Lindsay McKenna

HEART OF THE EAGLE by Lindsay McKenna now available!

2010-02-09T18:39:00.002-07:00

Dear Reader,

Happy sixtieth anniversary, Harlequin! I'm humbled to have Heart of the Eagle selected as one of the original novels to be reissued as part of the celebration. I've been with Silhouette Books and Harlequin Books since 1983—that's twenty-six years of working with wonderful editors at these fine publishing houses. In a way, I'm celebrating reaching my quarter century mark with them, too.

So few publishers last very long, but Harlequin Books has its fingers on the pulse of our readers' tastes. That is one of many reasons Harlequin has become more successful over time. I always enjoy hearing from my readers, learning what you loved about my last book and what you're looking forward to reading from me in the future. Most of all, I enjoy the feeling of being part of a global family with my readers.

A writer can never write outside her experience. At least, I know I can't. And perhaps, because I have a ranch background, my love of the Rocky Mountains and ranching life shines through Heart of the Eagle. Anything having to do with nature always lies close to my soul.

I hope you enjoy the "heart" and soul of this book as much as I did writing it for you.

Warmly,

Lindsay McKenna

Heart of the Eagle is available February 2010. Don't miss your copy!

When poachers start stealing eagle eggs for overseas smuggling, agent Jim Tremain knows only one person can help him—predator-bird specialist Dahlia Kincaid. But Dal has been reclusive for months, shunning all visitors after her traumatic divorce….

Dal can deal with any winged predator—it's the ones on two legs she has trouble with! Yet she's inexplicably entranced by the rugged agent, whose soothing touch and Navajo morality earn her fragile trust. But as Dal and Jim try to thwart the poachers, Dal's past suddenly rips into her present—and now they are the prey….

Enjoy!
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

Video Trailer! HIS WOMAN IN COMMAND by Lindsay McKenna

2010-01-20T12:15:00.001-07:00

H i Everyone!

you can check it out at my blog:

http://talesfromechocanyon.blogspot.com/

or, if you can't do blogs, go here to see it.

http://bookmarket.ning.com/video/book-video-trailer-his-woman

CONTEST! $500.00! THE SEEKER by Lindsay McKenna

2009-08-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

We actually have TWO contests for you with a total of $500.00 in cash prizes!! And you can enter both!! The first contest is open to EVERYONE! The second contest is for those who have signed up for the TIME RAIDERS NEWSLETTER.

Of course, if you want to play in the second contest for newsletter subscribers, you can sign up for the newsletter, too! It's entirely up to you :-)

HERE'S THE CONTEST FOR EVERYONE

(For this contest you need NOT be a newsletter subscriber. However, if you are a newsletter subscriber, you can automatically play this contest too!! And if you want to subscribe, go here: http://timeraidersseries.com/newsletter.html) and then you can play in the second contest as well!! For those who have signed up for our newsletter, you will get a second chance at winning MORE money!! Two chances to win!

If you are unable to see this html coded e-mail click on http://timeraidersseries.com/newslettercontest1.html

The Contest for everyone: Here is your question: What horse clan did Torbar come from?

Simply put the ONE WORD ANSWER in the Subject/Content area line of your email and send it to docbones@gotsky.com

In order to find the answer your are going to have to buy and read THE SEEKER. It will be available in August 1, 2009. You can order it from eharlequin.com. That is the surest way to get the book. Or, you can order the ebook. Or, wait until it comes to your local bookstore. First prize will go to someone who has given the correct answer to my question.

First prize is: $150.00
Second prize is $75.00
Third prize is $25.00

A drawing will be held and winners chosen. I will be writing out a check to each of these winners (and their names will be announced on our TIME RAIDERS SERIES website.) I will be contacting each of you personally via email (so be watching!). The contest begins August 1, 2009 and ENDS on September 1, 2009 at midnight MST. You are allowed ONE entry per person. Winners will be contacted on September 2, 2009. Good luck!

Lindsay McKenna

SECOND CONTEST for NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Here's the contest for our loyal NEWSLETTER readers:

If you are unable to see this html coded e-mail click

on http://www.timeraidersseries.com/newslettercontest2.html

For those who have signed up for our newsletter, you will get a second chance at winning MORE money!! And of course, if you want to sign up for our newsletter, you can play, too! And if you want to subscribe, go here: http://timeraidersseries.com/newsletter.html

And here is the NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER'S question: What is Torbar's last name?

Simply put the ONE WORD ANSWER in the Subject/Content area line of your email and send it to docbones@gotsky.com

In order to find the answer your are going to have to buy and read THE SEEKER. It will be available in August 1, 2009. You can order it from eharlequin.com. That is the surest way to get the book. Or, you can order the ebook. Or, wait until it comes to your local bookstore. First prize will go to someone who has given the correct answer to my question.

First prize is: $150.00
Second prize is $75.00
Third prize is $25.00

A drawing will be held and winners chosen. I will be writing out a check to each of these winners (and their names will be announced on our TIME RAIDERS SERIES website.) I will be contacting each of you personally via email (so be watching!). The contest begins August 1, 2009 and ENDS on September 1, 2009 at midnight MST. You are allowed ONE entry per person. Winners will be contacted on September 2, 2009. Good luck!

