Health kick vs. kicking old habits

My husband has always been the steak lover in the family. Recently he’s switched to chicken and turkey. Then, last week, he suggested we watch a documentary on Netflix about how a vegan diet can apparently reverse and prevent all sorts of serious ailments such as heart disease and cancer.

The show, Forks Over Knives, even advocates swearing off dairy. Kind of a scary notion for folks entering the osteoporosis years.

Now we’re discussing what to do. The kids are grown, so we don’t have to deal with their tastes and preferences. But can a meat-loving guy really learn to love lentils and sprouts?

As for me, I’d be happy to eat mostly plant-based foods. I don’t promise to swear off eggs, cheese and seafood, or the occasional Chinese dish involving chicken or beef. Still, I’m a longtime fan of soups (not my husband’s favorites), beans, etc. Plus Swiss chard grows like crazy in my garden, even in winter, and it’s easy to fix like spinach. Note: I live in Southern California, so winter lows stay above freezing.

What do you think? Have you tried a vegan diet? Any suggestions?

Back to books! March means the release of The Baby Jackpot, which is number 10 in the Safe Harbor Medical miniseries. Each book stands alone, so if you’re new to the series, you can still enjoy it.

I’ve also revised and updated my offbeat time-travel romance One Husband Too Many. For the month of March only, it’s sale-priced at 99 cents on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.

FEBRUARY WINNER!!!

CONGRATULATIONS Coyote Quilts! You’re the February winner. To receive your free autographed books please contact Amanda Renee and Laura Marie Altom through their Websites.

To enter the contest simply leave a blog comment and your name will go into the drawing. Simple and painless. And FREE BOOKS.

Safety Net

Funny how things pop into one's head sometimes. While watching "American Idol" last week, an interesting problem had me waxing philosophical. My characters are always making choices that can change their lives, so this is pretty fascinating to me. I still haven't come up with a satisfying answer, so I'll turn it over to you.

Here's the setup. Ten women sing, five go home, and the outcome is decided during that show by the judges. (This is before the pubic voting started.) One of the contestants sang something very dear to her, but not, shall we say, in her wheelhouse. It was a risk. The song meant a lot to her personally, which meant she had passion and she did okay, but the judges couldn't envision her on a big venue stage someday with that kind of song.

Her response was something along the lines of (and I'm wildly paraphrasing here): "I took a chance; if I go home, I know I gave it my all." Okay, maybe that wasn't so wild. The judges are always saying things like, "step out of your comfort zone" and "that song was a safe choice but next week we'd like to see you do something different." Then they turn around and say, "dude, that wasn't the right song for you, dog." (I'm not quoting Keith Urban, in case you aren't sure.)

What if she'd said, "I took a chance; if I go home, I have a nice job waiting?" Doesn't that change how you feel about her song choice? Maybe how you feel about her entire performance?

Which got me thinking. Is it better in life to have a safety net, a Plan B?

Yes, says my conservative self.  Plan B lets you take risks with Plan A. For example, if a circus aerialist swings, somersaults, but then misses that next bar and falls, she will still land in the net. Otherwise she might not reach for that higher bar or do that extra somersault or take that risk. It's smart to be safe. It's smart to plan ahead. What idiot does an extra somersault in mid-air without a net?

No way do you want a Plan B, says my inner risk-taker. Having Plan B means you don't give it your all while attempting Plan A. You always wonder if you felt safe during A (complacent?) because having a Plan B means you can't fail either way. So you don't risk, don't sing the harder song on Idol, don't put your all into it because it's okay if you fail since you have Plan B. Your effort is divided. Or you do risk, but it's not as crucial to win. Your competitive edge is blunted.

See my problem? Let's say the show is called Sing For Your Supper and winning the judges' approval means that woman (now my heroine) could eat that night. And she's starving, having spent all her money getting to Vegas. She's been sleeping in her car for three weeks. Unable to afford dinner, she drank water and ate some fries off her friend's plate. Two days ago.

