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Cathy's Corner Thursday, February 16 2012
Dear Reader, I am pleased to introduce four new families in The Legends of Laramie County.
THE TEXAS RANCHER’S VOW showcases bronze artist Jen Carson. Commissioned to do a series of western sculptures, Jen soon finds herself caught between two powerful men. In love with Matt Briscoe, sworn to secrecy by his father, Jen must decide how to honor her promises to both. THE TEXAS RANCHER’S MARRIAGE, begins when trauma surgeon Chase Armstrong returns just in time for Christmas, and discovers he unwittingly fathered twins--via modern medical miracle. He insists on marrying Merri Duncan. And their marriage soon turns out to be a lot more than simply convenient. THE TEXAS RANCHER’S FAMILY introduces native Texan and custom bootmaker Erin Monroe. Philadelphia-based Mac Wheeler wants to sell the community on a wind-farm, and he needs Erin to help him fit in. Erin knows it takes more than the right boots to make a sale, but with their three kids playing matchmaker, she finds they just might have a lot in common after all. Welcome back to Laramie, Texas! Happy reading! Cathy Gillen Thacker Wednesday, October 26 2011
Liked seeing this review by Kathy Altman, USA TODAY. A Cowboy to Marry is available in stores and on-line now!
Cathy Gillen Thacker's popular McCabe family welcomes a new member. In A Cowboy to Marry we meet Libby Lowell, whose adventurer husband died two years ago, leaving her to run his family's third-generation tractor-supply company. But after two years of managing a business she has no passion for, Libby is ready for a change, and not only a professional one. She decides to sell the business and the family home, move out of Laramie, Texas, and find a man who will settle down and give her the children she's always wanted. Holden McCabe, a longtime friend of Libby's husband and a man who suffered a painful end to his own marriage, does not approve of Libby's plans. Selling the business will not only mean the end of a legacy, it could mean the loss of precious jobs. Worst of all, if Libby moves out of town, how is Holden supposed to keep the promise he made to her husband? A promise he's determined to honor, since he considers himself responsible for her husband's death? That promise — to look after Libby — is one Libby wishes Holden had never made. She doesn't need a keeper, and after two years of the rancher's overprotectiveness it's time to cut the strings. Yes, she and Holden share a special bond, forged by a secret Libby once shared, and by the pain they've both suffered as a result of unhappy marriages. And there's no denying the fierce sexual attraction the two harbor for each other. But Libby will never pursue a relationship with Holden because she fears he might end up confusing love with obligation, and Holden believes that pursuing Libby would be tantamount to dishonoring his best friend's memory. And yet, it's the holidays. They're both lonely, and they know it's time to re-enter the social scene. But how to start? Holden comes up with a plan to help them move on: He suggests they "rebound" with each other. No strings, no sex, no pressure. No problem, right? Wrong. As soon as they start dating, Holden realizes he loves Libby and can't stand the thought of her leaving Laramie. And Libby finds herself falling in love as well, but unlike Holden, she fights it. She's just starting to become a person she can admire, and a new life awaits her — beyond Laramie. How can she give that up, and stay in the place she's suffered so much heartache? Then a new complication arises, and Libby faces the hardest decision of her life. And Holden faces losing the love of his. As always, Thacker delivers a satisfying, romantic and sensual story. I enjoyed the uniqueness of Libby's profession and the fresh and realistic ways Thacker found to keep Libby and Holden together, giving their romance time to develop. There were times when I was pulled out of the story — during the roll call of McCabes in the beginning, when Libby is referred to by another character's name, and when Holden tells himself the only reason he's kissing Libby is to help her get through the holidays. I'm thinking it wasn't that big a sacrifice. :-) I also would have loved a pivotal moment, an emotional "pop," to highlight Libby and Holden's decision to take their relationship to the next level. But none of that was enough to mar the pleasure I found in the story. A Cowboy to Marry has a warm, homey and gratifying feel, and as much as Libby yearns to be part of the McCabe family, the reader will, too. For more information about Cathy Gillen Thacker and her books, visit her website at Cathy Gillen Thacker. Kathy Altman writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Thursday, September 15 2011
Dear Reader, We all feel loyalty. To the people we love, our family and friends, the jobs we cherish, and the causes and passions we pursue. But what happens when the cost of our single-minded dedication becomes too much? When it begins to feel like a negative, rather than a positive, force in our lives? Libby Lowell loved her late husband, Percy, and his family. Now the sole survivor to the family legacy, she has been carrying on in their stead, running the three-generation-old ranch equipment dealership, living in the house where all the Lowell’s were raised. And last but not least, tolerating—if not exactly appreciating—the continued protectiveness of her late husband’s best friend, the ever so gallant Holden McCabe. Holden McCabe loved Percy, too. More, he feels responsible for the unexpected end of Percy’s young life. Holden has tried to make up for that by keeping the promise he made to Percy shortly before Percy died. It hasn’t been easy. Libby Lowell would rather Holden just stay away from her.
