I like this photo both because Bear Bear is moving so fast it blurred his face, and also because he's trying to close his sister in a box marked "Fragile, handle with care."

Voice recognition mistake of the day: I’m writing the fifth Accidental Billionaire Cowboy novel, which features Ava, mother of the men who star in the first four books. (Y'all, I'm ecstatic that the publisher wanted a book with a female lead whose almost 60!) I dictated some notes into an email on my phone while taking a walk. The words that showed up are followed by what I meant to say in brackets.

​Later in the book, the boys say we want our mother to be happy in a threatening manner. 

"Are you warning me that you'll beat me up if I hurt her?" North asked.

They exchanged awkward francis [glances]. They wouldn't beat up anyone, really. "Worse," Josh said. "I'll sit [sic] my wife on you. She's a liar [lawyer]." 

Granted, I'd pause if someone threatened to have a liar sit on me.

If you're on Instagram, you can hear author Carmen Cook reading from the opening chapter of Charming the Billionaire Cowboy. If you can't make the live reading this Sunday, at 10 AM Pacific time, you should be able to find the recording on her profile CarmenCook_.

Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain: The Accidental Detective Book 4 comes out Feb. 28 and is up for preorder now!

Former international war correspondent Kate Tessler had to trade her illustrious journalism career for her childhood bedroom after a brush with death almost took her leg. But Kate is drawn back into her old world when a journalist covering a sprawling story of political corruption is the victim of a hit-and-run. Gabriella can only communicate by blinking yes or no to questions. Kate takes the case with her new PI partner—her sister, Jen—and their trusty senior sidekicks. Can a fifty-year-old journalist with a bad leg survive the dangers of the Arizona desert long enough to catch a killer?

Get The Accidental Detective series in print or ebook from all retailers.

Praise for Someone Missing: “I loved this story so much. It had a bit more edge and danger to it, but also the charm and humor.”

In Book 3: Someone Cruel in Coyote Creek, Kate winds up trying indoor rock climbing, in part for the case and in part due to Jen’s “50 for 50 Challenge,” where Kate will try fifty new things throughout the year she turns fifty. Is it realistic that a couple of women that age could get on a rope and haul themselves up that wall? Absolutely! In fact, this article claims, “These Disabled Rock Climbers Are Way, Way Stronger Than You.”

Now we pause for a recent sunset. I'm intrigued by the way the clouds are flat on top at the right.

Bonus voice-recognition mistake of the week, from book 5 (in progress) of the Accidental Billionaire Cowboy series: “Ava started the electric cattle …” I meant kettle. I’m not writing steampunk.

Find New Books and Authors!

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞? 💕 Explore contemporary and historical romance, romantic comedy, paranormal romance and more. Some books (such as my Sweet Romance Coffee and Crushes at the Cat Café) are only 99 cents!

Mysteries, Suspense and Thrillers: Do you like your mysteries historical or modern? Do you enjoy a touch of humor, romance, paranormal, or horror? You'll find it here! Each is priced at $5.99 or less, some only 99 cents.

Standing By My Sister: A Giveaway for Stories with Strong Female Friendships: Judging by these covers, having a sister is magical! This group includes witches, sorcerers, and ghosts, plus contemporary and historical romance and a few mysteries. All these stories or samples are free with newsletter signup (unsubscribe any time)

Books on My Radar:

Blackout (Detective Ava Locke Series #1) by Clara Lewis: "After a run-in with a crazed killer, Ava wakes up in a hospital with no memory, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. New recruit Oscar pursues the case while Ava tries to remember but wishes she could forget." Reviews praise the suspense. At 75 pages, it's only 99 or free in KU.

Love Ripple Boxset (Books 1-5): A Steamy Romance Series by Ali Rivers: "a riveting collection of wild romantic tales, all jam-packed with twists, drama, and epic romance, which could make or break these lovers’ futures. The series will take you on a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions and keep you guessing as you move from one heart-racing story to the next." These are 50-page stories rated 4.1 out of 5 stars with over 140 ratings.

On my blog, I recently had a guest post on "How to Write a Mystery Series" by Lois Winston. She has lots of good advice, which might also be interesting to non-writers who are curious about the inner workings of books. Plus, post a comment for a chance to win a promo code for a free audiobook download of Death by Killer Mop Doll, Book 2 in the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries. If you do that, be sure to leave info on how she can contact you, or reply to me and I'll send your contact along.

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PS: If you don’t have “The Case of the Missing Monkey and other short mystery stories,” here’s the direct download link. If you haven’t yet gotten Lions and Love at the Cat Café, you can download it free here. For “22 of the recipes mentioned in Kris Bock’s Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series,” go here (free).