Wouldn't she be crazy not to sing the safe song and ensure her spot for one more week--and her dinner finally that night? Or should she give it her all, trying to stay in the competition (and eat) by outshining everyone with this song that means the world to her?

Delivery Day

It's delivery day, the day I send my newest baby, my pride and joy, my current manuscript for out to meet the world.  As with the birth of a child, there's a flurry of last-minute activity.  A final read-through of the story, the careful administration of a few finishing touches, followed by huge sigh of relief that, yes, everything came together the way I imagined it would.  Then, one final push to get the manuscript out the door.

Of course, as with a birth, that's only the start.  There'll be revisions and several rounds of edits, dedications and letters to write before my baby slips into a beautiful new jacket (cover art).  But all that is down the road.

Because, today is delivery day.  Catch you later.

Attack of the Plumber

It's been quite a week at Casa Altom, but then when is it not?! LOL! Out of dozens of minor annoyances, my "favorite" had to be the plumber.

We've lived in our home for eight years--I think.  Math's kinda tricky this early!  Anyway, during those eight years this is only the second time our kitchen sink has been clogged.  The first time, Hubby fixed the sink, but the plumbing snake knocked a hole in another pipe, which then exploded.  Not a good day!

This time around, sweet Hubby and Son valiantly plunged and Mr. Plumber'd, as did Daughter and I, but no way was that sink clearing.  As luck would have it, the dishwasher was full, as was the sink.  We'd just been to the store, so the counters were cluttered with dirty dishes, plus sacks of vegis needing to be washed for our fun new diet.  Time to call in an expert.

Said expert was supposed to have arrived in the morning.  By mid-afternoon, he finally showed.  And by showed, I mean displayed a bountiful buffet of plumber's crack!!!!!  After getting him a pan to scoop water, then towels, then locking up Cocoa and Daisy--he didn't like them looking at him--he next needed to use our bathroom, then finally fixed the clog.

Cocoa--Plumber Attack Dog #1

Daisy--Plumber Attack Dog #2

I got out the checkbook, thrilled I was on the verge of finally getting my house back!  At this point, I'd've paid double just to get the guy GONE!  But noooo, he stayed an extra ten minutes to give me a lecture.  Here's how it went:

Plumber:  Ma'am, I'm assuming you had someone else doing dishes for you lately?

Me:  Um, no . . .

Plumber:  So then, it was you . . .

Me:  I guess?

Plumber:  Well, ma'am, I was pretty sure you wouldn't make this kind of error . . .

Me:  Okay?  (Did he find a kitten down the drain?!)   

Plumber:  Ma'am . . . (He hitches up his pants.) I'm sorry to tell you, but you can't be putting all that rice and onion down your drain--or anything.

Me:  I thought I was supposed to put stuff like that down the disposal?

Plumber:  No, ma'am.

Me:  Okay?

Plumber:  And, ma'am, I'm supposed to charge you double for having used Mr. Plumber, but I'm not gonna do that, 'cause you seem real nice.

Me:  Um, thank you?

Plumber:  Just don't do it again, ma'am.  You're gonna melt your pipes right out of your house.

Me.  Okay.  Good to know. 

When I finally handed him his check, I couldn't help thinking that was the best money we ever spent, because If I'd had to spend two more seconds with the guy, it wouldn't have been pretty . . .

At least in my rich fantasy life!  In the real world, at times, I'm far too polite--but working hard to change this habit when necessary!  LOL!!

Got any "fun" plumbing stories to share?

Happy Anniversary To Me!

Happy Anniversary To Me!

One year ago today, I received THE CALL from HARLEQUIN® AMERICAN ROMANCE® Senior Editor, Kathleen Scheibling—at 10:02 AM to be exact. My life changed instantly and it’s been a whirlwind year ever since.