USA TODAY bestselling author Lindsay McKenna presents TIME RAIDERS, a thrilling new series of paranormal adventure, time-travel, and passion through the ages. Leap through time with The Seeker, a mesmerizing tale of danger and desire in Ancient Rome. . . .

Delia Sebastian is a trained historian and psychic. Former Army Captain Jake Tyler is her swaggering ex-lover, who can read her most intimate thoughts--and desires.

Together they will make the risky leap back to 44 B.C. to infiltrate the court of Julius Caesar by posing as Grecian mercenaries. But with assassins everywhere, will old passions reignite to undermine their cover...leaving them trapped in history forever?.

Lindsay McKenna

THE SEEKER by Lindsay McKenna is out!

2009-07-31T22:41:00.003-07:00

Hi Eveyrone

At last! The TIME RAIDERS SERIES is launched with book one, THE SEEKER by Lindsay McKenna. Run, do not walk, to your local bookstore tomorrow to pick up a copy.

Or, if you go to eharlequin.com, you can purchase it with less money! A good deal

And, to make this sweet, $500.00 in CASH in our contest regarding THE SEEKER. For details and to enter, go to

You won't be sorry! We love to hear from our readers. Please give us feedback on this dynamic and innovative new series.

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

TIME RAIDERS CONTEST $1,000 +!!! SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AND GET THE DETAILS!

2009-05-31T22:11:00.003-07:00

Hi Everyone!

The authors of the sizzling new Time Raiders series are offering $1,000+ in prizes! That's right. $1,000+!!!! Hustle on over to Time Raiders website at www.timeraidersseries.com to sign up NOW for the newsletter which will announce the contest details.

This is one contest you do NOT want to miss out on! Spread the word! The newsletter will give you all the details!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna
THE SEEKER, Sil. Nocturne, TIME RAIDERS, Book 1, August, 2009

Time Travel, history, romance, adventure TIME RAIDERS HAS IT ALL!

2009-05-24T17:13:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone

Catch the FEVER! The TIME RAIDER fever! Be sure to watch one our TR authors, PC Cast, who will be on Good Morning America on 5.28! And, she'll be on NIGHTLINE the same evening. She wrote THE AVENGERS, book 3 of the TIME RAIDER series for Silhouette Nocturne. Don't miss her!

Along that line, I've had a lot of readers asking, "Where can I buy these four books?!"

Look no further--you can PRE ORDER them--be the first to get these dynamic, kick-butt, take name books that mix time travel, history, red hot romance, adventure and gutsy heroines all in one book. Phew! That's a lot, but we pulled it off! All for you :-)

Here's where you can get the books!

The Seeker
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Raiders-Seeker-Silhouette-Nocturne/dp/0373618166/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243205805&sr=1-1

The Slayer
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Raiders-Slayer-Silhouette-Nocturne/dp/0373618182/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243206264&sr=1-1

The Avenger
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Raiders-Avenger-Silhouette-Nocturne/dp/0373618204/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1243206312&sr=1-1

The Protector
http://www.amazon.com/Time-Raiders-Protector-Silhouette-Nocturne/dp/0373618220/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243206377&sr=1-2

My next blog will be about: The historical heroines we chose to write about. Me? I wrote about Servilia, mistress to Julius Caesar! Stay tuned for why!
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

TIME RAIDERS SERIES IS COMING TO SILHOUETTE NOCTURNE!!

2009-05-23T19:57:00.004-07:00

HI Everyone!

Been quiet because I'm working on five books this year! Phew!

I'm coming up for water because I'm thrilled to share with you a secret--a top secret! Here it is:

ROMVETS (a list comprised of women who either were or are in the military and are writers) back in 2005 at the Romantic Times convention, met in St. Louise. Merline Lovelace and I got together and decided to create TIME RAIDERS. This is an author created series. And 17 of our ROMVETS wanted to write on the 12-book series that we had envisioned. Of course, if the readers loved TIME RAIDERS, it could certainly be more than 12 books :-).

We worked with Tara Gavin, Senior Editor of Silhouette Nocturne. She got to choose the authors and she contracted Merline Lovelace, PC Cast, Cindy Dees and myself, to pen the first four books of this unique time travel series. The books are finally coming out! Starting in August, I'll kick it off with THE SEEKERS.

Then, September, THE SLAYER with Cindy Dees

, October, PC Cast with THE AVENGER and Merline Lovelace with THE PROTECTOR.

If you like these first four books of the series, please let Silhouette Nocturne and Tara know. If these books are successful, Tara will be asking for more books from the ROMVETS.

I've uploaded our website front page. TIME RAIDERS is unique in several ways. It is an author created and driven series. It is unique because we felt that many powerful and important women throughout history have been largely ignored by historians. We decided to change that! For example, I'm writing in THE SEEKERS about Servilia, who was the mistress to Julius Ceasar. Cindy's book will show Artemisia, ruler of Halicarnassus. PC's book will showcase the powerful and tragic Queen Boudicaa of the Iceni who fought against Rome. Lastly, in Merline's book, she shows us the power of Empress Wu Jao, the only female empress to rule China. We want our readers to be aware of kick butt, take name women who have made a difference in history because of who they were. We want to celebrate them with you!

