Next weekend our local Waldenbooks will close its doors for good. I knew it was probable it would get the ax — so many Waldenbook stores have been closed the past few years thanks to the economy and the huge shake up at Borders.

The Borders closings have been numerous across the US.

But this closing hits hard. It’s the only full service bookstore we have, and it holds very fond memories for me.

I started buying books there when I was in high school. I feed my monstrous reading habit through that store. I bought a good deal of my research books through there. And I had signings of my first two Western romance novels there.

No more.

I hate to think where the bookstore closings will end, but I hope that its soon. (Like yesterday would be it for years and years.)

So here’s my thanks to Brenda and crew for all the hard work they did keeping our store alive as long as possible. You all made my signings very special.

I wish each of you the best.

Love Western Romance is hosting their annual contest for Best Western Historical Romance of 2008. One Real Man is a contender! Woohoo!!!

Click here to see the list of books and to cast your vote.

When you vote, you are automatically entered into a contest where you can win a $25 gift card and a bundle of goodies donated by the authors whose books are up for Best Western Romance. So vote!

You could be a winner too!

Friends and peers of romance author Jo Leigh have combined their talent and energy for an auction to benefit this talented author.

Jo lost her husband to cancer, and the medical bills are montrous. Please visit the website to see the impressive list of gifts and books up for auction.

Clicking the button above takes you to the website listing the items up for bid, and also provides a link to Jo’s sad story.

I put up my Christmas tree. Not one decoration on it, but the tree is up. It’s a new one, so it was easier to put it up now rather than stow it and fetch it later when the mood struck. ‘Cause I’m thinking the mood ain’t gonna strike real hard.

Now, I bought this skinny tree so I wouldn’t have to move furniture around. The tree fit perfectly where I wanted it to go at the end of the hearth, in front of the French doors. (Should that be door, since the tree is in front of just one of them?)

However the branches snagged on the curtain and I worried the heat from the lights could start a fire. This is the curtain I’ve meant to take down and replace with vertical blinds forever. Yes, I have the blinds.

I haven’t done it before now because. Because is a perfectly good reason. 🙂

*big sigh*

Now I have a better reason. So I took down the curtain and put up the vertical blinds. And it wasn’t a big job at all.

Hauling the big honking wreath up from the basement and hanging it outside was a job. Every year I ask myself why did I make such a huge grapevine wreath. (We’re talking 4.5′ circumference.)

I’m not much over 5’ so this is a challenge. Yes, vertical challenage and go on and laugh.

Anyway after the wreath is up and I test the lights, I know why I made it this size. It’s perfect at the end of the porch facing the street. And my mom just loved it, so with her affirmation it’s always a go.

Remind my back of this in the morning. 😮

I will admit I could be an all out decorate to the nines at the holidays. I slam on the brakes with it. Do you?

My Kensington editor sent me the back cover copy on A Cowboy Christmas. 🙂

Closer than brothers, bonded forever after growing up in an orphanage, three best friends set out to become cowboys, not knowing destiny will also make them heroes. But one fatal betrayal divides them, and now each man must face the West alone. Reid Barclay’s story is the first in Janette Kenny’s dazzling new trio of historical Western romances…

A COWBOY CHRISTMAS

Reid Barclay has never celebrated Christmas—but this year, the rugged cowboy is going to change that, even though there’s trouble brewing at the Crown Seven Ranch. What with a herd of prize thoroughbreds to protect and a long-ago wrong that he wants to make right in time for the holidays, Reid’s in deep, but he’s not the type to give up. Or become distracted. Which is why he fights so hard to resist the beautiful cook who’s taken over the ranch kitchen. Not that Miss Ellie Jo Cade can cook—why, she burns everything from gingerbread to roast beef. But her sweet face and sensual womanliness are pure temptation…

Cornhusk angels…bright berry garlands…spun-sugar snow—everything about Christmas holds fond memories for Ellie Jo. A twist of fate gave her the chance to spend the holidays with her pa at the Crown Seven for what may be the last time and she’s doing her best to make peace with an ornery wood-burning stove and make the old ranch house truly festive. Reid and her father don’t see eye to eye, though, and she doesn’t know who to trust. Yet Ellie Jo’s heart tells her to believe in Reid…and the only-at-Christmas magic that heals lonely hearts…