Deb Stover

Free Book!

2012-01-17T17:19:00.000-07:00

MULLIGAN STEW is a free download right now at iBooks and Amazon.

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LY2OKE

iBooks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mulligan-stew/id466266068?mt=11

Remember, there are free Kindle readers available for your computer, iPhone, etc. so you don't have to own a Kindle to enjoy the benefits.

Happy reading!

Find of the Day

2012-01-11T07:51:00.000-07:00

Rock Bottom Reads "Find of the Day!"
Mulligan Stew By Deb Stover - http://rockbottomreads.com/?p=141

Cool! :)

And still going for just 99 cents!

Happy reading!

~Deb

Citizen Daisy by Deb Stover

2012-01-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

You will never look at an MRI the same way after reading how a United States Congressman finds himself transported to the past, where he is accused of being a spaceman by locals who have recently read the latest Jules Verne novel. His adventures include falling in love with a young lady branded a witch by the superstitious townsfolk, and she believes she "wished" him to the past. Can these two lovers find a world they can share?

Download Citizen Daisy now from the following sites:

Amazon Kindle

Barnes & Noble Nook

Apple iBooks ($.99 here!)

Soon, you will be able to find links to all books at all online sellers from this site:

eBook Discovery

Free Book!

2012-01-07T08:24:00.000-07:00

Mulligan Stew is still available for $.99 at most sites, and is free for a limited time at iBooks!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/mulligan-stew/id466266068?mt=11

Star-crossed lovers, a cursed Irish castle, and comfort food. :) Happy reading!

Free Download Now!

Happy New Year, and Happy Reading!

~Deb

99 Cent Sale!

2011-12-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

$.99 cent sale!!! MULLIGAN STEW and SOME LIKE IT HOTTER are both available at this special price for a limited time. The price should take effect for all readers, and is available now at Amazon for Kindle and Barnes & Noble for the Nook. http://www.debstover.com/books.html for links.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTHX5Q

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LY2OKE

Happy Holidays to all, and Happy Reading!

Love,

Deb

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your loved ones.

Happy reading!

Love,
Deb

Perfectly Scary & Romantic Halloween Read!

2011-10-04T08:24:00.000-06:00

http://youtu.be/rOVROrTY2eo

Want it? Buy it! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VTHX5Q

Also available at Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, and iBooks.

"Dirty Harry meets Scarlett O'Hara and there's Hell to pay...."

You won't believe the ending of this book. You have to read it to believe it! :)

Maggie Shayne wrote: "I wish I'd thought of it first!"

Happy Halloween! Muahahahah!

Love,
Deb, who was actually frightened by the evil Slick Dawson while writing this book

Return to Ireland with The Mulligans

2011-09-09T12:13:00.000-06:00

MULLIGAN STEW and MULLIGAN MAGIC are now available in digital format with beautiful new covers. These are two of my favorite books--readers and reviewers seem to agree.

Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LY2OKE

"Take a down-home Tennessee single mom who's astonished to learn the man she thought abandoned her has actually bequeathed her a share of an Irish castle, and you have the makings of a rollicking tale that's as tasty as the title."

~ BookPage

"Deb Stover just took flight on wings of magic and landed in Ireland in a pot of Mulligan Stew hot enough to singe your eyebrows off with her extraordinary characters that jump off the pages into your heart. This book has everything necessary to keep you flipping the pages because from the moment you meet Bridget and Riley you know there are other forces at work to bring them together to break the curse on the Black Castle that has stood vacant for l00 years. I highly recommend this book." ~ Suzanne Coleburn, Reader to Reader

4 1/2 Stars! A Romantic Times "Top Pick"

"Utilizing the same magic that made her historical/time travel novels such a delight, author Deb Stover brings emotional depth and passion to this terrific contemporary tale. As a writer, Deb Stover has a unique style and voice that are a pleasure to read in any genre."

"Deb Stover writes with a stunning beauty and wry wit that resonates throughout all of her novels, but never so profoundly as with Mulligan Stew. Like the stew for which it is named, this novel offers something for everyone's taste in this artful blend of Irish contemporary romance, an ancient curse, a haunted castle, gothic overtones and the struggle to reconcile the past with the present. Characters are vividly realized from the heroine who will kick another woman in the shins for hurting her child's feelings, to the hero who cannot forget the dead brother he loved so deeply. Stover creates a poignant tale of loss, healing and recreation that will linger long after the last page is turned. Yet another Stover novel to add your keeper shelf, Mulligan Stew earns the WordWeaving Award for Excellence."

~ Cindy Penn, WordWeaving

"Deb Stover has taken a delightful heroine, a tortured hero, a whispering castle, stirred in an ancient curse for spice and served up a deliciously rich, warm Irish stew."

~ Bestselling Author, JoAnn Ross

"Humor, passion and the warmth of family fill the pages of Mulligan Stew, drawing the reader into a magical place of possibilities and the wonderful healing power of love. Deb Stover has created a captivating tale grounded in the basic tenets of life... nothing is more powerful than family and the love of two hearts joined together. I highly recommend Mulligan Stew for a hearty dish of romance and passion."

~ Terrie Figueroa, Romance Reviews Today

"I read this book in a matter of hours. It drew me in from the prologue to the very last satisfying page. Not only was this book sensual from the get-go but the charming heroine with her Southern twang added just the right amount of comic relief when it was most needed. Add all this to a dark gothic-like castle with a curse attached to it, and you have a not to be put down, must read book!"

~ Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

"Author Deb Stover spiced up this romance novel with just a dash of magic. At times I felt as if the past and the present were one and the same. I found it delightful to see a strong modern heroine in the haunting setting of a gothic tale, taming a stubborn man who fit the dark setting so well. Somehow the author was able to put it all together while showing the reader how breathtakingly beautiful Ireland really is. Highly recommended! Five stars!"

~ Huntress Book Reviews

"A recipe for romance--star-crossed lovers, a dark Irish castle, a witch's curse, and a heaping helpin' of destiny. Deb Stover cooks up a satisfying contemporary gothic-style romance, chock full of humor, passion, and mystery. Bon appétit."

~ Leslie Tramposch, PNR Reviews

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LY2OXG

Raves and Reviews

4 1/2 Stars -- A Romantic Times Top Pick!!!!

"The mystery & magic of the Mulligan family is back in Mulligan Magic, the sequel to Mulligan Stew. In this enchanting tale enduring love, revenge, suspense and the paranormal all mesh into a richly rewarding reading experience. Ms. Stover is a purveyor of magic." ~Romantic Times Book Club

"Mulligan Magic is a marvelous tale of reincarnation, magic, wildly romantic characters and downright fabulous storytelling by the incomparable Deb Stover, a woman who delivers the best on a regular schedule. Awesome!" ~ Suzanne Coleburn, Reader To Reader

"Five Stars! This is a great book!"
~Affaire de Coeur

"Wow! If you enjoyed Mulligan Stew you will love Mulligan Magic. This story is a heady blend of romance, suspense, and intrigue. As with Bridget and Riley, Nick and Maggie are soulmates, with all those lovely implications. Paranormal lovers will enjoy learning more about the castle curse and the ghosts of the past, while getting a taste of a modern magick in the bargain. The battle between good and evil will keep you in your seat until the last page is read. All the threads now seem to be wrapped up in a tidy little bow. I highly recommend this gripping magical tale of second chances."
~Leslie Tramposch, PNR Reviews

"A most Bewitching, Beguiling, and Beautiful story of how life can turn itself around and everyone concerned finds the family they each desire. Deb Stover never ceases to amaze me with her FANTASTIC writing! 5 BELLS!!!!!" ~Donita Lawrence, Bell, Book & Candle

"Mixing together magic and reincarnation in this wonderful tale, Stover mingles the fear of discovery with danger that stands ready to destroy them all in a terrifying conclusion."
~Lucele Coutts, Romance Authors & Readers (ROAR)

“Mulligan Magic sparkles in the Irish mist.”
—JoAnn Ross, USA Today Bestselling author

"Passion, betrayal and an ancient curse blend to create a tale that will delight the reader and capture the heart. I highly recommend Mulligan Magic for a timeless tale of second chances, and of a love powerful enough to last through the centuries."
~Terrie Figueroa, Romance Reviews Today

"Mulligan Magic combines romantic suspense with paranormal elements for an exciting novel readers will treasure. The return of favorite characters provides delightful continuity for fans of the previous novel, but Mulligan Magic sparkles as a stand-alone with Stover's characteristic flair for creating memorable characterizations and a rich Irish landscape."
Cindy Penn, WordWeaving

"Setting a curse causes major consequences. When those consequences spring from the vivid imagination of Deb Stover, readers are guaranteed a spectacular story! BRAVA!"
~Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

"Not only was this an absolutely fascinating story but also we got to visit all the beloved characters that we first met in Mulligan Stew. The taste of Ireland is so strong in this book that I devoured it in one gulp. It is my fervent hope that Deb Stover will revisit Ireland over and over again." ~ Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

What Are You Reading?

2011-07-21T09:04:00.000-06:00

It's summer and the reading is fine. What books are you whiling away the hot summer hours with--when you get a few extra, that is? Or which ones are you taking along on vacations or weekend getaways?

I've just finished Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I really enjoyed this one, and it was a fun stroll down Memory Lane with some characters we originally met as children in earlier books.

Next for me are several contest entries, and I'm still editing my back list in preparation for digital reissue. Both my Mulligan books -- Mulligan Stew and Mulligan Magic -- will be released simultaneously soon. I'll post here when they go live. Then I have six more books to prepare! Busy, busy. :)

Happy reading, and stay cool!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Passing of Greatness

2011-06-26T18:26:00.000-06:00

All of the Fantasy anthologies in which I have published stories over the years have two things in common: Denise Little--the brilliant editor who bought my first four books for Kensington in the last century--and Martin H. Greenberg of TEKNO Books. After Denise left Kensington and traditional publishing in Manhattan, she landed in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where one of the most creative and open-minded editors, writers, and anthologists in the Mystery, Science Fiction and Fantasy genres was unabashedly making a name for himself and many smalltime authors--like me--one idea at a time.

Marty Greenberg died yesterday, but his work will live on through the countless projects he helped create, and through the authors who will never forget him or the opportunities he brought into our lives and careers.

RIP, Marty. I have a hunch, wherever you are, you're breaking a few rules and doing things your way.

~Deb Stover

Anthology edited by Denise Little and Martin H. Greenberg

Mike Faricy's Double Life

2011-06-23T07:12:00.000-06:00

Mike Faricy the author or Mike Faricy, the hero of SOME LIKE IT HOTTER? Seriously, Mike Faricy and I "met" online after I wrote SOME LIKE IT HOTTER. I really didn't name the hero after him--pure coincidence. And how interesting that he's an author, too!

