Kate Lyon

Hubby stepped outside for a breath of fresh air this morning and Mr. Tarantula was waiting to greet him. Talk about a surprise visit! Also, two nights ago we were rudely awakened by coyotes hassling the neighbor’s Labrador puppy, which was in a pen and safe from harm. (It's been a couple of weeks and we've had more tarantula visits and the Coyote Chorus is becoming a regular thing.)

Texas is a thrill a minute!

I don’t think I’ve ever had such a marvelous tan, and I can only recall one other place where the landscaping demanded so much time. However, progress is being made; hubby’s new yard tractor is taking a bite out of the job, and the family’s pitching in to help, too. YEAH!!

Lots of wonderful things happening here this summer:

• A recent engagement (Congrats VJ & Tiffany!);

• A college graduation (You rock, M!);

• Two high school reunions (attendance still undecided);

• Some travel and local sight-seeing, too!

New Novel! (That’s where the local sight-seeing comes into play.) I’m really excited about this new book. It’s a stand-alone, totally unconnected to my three previous books in The Captive series, but very similar in theme though not a fourth in the series. Are you totally confused yet? Sorry I can’t tell you more. Details will follow once the book has found a nice, safe home.

More Writing News! I will be the featured author for the whole month of July on Love Western Romances.com. They’ll be posting a new interview with some unusual questions, things I’ve never been asked before, and I’ll be giving away an autographed copy of Destiny’s Captive. I hope you can stop by and get yourself entered in the giveaway.

Big Change to My Summer Schedule! I had registered to attend RWA’s annual conference in Nashville this July, but I’ve had to cancel due to family issues and the change in venue brought about by the floods in Nashville. I hope to attend next year.

HOD! That’s short for Heart Of Dixie, and the Readers Luncheon, which I attended in May and where I had a wonderful time seeing old friends and catching up with fellow authors. A big “Thanks!” to Carl and Margaret for braving the crowd. Next time I hope we can get together afterward and really catch up. Kathy Bone and her committee of volunteers did a wonderful job, as always, even though Kathy had been hospitalized recently. Kath, hope you’re back to SuperWench in every way.

The trip from Texas to Huntsville turned out to be another in a long line of whack-o experiences. We drove, which isn’t too bad; it’s only ten hours. However, my daughter had been diagnosed with a severe kidney infection only two days before, so she was unable to do anything but moan and keep her children in line while I drove. The kids were angels. Thank goodness. On the return leg, we had an extra passenger, an 8-week-old Labrador puppy that threw up in the lap of a child fifteen minutes into the trip.

Did I say Texas was a thrill? My life is a thrill.

I hope your life is particularly thrilling—in a good way, of course, no puking involved—this summer. Take time to enjoy the local scenery and when you’re done, relax on your porch and sip a tall, cool glass of lemonade. But before you get comfy, check for tarantulas!

Hugs,

Kate