My debut book, BETTING ON TEXAS released this month. HOME TO THE COWBOY releases in August and I am currently wrapping up LEGACY OF A LONE STAR, due on my editor’s desk Monday morning.

Many exciting projects are planned for the upcoming year. I'm going to take a few risks and see where they lead. In this industry, there’s no limit to your imagination. You can create small towns, big cities, new worlds—the pen is the most powerful tool in the world. Everything starts with a thought, and as authors, we turn those thoughts into realities.

I love my job. It’s a dream come true and I can’t say that enough. Every day I wake up saying, "I did it!" My wish for everyone over the next twelve months is to live your dreams. Let nothing hold you back from doing what you love. You have the power—it’s within all of us. Reach for it, grab it and do it! Make no apologies for those dreams, because I sure don’t.

Life is too short. I realized that almost two years ago when I lost a very dear friend to cancer. I vowed that day to do everything I could with whatever time I have on this earth.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME – Tomorrow I want to celebrate your anniversary—of anything you do—make today the first day. I have faith in you…have faith in yourself and as Walt Disney said—If you can dream it, you can do it.

So tell me...what we will celebrate of yours tomorrow? Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid—start simple with a one-day goal—start writing that movie script you've always wanted to write, sign up for the piano lessons you've always wanted to take—take that first step towards your dream and tomorrow we'll celebrate together.

Now go do it! :)

Peace, love and paws,

Amanda

How lucky can you get!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all the Irishmen—and the honorary Irishmen—who celebrate the holiday!

Every year when this date rolls around, I'm happy my once-a-month blog post here falls on the 17th because it allows me to share with y'all on St. Patrick's Day.

In past years, I've talked about food, luck, corned beef and cabbage, my Harlequin American Romance featuring an Irish heroine (Kerry Anne MacBride and the rest of her wild and...well...more food.

Food and writing are pretty much my favorite topics.  J

March 17th allows me to toss in my thoughts about luck, too.

I am lucky...to celebrate a holiday that carries on the traditions of my family.  To share part of this fabulous day with you.  And to have a career I love.

I can't tell you being an author is the most fun job I've ever had, because it involves a lot of work, sweat, and tears. 

The work stems from trying to bring the ideas in my head to life on the page and not lose anything along the way.

 

The sweat comes from waiting to see how my editor reacts to those ideas.  J 

And the tears—oh, the tears! They're the best part of the job. 

Sad tears when I learn what has happened to my characters in the past and when things go wrong in their lives now.  Frustrated tears when the hardheaded hero and heroine can't see beyond their conflict to realize they belong together.  Uncontrollable tears when one or the other of them—or a character who plays an important role in their lives—gets hit with a heartbreaking dose of reality.  And the best tears of all, the ones that flow when the hero and heroine have finally reached their happy-ever-after.

No wonder I say I'm so lucky!

And as if that's not wonderful enough, I must add that I'm married to my all-time favorite hero, which means I'm also lucky in love.  J

How about you?  Irish or honorary Irish, what makes you a lucky person today?

All my best to you,   

Fiber-licious Muffins, and other good things

Have you ever noticed how muffins that taste really, really good tend to be more like cake? And how muffins that are reasonably good for you can be a little like cardboard? I think I finally found a solution, and I'm calling them fiber-licious!

Lee's Fiber-licious Muffins

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup ground flax seed (not whole)

3/4 cup oat bran

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 medium carrots, peeled and finely shredded

2 medium apples, peeled and finely shredded

1/2 cup raisins

1 cup chopped pecans

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 melted butter

3/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in the carrots, apples, raisins and nuts. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and stir in the melted butter, milk and vanilla. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and blend just until the dry ingredients are moist. Line a muffin pan with paper cups and fill the cups 3/4 full.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, using a toothpick to test for doneness.

Makes about 16 fiber-licious muffins.

Enjoy!

I also have some rather delicious news this month!

The Daddy Project (Harlequin American Romance, December 2012) is being reissued as a Mills & Boon Sweet romance in Australia and New Zealand on April 1, and they've given it a brand new cover.