Here's an interview with Author Mike about his latest release:

http://damesofdialogue.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/mike-faricy-crime-fiction-author-interview-by-maggie-bishop/

Happy reading, all!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Book Sale

2011-06-22T15:24:00.000-06:00

The digital editions of SOME LIKE IT HOTTER and A WILLING SPIRIT are now on sale for $2.99 at all sites, including iBooks, Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Sony. SHADES OF ROSE should be available within the next 2-3 weeks. Stay tuned.

A great new review was just posted for SOME LIKE IT HOTTER. It made me smile.

Book Reader's Heaven: Time Traveler to Civil War Era Creates Delightful and Humorous Romantic Suspense!

Happy reading!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Hero's Name

2011-05-22T13:44:00.002-06:00

As some of you may recall, the hero in my novel, SOME LIKE IT HOTTER, is named Mike Faricy. Well, I met a real Mike Faricy at a conference some years ago, when he came in and demanded why I had written a book about him. After I assured him it was purely coincidental, he left happy with an autographed book. :) Since then, I've met yet another Mike Faricy, who is also an author in his own right. He said anytime someone googles his books, they end up finding my SOME LIKE IT HOTTER instead of him. So I've vowed to help readers find his books, too. :)

Here's a link to a recent interview with him:

http://lauries-interviews.blogspot.com/2011/05/spotlight-interview-with-mike-faricy.html

He lives part of the year stateside, and part in Ireland, and we've become Facebook penpals. He seems like a stand-up guy, and certainly has a good sense of humor. I even mentioned that I could change the hero's name when I reissued SLIH, but he nixed that idea.

Perhaps he likes being the hero of a romance novel, fighting against evil--AKA Slick Dawson--or he just wants to spend more time with the heroine, Abigail Kingsley. :-)

As my late husband always said, whatever works. ;-)

SOME LIKE IT HOTTER is now available for Kindle, Kobo, Sony, Nook, and--soon--iBooks. So is A WILLING SPIRIT, and SHADES OF ROSE will be very soon. Check my website for details.

Happy Reading!

~Deb

www.debstover.com

April 15th

2011-04-14T12:24:00.000-06:00

A question I'm often asked when interviewed is why I write Romance. Well, I was raised by a real hero, and I married one. Neither one of them ever let me down.

April 15th is my birthday. Yes, traditional income tax day, the day the TITANIC sank, and the day Abraham Lincoln died, etc. I want to go on record that Lincoln was actually shot on the 14th, and the TITANIC struck the iceberg on the 14th. Okay...? Just saying...

But April 15th is D-day--the sinking, the dying, the taxes, my birthday, and--just to be consistent--also the day my late husband and I learned his cancer was definitely terminal. No wonder I always get depressed on my birthday!

Hey, at least it's an easy date to remember. Right?

People always ask what I want for a gift, and I always say, "Nothing, thanks." If they persist, I say, "Just a card." They think I'm kidding. I'm not.

I'm a writer and a reader. Words mean a lot to me. If you're here reading my blog, they obviously mean a lot to you, too.

My mom died in 1997. She's the one who taught me to love reading, and my dad taught me to love history and research. Mom always went to great pains to pick out meaningful cards for family members for every special occasion.

Dad has carried on her tradition of sending cards that really mean something, and they never fail to make me cry. ::sigh:: In fact, I know he takes extra care since Mom died, and also--I think--since my husband lost his heroic battle with cancer in 2005.

There's no question about why my dad is still my hero. Is there?

This year's birthday card arrived in today's mail (the day before my infamous birthday) and reads as follows:

FRONT:

Daughter, You are always in my heart...

INSIDE:

I want you to know

that I love you

every bit as much today

as the day you were born.

And though I may not

hold you in my arms

the way I did then,

I always hold you safely

in my thoughts

and in my heart.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Love, Dad

Well, it doesn't get any better than that. Does it? Where are my tissues?

So, when someone tells you they want a card for their birthday, please bear in mind that they may really mean it....

Happy reading.

Love,

My 3rd birthday with my mom and little brother.

Deb

Some Like It Hotter back on Kindle

2011-04-09T07:37:00.001-06:00

It's alive again at Amazon Kindle as of today! Thanks for your patience.

Blurb:

"Natchez detective, Mike Faricy, is living a nightmare. First, his partner and best friend is killed in a shootout. Then a strange man appears at the precise moment Mike offers to sell his soul in exchange for his partner's life. Before Mike can blink, the man promises him the chance to change June 19th, the day before the killing. Who can blame him for at least trying? But he should have read the fine print. Now Mike is facing Abigail Kingsley--a knockout woman in Civil War-era garb who insists it is June 19th, all right...1865! A man out of time. A woman out of options. Time-travel Romance at its very best!"

Dirty Harry meets Scarlett O'Hara and there's hell to pay....

They stood facing each other beneath the stars, and Abigail wondered if these feelings were the sort of thing poets knew when they penned beautiful, heartrending words. She felt so strange, as if she and Mike were no longer of this world. They were with the stars, suspended apart from pain and reality.

Safe.

His breathing grew louder and mingled with her own as the seconds ticked by. Though he still hadn't touched her, she felt him, felt a power emanating from him and into her. An invisible bond spanned the distance between them, drawing her to him unlike anything she'd ever known or even dreamed of.

She could almost see it--this magical force that drew her to him. Her insides ached and throbbed, empty and weeping for him. "Mike." His name was barely more than a strangled whisper, torn from her lips by desperation and a need so raw and fierce she felt she might die from it.

Then he touched her.

A Few Reviewers' Comments:

"Fun, fast-paced, sexy...sizzling passion...a terrific read."

~ Best-selling author, Kristin Hannah

"An exciting page-turner from a talented author. In addition to suspense, romance, and humor, this book has a heart of pure gold."

~ Best-selling author, Susan Wiggs

"EXTRAORDINARY! Deb Stover is a master dream-spinner! A haunting, heart-wrenching, utterly beautiful example of time travel romance at its very best!"

~ Best-selling author, Maggie Shayne

"5 Stars! A tremendous time travel romance...brilliantly crafted...great work from a rising star!"

~ Affaire de Coeur

"With a number of wonderful surprises and startling revelations, Some Like it Hotter sets

Ms. Stover apart. She is truly an original writer of remarkable talents and you'll be delighted with her sexy, creative, humorous and poignant trip back in time!"

~ Romantic Times Book Club

"Truly remarkable...no one does it better!!"

~Donita Lawrence, Bell, Book & Candle -- RWA Bookseller of the Year, 1995

SOME LIKE IT HOTTER won a few awards when it was released:

The Heart of Romance Readers' Choice Award for Best Paranormal.

Affaire de Coeur's annual Reader Favorite Poll (from 1997):

Best Time Travel: Some Like it Hotter by Deb Stover

Best Supernatural Romance: Almost An Angel by Deb Stover

Favorite Author: Deb Stover

Romance Novel of the Year! Some Like It Hotter by Deb Stover

Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks?

2011-04-08T14:33:00.000-06:00

Some of you may have noticed that A Willing Spirit and Some Like It Hotter have not been available at Amazon for a couple of weeks. That's because I pulled them and am in the process of making them available for all e-readers. They went live at Barnes & Noble for the Nook today! They're processing at Amazon for the Kindle, at Kobo for the Sony Reader, and will also be available at Apple for iBooks. I will update you with those links as they go live, and you can always check my website for the most recent information.

The Gift remains available for all readers, and I am working making arrangements to reissue my very first book, Shades Of Rose, with a stunning new cover.

Happy reading!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T09:50:00.000-06:00

Go muirní cnoic na hÉireann thú.

May the Irish hills caress you.

From the Mulligans (and me) to you!

http://www.debstover.com/mulligan.html

And don't miss Bridget's Bodacious Mulligan Stew Recipe while you're browsing. :)

Some Like It Hotter on Kindle

2011-03-16T09:40:00.000-06:00

The Kindle release of SOME LIKE IT HOTTER is now up at Amazon. It will be going up at all the other digital sites as soon as I have the ISBN, which is forthcoming. Amazon is still linking this edition with the original 1997 release.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004S7ADYO

Blurb:

Teaser:

Dirty Harry meets Scarlett O'Hara and there's hell to pay....

Safe.

Then he touched her.

A Few Reviewers' Comments:

"Fun, fast-paced, sexy...sizzling passion...a terrific read."

~ Best-selling author, Kristin Hannah

"An exciting page-turner from a talented author. In addition to suspense, romance, and humor, this book has a heart of pure gold."

~ Best-selling author, Susan Wiggs

"EXTRAORDINARY! Deb Stover is a master dream-spinner! A haunting, heart-wrenching, utterly beautiful example of time travel romance at its very best!"

~ Best-selling author, Maggie Shayne

"5 Stars! A tremendous time travel romance...brilliantly crafted...great work from a rising star!"

~ Affaire de Coeur

"With a number of wonderful surprises and startling revelations, Some Like it Hotter sets

Ms. Stover apart. She is truly an original writer of remarkable talents and you'll be delighted with her sexy, creative, humorous and poignant trip back in time!"

~ Romantic Times Book Club

"Truly remarkable...no one does it better!!"

~Donita Lawrence, Bell, Book & Candle -- RWA Bookseller of the Year, 1995

SOME LIKE IT HOTTER won a few awards when it was released:

The Heart of Romance Readers' Choice Award for Best Paranormal.

Affaire de Coeur's annual Reader Favorite Poll (from 1997):

Best Time Travel: Some Like it Hotter by Deb Stover

Best Supernatural Romance: Almost An Angel by Deb Stover

Favorite Author: Deb Stover

Romance Novel of the Year! Some Like It Hotter by Deb Stover

Some Like It Hotter by Deb Stover

Passing of an Era

2011-03-06T09:13:00.000-07:00

The passing of Walter Zacharius will leave a gaping void in the publishing industry, and in society. He was a true icon and a pioneer. This fitting tribute says far more about this great man than I can. Kensington gave me my start in publishing, and I will always remember Walter with fondness and gratitude.

Thank you, Mr. Zacharius. Rest in peace....

~Deb Stover
www.debstover.com

Some Like It Hotter

2011-02-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

This time-travel romance was originally released in April 1996 under the Pinnacle Books Denise Little Presents imprint with this cover:

Original Cover (1996)

It's a beautiful cover, but it doesn't really fit the story. True, the watermelon azaleas climbing the white wrought iron are very "Southern," and the story is set in Natchez, but this is not a "pretty" kind of story. It's sometimes gritty and often naughty, with a villain who actually scared me a few times while I was writing it. My working log line was "Dirty Harry Meets Scarlett O'Hara."

Since the rights have reverted back to me now, I am in the process of making it available again to readers in digital format. My good friend, Mary Chase, AKA Mary Chase Comstock, designed this amazing new cover. I think it fits the story much better, and I hope you will agree.

