fire update…and a new review
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!!!
Smoke and ash
For all who have emailed me asking about my safety, thank you so much for your concern. I’m sorry I haven’t blogged sooner, but we’ve had several power outages and my battery back-up died. But these are minor inconveniences compared to what the residents of Mariposa are going through. Again. This is the second big fire in as many months. It’s truly awful and all prayers are most welcome.
Here’s what a know. The town of Mariposa is covered in smoke and ash. We are 15-20 miles from the blazes but wake up each morning to a thick gray muck that makes your eyes water and burn. It’s unhealthy to walk or be outside for long, but as the day heats up and the wind shifts, the smoke will dissipate (at least it did yesterday). This gives one a false sense that the fire is under control, but the news report this morning said only 2% containment at the moment.
We have several friends who have been evacuated from the Midpines area. They don’t know if they will have a home to return to. Many others are packed up on stand-by, ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Here is a link to friend Beth Pratt’s blog. She has some amazing photos of the fire and you’ll hear first-hand about what it’s like to be told you have to flee to safety. FIRE
The area where the fire started is the Merced River canyon. Steep walls with difficult terrain. Although the highway leading into Yosemite is still open, the town of El Portal and the Yosemite Valley floor are without power to protect firefighters doing their jobs. I heard on the news that the major hotels are using generators to stay open.
One of my worries is that the Bear Creek Bison Ranch is right in the fire’s path. I interviewed Jerry, the owner, this spring and “met” his herd. Here’s a shot of the group. His beautiful log homes were certainly “defendable” if the firefighters could reach them in time. Please include these wonderful beasts in your prayers. 
(The buffalo are part of DADDY BY SURPRISE.)
On another–happier–note, I found a gorgeous dress for the Harlequin party. Will try to post a photo if the power stays on.
DEb
The Top 10, a summer photo and a link to prizes
In case you’re not one to cruise back through posts and replies, here’s my list ofr TOP TEN REASONS to be happy about going to the RWA in San Francisco:
Okay. My top ten reasons to be excited about going to San Francisco RWA are:
10. We can be Dancing Queens at the Harlequin Party. (Thanks, Ellen. My sis and I loved the movie, too.)
9. I can wear my lovely tiara in public without fear of getting laughed at or mugged.
8. Because I am open and receptive, I might very well make some new friends. Not sure about the keeping me awake all night part, Minna, but thanks for reminding of the first part. 
7. I can eat and drink stuff I don’t have to prepare!!! Why did I forget this part? I love to try new restaurants. Thanks, Ellen.
6. Eventually, this, too, shall pass, and I’ll look back with fond memories–or at the very least–good stories to tell. Duh!!! I’m a writer. Everything is fodder for a future book and new places and faces are food for the writer’s soul. 
Judith, this earned you a prize. Email me to discuss what to send you.
5. The wine/whine party– a Superromance authors tradition. Did I forget to mention the chocolate> Margaret Watson brings the most delicious mint chocolate morsels in the world.
4. The eHarlequin Pajama Party — and a chance to wear my beautiful silk robe that I bought in China.
3. The Let’s Talk Superromance Reader party. (I’m bringing my new favorite pistachio chips. Yum.)
2. Meeting my editor.
1. Hanging with my friends.
Thanks for boosting my spirits, friends. I appreciate it. So much in fact, I’m going to brighten your day with this sweet picture I’m calling “Cousins”:
And, here’s a link to a small, fun, easy-to-follow thread at eHarlequin. There’s a trivia quiz going on and prizes abound. It’s fun, check it out. Party Time
I’m off to the last day of swim classes with the princesses. What fun!
Deb
A new Top Ten list. Help needed.
You know that adage “While the cat’s away…”? Well, my dear hubby is back in South Dakota and I have been burning the midnight oil. By reading. 
Oh, yeah. That’s me. Totally wild and crazy. staying up so late my eyes are all red and droopy the next day. I’ve been accused of having an hang over. 
I just finished two books: MY SISTER’S KEEPER by Jodi Picault. Sad, dramatic, powerful. I made my daughter cry just by telling her the book’s premise. And LAST DANCE AT THE JITTERBUG LOUNGE by Pamela Morsi. As usual, extremely good. A very different take on a marriage-in-jeopardy story.
Oh, and I finished my line edits of DADDY BY SURPRISE in two days and turned in a partial for my next book(Mac’s story but still untitled)–lest you think I’ve been a total slug.
Now, it’s time to prepare for the RWA National conference, which begins next week. Those of you who have been part of this blog over the years know that I have a love/hate relationship with these huge, annual gatherings. I love seeing my old friends and putting new faces to names I’ve met online, but the crowds, the lines, the worrying over clothes and wearing shoes that I don’t normally wear really zaps me.
Here’s where a good friend would bolster my flagging energy and try to pump me up. Waiting… Pl…ease. How ’bout if I include a bribe? Any uplifting comments will put you in the drawing for a book and one of my silly new promo items I ordered yesterday from Oriental Trading Company. You wouldn’t believe the kind of junk I had in my shopping basket until the reality of the grand total took my breath away and sanity returned. 
The only thing I really regret putting back was the flying frogs. But, really, how do they relate to my Spotlight on Sentinel Pass series? Sigh.
