March came in like a lion and out like a lamb, giving us the best early temperatures we’ve had in ages. We had nice April showers this spring but it turned butt cold. Them came May.

April showers bring May flowers. Yeah, well, our April showers brought in a torrent of ugly weather. It was bizarre to get 4+ inches of rain daily for nearly a week. While we escaped major damage, getting just a bit of water in the basement, others were flooded out.

In fact, Kansas has gotten slapped badly by storms so far. The town of Greensberg was wiped out by an F5 tornado. I feel so badly for those people who lost everything they owned, and some lost their lives.

I got the grass mowed and my small patio garden in just before hell hit. Things are leveling out, but there’s that “stink” in the air that comes after heavy rains/flooding. Can’t be good, and it’s certainly not pleasant to sit on the patio and breathe in that mold.

So I’m still inside at the computer, pounding out a synopsis that doesn’t want to be written. Ugh, there’s got to be an easier way.

I was talking with a friend and told her I wasn’t sure what the name would be for Gil’s story. She thought that was strange, that authors chose the titles for their books.

Well, I did have a working title for Gil’s story – My Sweet Thief. I had one for my debut as well – Common Bond. The editor nixed both, as I knew she would.

I gathered a list of titles to submit for my editor to review the first time, and ONE REAL COWBOY was picked. I liked it immediately, and thought to play on the cowboy theme for the next two books. I suggested ONE LUCKY COWBOY, but my editor vetoed it.

So, Gil’s story – ONE REAL MAN – will be released April 08. I think. 😉

I just finished the first 60 pages of a western historical paranormal, and I’m loving it. It’s darker than my romances, and I so want to write this trilogy! But to do that (ergo, sell the idea to a publisher) I have to write a compelling synopsis to accompany those pages, and I dread it.

Seriously I have to get over this synopsis phobia I have. So, I’m going with my gut and trying a new approach to synopsis writing. No idea if it’ll fly, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

The proposal for the final book in my Born in a Brothel trilogy is ready for my editor’s eyes now. Yeehaw!

And another idea for a western historical trilogy is cooking away in my brain.

Today, life looks pretty good. 🙂

One thing I absolutely love to do in the spring is go mushroom hunting. While we do have several varieties, the only ones I go after are morels, or sponge, mushrooms. I found this batch yesterday.

Here’s my recipe, handed down for generations.

Thoroughly clean mushrooms in cold water. Slice in half, and remove stems if desired. Soak in cold salt water (a tsp of salt to half gallon) for an hour. Rinse well and pat dry.

Beat an egg (one egg is enough for about 8 small to medium mushrooms). Dredge mushrooms in beaten egg, then coat with finely crushed crackers. (saltines work well)

Fry mushrooms in olive oil over medium heat until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Today is the release date for good friend Liz Kreger’s first novel, FORGET ABOUT TOMORROW. Liz is the epitome of the word survivor and a daily inspiration to me. Hop over to her site and read about her much deserved success, and follow the link to order her debut. I’ve ordered and downloaded my copy and can’t wait to read it.

And, today is also the release date for dear friend Karin Tabke ‘s second full length novel, SKIN. I’ve read snippets of this hot romance and I’m dying to read the final version. Come on Amazon, get my order here now!

Congrats, Liz and Karin!