And, add to this recipe that Merline and I created (we're co-authors of TIME RAIDERS), throw in aliens, bad guys on Earth, a medallion that if found, can change the world forever, time travel, a communications crown found in the 1947 Roswell UFO accident, and you have, we hope, a wild ride and thrill with hot romance for our readers!

More will be shared with you as we continue to open up TIME RAIDERS to all of you who are interested in time travel novels that marry history with contemporary military heroes and heroines. For more, check out our website, www.timeraidersseries.com.

And, one more thing! PC Cast is going to be on Good Morning America and Nightline (same day/night) on May 28th. She is going to try and mention TIME RAIDERS! Check her out if you get a chance. She's a wildly successful New York TImes best selling author and a ROMVET!

Let me know what you think of our concept. I, for one, can hardly WAIT for August to come when Silhouette Nocturne will release THE SEEKERS, book 1 of the TIME RAIDERS!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

www.lindsaymckenna.com

twitter me!

Facebook as Eileen Nauman

Lindsay is on Twitter!

2009-03-28T21:40:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone

I'm on Twitter.com

just look up Lindsay McKenna! Come on over and 'tweet' with me :-)

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

Desert Fox Visit to Sedona Part 2

2009-03-25T22:05:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone

Here's the next set of amazing photos of our gray Desert Fox who came for a vist yesterday around 11:00 A.M. Enjoy!

Here our desert fox friend is going after a bug that it saw. The fox is incredibly fast; in a second he can turn, leap, twist and land on four feet in a blink of an eye!

The desert fox suddenly turned toward the sundeck on our guest mobile home. He heard something.....

The fox is all ears and goes straight to the sundeck without hesitation. What has he heard?

Moments later, the desert fox comes out with a mouse in his mouth!

After eating the mouse in one gulp, the desert fox returned to beneath the mobile home. There is an opening in the skirt around it and he's looking at it.

The desert fox sticks his nose in the opening. To my utter astonishment, he squeezes through it and is under the mobile home! The hole wasn't that big! Amazing!

Then, he came back out the hole, under the sundeck and out near the stairs and heading toward our house.

He goes past our Toyota Sienna van and you can see how small he is compared to the van.

The Desert Fox strolls right up our brick walk, up on the deck, goes around to the back, looks in our window (that photo is in Part 1 of the blog) and then curved around our rocking chair.

And he keeps on going on the sundeck, jumps off it and goes down to Oak Creek to spy on some mallard ducks in the middle of it.

Today, the Desert Fox didn't return. We were looking for him but he was nowhere to be found. We think that he's last year's litter from Desert Fox mama who has lived around here forever. And this is a young male. We know he's not full grown by his tail and size. The tail gets super bushy and thick--looks like a huge bottle brush and you can see on him that his isn't anywhere near that size. We think that his is a young male that's been chased off by Mama Desert Fox and he's looking for his OWN territory and a place to live. We just got lucky when he was looking around our place as his new 'home.'

Stay tuned...around here, you NEVER know what might happen next ;-)

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

A Desert Fox visited us!

2009-03-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

Well, when the Moon is in Pisces, crazy and unexplained things happen! Take a look. At eleven a.m., I'd just got done writing my chapter for my latest HQN, "The Angel's Song" (working title) and Cody, our Golden Retriever began barking. He was out in his cycloned fence area next to the house. I saw Dave coming quickly down from the green house area.

When Dave met me he told me there was a Gray Fox around and pointed at it. It was over by our two huge compost bins leaping into the air to catch a bird--and it did. Then, for the next thirty minutes, it proceeded to go under my hogan and then under our double-wide mobile home guest house. Then, watch what happened next:

Here's the desert fox strolls up our sidewalk right to Cody's pen! Good thing we had him inside at the time. She shows no fear at all!

She turns around and decides to get a drink of water out of our lily pad pond! That is right down in front of our window where I was taking these photos. She didn't care we were there!

And then, seeing us in the window, she decided to lay down next to our brick flower planter that is next to the house. Amazing.

Then, she got up and came around to the rear sun deck where our sliding glass door is located--and looked in our window--with us standing there with the dog! You notice she's standing on the "welcome" mat.

Our Desert Fox then went around the rear sun deck and went down it and down to Oak Creek. She then went out into the neighbor's field and disappeared. Dave and I debated as to what was going on. I thought she might have rabies because she was not gunshy of us at all. In the past, we would sometimes see her about twenty feet beyond our fence in the deep grass. And when she saw that we saw her--she'd run off.

I decided to call Fish and Game. They asked if she was foaming or drooling at the mouth and I said, "No." Then they asked if she was aggressive toward us. We were, at one point, fifty feet away from her. I said, "No, she just went on hunting for bugs and whatever she could find and completely ignored us." They didn't think she had rabies. They said that she could be "habituating" which means she might be claiming our place as her new 'home.'