For 2011 Digital Release, coming soon

The file is in production now. Check back soon for links.

Happy reading!

~Deb

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

I am so excited. One of my all-time favorite historical romance authors--the incorrigible and incredible Rebecca Paisley!!!!--is launching a web presence, and will be blogging soon!!!! Check back here for more info. I'll post a link to her blog as soon as she posts her first note. :) I hope, I hope this means we may have another of her wonderful books to read in the not-too-distant future!!!!!!

May all my readers have a magical Valentine's Day!

Love,
Deb

Fall in Love Like a Romance Writer

2011-01-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Author Amelia Grey has compiled a collection of stories shared by romance authors we all know and read, including me. She asked us to share the story of how we met and fell in love with our spouses. Some of the stories are inspiring, some humorous, and some heartwarming. It's a fun collection. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Visit Amelia's Site

Happy reading. Remember to join me in chat Wednesday, January 26th at 9:00 PM Eastern Time at Mo's Book Buzz on Wednesday, January 26th at 9:00 PM Eastern time. Once the chat room loads, type in a user name (password not needed) and select Mo's Book Buzz room from the drop-down menu.

Happy reading!

~Deb

Chat with Deb

2011-01-16T18:13:00.000-07:00

Deb Stover will discuss the Kindle release of her award-winning 1996 time-travel, A Willing Spirit, and the forthcoming Some Like it Hotter ("Dirty Harry Meets Scarlett O'Hara") with readers at Mo's Book Buzz on Wednesday, January 26th at 9:00 PM Eastern time. Once the chat room loads, type in a user name (password not needed) and select Mo's Book Buzz room from the drop-down menu.

One lucky reader will get to choose between a door prize of either the Kindle edition or the original mass market release of A Willing Spirit. See you there!

~Deb

Keep New Books Coming!

2011-01-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is a topic of concern to all of us--readers, writers, booksellers, etc. It must be shared if we want new books to read--and I do!

I'm proud of Romance Writers of America for taking a stand. Brava!

http://tinyurl.com/4tv9zen

Please help us fight online book theft. Scanning, uploading, sharing books without the specific consent of the copyright owner--that means the AUTHOR, in most cases--is blatantly illegal. When a book is published, the author grants the publisher specific rights to publish. Those are limited to certain markets and formats. When an individual or company makes an illegal copy and shares it with the world--Torrent or whatever--that person and that company are both committing a crime. Furthermore, every individual who downloads and/or uploads and/or shares that illegal copy is also committing a crime.

Most people I know would never consider buying or selling a stolen car. Yet many don't think twice about downloading or uploading stolen books, music, software, or movies on the Internet.

It's all stolen property, whether it's a Rolls Royce or a Romance Novel. Stolen is stolen...

Most authors can't afford to work for free. Can you? How would you feel if you went to work every day, did a good job, and found out a lot of your hours were for naught? They were "stolen" by individuals who believed they had a right to your time and effort simply because it was there and they could...?

Think about it.

If you want your favorite authors to keep writing, please help stop this madness. Thank you.

~Deb Stover
www.debstover.com

Snowy Morning

2011-01-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Not unusual for January in Colorado at 7,436 feet. We're due more with blowing, so I poked my head out the door and snapped a few iPhone photos before it starts again.

Happy reading and writing, all!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T16:36:00.000-07:00

I chatted up the meal I am preparing on Facebook, and several people asked for my dessert recipe. I can't remember where I found this recipe, but I always make a few changes as I go to make it mine anyway. My apologies to the originator.

Menu:
Hoppin' John (Black-eyed peas for good luck, you know)
Beef roast with garlic and onions
Cabbage wedges braising in the drippings left by the roast
baked potatoes for one person, another gets quinoa
I forgot to put the sourdough bread in the bread machine, but it was in the plans. I think the Mimosas made me forget. :)

Having grown up in Kansas, I'm not familiar with Meyer Lemons, but now I am! Yummy.

Meyer Lemon Cake

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup canola oil (I replaced this with 2 sticks of melted butter for personal preference)
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated Meyer lemon zest, divided
3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, divided
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
6 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. and grease a tube pan. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.

2. In a large bowl, beat eggs together with sugar until combined. Beat in 1 cup of oil, 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 teaspoon zest, and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended.

3. Gradually beat in flour mixture then beat in sour cream. Pour batter into tube pan and bake 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cake rest 15 minutes before inverting and frosting.

4. To make frosting, beat butter, cream cheese, remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon zest and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended. Frost cake when fully cooled and store in refrigerator.

Happy 2011!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

Happy Holidays

2010-12-18T15:00:00.000-07:00

Peace and Joy from our house to yours!

Some years ago, while my readers waited for Mulligan Magic, the sequel to Mulligan Stew, I posted a free short story at my website. "A Mulligan Christmas" is about the first Christmas that Riley and Bridget spend in the castle after their marriage, and it's told from Jacob's viewpoint. The story is still at my site if you should like to read or reread it during the holidays.

The Mulligan family still speaks to me, and wants me to write the final book in their trilogy, which I titled Mulligan Charm. Perhaps, someday, I will have that opportunity.

Have a safe and joyous holiday with your families.

Quantum Leap!

2010-12-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Deb Stover is finally reissuing some of her in-demand backlist in digital format. The first one to see rebirth is her award-winning 1996 time travel, A WILLING SPIRIT. It now sports an appropriately humorous cover with her late husband as the cover model, wearing his memorable crooked grin. You can find A WILLING SPIRIT now at Amazon (ASIN B004EHZTTW) <http://tinyurl.com/2668yum>. Deb is working toward making it available for other digital readers as well. Free Kindle readers are available for those who don't own a Kindle. And if you really want a mass market copy of this book, Beth Anne's Book Corner in Colorado Springs (bethstec@aol.com) still has some in her "safe."

After the holidays, she will work on the resurrection of Some Like it Hotter, AKA "Dirty Harry Meets Scarlett O'Hara."

LOVE CAN JUST BE A MATTER OF TIME

Some things just can't be explained. Winnie Sinclair can't explain how she ended up in an Oklahoma thunderstorm making wild love to Paul Weathers, her ex-husband's divorce attorney. And she certainly can't explain how that same storm swept her back to 1896 Indian Territory. And now barracuda lawyer believes he's a U.S. Marshal. He looks like Paul, but gone are the three-piece suits and the expensive haircut, replaced by a pair of Remingtons and a Stetson.

Two men, one body, one woman...and no one understands the meaning of the word "compromise..."

What Reviewers Said in 1996!

"Clever...original...thoughtful, quick-witted..."

~ Publishers Weekly

"Sassy, snappy, sexy...the genre's newest star." 4 1/2 Stars, Top Pick!

~Jill Smith, Romantic Times Magazine (that's what it was called then :-))

"Wildly funny, romantic and totally ingenious!"

~ The Literary Times

"Five Gold Stars! This is totally original...incomparable. Creativity, thy name is Deb Stover!"

~ Heartland Critiques

"Five Bells!!! A hotter-than-a-pistol story you have to read to believe!"

~ Donita Lawrence, Bell, Book and Candle Bookstore

1995 Steffie Walker Bookseller of the Year

"Deb Stover weaves magic. This book will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love...delicious, charming, exciting and heart-wrenching..."

~ Trish Jensen, Pen and Mouse

"Fast, fun and fiery hot!"

~ New York Times bestselling author, Suzanne Forster

"Scintillatingly superb..." 4 1/2 Stars

~ Affaire de Coeur

"One of the quirkiest, sexiest, funniest time-travels I've ever read."

~ New York Times bestselling author, Anne Stuart

"Provocative, teeming with fresh and distinctive characters that spring from the pages into your heart. A wonderful tale packed with action, adventure, and a sizzling romance that ignites the pages. This one is a treasure to savor many times."

~ Rendezvous

A Willing Spirit Digital Release Live

2010-12-01T16:22:00.002-07:00

A Willing Spirit on Kindle

Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/A-Willing-Spirit-ebook/dp/B004W4M51C
B& N Nook: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/A-Willing-Spirit/Deb-Stover/e/2940012326768

LOVE CAN BE JUST
A MATTER OF TIME...

Some things just can't be explained. Winnie Sinclair can't explain how she ended up in an Oklahoma thunderstorm making wild love to Paul Weathers, her ex-husband's divorce attorney. She certainly can't explain how that same storm just swept her back in time to 1896 Indian Territory--or how on earth she's supposed to get back.

Now she's just met a lean, sexy U.S. Marshal who looks exactly like Paul. But gone are the three-piece suits and the expensive haircut, replaced by a pair of Remingtons and a Stetson.

He calls himself Sam Weathers, claims he was murdered in cold blood...and his spirit has borrowed the body of his great-great-grandson to bring the killer to justice. So now Paul...and Sam...are both hot and bothered by a redhead named Winnie. Worse, she's kin to the man they're hunting.

One thing is certain: history will never be the same.
But love just might find its own place in time...

Read an excerpt here: http://www.debstover.com/sam.html

"Clever...original...thoughtful, quick-witted..."
-- Publishers Weekly

A Romantic Times Magazine "Top Pick"

"Sassy, snappy, sexy...the genre's newest star." 4 1/2 Stars!
-- Romantic Times Magazine

"Wildly funny, romantic and totally ingenious! A WILLING SPIRIT is delicious, titillating! Fine writing, a fantastic romantic tale that spans the centuries!"
--The Literary Times

"Five Gold Stars! This is totally original...incomparable. Sam and Paul are wonderful 'co-heroes' and Winnie is delightful as a slightly dubious heroine. Creativity, thy name is Deb Stover!"
Five GOLD Stars! -- Heartland Critiques

"Five Bells!!! A hotter-than-a-pistol story you have to read to believe!"
-- Donita Lawrence, Bell, Book and Candle Bookstore
Romance Writers of America's 1995 Bookseller of the Year

"Deb Stover weaves magic. This book will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love...delicious, charming, exciting and heart-wrenching..." -- Trish Jensen, Pen and Mouse

"Fast, fun and fiery hot!"
-- Suzanne Forster, bestselling author

"Scintillatingly superb..." 4 1/2 Stars
-- Affaire de Coeur

"One of the quirkiest, sexiest, funniest time-travels I've ever read."
-- Anne Stuart, bestselling author

Dear Mr. President

2010-11-30T18:27:00.000-07:00

I am the widow of a US Veteran, the single mother of a disabled child, and a critically acclaimed--ahem--starving romance writer. I live on a very limited income, and many months we barely make ends meet.

However, I beg you, please do not extend our tax break if it means the wealthiest Americans will also get theirs. Please, let us pay our fair share so they will pay theirs, too. America needs the money. We need the money to keep schools open, to pay teachers, to provide food and shelter and health care to those who have none. We need to take care of our Veterans who have given their all for our country.