One book...two covers...worlds apart!

I'm also thrilled to have two May releases! Maggie's Way (Harlequin Heartwarming) will be available on May 1.

...and Daddy, Unexpectedly (Harlequin American Romancce) will be out on May 7.

I have a blog tour lined up for early May and will be doing lots of giveaways, including copies of my books and other fun stuff. Links and details will be posted on my website and in my newsletter, Life in the Slow Lane.

Researching medical matters--and more

Since I write the Safe Harbor Medical miniseries for Harlequin American, I make a point of keeping up with research and other developments affecting fertility, babies, births and other medical issues.

In looking over the research files I kept for my March release, The Baby Jackpot, I found that I’d also searched the Internet about the city of Minneapolis (my hero’s hometown) and how to treat a knee injury as well as egg donations, male fertility and nurses in the operating room.

Although some of the research is simple, some of my files get rather long. The male fertility file (my hero specializes in the field) contains sixteen sections. The one on causes and risk factors for infertility has six subsections.

You might assume that I love doing research. Well, not always. I am very interested in medical subjects, however, and I’m incredibly grateful for the Internet. When I began selling novels thirty years ago, I had to call up professionals in various fields and presume upon their kindness to answer my questions.

I once called the local coroner’s office to find out how you could poison someone and make it look like an accident. Might have gotten myself arrested, but fortunately, I found someone willing to accept my explanation that I’m an author—and to provide an answer. The information was for my supernatural murder mystery Echoes, now available as an ebook.

Speaking of ebooks, I’ve recently redesigned a couple of covers for my revised and re-released books. This is a learning process, and reader reactions and sales teach me a lot. You might call it a different kind of research.

Every month, I offer a special ebook deal. In April, complete with a new cover, the Kindle and Nook editions of Unlikely Partnersare only 99 cents at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Picnic Time!

My best friend is flying into town this weekend for a “girls weekend”. I haven’t seen Kelli in a few years and I’m looking forward to cutting loose and taking some road trips.

Our friendship began twelve years ago, when I was the new girl at the company we both worked for.  Kelli’s department was down the hall from mine and one day she sent me an email with a list of “getting to know you questions”, ranging from do you have tattoos?  to what kind of music do you like? It was the beginning of a lifelong friendship and I often refer to Kelli as my unbiological sister.

 

Harlequin® American Romance® is about family, friends and community and in my debut release, BETTING ON TEXAS, there is a 4th of July picnic scene where the entire town gathers to meet Double Trouble’s new owner, Miranda Archer.  She’s the new kid on the block, completely out of her element, not unlike I was during my first year as a newbie author. The annual picnic is a place where people can relax and spend time with their friends and neighbors.

My readers are part of my extended family and I love learning about the people reading what I poured my heart and soul into.  To me, the reader/author relationship is very similar to a community picnic…we’re all gathered together and I’m sitting in the middle telling the stories.

Spring's here and it's pretty warm down here in the south. Join me for a month long, community picnic so we can get to know each other better.   Who’s up for the Question Game?

Choose one…choose them all…ask anything back!

• What’s something most people don’t know about you?
• What is the scariest movie you ever saw?
• If you were marooned on an island with a single person, who would you want it to be?
• Do you have any hidden talents?
• What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?
• What is your favorite body part?
• What sound do you love the most?
• If you could throw any kind of party, what would it be like and what would it be for?
• If you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what age would it be?
• If you could witness any event past, present or future, what would it be?
• If you could be any fictional character, who would you choose?
• When you have 30 minutes of free-time, how do you pass the time?
• What was the last movie, TV show or book that made you cry or get weepy?
• What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to?
• What do you miss most about being a kid?