That won't do because our cat, which probably outweighs her, would be a target. And, we thought that maybe she had kits under the hogan or under the mobile home. She went under each of them. So, who knows? It was a crazy day. We'll just keep alert the next several days. I hope this was a unique event. And I truly hope she doesn't have rabies. But, we'll have to be on guard. Still, these are wonderful photos of such a beautiful animal.

Working on "Angel's Song" for HQN

2009-03-20T08:20:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!
Well, I'm in the "writing harness" now. I have just signed a three book contract with HQN (see me jumping up and down for joy) and I'm off!

The first book will be out in 2010, but the hard work in the trenches begins NOW.

When I'm in the 'writer's harness' (I liken this to a plow horse in a harness going out to plow the fields....) I write a chapter day unless this is an "act of God" that stops me from doing it.

As a 'young' and beginning writer, it took me DAYS to finish just one chapter (20 to 30 pages) of rough draft. Now, I can create the same thing in 2 to 3 hours. I'm glad of that!

The HQN is about 15 to 20 chapters, or 85,000 words. That means I'll be in the writing harness on this particular book for 15 to 20 days in a row.

I go to work at 9 a.m. every morning and finish around 11 to 11:30 am....sometimes noon, just depending.

Once the rough draft of the manuscript is created, I put it away for two months in a drawer. I want to get away from it enough to be able to see the mistakes and edits I need to make on it. When one is too close to their brain child, one is blind :-). Putting it away and working on other books in various stages (such as copy editing version or edited version or galley proof check) keeps me busy.

And so....off to write chapter 10 of "Angel's Song" (working title) this morning!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

Birch Aquarium, Scripps Institute, La Jolla, California

2009-01-08T21:21:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone
Just as I sat down to create this blog, at 8:55 pm pst, we just had an earthquake!! I was sitting here getting ready to type this and bring up the photos when the whole building wrenched and then everything 'shivered' for a few seconds. I was born here in San Diego, and grew up with the 3.0 to 3.5 quivers, as I called them. We got them at least once a week or biweekly. So, now I really feel at home now! It was probably around 3.0 magnitude from the feel of it. I was in one earthquake over in La Mesa back in 1966 and it was 6.2 on the Richter Scale and it was major. In fact, a quarter mile from my apartment, a huge gaping rip in the earth opened up. So, with this quiver, I watch. Since being in a major earthquake, I know there can be serveral 'swarm' quakes before the 'major' one hits. So, as I work on this blog, the seat of my pants in the chair will be my warning system :-)).

Yesterday (Wednesday) we went to one of my all time fav’s here in San Diego--the Birch Aquarium at the famous Scripps Institute; one of the great marine biology centers in the world.

I had a heck of a time photographing. I had 2” to 6” thick glass that my lens had to get through in order to photograph. Then, no matter what setting I put my camera on, nothing would give me enough life. I was forced into doing a flash which I truly disliked. I don’t like to use the flash for anything, much less on fish in an aquarium. I saw others using a flash on their cameras, so got over it and started to do some photographing.

Each exhibit at Birch is a work of art, moving art, quite literally. You'll see that in all the photos I took. This is a gorgeous anemone...such a pale pink and so fragile looking.

The amount of fish, their colors, are incredible. I felt like I was in a rainbow. The Aquarium has done a wonderful job on exhibiting the anemones, jellyfish, the sharks, the fish and “sea dragons”--I call them ‘leafy’ sea horses.

This is a huge blue eel. I had to shoo with a high ISO, so most of these photos are going to be 'grainy' looking. A high ISO was the only way to get some 'light' into the photos.

I love jellyfish! I'm enamoured with their slow motion ballet moves through the water. If I'm not mistaken (and could be), I believe this is the most poisonous jellyfish in the world--they are sooooo teeny, tiny...the size of a dime. And, I undersand that if you get stung, you can die in 3-5 minutes afterward. They're so small you'd never see them in the ocean....wow. And yet, they look so incredible fragile. Who would guess they were so deadly? Amazing.

I'm always in awe of Mother Nature and her coloring of her family.

Outside, they have a tidal pool exhibit that over looks the marine blue Pacific Ocean. And, the shark exhibit is nearby. It’s a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon. My only gripe is they didn’t have lattes....only coffee. Am I spoiled or what? haha.

Sorry, but I'm no expert on fish, so forgive me. I shot the fish that were colorful. And this little yellow fellow was fetching against a blue background.

What is an ocean without anemones, urchins and star fish?!

This fish isn't gorgeous, rather plain, really. But I got a good headshot of him!

I loved the diversity of color between these three fish.

I loved this orange jellyfish. It is about the size of your palm (the round head of it), with the tentacles flowing out like wisps of hair, whim to the ocean current.

These are called MOON jellyfish, and you can see why. I just loved watching them open and collapse their 'parachute' heads. And, if you got them in the right light, their round circles on top glowed a neon pink!

And here is a Moon jellyfish where the flash has hit it just so and you can see the neon pink circles on top of its head. Really rad!!