Please...do not give us a tax break. Not if it means the Buffets and Trumps of this world also get one. Make them pay their fair share.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Sincerely,
Deb Stover

Mother, Grandmother, and...
MSgt David Allen Stover's widow

Thanksgiving, Snow, Etc.

2010-11-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and made some lasting memories. You never know when you may need them. I pull mine out every year and go through a mental slide show of holidays past.

We woke this morning to about six inches of fresh snow. Very pretty. The Palmer Lake Star has been lit for the Season, too, so it's beginning to look a lot like... ;-) Of course, the most beautiful photo I've ever seen of our Star is this one, taken last winter on a bitterly cold full moon night after Christmas by my gentleman friend, Martin Yaslowitz.

I took these snow pics before the sun had fully risen, and they're a little fuzzy--not enough coffee--but not too bad for phone pictures from an amateur. :) I'm a writer--not a photographer.

Speaking of which, I am in the process of preparing some of my back list titles for Kindle. Check my website for details. A Willing Spirit will be first.

Happy reading, all!

The F Word

2010-09-07T06:17:00.000-06:00

My name is Deb Stover and I'm a genre slut--technically, a sub-genre slut. My published novels, short stories, and novellas all fall under the romance and/or women's fiction umbrella. However, from there they pretty much run the gamut.

Time travel, historical, paranormal (ghosts, reincarnation, angels, curses, witches, devils, fairies), fantasy, contemporary, suspense/mystery, western, sexy and not-so-sexy, humorous and serious, scary and not-so-scary, and...so forth.

Yep, I'm a serious sub-genre slut....

My brilliant literary agent advised me a decade ago that I should focus. I cringed. The "f" word? F-f-f-f-focus? Only write one kind of book? Seriously?

Yes, seriously. In order to build my readership, I should f-f-f-f-focus on one sub-genre for several books and stop being so, er, promiscuous with my muse.

This is like the desert island question. If you were stranded on a desert island with only one book to read, what would it be? Voracious readers consider this a special level of hell. One book? Yikes! What a nightmare...

So, just as I decided to try f-f-f-f-focusing on contemporary paranormal romance for a while, my personal life went into the tank. My husband's cancer came out of remission and became terminal, my health took a horrible turn, and I spent approximately six years pretty much unable to work. I finally finished The Gift, which is a paranormal contemporary romantic suspense psychic empath ghost story (big grin), and realized, after losing my beloved husband, that I did not want to f-f-f-f-f-f-focus on this type of book.

Life is too short, and writing is too hard, not to follow our muse. Yes, I absolutely agree with my brilliant agent's F-word advice. She's wise far beyond her years. However, I realize now I need to f-f-f-f-f-focus on the books of my heart.

I need to practice what I preach. I often tell beginning writers not to write what they don't enjoy reading. I ask them what type of book first made them sit down at the keyboard and type that first manuscript. So I asked myself those same questions.

I've just completed a proposal I warned my brilliant literary agent is "classic Deb Stover." Bless her, she said, "That sounds wonderful."

Let's hope she still feels that way when she reads it. :)

Writing is hard work--really hard work. Before we publish, we do it for love, and because our Muse demands we breathe life into the characters who haunt us day and night. There's no money, no royalties, no deadlines. It's all for the passion and pleasure of storytelling. And, if we get lucky, we get both.

I got lucky back in 1995 when my first book was published. I have to say that almost every one of my published novels have been books of my heart.

I'm ready to get lucky again.

Happy writing and reading!

Love,
Deb

Peace...

2010-08-26T21:25:00.006-06:00

Warning: Some may call this political, but--maybe--it's a little common sense, too.

Like many other Americans, I am weary of the arguments about religion and government. This nation was founded by people fleeing persecution, seeking religious freedom, and our Constitution was written to ensure all the freedom to worship--or not--as they see fit. We are not a "Christian Nation," as so many want to say. We are a free people--free to choose our own paths without fear of persecution or ridicule.

Thomas Jefferson wrote: "Believing that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their Legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State" (Letter to the Danbury Baptists, 1802).

I think, most of all, we are tired of the hate, the ridicule, the talking heads fanning the flames of the craziest of the zealots from both sides. What happened to civil discourse? What happened to reason and compassion? What happened to simple human courtesy?

What happened to the Constitution of the United States of America, which grants us the freedom to choose how, if, where, and how we worship...?

Live and let live. Let's get on with the business of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Let's feed our hungry, heal our sick, house our homeless, and try to work together to make this a better world than it is today.

Peace to all, and happy reading.

~Deb, who now returns us to our regularly scheduled program

Silver and Gold

2010-08-19T20:06:00.004-06:00

I had an experience today that reminded me how important memories and childhood friendships can be. It also reminded me of a song from Girl Scouts--Brownies, I think.

"Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold."

We can never have too many friends, and--as my late husband always said--life is way too short to carry a grudge.

Happy reading, all. Love, Deb

"I got a Happy Meal and Mommy got a baby!"

2010-08-17T07:29:00.018-06:00

Today is my daughter, Bonnie's, 24th birthday. Many of you know her online as "Princess Bonnie," which she is in every way. She's sunshine blended with a healthy dose of Missouri mule. ;)

After our birth daughter, Barbi, was born on Christmas Eve in 1981, my obstetrician informed us that another pregnancy was "paramount to a death wish." I have this nasty blood-clotting disorder that makes pregnancy very high risk. So we spoiled our beautiful baby for four years, then started looking into adoption.

One thing we knew for certain--we wanted an infant. The other thing we realized after taking a workshop on special needs adoption was that we had absolutely no qualms about bringing a baby with Down Syndrome into our home. So after completing this program and our home study, we went on a waiting list as not only potential, but eager, adoptive parents for a newborn with Down Syndrome. Imagine our surprise when a mere 3 months later, the phone rang to inform us that our wait was at an end.

We lived near Tulsa, Oklahoma at the time, and Bonnie was born in Oklahoma City. The laws at that time would not permit "placement" until she was eleven days old. We stayed in constant contact with the agency. Not only was she born with Down Syndrome, and a little premature, but she also had a heart defect, which isn't uncommon. Because her birth mother didn't have medical insurance, the only test that had been done was an EKG. Our medical insurance would cover Bonnie the moment she came into our family, so I made appointments for her with a pediatric cardiologist and our pediatrician before we even brought her home.

Finally, the day arrived, and the social worker suggested we meet somewhere between Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Dave took the day off from work, and the three of us packed the diaper bag, car seat, and blanket I had crocheted for our new baby, and drove to the appointed rendezvous point.

McDonald's, of course!

Bonnie only weighed four pounds, fourteen ounces. Considering her big sister had weighed eight pounds, seven ounces, holding her was like holding half a baby. Pretty scary little bundle, but sooooooo loved and soooooo adorable. People stared at us in the restaurant while we exchanged baby and paperwork. I have to admit, looking back, it must have looked a little clandestine, but nothing could have been more right or good.

The next morning, when I took 4 1/2-year-old Barbi to Noah's Ark Preschool, she marched in the door and proudly announced, "We went to McDonald's. I got a Happy Meal and Mommy got a baby."

The teachers and other parents looked at her with their mouths agape when I stepped through the door behind my daughter holding our tiny Bonnie. All I could do was laugh, because Barbi had simply told the truth. After the initial shock and a few explanations, we made our trip to the cardiologist, where we learned that Bonnie's heart murmur wasn't as serious as originally feared. While she did require heart surgery at eighteen months, she now has a normal--and very loving--heart.

Since that wonderful day in 1986, we went through another so-called "special needs" adoption to add our son, Ben. As far as my late husband and I were concerned, the only special needs were ours, and our children have fulfilled them and then some. Since both our adopted children are of other races, I was often asked while out shopping whether or not they were my "real" children. I always smiled and said, "Of course. I left the pretend ones at home."

It's all about love--not blood or DNA.

Each of our children was meant to be part of our family. It doesn't matter how they came to be here. We're family. Period.

Bonnie's special all right, but not because of that extra number twenty-one chromosome. She's special because she's Bonnie. Her dad often said she was born missing the mean gene. I think he was right....

Happy birthday, Princess Bonnie.

Love, Mom

Once Upon a Time...

2010-08-06T05:56:00.006-06:00

In a land far, far away, known as Wichita, Kansas, I met a handsome prince. It was 1976, and I was only 19, though I thought--of course--that I knew everything. He was 21 and had recently left the US Air Force Academy and was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base. My mother thought he was a "walking, living, breathing doll." And, well, he was. We were married on August 6th, 1976, and remained together until our children and I lost him to cancer on May 14th, 2005. He was, and always will be, our hero .

Love,
Deb

August 6th, 1976 in Wichita, Kansas

My Favorite Photographer's 1st Show

2010-07-13T21:48:00.006-06:00

Please join local photographer Martin Yaslowitz at Covered Treasures Bookstore, Corner of Second & Washington in Monument Colorado, on July 15th between 5:30 and 8:00 PM to view his amazing images, and to discuss the joy and challenges of photographing our Tri-Lakes region. For more information, Email: covrdtreas@aol.com or Phone: 719.481.2665

The beautiful slide show you see here on my blog is his work, as is my publicity photo. :)

~Deb

Holt Medallion Awards

2010-06-24T20:14:00.003-06:00

I received a call last night to inform me that The Gift is an Award of Merit recipient in the Holt Medallion's Paranormal category. All the winners and Awards of Merit (listed alphabetically) are here: http://www.virginiaromancewriters.com/Contests/holtwinners.html . Congratulations to all!

Thank you, Virginia Romance Writers!

~Deb

View from Here

2010-05-26T06:39:00.009-06:00

I often post images of the amazing snow up here at almost 7,500 feet. We had a big snow the last day of summer and the first day of spring--and several since, I might add. We haven't seen any flakes for a couple of weeks now, so we're counting our blessings, and the pollen now. Even seeing a few blossoms here and there. So I thought it was only fair to share the view from my office window that greets me each morning when it isn't covered with snow. Even I have to admit you should be jealous. :) In the evening, I can sit on my deck and look to the east to see twinkling lights in the towns and cities below. It's pretty spectacular.

FYI, the old Queen Anne mansion you see in the photos is utterly gorgeous and it's for sale. If I had a few million lying around, I'd snatch it up. The estate is called Estemere.

Happy reading and writing!

http://debstover.blogspot.com/2010/05/view-from-here.html

~Deb, writing in the Rockies

Starting Young

2010-05-23T10:58:00.008-06:00

In reviewing Annabella's first birthday party photos, I made an amusing discovery.

Here she is with the piano I bought her doing her honky tonk or Elton John imitation:

Then she's caught foisting a shot glass in her high chair--which she handed me a moment later for a refill.

