‘Tis the season . . .

I encountered this group of elementary school Christmas carollers, complete with Santa hats, while out shopping on Friday afternoon. Within minutes they attracted a crowd, and those lovely young soprano voices put me right in the spirit when they sang “Silent Night.”

"Silent Night" was grandmother’s favorite Christmas carol. When I was a little girl, I remember her telling me that she felt a bit homesick during her first Christmas in Canada. She had immigrated from Finland in 1923. When she heard “Silent Night” on the radio, she didn’t know the lyrics but she recognized the tune and felt more at home.

While I’m on the subject of Christmas and shopping, how about a stocking stuffer for the readers on your list?

With This Ring is available in three electronic formats (Adobe PDF eBook (requires Adobe Digital Editions), Microsoft eBook and Mobipocket eBook) from eHarlequin.com.

Or, if you or someone you know has a Kindle, With This Ring is available from Amazon.com. According to the website, you can “read your book on your Kindle within a minute of placing your order.”

How’s that for instant gratification?

And remember, you have a chance to kick off the new year as the winner of my December contest. In addition to an autographed firefighter calendar, the winner will also receive an adorable shiny red firetruck Christmas tree ornament, and more! Check here for contest details.

Until next time,
Lee

Contest Winners, and This Week with the Wet Noodle Posse

Congratulations to Sheryl and JOYE! You have both won an eBook copy of With This Ring. Please email me via my website (the link is in the sidebar) and I will send them along.

This is the Wet Noodle Posse’s last week of blog posts on sisterhood, and here's what we have planned:

Monday: Delle Jacobs talks about “Substitute Sisters”

Tuesay: Theresa Ragan’s topic is TBA

Wednesday: Merrillee Whren, also TBA

Thursday: Maureen Hardegree shares some “Favorite Sistertime
Activities”

Friday: Q&A Day

Until next time,
Lee

Will the Real Lee McKenzie Please Stand Up?

That’s also the title of my post on the Harlequin American Romance Authors blog today. I hope you’ll drop by!

Today I’m also giving away an eBook copy of With This Ring (cover in the sidebar). For a chance to win, simply post a comment here and/or on the Harlequin American Romance Authors blog. For each comment you post, your name will be entered in the draw.

Winners will be announced tomorrow here on The Writer Side.

Until next time,
Lee

Friday Food for Thought—Chicken Cacciatore

Today my author interview is up on the Harlequin American Romance Authors’ blog. If you’ve already seen it, here's the recipe for Chicken Cacciatore I promised. If you haven't been there yet, please drop by. If you leave a comment on my interview post, you'll be eligible to win an eBook copy of With This Ring.

Now let's get cooking.

Chicken Cacciatore

2 to 3 pounds of chicken pieces
1/2 cup flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried chili flakes
1/2 to 1 teaspoon dried oregano
6 to 8 large fresh mushroom, sliced
1 batch of Lee’s Favorite Tomato Sauce
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Coat the chicken pieces with flour and set them aside. I usually use skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut in half or in thirds.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Lightly saute the onion for several minutes until translucent. Add the garlic, chili and oregano, and cook for about 30 seconds. Remove the onion mixture from the pan and set aside.

If the pan looks dry, add a little more olive oil and brown the chicken pieces, about 5 minutes per side. Some cooks brown the chicken first, but I prefer to do this when the oil in the pan is already seasoned with the onion mixture.

Add the sliced mushrooms to the chicken, cook for several minutes, and then return the onion mixture to the pan. Stir in the tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper, cover and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces.

Serve over pasta. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

This is a family favorite at my house. I hope you enjoy it!

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—It's Harlequin American Romance Release Day!

Four wonderful new reads arrive in stores today but before I get to those, I want to let you know that I’m being interviewed next Friday, April 24 on the Harlequin American Romance Authors blog. It promises to be lots of fun, so I'm looking forward to it. As an added bonus I’ll be giving away an electronic copy of With This Ring.

Okay, back those great new books.

A Cowboy’s Promise
by Marin Thomas


Found: One Baby
by Cathy Gillen Thacker


Mistletoe Cinderella
by Tanya Michaels


The Good Father
by Kara Lennox

Beautiful covers this month, especially Marin's cowboy!

Happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—December's Harlequin American Romances

Wow! Lots of news this week.