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of BETTING ON TEXAS so you can see how Miranda made out at her first community picnic.

gilrbeutifully
Betting on Texas (March 2013)
Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)

Spring Cleaning: Five Easy Tips

Does anyone do "spring cleaning" anymore, or has it become optional, like ironing your t-shirts or folding hospital corners when you make the bed? When I was a kid, every April my mother would wash all the windows and walls, air the quilts and pillows, scrub everything that could be scrubbed and polish everything that could be polished. This work would be accomplished in about five twelve-hour days. Do any of us spend twelve hours doing continuous housework anymore? Confession: I sure don't. Still, having a clean house is nice, I must agree. I just think we need a new approach. A somewhat more relaxed approach. After all, there is more to life than a clean house. (We're supposed to stop and smell the flowers, remember?)

 Here are my top five Spring Cleaning tips:

 1. Don't spring clean in the spring Never tackle a big housecleaning project when the sun is shining and the world is calling you to come out and play. Pick a cold, rainy day or a nasty snowy day. November and January are my personal, favorite months for "spring cleaning."

Perfect day for "Spring Cleaning"

2. Break the job into small bits: Don't attempt to clean the entire house in one weekend. Pick a room, or if that's too much commitment for you, single out a closet, or if even that seems overwhelming, a shelf in the closet. If you even clean one drawer in your bathroom, you'll be amazed at how satisfying it feels.

 3. Donate to Goodwill I am constantly dropping off things at Goodwill, because I'm not a fan of clutter. Clutter makes it difficult to find things. Clutter collects dust and trips you in the dark when you're trying to find that book you were reading and can't stop thinking about.

Like this book, for instance

 4. Listen to Good Music and Drink Wine Hey, why not?

 5. Share your Accomplishment With Others You've worked hard--it's time to get some accolades. At a recent dinner party I invited everyone to inspect my Tupperware drawer. So tidy and clean! Everyone was suitably impressed. And by impressed, I mean they'd had plenty of wine.

 I'd love to hear your favorite spring cleaning tip. Share one below and I'll enter your name in a draw for your choice of two of my books on Kindle (you get to pick the titles) or 1 of my back-list autographed books (I'll surprise you with a title).

My Favorite Heroes

Heroes. They make us laugh. They make us cry. They make us fall in love with them. It doesn't seem to matter if they're bad boys that need redeeming or knights with gleaming armor.

Or does it?

We're celebrating the cowboy hero these days--that uniquely American white knight. Our ideal of a man's man that women can't resist. Whether he's spare with words or a smooth-talker, the heroines find him fascinating. As do readers and writers.

So, I'm wondering, do readers have a preference? Here's a list of some heroes I've loved in the past, and you can think of some more, I'm sure. I'd love to hear feedback from you.

actor, architect, artist, athlete (professional), bartender, boy next door, businessmen, chef, computer/software designer, construction worker, cop/sheriff/deputy, cowboy, doctor, farmer, firefighter, geologist, handyman, lawyer, mechanic, military, salesman, scientist, teacher, vet, zookeeper (couldn't resist making it stretch A-Z)

This is just a quick, top of my head list, certainly not intended to be all-inclusive.  Please chime in with your favorites, adding yours if not listed here.

And if you don't think his job matters all that much, I'd like to know that too.

Coming Home

When my husband and I finally returned to central Florida after twenty years of moving about the country, I have to admit, I envisioned the whole town turning out to greet us. 

I quickly squelched such utterly foolish ideas.  I'd settle for a banner strung across the front door, I told myself.

I could practically taste my mom's fried chicken and the made-from-scratch banana pudding she'd serve for dessert.  I imagined Dad taking the tarp off the old Chevy I'd left in the barn.  By the time I got home, he'd have it road-worthy again.

But once again, I'd let my imagination get away from me. 

In the first place, there was no barn.  No Chevy, either.  And since Mom had spent five of the last twenty years moving from place-to-place with my family, if I wanted my favorite meal, I'd have to fix it myself.  Or, more likely, pick it up at the grocery store.