Then, to top off this day of celebration, she's caught on camera selecting a lottery ticket, of all things. Gambling at the tender age of one! I hope she wins, so she can support her grandma. :)

Her mom's favorite nickname for Annabella is "Treasure." It's easy to see why.

Happy reading, everybody.

http://debstover.blogspot.com/

~Deb, AKA, Annabella's Grandma

Annabella's First Birthday!

2010-05-23T06:12:00.006-06:00

http://debstover.blogspot.com/

She's toddling around the house, talking to Grandma and her "Dada" on the telephone, even if that telephone is a ball or any other pretend item. On those occasions when she does get her hands on her Mom's Blackberry, she has somehow managed to put me on speed dial and knows just how to call me because I always answer. The one time I didn't, she left me a voice mail expressing her displeasure.

My dad drove out from Kansas for her first birthday party, held Saturday May 22nd, 2010 at my house in Palmer Lake. Annabella's parents brought in the goodies, and one of Bella's playmates came for the fun. Family and friends gathered, presents were opened, we gorged ourselves on good food, two yummy cakes, and a cherry pie. Most of all, we let Annabella provide the entertainment. It's amazing how much fun it is to watch a one-year-old explore the world we take for granted every single day.

I swear, every time she looks at my standard poodle, Maggie Mae, she doesn't see a dog. She sees a pony....

Happy birthday, sweet Annabella. Many, many, many more!

Love,
Grandma

BOOK GROUPIE: Colorado's Stover and Randall | authors, Colorado, Stover - Life - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

2010-04-25T14:13:00.006-06:00

Reports of my move to Oklahoma in this wonderful column are more than 5 years late. I returned to Colorado in July 2005, where I have remained since. My family was only in Oklahoma for a few, very unhappy, months at the end of my late husband's battle with cancer. He and I planned our return to Colorado together. He asked me to bring his ashes home, so he could spend eternity in the Rockies. So we did, and we're still here. My current bio is here.

I absolutely adore what Anita Miller has to say about A Matter of Trust and The Gift, though. Thank you, Anita!

BOOK GROUPIE: Colorado's Stover and Randall | authors, Colorado, Stover - Life - Colorado Springs Gazette, CO

Posted using ShareThis

You'll find a link to Anita Miller's blog at the end of her column. It's a must-read for readers and writers. Enjoy!

Happy reading!

~Deb

The Gift goes Digital

2010-04-25T12:21:00.002-06:00

I knew it would be available eventually, but didn't know when. The Gift is now available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon for the Kindle. FYI...

Happy Reading!

Dinner Party Recipes

2010-04-25T07:28:00.014-06:00

I was asked for recipes from a small dinner I had last night for a writer friend, my gentleman friend, and Princess Bonnie. Maggie Mae (my standard poodle) digested every bite we took, of course. The meal was yummy, if I do say so myself.

As an aside, I use only organic, natural ingredients. When I say whipping cream, I mean real whipping cream you make with a mixer --not "Cool Whip." Since I'm allergic to soy and corn, I've learned to return to nature, and use only real food. I'm a firm believer in Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food.

FWIW, just like my novels these recipes emerged from my imagination (or were altered drastically from the original). :)

Pork Loin with Spinach

Ingredients
Serves 4
* 1 large garlic clove, finely chopped
* 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
* 1 teaspoon coarsely chopped fresh rosemary and/or chopped thyme
* 1 tablespoon plus 4 teaspoons olive oil
* 1 3/4 pounds pork tenderloin (about 2)
* 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
* Freshly ground pepper
* 1/2 - 1 pound spinach, washed well (may substitute frozen, if necessary)
* 1 large lemon, scrubbed and sliced

Directions
1. Put olive oil in bottom of large crockpot or Dutch oven (if using oven, preheat to 325).

Place onion slices and some coarse salt in bottom ( henceforth, dish refers to either
crockpot or Dutch oven).

2. Place pork in dish; sprinkle with herbs and seasonings (reserve some salt & pepper).

Layer spinach over pork with garlic and lemon slices. Sprinkle remaining salt & pepper (to
taste) over top. Cover dish.

3. Roast in oven, spooning juices over pork occasionally (unnecessary in crockpot), until
thickest part of pork reaches 155 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove from heat; let rest until pork reaches 160 degrees, about 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, prepare bread and quinoa.

I serve spinach and broth over the quinoa, and prepared a flax flatbread.

Flatbread Recipe (make while meat is cooking)

Ingredients:
* 2 cups flax seed meal
* 1 Tablespoon baking powder
* 1 teaspoon sea salt
* 1-2 Tablespoons sugar equivalent from artificial sweetener (I omit)
* 5 beaten eggs
* 1/2 cup water
* 1/3 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare pan (a 10X15 pan with sides works best) with oiled
parchment paper.

1) Mix dry ingredients well (I use a large whisk for entire process).

2) Add wet to dry, and combine well. Make sure there aren't obvious strings of egg white.

3) Pour batter into pan. Spread it away from the center in roughly a rectangle an inch or
two from the sides of the pan (you can go all the way to the edge, but it will be thinner).

4) Bake for about 20 minutes, until it springs back when you touch the top and/or is visibly
browning even more than flax already is (basically, texture of cornbread).

5) Cool and cut into whatever size slices you want. Just cut it with a spatula.

Chocolate Mousse:

Ingredients:
* 1 cup sugar
* 1/2 cup Cocoa powder (pure, not drink mix!!!!)
* 2 cup (1/2 pt.) cold whipping cream (real stuff, not fake!)
*2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Stir together sugar and cocoa in medium bowl; add whipping cream and vanilla. Beat on
medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bottom of bowl occasionally, until mixture is
stiff. Spoon into serving dishes.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Garnish if and as desired. Cover and
refrigerate leftover desserts. Four 1/2 cup servings.

Springtime in the Rockies

2010-04-24T06:36:00.009-06:00

http://debstover.blogspot.com/

Spring showers at 7,436' above sea level are often white. In fact, I remember many Mother's Days spent with snow. The tomato seedlings are still inside, but the lettuce and peas don't mind germinating beneath the snow, thank goodness. I'll bet the bears wish they had waited a couple of weeks longer before leaving their caves this year, though.

View from my front door at 6:20 AM, April 24th, 2010

View from my office, 6:21 AM, April 24th, 2010

I console myself with the reminder that summers at altitude are wonderful, though entirely too short.

Looks like good writing weather. And reading...

Happy spring, wherever you are!

~Deb

The Goddess of Fried Okra

2010-04-22T20:14:00.007-06:00

I loved this book! Pea O'Brien is warm, witty, charming, loyal to a fault, and downright irreverent as needed. Her journey often moved me to tears, but equally as often made my heart sing with hope. Jean Brashear has created a memorable tale that will stay with me. I highly recommend THE GODDESS OF FRIED OKRA.

Memories

2010-04-21T12:56:00.006-06:00

Last week, April 15th, was my birthday. It was also the 5th anniversary of the day my late husband and I learned his cancer was terminal. However, it was his birthday, six days later, that was the hardest day of my life. It was his 50th--what he called the 33rd anniversary of his 18th birthday--and I knew the entire time I prepared his favorite cherry crisp and decorated his hospital room, that it would be his very last birthday. Family came, friends sent cards and balloon bouquets. We were together, and the memories still bring tears, but they also bring the joy of almost 30 years together.

One thing I've learned over the last five years is that it's impossible to feel joy unless you also accept the pain. Memories come both ways, and to enjoy the happy ones, we have to welcome the ones that bring tears as well.

Next month, on May 22nd, the family will gather again to celebrate our granddaughter's very first birthday. Somehow, I suspect Dave will be giving Annabella a thumbs-up, and find some way to teach her some kind of mischief....

Love,
Deb

April 21st, 2005

Library Events

2010-04-05T07:51:00.002-06:00

Please join me at two Colorado libraries this coming weekend, where many authors will be available to chat with readers, and discuss our work. I will be signing copies of The Gift as well.

Saturday, April 10, 2010
1:30 PM - 6:00 PM
Pikes Peak Library District Presents
Mountain of Authors
http://ppld.org/blogs/PDFs/MountainOfAuthors2010.pdf
5550 N. Union Blvd.
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918
East Community/Conference Rooms I & II
http://library.ppld.org/aboutyourlibrary/HoursLocations/east.asp

Saturday, April 11th, 2010
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Author Reception
http://www.ci.englewood.co.us/Index.aspx?page=972
Englewood Public Library
http://www.ci.englewood.co.us/Index.aspx?page=851
1000 Englewood Parkway
First Floor of the Englewood Civic Center
Englewood, CO 80110

Happy reading!

~Deb
www.debstover.com

My Valentine

2010-02-04T12:10:00.002-07:00

My daughter, Barbi, took this photo with her phone while playing with 8-month-old Bella. Now, seriously--has there ever been a cuter baby? Of course I'm not biased! :)

Happy reading, all. I will be at the Louisville Library on February 6th for "Love in the Afternoon"--a panel of Romance Authors reading from our books and chatting with readers. Information is here: http://www.debstover.com/news.html

Stop and say hi if you're in the area.

~Deb

Christmas in the Rockies

2009-12-26T19:58:00.003-07:00

We had a lovely Christmas here. The family all gathered at my house for the day. We opened gifts, ate far too much, sipped a little champagne, and enjoyed being together. It was my granddaughter, Bella's, first Christmas, which made it extra special.

I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday, however you spent it.

Happy New Year and Happy Reading!

Love,
Deb

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-21T08:35:00.002-07:00

Holiday Memories

2009-12-08T05:30:00.004-07:00

Please join me today at Fresh Fiction to discuss your favorite holiday memory.

http://freshfiction.com/page.php?id=2165

May all your dreams come true.

Happy reading.

~Deb

Caffey's Reads: Review - THE GIFT by Deb Stover

2009-12-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Caffey's Reads: Review - THE GIFT by Deb Stover

Deb Does Barnes & Noble

2009-12-03T15:42:00.003-07:00

I will meet readers and autograph The Gift at the following Barnes & Noble locations during the next week:

Saturday, December 5th, 2009
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
1565 Briargate Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
(719) 266-9945

December 11th, 2009
2:00 PM
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Entertainment & Fashion Pavilion
500 16th Street Mall
Denver, CO 80202

The Gift is the perfect gift for the holidays. :) Okay, so I couldn't resist....

And if you can't come to Colorado for the signings, you can still order an autographed copy from Beth Anne's Book Corner. 719-471-7545

Happy reading!

~Deb

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T06:23:00.008-07:00

I am thankful this and every year for my family and their continued good health. This year I give special thanks for the birth of my first granddaughter, Annabella Debra Carr.

I am thankful for good, loyal friends who have stood at my side these past years as I've mourned the death of my husband, Dave.