To start off, a quick reminder that on Thursday I’m blogging with the Wet Noodle Posse about a very special family heirloom. And I’ll share a couple of recipes for very yummy spicy roasted nuts—great to serve at parties—and they also make wonderful gifts if you put them in little bags tied with festive ribbon.

Still searching for gift ideas? My December '07 release, With This Ring, is still available as an ebook from eHarlequin.com and Amazon.com (Kindle edition).

Romantic Times Magazine has announced the 2008 RT finalists. Congratulations to the Harlequin American Romance authors who made this year's list for Best Harlequin American Romance:

FOREVER HIS BRIDE
Lisa Childs (Aug.)

RELUCTANT PARTNERS
Kara Lennox (Jun.)

THE RIGHT MR. WRONG
Cindi Myers (Feb.)

THE PILOT'S WOMAN
Ann Roth (Mar.)

TEXAS HEIR
Linda Warren (Sep.)

And Megan Kelly is a finalist in the Best First Series Romance Category with MARRYING THE BOSS (Apr.).

Finally, the December Harlequin American Romances are out today. Four great reads, and of course they’ll make perfect stocking stuffers.

A Baby in the Bunkhouse by Cathy Gillen Thacker

Once Upon a Christmas by Holly Jacobs

A Texan Returns by Victoria Chancellor

The Pregnancy Surprise by Kara Lennox

Happy holidays, and happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—Books as Gifts

Today is the release day for The Daily Coyote: A Story of Love, Survival, and Trust in the Wilds of Wyoming by Shreve Stockton. I’ve really been looking forward to this book and can’t wait for my copy to arrive. Someone on my Christmas gift list will also receive a copy.

From what I’ve gleaned from the author’s website, she moved to Wyoming from NYC and soon adopted a 10-day-old orphaned coyote, who she named Charlie. Charlie still lives with her, and his life has been well documented and beautifully captured in photographs.

To celebrate the book’s release, she’s doing a live BogTV broadcast from Wyoming today and inviting everyone to tune in. Anyone can watch, or you can create an account and log in to chat. Check her website for complete details about the book and today's broadcast.

While I’m on the subject of books as gifts, have you considered giving an electronic book as a gift this Christmas? My December '07 Harlequin American Romance, With This Ring, is still available from eHarlequin.com and Amazon.com (Kindle edition).

The hero in With This Ring rescued an Old English Sheepdog named Max, and you're sure to fall in love with both of them! On my website I've also posted some fun stuff about sheepdog rescue, and a couple of stories told by Max himself.

And if you send me an email at lee (at) leemckenzie (dot) com and give me your snail mail address, I’ll be happy to send you a bookmark. Okay, so you don’t actually need a bookmark for an electronic book, but they’re really nice bookmarks, and I’ll even autograph it for you.

Happy reading!

Until next time,
Lee

Tuesday News—If You’re Going to San Francisco . . .

. . . please come to the 2008 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing sponsored by Romance Writers of America. It’s open to the public, and it’s free!

Wednesday, July 30
5:30-7:30 pm
San Francisco Marriott, Yerba Buena Ballroom

Click on this link to see a list of the more than 500 authors taking part in this event.

Will I be wearing flowers in my hair? Probably not! But I will be signing copies of The Man for Maggie and With This Ring. I hope you’ll stop to say hello!

And finally, this Thursday, July 24 is my blog day with the Harlequin American Romance Authors. If you drop by and leave a comment, you'll be automatically entered in our July contest. Prizes this month are autographed copies of The Fake Fiance by Megan Kelly and With This Ring by yours truly.

Until next time,
Lee

Guest Blogger—Max, in love!

Max here. You know how I told you that Brent took me to the park after the shoe incident? Well, there are almost always other dogs at the park, including some regulars like me. There’s a Basset Hound named Henry, who can run pretty fast for a guy with such short legs. Gertie is a white French poodle. Sometimes I see her at the dog groomer’s, too. Bart is what’s politely called a mixed breed. I like Bart. He’s a real character, and has even fewer manners than I do.

So, yeah, I like going to the park because me and the other dogs chase frisbees and each other while our owners stand around talking about being dog owners.

Today was pretty much a typical day at the park. Bart and Henry were there, and before I knew it, we were playing tug-of-war with a big old stick. Brent was having a conversation with Henry’s owner, a woman about the same age as Brent’s mother.

We’d been there maybe ten minutes when it happened. One minute I had the end of the stick in my teeth and was this close to winning the game. The next minute I was in love. The most beautiful Old English Sheepdog you’ve ever seen—aside from yours truly, of course—was walking across the park with her owners.