Jellyfish are like silent ghosts floating rhythmically through the sea like ballet dancers. I could spend a mesmerizing hour filming them--they put me into a deep, medatative state as I watch them with their 'bellows' like motions.

I couldn't get enough of the Moon jellyfish...they put me into a deep meditation!

In the next couple of days I’ll post more photos than those you will see below. Enjoy the color of Mother Nature!

Lindsay McKenna Swims With The Dolphins!

2009-01-07T08:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

wow, what a day! If you ever wondered where writers got their ideas, this is one way of going about it. I almost always write from personal experience and/or a lot of research. For example, DANGEROUS PREY, HQN, December 2008, was two years of research into the world of raptors before it came to press. I'm sure, based upon my experience, you'll see a dolphin or two show up in one of my future books.

Here I am being introduced to SANDY, the Atlantic bottlenosed dolphin. The signal for her to come to you is to cup your hands together...and she gently comes forward to nestle her nose into your hands. What a thrill!

One of my fondest dreams has been to swim with dolphins. At Sea World in San Diego, California, they have a dolphin interaction program. I signed up for it on Tuesday, at 3:30 pm. I got to meet Sandy, a 40 year old Atlantic bottle nose dolphin at Sea World in San Diego. Sandy has been a "mom" six times. The trainer said that Sandy was so nurturing and maternal--and she certainly was. The people in my group were Europeans. There was Maria from Sweden and William and his wife (sorry forgot her name) were from Amsterdam, Netherlands!! My dharma with the Netherlands is alive and well!

Sandy comes up to Eileen and she holds the dolphin's flippers while she stays upright with strong swishes with her tail.

We did a whole lot of things with Sandy. We cupped our hands and she would nuzzle her nose right into our palms and then we could pet her. She loved being around us. As a matter of fact, she kept bobbing up and looking at me was I waited a half hour beforehand. It was a wonderful feeling to have a dolphin waiting for me. But I love dolphins and they know that.

This is one of my favorite photos....I had to get down on one knee and Sandy came gliding up. The dolphin's skin is soft, sleek and Sandy loves to be touched and patted. She was a mother six times and has been in Sea World for 40 years. Her trainer has been with her for thirty-five years. The trainer was saying that Sandy was one of most nurturing, mothering of all the dolphins and one of their star entertainers.

We spent a good 40 minutes in some pretty cold sea water. Even with a wet suit, it wasn't too bad. At 4:00 pm the sun was going down and the temperature was too...but still, when I was in the water with Sandy, time just stopped existing. I had such a wonderful time. Memories to keep. This is something I've wanted to do all my life. And it was something I wanted to do,sooner not later. I'm not sorry I did.

The Netherland's couple were on the left, Maria from Sweden in the middle and me at Sandy's tail end in a 'log roll.' I don't know who was having more fun--us of the dolphin. They are HEAVY!

Maria, the gal next to me in the photo, didn't have the money to buy anything so I had bought the CD of all our photos. It was her birthday. I told her "Happy Birthday" and her friend provided an email address. I'll make a copy of the photos and send them to her. She was a very sweet person.

At last, forty minutes later, our dolphin interaction was at an end. Sandy waved 'good-bye' to us by standing on her nose with her tail out of the water 'waving' at us. We waved good-bye too, sad that it was over, but exhilerated by simply being able to share time and space with her. Thank you, Sandy.

In fact, it was interesting to look at the feelings around the twelve people who came to swim with the dolphins....they all had a very quiet, gentle, androgynous energy...and a true connection to Mom Earth. It was a wonderful encounter shared with equally wonderful people. And I'm sure you'll see dolphins showing up sooner or later in one of my books!

Everyone wanted to kiss Sandy! So did I. I mentally thanked her for her service to us humans. The trainer was saying that once people meet, see or watch a dolphin interaction (there was a huge crowd of people above watching the whole thing) that they see how beautiful and loving these dolphins are--they go out and buy dolphin-safe tuna. And, they also start taking up an interest in the health of our oceans and going green to keep it free of pollutants so it won't kill sea life. The dolphins, while in captivity, render a silent service to help humans understand them and the ocean at large. I thanked Sandy for her sacrifice to all of us so that we 'get it.' She's truly and wonderful ambassador of her nation. The dolphin nation.

In Spirit, Eileen
www.lindsaymckenna.com

Lindsay McKenna gives Elena Amell THE QUEST galley proof

2009-01-04T20:16:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Today, I met Elena Amell. She is one my readers on the Lindsay McKenna list. (If you want to join my list, just go to: http://www.lindsaymckenna.com. In the tool bar, click on CONTACT. On this page on the right hand side about half way down is where you can put your email address and sign up. I give away galley proofs and oher goodies throughout the year. In order to play in the contest you must be a member of my list). I held a Christmas Day contest on the list. The prize was THE QUEST (Silhouette Nocturne, February 2008) galley proof. When an author receives the galley proof, one must read it very carefully. Often, my galley proofs are gone over with a red pen. These final corrections by the author are then sent in to the editor. The editor then makes sure these are made just before the book goes to print.