I am thankful to have met Marty, my wonderful gentleman friend who is a brilliant photographer and gardener.

I am thankful that my Muse has finally risen from the ashes and again allows me to fulfill my role as storyteller, and that The Gift is finally in print and available to my readers.

Finally, I am ever-so-thankful for my dear, loyal readers. What would a writer be without readers? And vice-versa...? Since all writers are readers--and I do wish I knew who first said "scratch a writer, find a reader"--I proudly wear both hats.

Books, stories, worlds beyond the one in which we live. Escape. There are no boundaries. No limits. Only our imaginations and the written word. All entertainment depends on writers--on storytellers.

Let us all remember next time we go to a movie, watch television, read a novel, a story, or even see a commercial, that a writer somewhere had to put words together to make the moment possible.

And give thanks for the miracle of Story.

Readers and Writers. We make quite a pair. Don't we?

Have a safe, joyous, healthful, and fulfilling Thanksgiving.

And happy reading!

Love,
Deb

Signing in Wichita, Kansas

2009-11-24T08:46:00.001-07:00

Over the river and through the woods...

We'll be heading to my hometown to spend Thanksgiving with my dad, and I'm doing a signing on Black Friday. Hope to see you there.

Have a wonderful and safe holiday!

November 27th, 2009 Book Signing
Noon - 2:00 PM
Deb Stover will meet readers and autograph copies of THE GIFT.
Waldenbooks
4600 West Kellogg
Wichita, KS 67209
http://www.debstover.com for more information

Denver Signing

2009-11-21T08:55:00.007-07:00

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Deb Stover & Robin D. Owens will meet readers and autograph copies of their new releases: THE GIFT and Heart Change at:

Who Else?
Broadway Book Mall
200 S. Broadway
Denver, CO 80209

Forget the Broncos and come to a book signing! See you there.

~Deb

Super Bookseller

2009-11-10T14:40:00.006-07:00

If booksellers could be Superheroes, Beth Anne of Beth Anne's Book Corner in Colorado Springs would be my nominee. Robin D. Owens and I signed in her store Saturday, and we had an incredible day, thanks to Beth Anne's pre-selling of our new releases. This woman really loves what she does and it shows!

Thank you, Beth Anne. And thank you to all our readers who either came to the signing or contacted Beth Anne to arrange to have THE GIFT signed for mail order.

Beth Anne & Deb

Beth Anne & Robin

Bella's first booksigning with Grandma
(she's on the dedication page along with her Grandpa & Great-Grandpa)

All photos by the marvelously talented Martin Yaslowitz, who also managed to get his name on the dedication page.... :)

Happy reading, all.

Love,
Deb

Welcome Guest Terri DuLong!

2009-11-08T08:49:00.020-07:00

Author Terri DuLong has been gracious enough to stop by and answer some questions about her new release, Spinning Forward.

Welcome, Terri! Please tell us about your new book (I love the cover!).

Terri: Thanks, Deb. A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the west coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband's untimely death, and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Syd takes shelter at a college pal's bed and breakfast, leading her to discover her true identity and feminine soul. Her passion for spinning and knitting draws attention due to the unique composition of her wool and a door is opened. She finds herself in the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship . . . and secrets. A tale of new beginnings, old friends and lives forever bound.

Deb: It sounds fascinating. What pulled you into the story and made you think "I have to write
this?"

Terri: The actual people of Cedar Key, the small town where I now reside, made me feel I wanted to write about the closeness and caring of a small community. As far as my main character, not all women have the final say-so when it comes to decisions or financial matters in their marriage and although it may seem fine and easy at the time, my story deals with the fact that women owe it to themselves to be aware of these issues. For Sydney, her uninvolved attitude came back to bite her.

Deb: What is your favorite thing about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

Terri: I'd have to say my favorite thing about writing is all the feedback I get from my readers. Their comments on my characters, plot, how my story affected them, etc. Least favorite? Call me Pollyanna, but I really don't have one. I love writing and the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a story.

Deb: How do you fight writer's block?

Terri: I've never really had "writer's block." I've had episodes where I momentarily get stuck about where to go and what will work to take my plot forward, but when that happens I get away from the manuscript for a few days. Give it time to percolate a little. However, I'm constantly thinking about it the entire time and somehow I find my way back to where I want to go.

Deb: If your novel were made into a movie, who do you envision playing your main character? The love interest? The villain? And what part would you play? And why...?

Terri: For Sydney, my main character, I envision a few actresses. Sally Field is the major one but I could also see Michelle Pfeiffer or Rachel Ward being my Sydney. For the love interest, Noah, I envision Richard Gere or Kevin Costner. I honestly can't see myself as any of the characters. Ah, I know. Maybe Miss Polly, the hairdresser in town because she gets all the gossip and as a writer, I love gossip and details!

Deb: Please name the five movies and the five books you want with you if stranded on a desert island.

Terri: 5 books would be: A Woman of Substance, To Kill a Mockingbird, The House at Riverton, The Shellseekers and The Thornbirds.

5 movies would be: Casablanca, Pretty Woman, Saving Private Ryan, Ghost and Steel Magnolias.

Deb: What is next for you?

Terri: My Christmas novella that I'm doing in the anthology with Fern Michaels headlining will be released November 2010, the same time that my second book in the Cedar Key series will be out.

Spinning Forward released by Kensington Publishing Oct. 27, 2009
Book #2 in the Cedar Key Series and a Christmas Novella with Fern Michaels headlining the anthology to be released November 2010.

Thank you for joining us today, Terri. I look forward to reading Spinning Forward. For more information, I invite my readers to visit your site and blog: http://www.terridulong.com and
http://www.islandwriter.net.

The Gift by Deb Stover

2009-11-04T10:01:00.006-07:00

On sale now...

At Borders.com
Barnes & Noble.com
Books-a-Million.com
Independent Booksellers
Amazon.com
Beth Anne's Book Corner (contact for autographed copy)

Happy reading!

Love,
~Deb

We Voted

2009-11-04T09:53:00.002-07:00

Princess Bonnie and I--she's 23 now, which seems unbelievable!--voted yesterday. Did you...?

If you give up your right to vote, you give up your right to bitch. So...if you didn't vote yesterday, be silent. ;-)

~Deb and Princess Bonnie

PS: Yes, Princess Bonnie has Down Syndrome, but she is very active with me in the voting process. She enjoys it, understands the names of different candidates, and is excited about the entire process. Some people have objected to her right to vote. Imagine that.... Just because she has an extra # 21 chromosome doesn't make her a non-citizen. In fact, since she's Native American, she's more "citizen" than I....

Launch Party

2009-11-02T06:14:00.008-07:00

My first signing for The Gift is scheduled at my favorite bookstore, Beth Anne's Book Corner. Since this book has been such a long and painful process, and so many of you have been so patient, I want this first signing to have a party atmosphere. Beth Anne is known for hosting the world's friendliest book signings. We have more than one reason to make this signing a party. My signing mate, Robin D. Owens, will also be celebrating her birthday! Rumors are there will be cake, in addition to her wonderful new release, Heart Change.

When? November 7th, 2009
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Where? 1532 N. Circle in Colorado Springs, CO (behind Baskin Robins on west side of street)

If you can't make it and would like to order an autographed copy of either and/or both book(s), call or email Beth Anne and she will have us personalize it and send it to you. Phone: 719-471-7545. Email: bethstec@aol.com

Please join us if you can.

Happy reading!

~Deb

Read this post online: <Deb Stover>

Snow!!!!

2009-10-29T17:34:00.008-06:00

I don't think my deck looks like a good place for a BBQ right now!

It's been snowing non-stop since yesterday morning, and it's still snowing. I don't know what the official tally is up here, but I think we're into FEET at this point. It's going to take some serious digging to get me out of here for booksignings.

Good excuse to curl up with a good book. I've received a few sighting reports for The Gift. Happy reading!

~Deb

Win a Signed Copy of THE GIFT

2009-10-28T08:15:00.005-06:00

From CrazyMo:

Deb Stover joins us to discuss her book, The Gift. Door prize: One lucky
winner will receive an autographed copy of The Gift! Moderated by CrazyMo.

When? October 28th at 9:00PM Eastern Time

Where? Romance Reviews Today Click on RRT Chat. Once the chat screen loads, type your name and choose Mo's room from the drop-down menu.

Hope to see you there!

Mo

Halloween & It's a Book!

2009-10-26T07:33:00.018-06:00

This is release week for The Gift, which is--officially--on sale tomorrow. It seems like it's been forever, and I thank you all for your patience and support. If you'd like to order an autographed copy, please contact this local bookseller, where I'll be signing on 11/7, and she will have me personalize it and send it to you by US Mail. bethstec@aol.com or call 719-471-7545 Otherwise, you should be able to find the book in your usual haunts--online and brick and mortar. If you don't see it, please ask. That's one of the best things you can do to keep authors at work supplying you with new reads. Supply and demand...

Since The Gift is a suspense and a ghost story, it seems appropriate that it be released the week of Halloween. On that note, I would love to hear your ghost stories. Please share them with us here on the blog for all to enjoy.

The usual shameless self promo follows. :) Again, thank you! It's a book at last! I think the dedication page says it all....

“Readers will rejoice at the return of one of the romance genre’s special talents! Stover is back and jumping right into the romantic suspense game, while giving it a paranormal twist. Stover’s heroine is competent yet damaged, both by the past and her ‘gift.’ This melting pot of murder mystery, passion and ghosts makes for an outstanding storytelling stew!” HOT
~ 4 ½ Stars! Jill Smith, RT Book Reviews

“Thrilling romantic suspense at its best! THE GIFT is an extremely exciting thriller full of the extraordinary; fascinating and exceptionally entertaining. Deb Stover has a gift for capturing and keeping your attention throughout the entire novel. The story is unique and unlike other stories of this nature. I found this an extremely difficult book to put down. Each page turns itself. A must-read if you want that ‘different’ but really exciting thriller.”
~Kay Quintin, reviewer - Fresh Fiction

“FIVE STARS! From the moment I began reading I knew that I would not be stopping until every last page had been read. The very first sentence sunk its deep hooks within me and pulled me into Beth's story. (I admit that I did not go kicking and screaming either.) The story is very well written, with nothing I would consider to be ‘over the top’ or unbelievable. Backgrounds of the main and secondary characters are well developed and their emotions seem genuine. I honestly believe this to be a fantastic story and Deb Stover carries it off with her usual élan.” ~ Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

“Deb Stover spins a fantastic tale of love and mystery...filled with sexual tension that will keep you turning pages in anticipation...” ~Dyan Grant, NovelTalk Reviews

"A real page-turner..." New York Times best-selling author, Lisa Jackson

"An exciting romantic suspense thriller..." ~Harriet Klausner

"This story had me totally absorbed. Several times I was so engrossed in the story, that when I heard a noise, I nearly jumped out of my skin. This book is vintage Deb Stover!"
~ Kathy Boswell, Fresh Fiction

Now for your ghost stories.... :)

Boo!

