Hometown: Texas

About Me and My Books:

I write mainstream fiction for both Penguin Putnam and Bethany House. My first book, Tending Roses came out in 2001, followed by Good Hope Road, The Language of Sycamores, Drenched in Light, A Thousand Voices, Texas Cooking, Lone Star Cafe, and Over the Moon at the Big Lizard Diner, A Month of Summer, Talk of the Town, and Word Gets Around.

My newest book is the Summer Kitchen, a July 2009 release NAL Penguin Group, U.S.A.. Sometimes hope springs up in unlikely places. SandraKaye Darden certainly never expects to find it in the little pink house left by her uncle Poppy. With her adopted son, Jake missing thousands of miles away, and her family life disintegrating in the comfortable suburban home that once seemed perfect, Sandra feels as if her world is falling apart. A decaying house in a struggling Dallas neighborhood just adds to her burden. But what begins for Sandra as a simple painting project to help sell the house becomes a secret venture that starts to change everything. 

 Word Gets Around, a February 2009 release from Bethany House.

When Romance is in the Air, Word Gets Around
Lauren Eldridge thought she'd wiped the dust of Daily, Texas, off her boots forever. Screenwriter Nate Heath thought he was out of second chances.

Life's never that predictable, though Cajoled by her father, Lauren is back in town helping train a skittish race horse set to star in a Hollywood film. But the handsome screenwriter gives her more trouble than the horse. And Nate is realizing there's a spark of magic in the project-and in the eyes of the girl who is so good with horses.

Daily Texas, has a way of offering hope, healing, and a little romance just when folks need it most.

Talk of the Town

Talk of the Town is a zany little tale about big dreams, small town life, fried food, and the making Hollywood superstars-not necessarily in that order. While the book has a serious side that looks at grief, recovery, the temptations of fame, and the value of community, it also has a lot of laughs thanks to the quirky, crazy folks of Daily, Texas.

Daily is a place not unlike many small towns, and if you've ever lived in one or spent time in one, you'll probably recognize some people you know in Daily, Texas. While you're there, don't forget to stop in at the café for a cup of coffee and a slice of pie. Say hi to Imagene, Donetta, and girls for me. Don't be surprised if they're cooking up more than just red beans and rice. There's never any telling, on any given day, what will happen in Daily, and that goes double now that local Daily Darling, Amber Anderson has made it to the top on the American Superstar show. Ever since the big news about Amber hit town, it's been
dig-in-your-spurs-and-hang-on-Sally, we're going for a ride