So, please, help me work on the Top Ten Reasons I Should Be Happy to Go To RWA National in San Francisco.
Deb
Where there’s fire, there’s smoke!
Sunrise this morning was just like yesterday–a small red ball in a gray haze. Odd, sorta pretty, but also eerie. An indicator of what the rest of the day will be for us living near one of the many California fires.
I’ve been getting lots of email from friends and family worried about our situation, so let me assure you we’re not close to the actual fires. A couple of thousand acres above us in the Ponderosa Basin have burned, though. That’s about thirty miles away. And the news reports from the west and southern parts of the state are equally discouraging. My heart goes out to the many, many people who have lost their homes. I read that, locally, 10 homes were evaculated but none have been lost to the fire. That’s good!
Our problem is the terrible air quality. My eyes are constantly watering and mucked up. My throat is dry and I’m constantly clearing it, even though I don’t have a cold. Sometimes I’ll have a sneezing fit for no apparent reason. Everyone around here–even the smokers–are suffering from these kind of complaints.
We’re staying indoors a lot. I’m working in my first-floor bedroom on my laptop because I have a great Nikken air filter in there. Instead of my daily walk, I’m riding a stationary bike. Early. (The dogs are really not liking that.) Did I mention we’re supposed to hit triple digits this weekend? Oh, joy. 
Anyway, I just thought I’d give you an update. Stay cool and enjoy that fresh air where you live.
Now, back to work on the next proposal for book IV–Mac’s story. 
Another hunky hero for me to fall in love with.
Deb
A Golden Quill finalist
I didn’t mention this earlier because I had a lot on my mind. You understand. But the day before my mother’s memorial, the mailman delivered a big fat envelop. I was a little distracted. There was so much to do and I was running on empty. But curiosity got the better of me and I ripped it open.
Inside was an award declaring that BETTING ON SANTA was a finalist in the Desert Rose Chapter’s Golden Quill contest (long contemporary division). 
In addition to the pretty certificate, there was a gorgeous pin that makes me smile every time I look at it. I didn’t win the contest. That honor went to my friend and fellow Superromance author Cynthia Thomason, but the timing of this couldn’t have been more perfect. I would have loved to have shared this honor with my mom.
And in a way, I did. The pin will always remind me of how proud she was of me. (Although every time I gave her a haircut, she told me, “You missed your calling.” )
Here’s the full list of winners and finalists: Desert Rose
Stay cool….
Deb
A new interview about me. Just what you wanted, right?
You’re probably asking yourself: Does this woman’s ego never stop?
What can I say? There are a million-plus places to expose yourself on the Internet.
Wait. That didn’t come out right. 
But you know what I mean. Donna Zapf and her associates at Cataromance were kind enough to ask for an interview so I dug deep–snicker, cough–for some really gritty, important answers. Go see for yourself. CATAROMANCE (You don’t have to sign up or anything.)
Deb
PS: I just found Donna’s review of BABY BY CONTRACT. 4-stars and very positive. Here’s my favorite pull-quote: “Wow, what a story!” Here’s a link if you’d like to read the whole thing. review
Cata-romance Theme Day
Cata-romance is a fun place online with oodles of things happening. And, now, they’re doing a day especially devoted to Superromance. How cool is that?
Here’s the info I have. It starts tomorrow, and on Wednesday, they’re going to post an interview with me. Oooh, you just can’t wait to read it, right? 
I’ll post that link, too, you lucky dogs.
So, come play tomorrow.
Have you heard about the 99 (theme) Days of Summer going on right now at CataNetwork? Well, consider this your public service announcement. We’re highlighting 99 different themes, genres, and publishers this summer. Think of it as Open Mic night every single day for 99 days.
June 17th is Superromance day! LINK
Best Wishes,
Ally & Donna
–
Hope to see some of you there. I heard mention of prizes…
Deb
All smiles
My youngest granddaughter is celebrating her FIRST birthday. I let her open a gift this morning after breakfast and she “oohed” and “ahhed” over it. She’s a girly-girl, we’ve decided. Here she is modeling her daisy dress. 
Tomorrow is my mother’s memorial.
Life is sure filled with highs and lows, isn’t it? 
Deb
A brooding, sexy hero. Oh, boy!
My pal Kim Van Meter just found her new cover at Amazon, so I went hunting, too, and guess what I found? HIS BROTHER’S SECRET. My September release.
Look at Shane. Isn’t he gorgeous? Brooding, wounded, yummy.
And Jenna’s just right, too. I love her dress.
The only thing missing is the Bernese Mountain dog, but, hey, overall, I’m very pleased.
And, in other good news, my editor gave me a very enthusiastic thumbs-up regarding book three of the Spotlight on Sentinel Pass series: DADDY BY SURPRISE. Whew! What a relief! Because as you know, I was finishing that book at a most difficult personal time in my life. With only minor revisions to make, I should be able to turn it in next week and move on the fourth book.
Comments, anyone? I have a couple more South Dakota postcards to send out, AND some newly printed bookmarks.
ALSO, I picked Susan and Cathy to receive copies of WHO NEEDS CUPID? I’d love to send out more, but the price of postage is really starting to add up.
Deb, happy dancing around the room with her pretty new cover