Once reality sunk in, I realized that coming home is rarely what we imagine.  In my mind, everything I'd left behind had stayed the same while I was "out there" exploring the great big world (or moving from one mundane job to another).  But my parents, sister, cousins and friends hadn't exactly been sitting around waiting for me.  They'd moved on with their lives, too.  I didn't fit as neatly back into the scheme of things as I thought I would.  I had some adjusting to do.

In the Rancher's Homecoming series, the next three books I'm writing for Harlequin American, Seth and Doris's five sons come back home to the Circle P, the setting for Rancher's Son. 

But, they make many of the same discoveries I made when I finally moved back "home." 

Things are different on the ranch they left behind.  There's a new cook in the kitchen and, not only does she make a mean fried chicken, she looks mighty fine while she's doing it.  The neighbor's daughter, the one all the boys loved to tease so much, has exchanged her tomboy looks for quiet sophistication.  The nearby town has grown, and the owner of the new music store on the corner has every cowboy within fifty miles strumming a guitar.

Yes, things have changed.  And I'm having a lot of fun seeing how these rugged ranchers react to the changes that have taken place on the Circle P in the years they've been away.  I hope you will, too, when the Rancher's Homecoming series reaches store shelves next year.  

April Fool

All of my books for Harlequin American Romance focus on home and family, which means they always feature babies and/or children.

Kids in romance novels? Yes, of course! They can increase conflict or, at the other end of the spectrum, lighten the tension between the hero and heroine. In my stories, I hope they do both somewhere along the line and wind up leaving the reader smiling.

In my post today, I'm sharing children of another type with you.  Sort of an April Fool's joke, as you'll see below—although these babies are foolin' around. (smile) 

They've been hangin' around for a while, too. And they're just too cute not to share. Enjoy!

 

A Fine Line

Sometimes there's a very fine line between reality and fantasy, especially for writers like me to who love to create fictional settings based on real ones. I recently submitted a proposal for a three-book series set in a small town in Wisconsin that exists only in my imagination. However, it closely resembles the very real town of Wabasha, Minnesota, a charming town that I've visited several times while visiting family in the midwest.

Wabasha itself would make a lovely setting for a story, but I would worry about getting the details right, and I would really worry that one or more of my characters might resemble a real person who lives there. I don't actually know anyone who lives in Wabasha, but I wouldn't want anyone to jump to the wrong conclusion.

I wanted to keep the setting, though, so I hopped across the Mississippi and built a whole new town in Wisconsin, because as a writer, I can do that!

My town has a big wide Main Street lined with historic brick buidlings.

My town has beautiful homes that hug the banks of the Mississippi, and one that looks a lot like this one has been turned into a family-run B&B.

In my imagination I was able to give this home a stable full of horses and a beautiful gazebo that overlooks the river. Can you imagine a romantic interlude here? I can!

My town needed a name, of course, and again I looked to Wabasha for inspiration.

Every town has a cafe on Main Street, and in Wabasha it's the Rivertown Cafe. Hm. Rivertown. I liked that. That's how the town of Riverton, Wisconsin was created. Now I hope I get to write these stories about three sisters who call Riverton home, and the three men who come town and make it theirs.

Meanwhile, I'm happy to say I have two books being released in May.  Maggie's Way (Harlequin Heartwarming, May 1st, 2013) was originally published as The Man for Maggie (Harlequin American Romance, June 2007). It's been rewritten to fit the wholesome Heartwarming line, and I hope readers will love it every bit as much as the original. You won't find it in stores, but the larger print edition can be ordered from Harlequin and the electronic edition is available everywhere eBooks are sold, including Amazon.



Then on May 7th Daddy, Unexpectedly (Harlequin American Romance) goes on sale! This is the third book in my Seattle-set Ready Set Sold series about three women who run a business that renovates, stages and sells homes for other families while they search for their own home sweet homes and happily ever afters.

