Wow.
Forgive me, dear friends and readers. I didn’t realize it has been two
years since I last blogged here. Or pretty much anywhere. But I haven’t been
idle. Today I’ve been thinking over the months and realize I have learned a lot during my time away from blogging.
First of all, cute wee puppy boys grow up to be mischievous but loving
companions. Neo is just shy of 2-1/2 years in age. The trouble he’s gotten into
(swallowing an embroidery needle and not needing surgery to get it out), the
dog beds, blankets, and stuffed toys he’s eviscerated, the two portable crates
he’s destroyed… and here he is, a grown dog who couldn’t be more cuddly and
loving. He’s calmed down a lot in the last eight months, but he can still stir
up a room of big dogs at Doggy Day Camp. No one naps when he’s in the playroom!
Good thing they love him over at PetSmart.
I’ve also learned it really hurts to move the one and only child a
long, long way away. The Kiddo graduated with honors from University of Alaska,
Fairbanks with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He met a girl through friends of
friends on FaceBook and he got it right. More on that later. Then I helped move
him into a teeny studio apartment in Albuquerque where he’s nearly finished his
MS in Electrical Engineering. All straight As, no less, and with a part time
job since last fall. He continues to amaze us with his progress. He and the
girlfriend have grown stronger over time. She’s due to complete her PhD this spring.
They’re planning on moving to California’s Silicon Valley this summer. She has
a job waiting for her. He needs to find one.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that no matter how far away good friends
are, they can still be there via texting, instant messaging, FaceBook, email,
and even by phone. Imagine that! With so many communication options there’s
almost no excuse not to stay in contact. It’s fun to see what old friends are
doing now. And with the kids all growing up and moving out, we have more time
for ourselves.
A lesson re-learned: Cancer is painful, not only to the patient, but the family. The drama
can be intense the greater the victim suffers. It can pull families together or
push them apart. There are no casual emotions in the months leading up to the
end. The relief is also quite liberating, especially for my 87 yo Father in Law. Should I ever contract terminal
cancer, I certainly don’t want to draw it out. I’ve seen the pain and strain on
all involved. I’m also extremely
fortunate that a few brushes with pre-cancer led to quick resolutions.
Hysterectomies are good!
It’s also difficult to write when there are so many things going on. My
attention has been pulled ten different directions and I’ve holed up with books
and needle work. Embroidery, knitting, crocheting and now quilting have
occupied much of my time. The quilting started when Mom gifted me with her
Bernina. First quilt I made was for Neo followed by a couple dozen aprons for
Christmas. What a difference a good machine makes! Sorry, Singer, this one has
my loyalty. I just basted my 4th project for quilting. It’s a bit
larger than a lap quilt, but not quite a twin. I have another top to finish
then I’ll quilt them one after the other. It’s fun playing with fabric.
But back to the writing, which is the point of my – ahem – career. I
have a new book coming out June 9, 2015. Yes! A new full length novel with a
very attractive hero and a feisty heroine. He’s Brit, she California girl. She’s
been keeping a secret big enough to change not only their lives but those of
the family around them on both sides of the pond.
Her Foreign Affair is up for
pre-order. It’s my first book with
Lyrical Press since they joined up with Kensington. It’s pretty exciting! Be sure to check it out. And pre-order if you
think it looks good. Then I won’t have to remind you about the release date.
Although, I probably will. Still, pre-orders make me look good to the
publisher. And the best part, you get a good book for a decent price!
Shea McMaster
Traditional
Romance for Modern Women
Website: http://sheamcmaster.com
Also
Available From Shea
Author
Bio:
The softer, sweeter side of Morgan O’Reilly, Shea McMaster
lives for traditional romance.
Born in New Orleans, raised in California, Shea/Morgan got
moved to Alaska in 1977, where she attended high school before running back to
California to get her English degree from Mills College. Alas, once back home
she met and fell in love with her own forever true hero, a born and raised
Alaska man. Since then she’s had a love-hate relationship with America’s
largest state.
With her one and
only son out of the house, Shea is fortunate to spend her days engaged in
playing with her cuddly yellow Lab, Neo, daydreaming, and turning those dreams
into romantic novels and novellas featuring damsels in distress rescued by
their own brains and hunky heroes.
