Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Looking for a Writer's Retreat in Texas?


Need a relaxing break in the Davis Mountains near Alpine, Texas? If so, check out the information below. I'm a member of Texas Mountain Trail Writers and have attended three of their retreats over the years. They're a wonderful, friendly group and though I no longer live in West Texas, I attend every opportunity I get. Not only do I enjoy the people, I love the area. I'm pleased to have been asked to be a presenter this year.

18th Annual
Texas Mountain Trail Writers Spring Retreat
Writing Round-Up
Paisano Encampment
April 24, 25, 26, 2009
Registration Form
Featuring
Dr. Barney Nelson—Author, Photographer, SRSU Writing Professor
Mike Cox—Author, Journalist, Texas Rangers’ Researcher
Linda LaRoque—Romance Novelist, Internet Marketing
Please return this form with your check, money order, or credit card information to:
Texas Mountain Trail Writers
Elaine Davenport, Registrar (credit card option, next page)
Texas Mountain Trail Writers
1300 W. Marfa Ave.
Alpine, TX 79830-1601
Please check your choices. The retreat fee covers the Friday night reception at Front Street
Books Reading Room, 201 E. Holland, in Alpine, all meals on Saturday and brunch on Sunday
morning at Camp Mitre Peak. Membership dues are separate from Retreat fees.
Conference Cost for TMTW Members: (Discounted fees in effect until March 31, 2009)
_____I am a member of Texas Mountain Trail Writers. Enclosed is $100 per person,
_____or $170 per couple (if both are members). Does not include membership dues.
If postmarked after March 31, non-member fees apply.
Conference Cost for non-members:
_____$110 conference fee if paid before March 31, 2009
_____$135 conference fee if paid after March 31, 2009
_____$180 conference fee for couples (if paid before March 31, 2009)
_____$195 conference fee for couples (if paid after March 31, 2009)
_____$15 Membership Dues for Texas Mountain Trail Writers (due every April); includes Log
of the Trail (monthly newsletter covering club business, events, and writings); one copy
of Chaos West of the Pecos (annual published collection of members’ works); and notices
about conferences, contests, and special writing events.
_____$20 couple Membership dues as described above
FORM CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE – BE SURE TO COMPLETE BOTH PAGES!
_____$12 Saturday night dinner with guest speaker (This applies only to people not registered
for the conference.) Spouses/guests are welcome, but must pay dinner fee and be named
on this form. My guest(s) will be____________________________________________.
Lodging at Paisano Encampment – Select your preference and number of nights.
1. Cabins:
$50 renovated cabin_____ Fri. Night _____ Sat. Night –Total # of Nights _____ x $50
$25 rustic cabin ________ Fri. Night _____ Sat. Night –Total # of Nights _____ x $25
Up to 4 people may stay in a cabin for $50 or $25. Names for reservation:
_____________________________ ________________________________
_____________________________ ________________________________
2.Bunkhouse: $10 per bed, plenty of space for luggage and shower and toilet stalls
_______ Fri. Night ________Sat. night—Total # of Nights _______ x $10
3. RV Space w/elec./water: _____Fri. Night-_____Sat. Night-Total # Nights _____ x $25.00
_________________Total Due ________________Check #
_____ I need table space to sell my books._____ ½ table ______ Whole table
There is no charge for table space for members who attend.
Cancellation Policy: Registered and paid conference participants who need to cancel MUST
contact TMTW Treasurer, Elaine Davenport, by April 10, 2009, to receive a refund. There will
be no refunds after April 10. To cancel, call 432-837-5489 or email birdlegs1943@yahoo.com.
NAME_________________________________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________
Phone:_______________________________Email:_____________________________
Please return both pages by snail mail to address on front of form, along with your check,
money order, or the following for credit card payment.
Credit Card Payment Option for conference payment:
Name on card:_________________________________________
Billing Address:_______________________________________
Card Name:________________________ Expiration Date:______________________
Card Number:_________________________________________
Signature:____________________________________________

Monday, February 2, 2009

See if you can identify the YOUNG me.