Throughout the month of May I'll be doing a series of guest blogs and giveaways, and also running some fun contests for my newsletter subscribers. To find out more, please drop by my website to find out where I'll be and to sign up for my newsletter. Happy reading!

Until next time,

Lee

I "heart" hummingbirds!

Many people might find it hard to believe there are hummingbirds nesting and raising babies in Canada in the wintertime, but there is a population of Anna's hummingbirds that overwinters on southern Vancouver Island. For years I've kept feeders in my garden and have had the pleasure of watching them year round.

Here's a photograh I took several years ago, and yes, that's snow you can see in the background!

This year the weather has been milder, but not without its challenges. For the past week, a male Anna's has spent long periods of time perched on the largest feeder in my yard. I've never seen this behavior before and at first I thought he might be injured or sick, but he seems fine and now I believe he's just being territorial! I've started calling him Tuff because he often displays white tufts of underfeathers near both wings, and because he has happily turned out to be tougher than I thought!

Here's Tuff at the feeder.

And here's Tuff in the California lilac.

For even better photographs of hummingbirds, I've started following Hummingbirds Up Close on Facebook and visiting the Hummingbirds Up Close website. If you "heart" hummingbirds, you'll love these sites! Both have beautiful photograhs as well as truly amazing videos of hummingbirds building nests, incubating their eggs and caring for their babies.

While I'm talking about hummingbirds, I feel it's important to offer a few tips to those who might consider setting up feeders in their own gardens. Please do not add red coloring to the nectar. The birds will be attracted to the red plastic on the feeder, and the chemicals in the food coloring aren't good for them. Please do clean your feeder once a week and refill it with fresh nectar. This will prevent toxic mold that's lethal to hummingbirds from growing in the feeder. Make your own hummingbird nectar by dissolving white sugar in water. In the summer I use a ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. In winter, when they need more energy, I mix a ratio of 1 part sugar to 3 parts water.

If nesting birds have you longing for springtime, I hope you'll consider entering my February contest because I'm giving away this adorable cupcake holder filled with yet-to-be-determined goodies!

To enter the draw, simply go to my website, subscribe to my newsletter AND send me an email telling me your favorite first sign of spring! Only newsletter subscribers are eligible, and the winner will be announced in the next issue.

I'm also thrilled to share the cover of Daddy, Unexpectedly, my next Harlequin American Romance (May 2013). I have loved all my covers but I especially love this one because the hero is very much as I imagined him as I was writing this story. Swoon!

This is the third and final book in my Ready Set Sold series about three women who own a Seattle-based real estate business. If anyone would like autographed bookplates for these three books (The Christmas Secret, The Daddy Project, and Daddy, Unexpectedly, please send me an email with your address and I'll pop them in the mail to you!

Happy reading!

Unitl next time,
Lee
Maggie's Way (Harlequin Heartwarming, May 2013)
Daddy, Unexpectedly (Harlequin American Romance, May 2013)
www.LeeMcKenzie.com

Transform Your Valentine's Day from Dull to Dreamy!!

My tulips and Valentine hearts!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Hopefully, all of you reading this are planning a wildly romantic day with lots of flowers and chocolate and cuddling.  Around here, however, in the land of We Have too Many Kids in College, Hubby and I have decided to play this low-key.  He bought me lovely pink potted tulips from Neighborhood Market for $5.88.  I sent him a SUPER fancy emoticon Happy Valentine's text!!  I would say the cost was free, but considering our hefty monthly cell bill, that text probably lands in the $5.00 zone, as well.

While Hubby and I are perfectly content with our "wild" celebration--heck, the day's young, we might still go really crazy and have our fave Hideaway Pizza for dinner--for me being a romance writer, our blase plans feel a wee bit lackluster.

In honor of "Real" romance writers such Dame Barbara Cartland and Danielle Steel, I decided it might be good form to plan ahead for when the kids are finally out of school and I become wildly rich and famous--a cool $80,000,000 should suffice . . . (Listening, Writer Angels?!?!)