I dropped the stick and ran across the grass, heading straight for her. What can I say? Subtlety is not a sheepdog trait and when we fall in love, it’s completely and instantaneously head over heels.

Her name is Penny. Princess Penny, if you must know, and she’s a looker, don’t you think? Penny’s owners are super nice people, too, and they rescued her from a not-so-good situation. So they have a lot in common with me and Brent.

After Bart and Henry went home, we stayed at the park for a while. Brent talked to Penny’s owners, probably about the pleasure of owning an Old English Sheepdog, while Penny and I tore around playing a game of tag-you’re-it. At that point I was prepared to stay at the park forever, but you know what they say about good things coming to an end.

Before I knew it, Brent clipped a leash to my collar, saying something about getting home to see what Leslie wanted to do about dinner. Or at least that was his excuse. It’s clear as can be that he’s as much in love with her as I am with Penny, but humans get kind of weird about this stuff. Have you noticed that? They’re way too subtle, if you catch my drift. Giving each other sidelong glances and talking about stuff that doesn’t matter, when all they really need to do is play a good old-fashioned game of tag-you’re-it.

Do you think there’s hope for Brent and Leslie? I'd like to think so. They deserve a happily-ever-after as much as Penny and I do. If you want to know for sure, check out Lee McKenzie's latest book, With This Ring. And I'll be back next week with more about playing games and falling in love.

Rrrrooowf!

Max

Lee's Note:
Thanks to Ann Rambaud and Ray Salmon of Sheepie Hollow for generously providing the photos for Max's blog.

Guest Blogger Max (sometimes aka Bad Dog)

Bad dog. I used to hear that a lot, which is kind of strange, since I’m so darned adorable, but today I had it coming. Fact is, I don’t know what I was thinking. I’ll admit I have a problem, you might even say it’s a bit of an obsession, but I seriously thought I had it under control.

I guess I should start at the beginning. Yesterday when Brent brought Leslie home, she had a pair of shoes. She was carrying them instead of wearing them and after she put them on the floor by the front door, she kind of left them there.

Dog’s honor, I did my best to ignore those shoes. But then this morning Brent and Leslie went out and left me here by myself. I sat in the sun by the French doors for a while, and then I checked out the stuff in Leslie’s room ‘cause it smelled like her and I like how she smells. Then I drank some water out of the toilet because Leslie doesn’t know she’s supposed to put the lid down. And then I wandered out to the living room, and that’s when I remembered they were there. I’ve seen a lot of footwear, but those were the most delectable shoes ever.

At first I just sniffed them and pushed them around with my nose. Don’t do it, Max. That’s what I kept saying to myself. I went into the kitchen and sniffed at my empty bowl. Leslie seemed to have caught on that I only get fed once a day. I picked up my teddy bear and tossed it in the air a few times, but I couldn't get those darn shoes out of my mind. That’s when I went back for another sniff, and everything went downhill from there.

Most shoes aren’t all that interesting. Sneakers, for example, do not smell very good, and they taste even worse. Brent’s work boots are just plain disgusting, although every time he puts new laces in them I chew the crunchy bits off the ends. Can’t help myself.

But these shoes of Leslie’s were beyond tempting and before I knew it, the heel was between my teeth and I was done for. So were the shoes.

A few minutes later Brent’s truck pulled into the driveway.

Uh oh.

I high tailed into the bedroom. If you’ve already read With This Ring by Lee McKenzie, you’ll know Brent was a lot madder about the shoes than Leslie. “Max!” he yelled. “Where are you?”

Like I was going to answer that. I’m not sure how, but they found me hiding under the bed. Leslie gave me a hug and said, “Poor Max.” Brent seemed to calm down a little and he ended up taking me to the park. I think we both needed to blow off a little steam.

I’ve already told you that the park’s a great place to meet women, but today Brent didn’t seem interested. What I forgot to tell you was that the park is also a great place to meet other dogs, and today was no exception. Today I met . . . well, that's a whole other story. Check back next week and I’ll tell you all about her.

Rrrrooowf!

Max

Tuesday News—We Have A Winner!

What a great week this has been. With This Ring—my latest Harlequin American Romance—was released last Tuesday and what a thrill it was to see it on bookstore shelves!