A galley proof is the last chance for the author to find any mistakes of any kind. It has already been thoroughly checked by a copy editor. And of course, the editor. There is a 3-way team work that goes on between the author, editor and copy editor to bring a book to press and then to the reader. Consequently, Elena will find a number of red pen edits on my galley proof.

I met her today at Coco’s in El Cajon, California. She lives in this wonderful city just outside of San Diego. It was nice meeting her and spending a good hour of chatting. I also signed her copy of DANGEROUS PREY, HQN, December, 2008. So, she walked out of Coco’s with an autographed book AND a galley proof!

Elena (on the right) receives the galley proof THE QUEST, from Lindsay McKenna

I wanted to share a photo of us. I’m on the left and Elena is on the right. Between us is the signed galley proof, THE QUEST. She was thrilled to receive it. Someday, it might be worth some money! Who knows? Elena had read THE QUEST, and this galley proof will go with the book. She has lots of true stories to tell her family now!
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna
www.lindsaymckenna.com

--

Lindsay McKenna's Coconut Bread Pudding Recipe

2008-12-27T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone

Between Christmas and New Year's I bake or cook a lot of family handed down recipes. I love this time of year! This is a dessert that is served the week following Christmas. After a lot of cookies and fudge, a lighter dessert such as bread pudding is a welcome relief to one's stomach!

COCONUT BREAD PUDDING RECIPE

real butter, for the custard cups

1 loaf of white or whole wheat bread (1 lb) cut into one inch cubes. This will make about 12 cups of cubed bread for the recipe.

4 large 'free range' eggs

3/4 cup fructose sugar (get at health food store)

1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk

2 cups whole organic milk

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. sea salt (or your preferred salt)

confectioner's sugar, for dusting

1. Preheat over to 350F. Take two baking sheets (cookie sheets).

2. Butter the inside of the 8 six ounce custard cups (I use Pam organic olive oil spray instead)

3. Set the custard cups aside.

4. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer on two cookie baking sheets. When the brown, turn them over once during the 15-20 minutes time limit.

5. When browned and crisp, remove from the oven. Reduce oven heat to 300F.

6. Get a large bowl. Whisk together eggs, sugar, milks, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. Stir in toasted bread cubes. Let sit, tossing occasionally, until cubes have absorbed the liquid. About 5 minutes.

7. Divide bread mixture evenly among the custard cups. Place on the baking sheets. Put in oven. Insert toothpick in center of pudding and it comes out clean at about 50-60 minutes later. Take out and let cool for one hour. Serve dusted with confectioner’s sugar.

8. My husband has a fondness for ice cream sauce. I usually pick up a caramel or butterscotch sauce from the store. I then put about 1/2 cup of the sacue into a glass measuring cup and heat it up in a microwave. Instead of the confectioner’s sugar on top of the bread pudding, I drizzle the sauce, instead. Many roads to Rome. Choose what you want to put on the coconut bread pudding. Some sprinkle coconut on top along with the caramel sauce. It is limited only by your imagination!

Have fun!
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna
www.lindsaymckenna.com

Lindsay McKenna CONTEST for 2009 Harlequin 2009 Vintage Cover Calendar!

2008-12-25T13:26:00.003-07:00

Hi Everyone!
Now, for the final contest of the year!
I love giving things that are meaningful to my readers :-)))

Harlequin sent me their 2009 Harlequin's Vintage Cover Calendar. That was a wonderful gift!

I think, though, a reader would cherish it even more than I would.

So, here is the contest.

Between December 25 to 31, 2008 you can enter ONE number between 1 and 100. Whoever guesses the number or is closest to it, will win the 2009 Calendar!

This is truly a RARE, one-of-a-kind publishing gift. Maybe in 25 or 50 years it will show up on ebay and make you some good money, haha.

Seriously, this is a one-of-a-kind calendar. I've never known Harlequin to create such a gift to the writers. And it's a beauty!

These are 12 covers from the past when Harlequin began in 1949. And their very first book, THE MANATEE by Nancy Bruff, is in this calendar!! Truly, a keepsake of grand proportions!

Anyone who is a member of the Lindsay McKenna list can send me their number guess!
Just send privately to me at docbones224@earthlink.net

If you aren't a member, just go to my website, www.lindsaymckenna.com and look up in the tool bar. Click on CONTACT. This will take you to that page. On the right hand side of it is subscription button. Press it and you're on your way to being on my list and being able to enter this contest.

Winner will be announced on January 1, 2009 on my list!

Good Luck and Happy New Year!!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

Christmas is a Time of Giving and Caring

2008-12-19T10:15:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone

I love the Christmas season. In fact, I like to practice it all year long! My friends and family just shake their head at me: when a Christmas gift arrives--I open it right away! I don't wait! My personal belief is that the season of giving and caring that comes along in December for us, should be practiced all year 'round! Wouldn't the world be better off if we practiced it this way? I think so.

And that leads me to today's blog about caring and giving to others. The photo I've uploaded for this blog is actually a part of what happened in my life the last two days. I have a good friend who we refer to as "Bird." She is in her late sixties and was told she had to go down to Phoenix to a hospital to have a heart procedure. Bird is one of these people who is a rural kind of person and has a phobia of ever driving alone in a large metropolitan city like Phoenix. I heard about her problems and volunteered to drive her down to her heart procedure. I didn't want her any more stressed than she already was.

