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

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Happy Mother's Day



Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere! I hope and pray one day we'll have a world where motherhood is safe for all women, no matter where they live.

This Mother’s Day I’d like to honor midwives. Both of my births were attended by midwives, in part because the hospital model of childbirth just didn't work for me. Having a doctor show up at the last second, waiting for him to get his act together before you can push your baby out, all the drapes, steel tools and scissors, all the shouting "Push! Push!"... No thanks! I wanted an all-woman environment free of tools. Honestly, all the cutting and yanking seems so violent to me.

Most of my novels have featured midwifery births, and most of them have been home births, which has brought me kind e-mail from midwives who appreciate their model of childbirth, which is still relatively rare in the United States, getting a mention.

The short film above is part of a film contest. I found it fun and representative of the midwife's work — caring about mothers and babies on the toughest days in their lives.

Below, is a photo of me at the state Capitol on the day of the first Senate Judiciary Hearing. Even though I look hideous, the photo is special to me because it shows me standing with, Laraine Guyette, the midwife who caught Benjy, my younger son.

“Oh, my God, he's huge!” I said when she put him on my tummy. “He must weight 10 pounds!”

“Hmmm... I'd say he‘s closer to eight pounds,” she said.

She was off by one ounce.




Amazingly, Laraine showed up to testify at the hearing in favor of the shackling bill on behalf of the group of midwives who deliver prison babies. I haven't seen her for 20 years. But I looked at her, and then I realized who she was. I told her she’d been at one of my births 20 years ago, and the senator sponsoring the bill snapped this photo of us.

Small world!

When I got home, I checked Benjy's birth certificate, and there her signature was, right beneath two tiny footprints. So I hadn’t imagined it.



I would also like to honor my own mother whose love has been the center of our family. Here she is standing near the site of the Bloody Morning Scout in update New York near Fort Edward (Fort Elizabeth). A registered nurse, she somehow managed to raise four kids while working as the head nurse of an intensive care unit. Talk about stressful...

And before I end this post, I want to say a word on behalf of those mothers who will spend tomorrow behind bars far from the children they miss and love. Perhaps their kids have been permanently placed in other homes. Or perhaps the people who are caring for their kids can’t or won’t bring them to visit. Or perhaps their children want nothing more to do with them. There are lots of painful possibilities.

Most mothers, even those who are deeply troubled, love their children. Being without them is always a source of pain for these troubled mothers. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Happy Mother’s Day!

9 comments:

Mitzi H. said...

Pamela, Happy Mother's Day to you and your mom!!! Congrats on the progress with the shackle bill thus far. Although it's not over and it's not perfect, you have accomplished an amazing task!!! Thank you, Mitzi.

Debbie H said...

Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere!

I loved how the video person made each of the women very large. You definitely feel that way before the baby is born. LOL

If I had known about midwives and doulas, I would have went that way for sure. If money were not an issue in my life right now, I would train to be a doula. It is such a wonderful way to welcome a new one into the world.

Scorpio M. said...

Happy Mother's Day to Pamela & moms everywhere!

I have no children (hopefully one day) but midwife route will be one I'd consider. There's a documentary called, "The Business of Being Born" that highlights the pros & cons of midwifery births vs. hospital deliveries. Very eye-opening.

Happy mother's day, Pamela, and special thanks for what you have achieved for mothers who are troubled and unfortunate. Have a great day.

Mary G said...

Just when I think I can't possibly admire & respect you more than I already do, you write a post like this. Bless you Pamela & Happy Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day honey! Hugs to you!

Christi said...

Hey Pamela!
Happy Mother's Day to you! Hope you had a wonderful day!

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile, life is busy, busy, busy (we got a new kitten a few weeks ago who doesn't like to sleep at night, lol)

I miss getting to chat with ya and was glad to hear about the bill you have worked so hard for moving forward to the next step of legislation. Keep us posted on its progress.

oklanannie said...

Pamela, Happy Mother's Day a day late! Too much going on last week to even begin to explain. But I didn't want to miss the chance to say that your tribute to mothers touched my heart.

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