Happy reading.

Love,
Deb

Talking to Invisible People

2009-10-19T06:12:00.012-06:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Permission to Forward
Sunday, October 25, 2009
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Falcon Police Station Community Meeting Room
7850 Goddard Street
Colorado Springs, CO

Pikes Peak Romance Writers of Romance Writers of America®

Talking to Invisible People with Deb Stover

Join Pikes Peak Romance Writers on October 25, 2009 at the Falcon Police Station from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. as we present Deb Stover discussing "Talking to Invisible People."

Award-winning author Deb Stover will lead an informal discussion about our imaginary friends--the characters who populate and drive our stories. Commercial fiction is, primarily, character-driven. An editor once said, "A reader will forgive a weak plot, but not weak characters." Discuss character interviews, bios, sketches, astrology charts, Tarot Cards, and various other methods of getting to know your characters.

Once upon a time, Deb Stover wanted to be Lois Lane, until she discovered Clark Kent is a fraud and there is no Superman. Since the publication of her first novel in 1995, Stover has received dozens of awards for her cross-genre fiction. The Gift will be released in November 2009. For more information, please visit www.debstover.com

PPRW Members, free. Guests, $5.00.

For more information please contact:
Michelle Major, Pikes Peak Romance Writers Publicity Chair
vp-publicity@pprw.org

Pikes Peak Romance Writers
AChapter of Romance Writers of America®
www.pprw.org

Writers, how do you get to know your characters? Readers, character traits help you immerse yourself into the story? Are there any that do the opposite? Please share your thoughts here. Thanks.

Happy reading!

Love,
Deb

Family Gathering

2009-09-22T06:59:00.008-06:00

My dad came to visit last weekend, as is his habit every fall to take in the Aspen glow. He and his lady friend had to drive to 10,000 feet to see them at their most brilliant on Saturday, while I stayed home to prepare a big family feast for Sunday to celebrate my son, Ben's, 20th birthday. It's a good thing he came when he did, because we had snow on the ground here the day he left. ::sigh::

Great-Grandpa meeting his great-granddaughter (Bella) for the first time. :)

My Maggie sneaking a kiss.

Mother/Daughter portrait. I'm a little biased, but I think they're both beautiful.

Family portrait, and Maggie managed to sneak into this one, too. LOL!

All photos taken by my wonderful gentleman friend, personal photographer, and master gardener, Martin Yaslowitz.

Love,
Deb

New Review of THE GIFT

2009-09-21T11:10:00.005-06:00

http://noveltalk.com/reviewpage.asp?ID=499

THE GIFT by Deb Stover

Paranormal

November 2009 by Love Spell

"Deb Stover spins a fantastic tale of love and mystery. THE GIFT is filled with sexual tension that will keep you turning pages in anticipation of when the Hero and Heroine will finally come together."

PS: It's snowing here. :(

Bella Update

2009-09-03T19:29:00.003-06:00

This kid has beauty, charm, & character. :)

Marty snapped these with his iPhone while Bella was bouncing on my knee today during a visit at her house.

She's starting to teethe and is only 3 1/2 months old!!!

Another Review!

2009-09-01T16:45:00.005-06:00

Nice. I think I should have bought a lottery ticket today, too. :)

THE GIFT – Deb Stover – Love Spell – 9780505526069 –
Kay Quintin, reviewer - Fresh Fiction

"Thrilling romantic suspense at its best!
THE GIFT is an extremely exciting thriller full of the extraordinary; fascinating and exceptionally entertaining. Deb Stover has a gift for capturing and keeping your attention throughout the entire novel. The story is unique and unlike other stories of this nature. I found this an extremely difficult book to put down. Each page turns itself. A must-read if you want that different but really exciting thriller."

RT Reviews THE GIFT!

2009-09-01T13:28:00.007-06:00

"Readers will rejoice at the return of one of the romance genre's special talents! Stover is back and jumping right into the romantic suspense game, while giving it a paranormal twist. Stover's heroine is competent yet damaged, both by the past and her "gift". This melting pot of murder mystery, passion and ghosts makes for an outstanding storytelling stew!"

The Gift Video Trailer

2009-08-30T12:27:00.003-06:00

Book Trailers

2009-08-24T21:46:00.003-06:00

My gentleman friend has created some book trailers for THE GIFT. I hope you enjoy them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyG4YMcpxQU

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIczKp9eh1A

Happy reading, all!

~Deb

Sunday Morning

2009-08-02T08:51:00.005-06:00

Ah, Sunday mornings are so lovely and lazy. I staggered out of bed with my usual arthritic stiffness, hobbled toward the bathroom, flipped on the light, and found "someone" waiting. In the sink. Stuck. Trembling.

I didn't scream, because I hadn't had my coffee yet. I looked at the poor, adorable--obviously trapped in the slippery marble sink--baby mouse and said, "There's no way I'm going to kill you, so don't be afraid."

Once I've seen its face, I do not kill. No way. I'm not a vegetarian, but I don't eat anything with a name or face either. I just...can't. My grandparents owned a dairy farm. We drank milk, but we didn't eat the cows. I was brokenhearted when I found out what sometimes happened to the chickens I helped my grandmother feed.

Back to Minnie Mouse....

Hours later, after morning coffee, etc., I enlisted the aid of my gentleman friend, who also agreed the little mouse must be safely captured and transported to the great outdoors. Yes, of course I realize he/she will probably just come back inside my house, but let's not go there yet. He found a plastic cup in the kitchen with a lid. After I snapped this very bad photo with my Blackberry, he scooped the little critter up and took him/her safely out to the front yard where my dog couldn't make sport of it.

So we've done our Sunday Morning Good Deed.

Now...tell me why we've had lows in the upper 40s the last week of July, and have mice coming into the house the 1st weekend of August.... It's too early for fall and winter even at this altitude.

Another impact of global climate change, no doubt. ::sigh::

I have a huge vegetable garden where this mouse could be happily feasting instead of being trapped in my bathroom sink. Go figure.

Have a wonderful Sunday and read something with a happy ending.

~Deb

PS: Some of you may remember my earlier post about this, much larger "visitor."

PROMO: I'm Baaaaack!

2009-07-31T09:13:00.005-06:00

As many of you know, The Gift is the book I sold while my husband was dying from cancer. I am delighted to have finally completed it, and have it scheduled for November 2009! Early reviews are encouraging--hurray and whew!--and the cover art is stunning. I could not be more pleased. I must say I have the most patient editor and agent in the world!

My favorite bookseller has arranged to take advance orders for autographed copies, if you're so inclined. As an aside, she also has some of my backlist, if there's something you missed. Here is her info:

Pre-Order an autographed copy of The Gift now from:

Beth Anne's Book Corner
1532 North Circle
Colorado Springs, CO 80909
(719) 471-7545
mailto:bethstec@aol.com

Thank you all for your patience. I hope you find The Gift worth the wait. I'm currently working on a proposal titled The Secret, which will be a sequel.

Happy reading!

~Deb

Sweet & Sassy

2009-07-30T21:19:00.006-06:00

Nothing sweeter than a sleeping princess all content and perfect.

And Princess Bonnie got to see the Wiggles for the third year in a row last night. She'll never outgrow this, so it's becoming an annual tradition. Now she expects me to make new T-shirts for them every year. I figure the cost of the tickets plus the T-shirts are worth the trade-off of bribing her sister and brother-in-law to take her instead of me. :) I think they had fun. Don't you?

And today I received the galley/page proofs of THE GIFT, just as I was really starting to make progress on my new proposal. Alas, first things first.

Baby, it's cold outside--at least for the end of July. We've had lows in the upper 40s and our high today was 55! Brrrr... Rainy, too. Nice change.

Happy reading, all.

~Deb

Summer Days

2009-07-25T08:20:00.006-06:00

The garden is growing, flowers are blooming. My gentleman friend does the gardening here (and takes the beautiful photos), and we've been eating fresh lettuce, peas and such for weeks. I watch the tomatoes eagerly, hoping to see some color, but they ripen slowly at 7,436 feet. In fact, for years I only grew green ones, until I discovered the magic of Epsom Salts. Adding that magic to the soil, then using it to spray on the plants and put in the water later in the season helps the fruit ripen. Hurray! It really works wonderfully. I also have a greenhouse, which lengthens our very short growing season a little, too.

And Baby Bella is growing, too. I took this photo with my phone yesterday while she was visiting with her mom. At 9 weeks, she weighs almost 13 pounds. Her eyes are turning bluer like her mom's, and she is cooing and "talking." In fact, she was "talking" to me when I snapped this photo.

Everything is growing, including my proposal. After a couple of false starts, I've finally fleshed out the plot and should be sending it off to my agent soon. My working title is The Secret, and it is a sequel to my November release, The Gift.

Of course, Baby Bella is a true gift.

Happy reading and gardening, wherever you live.

Love,
~Deb

Emily Cotler: A Romance Novel for Michelle Obama (PHOTOS)

2009-07-25T07:27:00.002-06:00

Emily Cotler: A Romance Novel for Michelle Obama (PHOTOS)

Shared via AddThis

Bella's Growing

2009-07-19T10:54:00.002-06:00

And more beautiful every day. :)

Proud Grandma,
Deb Stover

First Review for THE GIFT

2009-07-06T18:08:00.005-06:00

"This story had me totally absorbed. Several times I was so engrossed that when I heard a noise, I nearly jumped out of my skin. This book is vintage Deb Stover! I hope against hope that the next book will be Sam's. I'm sure he has quite a story to tell! For those readers who enjoy a tortured heroine, a hot cowboy rancher and a bit of woo woo in their stories, I suggest you run to your nearest bookstore when this one comes out and grab it up! Be forewarned, have plenty of time to read because you won't want to stop until you turn the last page!"
~Kathy Boswell, FRESH FICTION

Baby Bella Update

2009-07-05T08:17:00.004-06:00

My new granddaughter is six weeks old now, and weighs over 10 pounds. She's a champion nurser, and her mother is following in her mother's footsteps with attachment style parenting and full-time nursing. I'm a major breastfeeding advocate, and even nursed my two adopted newborns, so I'm particularly proud of my daughter for getting Bella off to the best possible start in life. Her mother-in-law--the other proud Grandma!--is a lactation consultant, so she has lots of help. :) Neither of us are meddlers, though. At least I hope I'm not.... Ahem.

Latest photo, which was taken around July 1st, 2009 at age six weeks. She's a beauty, and her eyes are getting lighter. Mom's are blue like mine, and her dad's are gold--officially hazel, I suppose. Maybe we'll mix blue and gold and go green. :)

Here's Grandma's Little Doll:

Happy reading and writing!