The wonderful decision based upon caring for others and helping where and when I could, actually opened up into a greater gift. My brother and his family live in Phoenix and one of my best friends, Yolande, lives in Cave Creek, north of there. I thought this was a pretty good deal to drive Bird down to her hospital appointment. I could bring our Christmas gifts from my family and friend with me. It would give me a chance to see them (whereas before I was going to mail them). And, best of all, Yolande offered me a place to stay over night while Bird underwent her procedure.

Bird arrived at the hospital destressed and we had a marvelous time on our two hour drive south to Phoenix. It was a perfect way to catch up with one another's lives and what was going on. I was told that Bird would stay over night in the hospital and I was to pick her up the next morning to drive her back to Cottonwood. The day was clearing and after the rush hour, so it was easy to drop by and see my brother Gary and spend some time with him. Then, on to see Yolande and her family! I felt like Santa Clause at each stop, delivering heart felt gifts, sharing a rich and warm time with my brother and my dearest friend. I love the way the synchronicity of the universe conspires if we only go 'with the flow' of what Life brings to our door if we volunteer to step though it.

The next morning, with Bird back in my Toyota Prius, Pearl, we drove home with a winter storm breaking up over the region. As we climbed up and out of the Sonoran Valley and onto the high desert pleateau (about 5,000 feet), the winter grass and barren hills were beautiful with scudding, changing clouds. Bird, who is an artist, commented on the changing beauty of it. I had my Nikon D90 camera and so we made a couple of stops on the way back to the Verde Valley where we live, and took some shots. Bird wanted them because she has an art studio and wanted to paint what she saw. What a wonderful ride home!

I was happy to give Bird a way to get to Phoenix. It helped her tremendously. I received so many gifts in return that the two days flew by like a wonderful dream. This kind of compassion and caring toward others is something all of us practice all the time. We are not alone on this earth. And we need each other. The fact that Bird's health concerns rose suddenly and she needed help over night, was one of those situations. I could have stayed home with the excuse I had to edit my book. But what kind of friend would I have been? Yes, it would take two days out of my life. What is Life really all about? Sometimes, editing a book isn't the most important thing. The joy and gifts I received in return for my decision to help Bird were ten times more wonderful than editing a book in those two days. Not that I don't like what I do as a writer, but this speaks more to the curiosity readers often have about writers. Many think we aren't just like them. But the truth is, we're exactly like you: with demands on our time, responsibilities to shoulder, care to be distributed to our family and circle of loved ones. There are no differences between us, really. We're not the glamorous creatures you think we are. Our lives are mundane and I'm so glad for that. I love the mundane because it gives us a fixed anchor in our lives to revolve and grow around.

As a writer I observe the human condition and I love writing about us. We're a forever a fascinating and intensely interesting group! I've very curious about people's view on their life, how they got to how the see the world now, and what motivates and inspires or stops them inliving their Life. I'm sure I'll wrap this two-day experience I chose to take in some future story. Writers never write outside themselves. Instead, they dip into the well of their own life experiences for human understanding and connection with readers. Because the Aesop fable's ending on my two-day advenure is: giving selflessly in the name of humanitarian efforts will enrich one even more. Isn't that the real Christmas Spirit? And now, back to editing!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

www.lindsaymckenna.com

A Skunk At Our Patio Door!

2008-12-16T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone
Living out in Echo Canyon amid wildlife is NEVER dull. Last night as I was putting the finishing touches on my pina colada cake, Dave said, "Look!"
I turned around from my cake in the kitchen and there, looking in our sliding glass window that leads to our sundeck over looking Oak Creek, is a beautiful black and white skunk! It was dark out and he was on his 'rounds.'
I grabbed my camera and raced over to the door and snapped off a shot.

I just living shoulder to shoulder with nature. You never know who is going to come to our door, haha.

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

Lindsay McKenna's New Year's Eve Recipe: Pina Colada Cake!

2008-12-15T18:44:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share a wonderful time of year in our family: New Year’s Eve dinner and dessert. This year, I wanted to try a new dessert other than fruitcake (which I love).

Diana Cosby, a sister ROMVET author, shared her Pina Colada Cake Recipe with me. Well! Wouldn’t you know? I had to go out and try the recipe! I took the photo of the cake I baked tonight. And it was incredibly good!

I owe Diana big time on this one! Check out her web site at www.dianacosby.com. She has “His Captive”/Alexander MacGruder and “His Woman”/Duncan MacGruder (which got 4 stars from Romantic Times reviews)

I asked Diana where she got this recipe and she said it came from Spain. I love pina coladas as a drink--never had one as a cake, so my curiosity was high on this recipe. Check out the photo of the cake I made!

Here’s the recipe:

PINA COLADA CAKE RECIPE

1 package white cake mix
1 package (4 oz) of instant coconut cream pudding
1/2 cup of water
1/3 cup of Rum
4 eggs
1/4 cut lite olive oil

Directions: Mix the above ingredients and beat until combined. Pour into two greased/floured 9 inch round cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

Once cool, remove and frost with the Pina Colada frosting (see below).