But before I get into that, Max and I are delighted to announce the winner of our contest. Hornblower will receive the DVD version of Disney’s 1959 classic, The Shaggy Dog. Congratulations, Hornblower! Please contact us through my website and we’ll get the DVD in the mail to you.

On Saturday I took part in a multi-author booksigning event at Chapters in Victoria, BC, and I’m excited to tell you that the store sold out its copies of With This Ring! Thanks to everyone who came out to supporte this event.

I hope you’ve been enjoying Max’s guest blogs. He’ll be joining me again on Thursday!

Till then,

Lee

Guest Blogger - Max Is Back!

Hi, everyone. Max here. So did you read With This Ring? Didya? Huh? Huh? Didya? Okay, sorry, but I’m still kind of excited. This is the first time anyone’s ever written a book about yours truly. Now do you see what I mean? I do have a way with the ladies.

And Leslie, she’s definitely a lady. Nothing against the other women Brent’s had over, but there’s something different about her. In a good way. I mean, she fed me even though it wasn’t dinnertime. And she smells good. Expensive good, if you know what I mean, and clean.

The only other woman who’s spent the night in our spare room was Brent’s mother. She stayed one night last winter when her furnace broke down. She’s nice enough—even brought me a big old ham bone. She doesn’t smell like Leslie though. She smells clean, too, but like laundry detergent. Leslie smells more like the park after it rains, but even nicer.

And Brent ended up doing a lot of work while Leslie was here, don’t you think? Not that I’m saying she’s high maintenance. No way. If anybody can take of herself, she sure can. But the plumbing was another matter. What was up with that?

Right now it’s time for a dog to take a nap. I’ll be back next Thursday, and I’ll have a confession to make about a certain pair of shoes.

Rrrrooowf!

Max

Lee’s note: remember that Max and I are running a contest this week, and the prize is a DVD of The Shaggy Dog. Every time you post a comment, you’re eligible to win. The winner will be announced on Tuesday.

Tuesday News

Lots to tell you about today, starting with the news that today is the official release of my newest Harlequin American Romance, With This Ring!

To celebrate, Max and I are running a contest. Everyone who posts a comment here on the blog between now and next Monday will be eligible to win the DVD version of Disney’s 1959 classic, The Shaggy Dog. Yes, the one that features Fred MacMurray and Annette Funicello!

This is “the wild and woolly edition” that includes both the original B&W and the color version. It’ll make a great holiday gift for yourself or someone on your list. Max and I will announce the winner on Tuesday, December 11, so be sure to check back then.

I’m thrilled to tell you that With This Ring received a wonderful 4-star review from Cataromance:

“. . . Lee McKenzie gifts readers with a Christmas story that showcases a rich princess and a blue collar Prince Charming. Brent and Leslie will surely win a place in reader’s hearts. With This Ring is a lovely holiday story to emphasize the notion that love comes from all walks of life and all you have to do is reach out and grasp it.”

I’ll be signing copies of With This Ring and The Man for Maggie this weekend at Chapters in Victoria. Please drop by if you’re in the area.

Tomorrow I’ll be guest blogging at with Trish Milburn at Reading, Writing & More, Oh My!

And remember, Max the Old English Sheepdog will be back on Thursday with the inside scoop on Brent's visitor.

Lee

Guest Blogger—Max

Hi. My name’s Max. Not short for anything like Maxwell or Maximilian. Just Max.

My owner’s name is Brent. He’s a laid-back dude and all-round nice guy. He buys my favorite dog chow, lets me sit on the furniture, and doesn’t freak when I come in the house with muddy paws. As owners go, they don’t come any cooler.

Life wasn’t so good before I moved in here, but me and Brent, we don’t talk about that. We met at this place called the SPCA. If you’re a dog, you don’t want to end up there. If you’re a human like Brent, it’s a very excellent place to go and get yourself a dog. Like me, for example.

I’m an Old English Sheepdog, by the way. Not old as in old, but old as in not a New English Sheepdog.

Most of the time I think Brent’s glad to have me around. Especially when we go to the park to play frisbee. Not to brag or anything, but I do have a way with the ladies. Seriously. You can even ask Brent. A lot, and I mean A LOT of women stop to admire me. Then they end up talking to him, and sometimes he even gets their number. All thanks to me.

And just between you ‘n’ me, the guy needs all the help he can get. Once in a while a woman comes to visit but it never seems to work out. I, on the other hand, am not so picky.