Wednesday, August 10 2011
Dear Readers, Losing a member of the family is always hard. And our golden retriever, Regan, was very much a part of ours. We adopted her when she was just eight weeks old, and had her with us, until she died of complications of cancer at age thirteen and a half. We knew she had been ill for over a year, and we were able to keep her comfortable and happy right up until she made the transition into dog heaven, and I am grateful for that, as well as the many, many days we spent together. Regan inspired many of the pets in my novels. She was my constant companion. My walking buddy. My helper in the kitchen. She will forever be a part of my heart and she will be deeply missed. Below is a photo of Regan, taken at age nine, still wearing her full ‘winter coat’, as she enjoys one of the first days of spring in our backyard….  Monday, May 16 2011
Dear Reader, I recently hired a new web designer—the fabulous Susan Martin of madcaphijinks.com—and began work on a new website. (If you like the look of it, and the ease of using it, thank Susan, since she has an uncanny knack for taking my romantic notions and oft-distracted ramblings and turning them into something truly wonderful to behold.) And she has also suggested I be more timely with my updates, and I have promised her—and now you—that I will. This process has also forced me to take a look at everything on the site, including my list of favorite things. And while the majority of the items are still the same, I do have a few new favorite things, especially when it comes to books and tv shows, and movies. As for the rest, I still can’t get enough chocolate or Mexican food, or fresh fruit—i.e. whatever is in season. I am an absolute sucker for old-fashioned romance. And I love to spend time in the kitchen, trying out new recipes, and perfecting the old. So, take a look, and make up your own list of favorite things, and ruminate, like I just have, on how… the more things change, the more they stay the same…. Best of luck, Wednesday, April 13 2011
Dear Readers, Over the years, many of you have written to me, expressing frustration because you would like to read a particular novel of mine, and can’t—because the book is out of print. Well, good news, for all of you who currently own e-readers, and or are thinking of purchasing one. Harlequin is publishing e-versions of many of my back-listed, or previous novels, including the incredibly popular books set in Laramie, Texas featuring members of the McCabes, the Carrigans, and the Lockharts. They have also reissued The Deveraux Legacy series—set in the incredibly romantic and ‘southern’-- Charleston, South Carolina. And The Brides of Holly Springs series, set in North Carolina, about a family in the wedding business. Also out are two other Texas-themed series. Made In Texas: Families of the Lone Star State is a series set in the Trans-Pecos area of southwest Texas, and explores the many different ways loving families can be formed. The Lone Star Dads Club centers around five guys, who are in business together in Fort Worth, Texas. They are all wildly successful, single, sexy, and determined to be great dads. Striving to raise families on their own, they support each other in both professional and personal matters, the way good guy pals do. There are two longer novels (aka single titles) that are also in ebook form. TEXAS VOWS is the story of Sam McCabe, a grieving widower, and his five boys, and the grief counselor Kate Marten who moves in with them temporarily and turns their lives around. Later, in the series, The McCabes: The Next Generation, all six of their (now grown up) kids are given love stories of their own. THE HEIRESS tells the story of the secret love child of the Deveraux family, Daisy Templeton and Jack Granger, the man sent out to contain her, before scandal breaks. Two other books, SNOWBOUND BRIDE, and BABY’S FIRST CHRISTMAS, are back by popular demand. The e-books are available at Barnes and Noble, the eHarlequin bookstore on the web, and any other place that sells electronic books for your version of the e-reader. The books are coming out fast, so I’ll do my best to keep the list updated for you using this symbol Happy reading! Cathy Gillen Thacker Saturday, February 05 2011
Dear Reader, The best thing about being single is the independence. The freedom to do what you want, when you want, without answering to anyone. The nicest aspect to family and friends is the emotional connection. Knowing that there is someone there for you whenever, however you need them. For many of us the dilemma then becomes how to forge and maintain ties without losing either our autonomy or the liberty we cherish.