With bank accounts bulging, here are my Top 5 Valentine's Day Dream Dates:

Hubby and I chillin' on Bora Bora!! (Image: ihavenotbeenthere.com)

• Bora Bora--Hubby and I wake to find ourselves in the island's finest over-water suite!  We spend our day frolicking in dreamy sun-warmed water. Tonight, our toned and tanned gorgeous selves feast upon fresh-caught lobster and long, lingering looks of love . . .

Picture me and Hubby smack in the center of this hug fest!! (Image: sandiego.com)

• Rent a Zoo--Hubby stroll hand-in-hand through the San Diego zoo.  No one else allowed!!  A snack cart stocked with hot dogs and cotton candy follows discreetly behind us and alongside each enclosure, a zookeeper stands by to hand over sweet, furry bundles ready for plenty of kisses and cuddling!!  (I thought about taking a safari, but that would involve an awful lot of dust and bugs and actually having to find the cuddly animals!!  LOL!!)

Hubby and I debating our next move . . . (Image: ahashare.com)

• Treasure Hunt--OMG--a mysterious stranger arrives at our door, gifting us with a super secret mystery map that we're charged with deciphering.  In true, National Treasure/Fool's Gold style, we bumble our way to unfathomable riches in gold and jewels and priceless antiquities.  For dinner, we picnic on lavish seafood dips and sandwiches before making out atop a mound of Spanish silver . . . 

We're drinking the chocolate waterfall!! (Image: fanpop.com)

• Bring a Movie to Life--Hubby and I are at Willy Wonka's chocolate factory!!  We're ALL OVER this chocolate river!!!!

Our castle's a tad drafty, but we're warming it with love!! (Image: thingsmeanalot.com)

• Skiing--Before our kids were so d*mned expensive, we used to ski.  Now that we have unlimited funds, we're upping this sport to a whole new level by skiing the Swiss Alps.  Tonight, we're staying at this castle, feasting on dreamy-creamy soups and filet mignon and twice-baked potatoes.  Flaming-something for dessert!! 

Whew, I'm exhausted, but in a good way!!  LOL!!

All right, fellow romantics, how are you celebrating your special day?   

Trifecta…Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, Book Release

Happy Belated Mardi Gras! – Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

Since my monthly blog date falls in between two holidays, I thought we should have a three day party!

Laissez les bon temps rouler!  Let the good times roll!  Mardi Gras, one of my favorite holidays is definitely celebrated in my family.

Even Duffy gets into the act with his Dragon Costume!

I hosted a Mardi Gras party and had the king cake flown in from Haydel’s Bakery in New Orleans.  Look who found the baby!  That makes it official...I'll be hosting again next year :)

My Valentine’s Day is still a mystery but I was informed it will be "complete with pink champagne and a surprise dessert!"

Since I write romance, I am always interested in everyone's Valentine’s Day stories.  And this year I’d love to hear yours.

My favorite wasn't the day as much as it was the gift…a lop-eared bunny I named Arizona Tesla. She was the sweetest creature.  Sadly she is no longer with me, but she will always remain my most special Valentine.

What was your best, worst, funniest, most memorable Valentine's Day?

Continuing on the celebratory path, tonight I will be web chatting about my debut book, BETTING ON TEXAS.  

Join in the fun for a chance to win a signed copy of 

BETTING ON TEXAS!

Mo’s Book Buzz 9:00 PM EST

at

www.romrevtoday.com

Click the RRT Chat button and choose Mo’s Book Buzz.  

No passwords are needed, just your name.

BETTING ON TEXAS officially releases on March 5th, but you can pick up a copy sooner directly from Harlequin® at www.harlequin.com.

And remember...commenting on any of the American Romance blogs automatically enters you in the monthly drawing for one of our books!

Amanda Renee
Betting on Texas (March 2013)
Home to the Cowboy (August 2013)
Legacy of a Lone Star (Early 2014)
www.amandarenee.com
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