot of research and heart and soul into this story. I found a Nez Perce woman and man to help me with my research and hopefully kept me on task with the cultural aspects, while my imagination blossomed when putting tougher the spirit aspect of the story.

When Red Wolf acknowledged the information I found about a lineage of Nimiipuu with blond hair and blue eyes, he said he was of that line and their eyes could also turn to red when emotional, I knew I had the makings for my spirit hero.

Jade Blackeagle helped by taking questions I couldn’t find in books to her elders and asking them how this was down or was this something that would offend.

This first book is set before the White man comes to the Wallowa Valley and causes problems. It is a time when the Nimiipuu only have to fear other tribes they have dealt with for years. And Himiin the hero has to deal with the dark spirit trying to take over his mountain. Evil in any shape or form is deadly and Wren and Himiin find they are battling it from both their worlds.

Blurb for Spirit of the Mountain

Wren, the daughter of a Nimiipuu chief, has been fated to save her people ever since her vision quest. When a warrior from the enemy Blackleg tribe asks for her hand in marriage to bring peace between the tribes, her world is torn apart.

Himiin is the spirit of the mountain, custodian to all creatures including the Nimiipuu. As a white wolf he listens to Wren’s secret fears and loses his heart to the mortal maiden. Respecting her people’s beliefs, he cannot prevent her leaving the mountain with the Blackleg warrior.

When an evil spirit threatens Wren’s life, Himiin must leave the mountain to save her. But to leave the mountain means he’ll turn to smoke…

Excerpt

Wren’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “My gift is to save The People. The weyekin who came to me in my vision quest said this.” She wrapped her arms around herself as if staving off a cold breeze.

Himiin hated that they argued when they should relish their time together. He moved to her, drawing her against his chest, embracing her. The shape of her body molded to his. Her curves pressed against him. Holding her this way flamed the need he’d tried to suppress.

He placed a hand under her chin, raising her face to his. The sorrow in her eyes tugged at his conscience. To make her leaving any harder was wrong. But having experienced her in his arms, he was grieved to let her go. Even for the sake of their people.

Her eyelids fluttered closed. Her pulse quickened under his fingers. Shrugging off the consequences, he lowered his lips to hers. They were softer than he imagined. Her breath hitched as he touched her intimately. Parting his lips, he touched her with his tongue, wanting to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.

Honey.

This is the last day of my six day blog tour that includes a puzzle and a prize. Copy the puzzle piece in this post to a document and collect all the pieces at the blogs I visit. Then when you have them all, send them to me at patyjag@gmail.com and I'll put your name in the drawing for a copy of Spirit of the Mountain and other goodies.  I'll draw the name and post it on my blog on Monday July 16^th.  If you want to go back and check out all the blogs to join the contest, hop over to my blog and find the places I've been. http://www.patyjager.blogspot.com

If you'd like to read more about me and my books or enter my website contest go to: http://www.patyjager.net

Nicole, Thanks for having me!

Paty

Hangin' with Sarah Simas

It's Friday!!!! (I survived the first few days of summer vacation--whew!) Anyway, I'm still celebrating the release of Wild Texas Wind and those great reviews.  Today I'm hanging with the always sweet, always adorable Sarah Simas over at The Lovestruck Novice.  She asked if I'd say a few words about writing to different genres and writing to please yourself.

Drop by and say hi and share your thoughts!

First Reviews Are In!

And it's.... four spurs  from Love Western Romances!!!!

Read the fabulous review here!

Thank you hugs to reviewer Kathryn from Love Western Romances for "getting" my story and for her thoughtful and insightful review.

And.... four books from Long and Short Reviews. Thank you hugs to Camellia from LASR for her amazing review!!!

Woo hoo--you ladies sure know how to make an author's day!