Champage Books is having a contest where each week an author is featured. You're to try to find the baby picture of that author from those shown. If you select the correct one, you'll be entered into a drawing. Come join the fun.

For details and pictures, go to http://www.champagnebooks.com/Contest.htm

Have fun!!!

Linda

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Desires of the Heart

Coming March 4, 2009 from The Wild Rose Press.

When life today is filled with pain, look to the future – or past.

Loren Fairchild longs for children, but is barren. At a cottage in Carlisle, UK, she puts her divorce behind her and begins a new life. She’s interested in the former owners of the small house and about the woman who disappeared into thin air. The same week, according to local gossip, her husband took up with a dark-headed harlot. One morning, a simple minded woman wearing a white nightgown appears at the cottage and triggers events that change Loren’s life forever.

Miles Chapeau misses the wife, the mother of his two children, he’d known before the war. When he returned home in 1945, he learned she’d been hurt in an air raid and now had the mind of a child. He loves her like another child and would never forsake his duty, but misses the intimate side of marriage and having someone to share his interests and goals with. One day she disappears and his existence is turned upside down.


Sunday, January 18, 2009

Forever Faithful in now out in print!



I'm pleased to announce that Forever Faithful is now out in print. This is a contemporary western love story set in the Hill Country of Texas. Intertwined with the ups and downs of Lucas and Gail's marriage is a twenty-year-old murder mystery.

You can watch the book trailer on Utube.

Please check it out at Champagne Books. Ebook format is also available at Fictionwise. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Thanks for reading!

Linda

Friday, January 16, 2009

Tag, you're it!

This morning I was tagged by Lauri Robinson, fellow Wild Rose Press historical author. If you check out Lauri's blog, you'll see her in sitting in her favorite toy--a red Mustang convertable.

By the way, Lauri, I loved Mail Order Husband.

So, I'm to list six things that make me happy. Only six? I could name loads more, but these will have to do.

1. My family and spending quality time with them making memories.

2. Writing stories and seeing the finished product in ebook and/or print.

3. My friends who make me laugh and boost my spirits when I'm down.

4. Our dog Molly, a mixed breed who loves us unconditionally.

5. My ebookwise reader that allows me to carry a boat load of books in one small package.

6. The many blessings the Lord bestows on my family.

I need to tag six people. Since Lauri got so many of the Cactus Rose authors, I'll try a couple other genres.

Judith Leger
P. L. Parker
Cindy K. Green
Chiron O'Keefe
Debbie Wallace
Alisha Paige

Let the tagging begin!

Linda
http://www.lindalaroque.com/

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Mama's Date Roll Cookie Recipe


A Christmas tradition in the home where I grew up was date roll cookies. They are my brother and husband's favorites, so now that my mother is no longer with us, I feel compelled to try to keep up the tradition.

These are refrigerator cookies, which means you put the rolls in the icebox or freezer, take them out when you need more, slice, bake, and eat. Though I make a double recipe, we rarely have any left in the freezer for later.

The thinner the slices, the browner and chewier they get. This is the way I like them. My brother and husband like them thicker and softer. I try to vary the thickness so we'll all be happy.

Date Roll Cookies

1 lb. pitted dates

1/2 C. sugar

1/2 C. water

Cut the dates, comgine sugar and water, and cook over low heat til mushy. Add a pinch of salt.

3 eggs beaten 1 C. sugar

4 C. flour 1 C. brown sugar

1 t. soda 1 C. oleo

1 t. salt 1 T. vanilla

1 T. cold water

Cream oleo, sugars, and beaten eggs. Sift flour, salt, and soda THREE TIMES, then add to oleo mixture. Add vanilla and cold water. Knead. Divide dough into parts and roll out on floured surface. Spread with date paste, roll up, pinch ends. Roll up into waxed paper, twist ends. Refrigerate until firm. Best if refrigerated overnight. Slice think, place on cookie sheet and bake in 375 degree oven until brown.

I hope you enjoy this recipe. Merry Christmas!

Linda