There was a big meeting in town last night to bring people up to speed on the Telegraph Fire. I”m bad with numbers but I think they said 30,000 acres have burned. 25 homes are gone and about the same number of barns and outbuildings. No lives have been lost. We need to remember that. But still the numbers are grim and the fire is only 30% contained. Other foothill communities are on alert. The air quality is still terrible.
Not be make light, but “Being able to breathe” has just moved into the Number #1 reason why I should be excited about going to San Francisco. 
To cheer me up, two of my dear friends, Susan Crosby and Kimberly Van Meter, both sent me the Romantic Times BOOKreviews review of my September release, HIS BROTHER’S SECRET. 
Another wonderful 4.5-star review. That is so exciting! It truly did lift my heart. Here it is:
Guilt isn’t the only reason Hollywood producer and writer Shane Reynard hires small-town girl Jenna Murphy to help him pen the pilot for a TV show based in her hometown of Sentinel Pass. Shane’s been harboring an attraction for Jenna ever since college. When he finally tells her that it was his own brother who drugged and raped her back then, will she believe that it was her talent that landed her the job? His Brother’s Secret (4.5), by Debra Salonen, is wonderfully written. Salonen’s characters are as realistic as their problems. Shane is likable, and Jenna’s insecurities make her easy to relate to.
Now, if my review copies would just come so I could get them in the mail to other reviewers…
Deb
PS: Check out the link I provided in the last post to Beth Pratt’s blog if you want an update on her situation. Thankfully, it sounds like her house has been spared. Yeah!!!
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Hi Deb: Have been hearing news from Jan, the smoke and ashes must be awful. I don’t know why but have not been getting your blogs. I went to your website to get the last ones. Did my name get dropped??? Sure thinking of you and all the folks that have or may lose their homes. Patti
by Oregon Sis
on July 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am
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Thanks for your good thoughts, Patti. We can use them. The smoke is really awful, but at least we’re not near the fire itself.
I’m afraid I’m going to have do something drastic with this blog. You are NOT alone in not getting notified. I’ve asked my web guru several times about the problem, but she doesn’t seem to be able to fix it. Maybe it’s a flaw in the program. I’ll let you know what comes of it. Very annoying as is.
Hope your back is healing nicely.
Deb
by Deb
on July 29th, 2008 at 10:31 am
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Hi Deb, Congratulations on the great review!! Obviously, you’re doing something right. I love your stories and feel like I can relate to at least one of the characters in every book. Sending good vibes and clean air. You need to come to Portland so you can breathe. Have fun in SFO!! Hugs, Jackie
by Jackie Maxwell
on July 31st, 2008 at 9:46 pm
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Looking Forward to His Brother’s Secret, I just ordered it. All of your stories are great. I look forward to all your reads. Suzanne
by Suzanne
on August 3rd, 2008 at 8:43 am
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I absolutely love the cover of His Brother’s Secret! I just ordered, too. 
I hope you had a great time in San Francisco!
by Susan
on August 3rd, 2008 at 8:54 am
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Susan and Susanne, thanks so much for ordering the book. Woohoo!!! I love the cover, too.
My editor confessed that she’s got a thing for Shane and she thought the cover artist captured his wounded hero look completely. I agree. 
Hope you come to love him, too.
Deb
by Deb
on August 4th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
