Book Releases

Holding On (Colorado High Country #6) —
The Colorado High Country series returns with Conrad and Kenzie's story.

A hero barely holding on…

Harrison Conrad returned to Scarlet Springs from Nepal, the sole survivor of a freak accident on Mt. Everest. Shattered and grieving for his friends, he vows never to climb again and retreats into a bottle of whiskey—until Kenzie Morgan shows up at his door with a tiny puppy asking for his help. He’s the last person in the world she should ask to foster this little furball. He’s barely capable of managing his own life right now, let alone caring for a helpless, adorable, fluffy puppy. But Conrad has always had a thing for Kenzie with her bright smile and sweet curves. One look into her pleading blue eyes, and he can’t say no.

The woman who won’t let him fall…

Kenzie Morgan’s life went to the dogs years ago. A successful search dog trainer and kennel owner, she gets her fill of adventure volunteering for the Rocky Mountain Search & Rescue Team. The only thing missing from her busy life is love. It’s not easy finding Mr. Right in a small mountain town, especially when she’s unwilling to date climbers. She long ago swore never again to fall for a guy who might one day leave her for a rock. When Conrad returns from a climbing trip haunted by the catastrophe that killed his best friend, Kenzie can see he’s hurting and wants to help. She just might have the perfect way to bring him back to the world of the living. But friendship quickly turns into something more—and now she’s risking her heart to heal his.

In ebook and soon in print!


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I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.

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Seductive Musings

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Rebel Summer


Elk do their thing in Rocky Mountain National Park.


This must really be my summer to meet women from RBL Romantica — known affectionately as the Rebel Board.

First there were the AAN awards in Portland. I got to meet Linda T. for the first time. We had dinner in the best restaurant I've ever experienced. And the very next day, I met a very pregnant Ronlyn and had hamburgers, fries and shakes with her, her son and her DH.

Next came RWA. I got to hang with Leiha and Su again. RBL author Gennita Low was there to help me get into trouble (as always). But I also met Emma Holly for the first time — a thrill — as well as Debbie H, who is both funny and very nurturing. That was a wonderful experience.

Then Gangsta Bitches paid me a visit — Evil Libby, KrisTAY and SueZAY. We had a blast, nearly laughing ourselves to death over three days of great food, fun company, alcohol and a bit of Rebel debauchery. The pygmys — that's Kristi and Sue — got their first view of the Rockies, while Libby and I got to show off our home state.

This past weekend, I was lucky enough to have three more Rebels pay a visit when Linda, Beaty and Ann came to Colorado. I'd met Linda in 2005 in Reno, but I'd never had the pleasure of meeting Beaty and Ann. Ann arrived first by perhaps an hour. Then Linda drove up in her new car with Beaty. And Ann, Beaty and I went shopping (an experience Ann said would be akin to herding cats). We were actually pretty organized, I have to say, and came home with lots of goodies.


Ann stands with Mount Meeker in the background beneath a wide Colorado sky.


Ann cooked her world-famous ziti with lots of delicous Italian sausage and ricotta cheese, while Linda put together some delicous bread recipe using rolls, Lipton onion soup, butter and parmesan. We gorged, and it was delicious. We stayed up late that night talking and talking and talking.

Ann must have 10,000 friends — no surprise given that she's an absolute sweetheart — so I feel like I've met at least a dozen of them. She shared stories of their exploits, making us all laugh. Linda, too, had lots of stories to share. Beaty was the quiet one of the three (at first), but she's the expert with the one-liner. The three of them know each other so well that they ought to be part of a sit-com.


Long's Peak — the big one with the flat top — dominates the skyline as a storm moves in. I can see Long's from my front yard.

On Saturday, we drove up to Rocky Mountain National Park. Ann had been there before and remembered much of it. We saw elk and a bunch of human males (distinguishable by their lack of antlers) crossing the street. It must have been a vacation day for a rugby team or something. Then we drove home and had 'za. (That's PIZza.)

Libby drove down from her home in LaLa Land, about 25 minutes away, and brought a batch of lemoncello. Now, don't ask me how it happened, but we didn't drink it. I think it was some kind of Jedi Mind Trick Libby used so she could take it home, chug it in the garage and then tell her DH that we drank it all. Sure, Libs. All I know is that I had to either be really tired or under some kind of spell NOT to drink it. The stuff she and her DH brew in their still is yummy!!! It was great to see her, but sometime after midnight she decided she had to go home (to drink the lemoncello, I'm sure).

I woke up Sunday to discover what a bunch of SNEAKS these three are. There was a card with TWO Starbuck's gift cards in it, one of which I had placed the order for in the Starbuck's drive-thru the day before. Ann said her cat needed to get a thank-you gift for her roommate for cat-sitting while she was away. And I believed it. Turns out it was a sweet gift to me. Thanks, you three!

We had breakfast Sunday morning and spent most of the day talking until it was time for Ann to leave to catch her flight. Beaty and Linda stayed for dinner — I made a pot roast — then headed back to their hotels in A-Town (that's Aurora for the uninitiated).

So now things are very quiet here at Pamela Clare Inn and Eatery. Rebel Summer is coming to a close. No more visits on the horizon. (WTF?!?) But it sure was fun while it lasted!

Thanks, Ann, Linda and Beaty for making the long trip!


A photo Ann took of some of my sunflowers. Good-bye, summer.

14 comments:

Debbie H said...