He says we have a nice little house but I hafta tell you, it’s not that little. There’s plenty of room for more. Like a pretty little girl sheepdog for me and a fine-looking woman for Brent, if you catch my drift. And since Brent goes to work everyday and leaves me here on my own, I’d kind of appreciate the company.

Today is one of those days. I’m pretty sure it’s the weekend but Brent still got up early, put on his work clothes and left the house. There’s a serious rainstorm going on, so he put me in the porch at the back of the house. What can I say? The rain makes a mess of my fur, especially when I lie on my back and roll around in the muck. If you knew how good it felt to roll around on your back in the rain, you’d understand why I do it.

Wait. Was that a truck door? I know that sound! It’s the middle of the day and Brent’s home. Maybe he didn’t go to work after all.

And now here he is, letting me into the house. “Hey boy, glad to see me? Come on. Yeah, good boy. Come on. Somebody wants to meet you.”

Cool. Visitors mean LOTS of attention for yours truly.

Want to find out who Brent brought home? Be sure to pick up a copy of With This Ring (Harlequin American Romance) by Lee McKenzie. It’ll be in stores on Tuesday, December 4.

I’ll be blogging again next Thursday, and I’ll have a thing or two to say about plumbing. And about Brent’s visitor.

Rrrrooowf!

Max

Lee's Note:
To celebrate the release of With This Ring next week, Max and I will be running a contest. For details, please check back on Tuesday!

Photo by Ray Salmon of Sheepie Hollow. Thanks!

Tuesday News, on Wednesday

Ever have one of those days that flies by and when it’s over, you realize you didn’t accomplish everything on your ToDo list? Yesterday was one of those days for me.

Every once in a while I send out a newsletter, which is aptly named "Lee McKenzie’s Very Occasional Newsletter." If you’d like to be added to my mailing list, please send an email to lee at lee mckenzie dot com. In an effort to dodge the spammers, I ask that you close the spaces and replace at and dot with the appropriate symbols :)

And just a reminder that Max, the Old English Sheepdog in With This Ring, will be guest blogging tomorrow. Hope to see you then.

Lee

Tuesday News—RT’s Review of With This Ring

Waiting for reviews is beyond nerve-wracking, but the Romantic Times 4-star review of With This Ring (Harlequin American Romance, December 2007) is fabulous! Here it is:

“With This Ring (4), by Lee McKenzie, puts a new spin on the holiday romance—it takes place in the middle of the summer! Brent has been not-so-secretly in love with Leslie since high school. But.his mother hates her, he comes from the wrong side of the tracks and Leslie has never believed his attentions are genuine. Nonetheless, Brent gets his chance to shine when Leslie is caught in a surprise rainstorm as she's running away from her society wedding. Brent and Leslie's story is a treat for anyone who has ever loved someone so much that they won't accept halfway for an answer.” ~ Whitney Kate Sullivan

Am I right? Fabulous!

The official release date is December 4th—two weeks from today! To celebrate I’m planning lots of fun stuff here on the blog, including a couple of contests with some fun giveaways, and a surprise guest blogger every Thursday starting November 29. I hope you’ll visit often!

Back tomorrow.
Lee
www.leemckenzie.com

Lee’s Excellent News!

I’ve had two very exciting weeks, beginning with a phone call from my editor on September 28. Yes, you guessed it. I've sold two more books to Harlequin American Romance! My first sale was the thrill of a lifetime—nothing can beat it!—but in many ways this sale feels like more of a validation. I am a writer!

And I’m so excited about these new projects. The stories are about two young career women—best friends—who live and work in the beautiful city of San Francisco.

Rory Borland is a second grade teacher in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Jess Bennett runs a little bar in the South of Market district. They’re not just happy being single, they’re committed to it.

But then Mitch Donovan, firefighter and single dad, walks into Rory’s classroom and life takes on a whole new meaning for both of them, and for the little girl whose biggest wish is to see her dad smile again.

Winery CEO Michael Morgan literally sweeps Jess off her feet, but she’s soon wondering if he’s as interested in her as he is in her business.

No titles or publication dates yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

This week I received my author copies of my December book, With This Ring. That’s the cover in the sidebar. Gorgeous, isn’t it? But the photo really doesn’t do it justice. The colors are deeper and richer, and I am completely thrilled with it! With This Ring will be out on December 4, and then you can see for yourself.

Till tomorrow,
Lee

PS: The new season of my current favorite TV show, Men in Trees, premieres tomorrow. Anyone else out there who’s been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for their next Elmo fix?