PINA COLADA FROSTING

1 8 oz carton of Cool Whip OR 1 pint of whipping cream

1 4 oz package instant coconut cream pudding

1 8 oz can of crushed pineapple

1/3 cup of Rum

Directions: blend pudding, pineapple and rum together. Then, mix into the whipping cream or Cool Whip. Chill until served.

And here is the result of my making the cake! It is as delicious as my pictures illustrates. Yum!

H a p p y B a k i n g !

W a r m l y , L i n d s a y M c K e n n a

w w w . l i n d s a y m c k e n n a . c o m

Lindsay McKenna's Christmas Cheesecake Recipe!

2008-12-12T09:31:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I love this time of year. It's a great 'time out' to do some serious baking. I love to cook--never have enough time for it, but do my best. I want to share with you my Christmas Cheesecake. This recipe has a history and I want to give due to those who passed it on to me. My friend Helen gave me this recipe about twenty years ago. And she got it from her Aunt who passed it on to her before she died. I have made this easy but delicious cheesecake many times a year. The one I make at Christmas I place red and green sprinkles on top of it after it's baked. You an choose the pattern you want to use :-)

Here's the recipe:

Oven temperature: 325 F

3 -- 8 ozs of Philadelphia Cream Cheese (for those who want to watch their weight like me, I get the 'light' variety--but either will do)

4 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tblsp. vanilla

Cream the sugar and cream cheese. Add eggs one at a time. Blend well after each addition. Add the vanilla. Blend well.

Put Springform pan in the overn to warm for about 5 minutes.

Coat with melted 2-3 tblsp. of butter (I use organic olive oil spray from Pam)

Then, take 1 cup of crushed graham crackers and run them around in the Springform pan.

Pour the mixture into the Springform pan.

Bake 45 minutes

Take it out and go to step 2 while it is cooling for about 10 minutes.

sour cream topping

1 pint sour cream (I use 'lite' variety, but either will do)

6 tblsp. sugar (I use frutcose sugar but any 'real' sugar will do--do not use sucrose or any other fake sugar in this recipe--it will taste awful)

1 tlsp. of Vanilla

Add all ingredients in a small bowl and beat until smooth.

Pour the sour cream topping into the baked cheesecake. Then, put back into the oven for 10 minutes.

Cool 1 hour before putting into the fridge and several hours int he fridge before slicing.

When cooled, add one can of cherries over the top of it. Remove the Springform pan. Voila! you have a gorgeous Christmas Cheesecake. Just add red and green sprinkles on top. Any design that inspires you will do!

Enjoy !
Warmly, Lindsay McKenna
www.lindsaymckenna.com

Black Jaguar Squadron update

2008-12-11T18:24:00.003-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to give you an update on the BLACK JAGUAR SQUADRON (affectionately known as: BJS). As many of you readers know, I had some loose ends to tie up with BJS down in Peru. I still had to find a way to give the Executive Officer, Dallas Klein, her book.

And...I wanted to evolve BJS and continue to write for this series because you, the readers, have wanted me to do that.

Well, that finally came about, thanks to a Christmas novella for Silhouette Romantic Suspense. I teamed up with a good friend of mine, Susan Grant, and we wrote two novellas for the November, 2008 release, and tied them together.

I got to get Dallas her story and meeting the man of her dreams, ATF agent, Mike Murdoch.

When you read the story, you'll be seeing how BJS is evolving. And where Dallas is going next!

I really have enjoyed watching BJS grow and then expand and move. I hope you will too! Be sure to pick up MISSION: Christmas. It's a nice gift to give to yourself for the holidays as well as catching up with "what's next?!" with the BJS women Apache combat helicopter pilots!

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna

www.lindsaymckenna.com

DANGEROUS PREY by Lindsay McKenna

2008-12-11T11:38:00.005-07:00

Hi Everyone!

This is my first, Lindsay McKenna "official" blog for my readers! I'm very excited to have this blog. It gives me a chance to listen to you, to meet you and find out what's on your mind and what you'd like to see me write next.

Right now, my HQN, DANGEROUS PREY, is out for the month of December 2008! I'm thrilled to get the next Morgans Mercenaries out--this one is on Kelly Trayhern. If you are a faithful follower of the oldest running and longest running saga, then I hope you will enjoy Kelly's story!

And, to add suspense to this novel that I so loved writing, I had a video trailer created for it. Take a look:

I hope you enjoyed the trailer! Did you see the hawk at the beginning? That is a Harris hawk from Arizona. His name is "Beau" and he is owned by Susan Hamilton, a raptor rehabilitator who owns High Country Raptors in Flagstaff, Arizona. She and I worked two years off and on as she taught me about falconry, rehabilitation and the raptors. You will find all this in DANGEROUS PREY!

And, in another blog, I'll introduce you to Luna, the European Eagle-Owl who is the 'feathered heroine' of the novel!

Happy Holidays

Warmly, Lindsay McKenna