~Deb

The Circle of Life

2009-06-20T08:00:00.003-06:00

My birth daughter and I have both noticed the resemblance between her newborn daughter and her late father. However, the older Bella gets, the stronger the resemblance becomes. I scanned a baby photo I have of him and one I took of my granddaughter yesterday and put them side by side. It's true! She definitely looks like her Grandpa!

We will be even more blessed if Annabella also inherits his sense of humor and big heart. :)

Happy reading!

~Deb

Precious Baby Girl

2009-06-09T08:51:00.002-06:00

Annabella sweet 16 days old. Grandma isn't a bit biased. :-)

Spring

2009-06-06T07:48:00.004-06:00

It's finally, finally, finally spring here at 7,436 feet above sea level. We've had a lot of rain the past week, and a couple of nights when the temperature dipped into the upper 30s, so snow was still a possibility. But we dodged that bullet. This time... I have known it to snow here on the Fourth of July, so the threat is always there, though it's rare, thank goodness.

Summers at high altitude are glorious. In a perfect world, I would have a winter home in Portland or Seattle, because I adore cool, rainy winters, and a summer home right here. It gets quite hot in the Pacific NW, believe it or not. A lot of people believe it rains there all year round, but it's really only during the winter months.

To view some marvelous local photography of the mountains, wildlife, and the changing seasons, click on the slideshow show in the right-hand column. My gentleman friend, Martin Yaslowitz, is a very talented photographer, as you can see.

In fact, this weekend he's taking the first "official" baby portraits of our beautiful Bella. I'll be sure to post those soon. Meanwhile, here's another one taken with my Blackberry.

Happy reading and writing (and gardening!!!!).

~Deb

Baby Bella has Arrived!

2009-05-24T09:38:00.003-06:00

I am a grandmother for the first time as of May 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 PM. My daughter, Barbi, gave birth at home. She had a very long, difficult labor, but she was a real trouper. All those years of ballet really paid off, I'm sure.

Please welcome Annabella Debra Carr. She's perfect, of course. :)

I know her Grandpa is watching over her, and that she'll grow up with his gift for mischief. :) I'll see to it.... ;-)

Love,
Proud Granny

Romancing the Rockies

2009-05-01T06:13:00.002-06:00

I'm presenting at the Romancing the Rockies Conference in Denver this weekend. If you're in the area during Friday's Book Fair, please stop by my table to say hi. The keynote speaker is the delightful Sherrilyn Kenyon!

Romancing the Rockies

Book Fair
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
• Friday, May 1st, 4:30 p.m.— 6:00 p.m. Book signing and autograph session
Radisson North Denver Graystone Castle
83 E 120th Ave
Northglenn, CO 80233
(303) 451-1002

A Real Hero

2009-04-20T21:17:00.004-06:00

David Allen Stover
Husband, Father, Hero
April 21st, 1955 - May 14th, 2005

Every person who's lost someone close has dates and anniversaries throughout the year that will always trigger memories. Some are sad, some happy. The obvious date to reflect on the loss of my husband would be the date of his death. However, for me, it's always his birthday that is most profound.

We learned six days before his 50th birthday that his cancer was terminal. That just happened to have been my birthday, but even that isn't as painful for me as his last birthday was. I'll never forget planning that birthday party, knowing the entire time there would never be another one. He was in the hospital, so we had the "party" there, and invited all the staff. My father came, and Dave's dad and step-mother flew in the following day. Friends sent balloon bouquets, flowers, gifts. I made his favorite dessert and a big birthday banner.

Our three children sang "Happy Birthday," and we all pretended. Looking back at the photos we took that day, I see the love and pride in my husband's eyes when he looked at our children and at me that day. So it is that memory I hold close, rather than the pain and sadness.

Through these years since his passing, I have learned many things. One of the most important things is that if we don't allow ourselves to remember and feel pain and grief, we can't cherish the joys either.

Friendship

2009-04-17T08:40:00.003-06:00

I think, as writers, we experience the following in a variety of ways throughout the different stages of our careers. I want to thank each and every one of you who have stood beside me through these past difficult and painful years. You know who you are.... :)

And I also thank my readers who have waited so patiently for THE GIFT. Bless you.

"A friend is one who walks in when others walk out"
~Walter Winchell

"A friend is someone who is there for you when he'd rather be anywhere else."
~ Len Wein

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words."
~ Anonymous

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."
~Anonymous

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation."
~ George Washington

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
~ Mother Teresa

"Misfortune shows those who are not really friends."
~ Aristotle

Love,
~Deb

The Power of Networking

2009-04-13T06:50:00.004-06:00

Amazon has reconsidered their position regarding the removal of books with "adult content" from search engines and rankings. Hurray for networking and petitioning from authors, readers, and publishers committed to our First Amendment!

<http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6651080.html>

Happy reading!

~Deb

Easter at High Altitude

2009-04-12T12:02:00.003-06:00

Snowball fight instead of Easter Egg Hunt, anyone...? This is the scene out my front door about 11:00 AM.

At least the bears are still hibernating! :)

Happy reading, all.

~Deb

Romance on TODAY SHOW

2009-04-10T07:16:00.006-06:00

Apparently happy endings are recession proof. :)

Happy reading!

~Deb
http://www.debstover.com

Romance Sales on The Rise?

2009-04-08T18:05:00.003-06:00

NEW YORK TIMES Books

Recession Fuels Readers’ Escapist Urges

By MOTOKO RICH

Published: April 8, 2009

At a time when booksellers are struggling to lure readers, strong sales of romance novels buoy a sluggish market.

Full Cover

2009-04-03T09:33:00.003-06:00

November 2009
ISBN: 978-0-505-52606-9

Springtime in the Rockies

2009-03-26T06:37:00.004-06:00

Happy reading, hopefully not by candlelight....

~Deb

Friends & Life Lessons

2009-03-25T12:19:00.004-06:00

If there's one thing I have learned during this decade of loss, it's that life is too short to carry grudges. Friends are a very important part of our lives, but not as important as family. When we have a falling out with close friends, if we're the party who was in the wrong, all we can do is apologize and ask forgiveness. If the other party isn't willing to forgive, we have to accept that and get on with our lives. It's sad when this happens--yes, it's happened to me--but, as my late husband always said, "It isn't the worst thing that ever happened to me."

My advice for today? Forgiveness is a Good Thing. Embrace it.

Happy Reading!

Love,
Deb

STAR TREK WIDGET

2009-03-20T13:53:00.002-06:00

New STAR TREK Movie Trailers

2009-03-19T18:04:00.003-06:00

Oh, my, my, my, my, my. Any Star Trek fans out there? The new movie was supposed to have hit theaters Christmas 2008, but it will be May 8th, 2009 instead. It looks like it will be worth the wait. Yum, yum, yum. Free downloads for your iPod, iPhone, Computer, HDTV, whatever. We have them all around here. Serious Trekkers around this house--especially Princess Bonnie! She has her own uniform, calls her favorite teacher from high school Captain Kirk, herself Chekov, and owns every movie and all three seasons on DVD.

A whole family to beam up, Scottie!

Live long and prosper.

And nanu, nanu (just for good measure).

~Deb

Top o' the Mornin'

2009-03-17T06:42:00.019-06:00

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig
"Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Though many Pagans believe the "snakes" St. Patrick allegedly drove out of Ireland were actually witches and Druids, it's still a favorite holiday for many of us, because it celebrates all things Irish. My great-grandmother came from Ireland, and lived with my family during my teen years. My memories of her inspired my MULLIGAN series for Berkley/Jove. Visit the site to find an excerpt from Mulligan Stew, a link to a short story I wrote for my readers that takes place between the two books, and also one to Mulligan Magic. Yes, another excerpt there as well. On the Mulligan Stew page, you'll find Bridget Mulligan's secret recipe to her "Bodacious Mulligan Stew." It's a mutation of her downhome, hillbilly cooking and Irish wholesomeness. My family loves it, and this recipe actually came down through my family via my great-grandmother.

Irish Blessing
by Anonymous

Go n'éirí an bothar leat
Go raibh an ghaoth go brách ag do chúl
Go lonraí an ghrian go te ar d'aghaidh
Go dtite an bháisteach go mín ar do pháirceanna
Agus go mbuailimid le chéile arís,
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos A láimhe thú

Translation to English
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

If you've a hankering to visit Ireland in person, I must direct you to All Ireland Travel. A visit to their website is the next best thing to going there. The owners, Kemberlee and Peter Shortland were my research sources while I wrote both MULLIGAN books. In fact, Peter took the photo that became the cover of Mulligan Magic.

Sláinte agus táinte.
"Health and wealth!"

~Deb

Cover Copy

2009-03-09T15:28:00.002-06:00

On the front:

DEB STOVER

THE GIFT

"A blend of romance and mystery with just the right twist of the paranormal, The Gift by Deb Stover is an intriguing tale, a real page turner."
New York Times best-selling author Lisa Jackson

And on the back:

Blood. Rivers of it.

The visions are overwhelming. They come every time Beth visits the scene of a murder. She lives the victim’s last moments, feels the pain, sees the perp. And it’s driving her mad.

A flat tire. A deserted country road. A man too hot to be true.

Trading life as a Chicago homicide detective for a job as a nomadic insurance inspector was supposed to keep her safe. Ty Malone is anything but. What isn’t he revealing about the missing person’s claim on his ‘runaway’ wife? What really happened to beautiful Lorilee Brubaker-Malone? And just how far will Ty take his seduction of the one woman whose gift can uncover the terrifying truth?

Cover art and excerpt here.

Happy reading!

~Deb

What Are You Reading?

2009-03-08T06:56:00.011-06:00

READ is a discussion list started in 1998 by myself and a handful of other authors and readers who wanted a friendly online venue to interact. It's grown over the years into a real community. One of the readers came up with the acronym:
Readers
Enjoy
Authors'
Daydreams

Another reader on the list--the amazing Carol Carter--designed the logo you see here in needlepoint. She created a beautiful book cover with the logo on it as well for yours truly--AKA READ Mom. :)

READ is a friendly list--not one for trashing books, though we do give honest opinions about what we like and/or dislike. Those familiar with the romance writing world will understand the meaning of the phrase "RWA free zone." We ask those wanting to promote writers' only events, where there is nothing of particular interest or benefit to readers, to ask permission first, or to post only a link to the online information. Why? Because READ is primarily a readers' list. There are hundreds of writers' lists online. We certainly don't need another one.

READ's friendliness is the key to its appeal. Click on the logo to join us, and let us know what you're reading. Who knows? The author might be on the list already, waiting to answer your burning questions....

Happy reading!

~Deb