You sound like you have received a Rebel blessing this summer! Did it turn cold there over the weekend? It was so nice and cool here today. It looks like you guys had a blast! I'm glad you have got to be with us all this summer. It does wonders for the mind to relax and have some fun.

Karen said...

Wow! What fun. I met Ann, Beaty and Lin a few years ago in Vegas, and you're right, they are great. I'm glad you had fun. You need a lot of that in your crazy busy world.

How is your boy doing? I've been thinking about him and his GF. And I'm very happy for your friend's family member who is improving in MN.

Anonymous said...

The pictures are beautiful!!!! You have had a great RBL summer!!! I need to get over that way sometime. Maybe after DH comes back! Sounds like y'all had such a great time! I saw on the news last night that there is snow on Pikes Peak! Wow what crazy weather! Is it cold there already? Tell Ben we are thinking about him and hope he gets into the school he wants! Hope you are having a great week!

Bo said...

I wish I could've been there! I talked to Linda the other day,sounds like you guys had a great time.I love them all,Ann DOES have really funny stories,she is great!

I LOVE the elk pic,it is beautiful and makes my adrenaline start going,I am going to miss the hunt this year *sob* I won't show hubs this one,as that is a great bull and he might be snarky...again *G*

Hope you are having a great week!

Sue Z said...

RLS's are the best and I am pround to be one of them. I was one of the lucky ones to stay at "Hotel PC". (I shared a room with Wubbit)It was a trip that I will never forget and I can't wait to get back there again.

Where were the antler-less men in the mountains when I was there?? Oh well, I did get to see a Rugby team (insert childish giggles here). Got any M&M's???

Anonymous said...

You shouldn't be thanking us. We need to be thanking YOU! I had such a great time. You forgot to mention the Saturday night Highlander marathon. YumYumYummy Adrian! Oh - and Linda's excellent bisquits and gravy. Are you still eating left-over zita? *G* Thanks again for a wonderful time!

Beaty

Debbie, I did, indeed, receive a rich blessing in Rebels. It was great! Usually, I'm relegated to reading about other people's adventures in Vegas and such, but this time I got to have some fun!

Ronlyn, those pics of my friend Sammy heading off to preschool were PRECIOUS!!! I'll reply to your email soon!

Karen, cool that you've already met them in Vegas. I need to go one of these years. It just hasn't worked out in the past. Benjy is doing alright. It's hard. He misses his GF and there's nothing either of them can do about it. Thank God for cell phones!

As for my friend's niece in MN, sadly, she died of massive heart failure less than a week after coming off the respirator. It was a huge shock. My friend just got back from the funeral and had me in tears describing her niece's 4 year old daughter crying for her mommy. OMG! Heartbreaking!!!

Sheila, yes, we DO have snow in the high country. Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park usually closes by the end of September due to snowfall. Summer is quickly coming to an end up there. Below timberline we'll have golden aspens soon, and that's always beautiful. Maybe Libs and I can get up there and post some pics on our blogs.

Bo, you'll just have to make your own trip one day. We've talked about it for a long time, haven't we? But you won't be able to shoot the elk. LOL!

SueZAY! You are just naughty! I LMAO when I read this! Better hide it from KrisTAY or she'll suffocate from laughing again. But, um, no, no M&Ms, and believe me the rugby team you saw when you were here totally beats the guys crossing the street in the mountains. I think Wubbit misses her roomie. I know I miss those two people who lived in my downstairs "suite." LOL!

Beaty, YES! I forgot to mention Linda's biscuits and gravy — the first time I've ever had biscuits and gravy for breakfast. They were scrumptious! Also, thanks for reminding me about the Adrian Lust Fest. He's just too scrumptious!!! There was absolute unanimity on that, wasn't there? LOL! It was wonderful to have you there — a real highlight of my summer.

(((HUGS)))

L said...

Well frick! You figured me out, didn't you? Here I thought I was getting good at that whole mind control thing. Sure didn't help the hangover that ensued, though, let me tell you ;)

Beaty, Lina, and Ann were such a blast and I'm so happy I finally got to meet them.

sueZAY you are a perv! And an evil little pygmy bitch if I ever met one! *EG*

So when's our next play date, Libby? As for that hangover, anyone who Jedi Mind Tricks me out of your lemoncello deserves one. LOL!

(((HUGS))

Anonymous said...

Well looks like you yet again had a great time with some wonderful friends. Gorgeous pics. I keep telling DH we should get stationed in CO but alas we only have 4 years to go and 2 here in KY so probably won't happen. Looks like an absolutely gorgeous state.

Karen said...

OMG, please give your friend a huge hug from all of us. My heart is breaking.

Leiha said...

What? No picture of all of you!?!?! That's so great that you got to spend a weeknd with the girls. I can't even imagine how much laughter was going on! Linda's rolls sound awesome! I've had the ziti (my stomach growled when I read about it, she remembers) and Linda's biscuits and gravy (don't ask how much butter goes in but oh so good, LOL.

Nothing beats quality time together and it sounds like yours was the best!

zinreads said...

I had a fab time visiting! Seriously, you'll see more of me next year since I'll be in CO a couple more times.

I too can say I slept with Wubbit -- she kept a close eye on me, but I probably deserved it.

I will be more outgoing next time *g* I was tired this time. And I am officially blaming the guy on the plane next to me who coughed for the entire 3 hour flight for getting me sick.

I'm in the last stages of it now. I have to stay with Mom next week, so I better get over it by tomorrow because the last thing I should do is pass it along to Mom.



Ann

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