Friday, November 05 2010
Pets add so much to our lives, and my golden retriever has enriched my world so very much. I'll never forget the first time I saw her. My husband, daughter, and I had gone to the breeder's to pick out our new puppy. It was Christmastime, and there they were--nine fluffy little golden retriever puppies. All adorable, all four weeks old. I thought there was no way we were going to be able to pick out just one--I was in love with all of them! But as we sat on the floor in the family room, getting to know the little scamps, I noticed one little puppy had hidden behind a chair. She was smaller than the rest, and was peeking out from time to time, before scooting back to safety. Of course, I had to know more about the shyest puppy there, and so did my husband and daughter. We coaxed her out from her hiding place, and got her to sit on our laps. Once there, she did not want to leave. So we began to wonder.... is she the one meant for us? A week later, we went back to visit the puppies again. As soon as we arrived, the shy little puppy came out of hiding, made a beeline for us, and climbed onto our laps. The decision was made--she had chosen us as surely as we had chosen her. We named her Regan--it means queenly, or reigning queen, and that suited her well. We took Regan home when she was nine weeks old. We sat up with her, nights, when she missed her mama and littermates too much to sleep. We've attended puppy obedience classes with her, {now, those were a riot} vacationed with her, logged countless miles walking with her, and cared for her when she was sick. She's my constant companion when I am writing, and a big buddy to everyone else in the family, as well. These days, she is a very outgoing personality. At thirteen and a half, she has a little white on her face, and arthritis in her gait, but her spirit remains indomitable. When I look in her eyes, I know how much love there is in this world of ours... The enclosed photos are three of my favorites. The first was taken when Regan was a year old, enjoying the wonder of her very first snowfall. The second, snapped a year or so later, is Regan relaxing on her favorite place on the deck, while watching over the newly planted tomatoes, and her backyard. The third was taken recently, and shows Regan curled up contentedly on her cushion, napping, while I write nearby.
Regan is the inspiration for many of the retrievers in my books. And she is also the reason I wrote, A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE….a story about the wonder of Christmas, and the miracles that can occur, when we open our hearts. Happy reading, Cathy Thacker Saturday, October 02 2010
Dear Readers, For many in Texas, football isn’t just a sport, it’s a religion… And nothing makes a game day more special than crispy tortilla chips paired with the ever popular Texas layered dip, guacamole, and chili con queso. Here are a few of my favorite recipes. Go team! Cathy Gillen Thacker Monday, September 20 2010
Dear Reader, Christmas is a holiday that stirs strong emotions and mine have run the gamut. There was my first Christmas as a new bride—very romantic. My first Christmas hundreds of miles away from my family—highly sentimental, and not necessarily in a good way. Our Christmases with our children when they were young and impossibly excited were very joyous indeed. The Christmas immediately following the passing of my father was achingly bittersweet. There are years when the holiday spirit seems determined to elude me—although I always find it eventually. And years when I am overrun with merriment and anticipation weeks before the actual day. I never know how the season is going to start—that sort of depends on what is going on around me. I always know how it’s going to end, with celebration and appreciation, love and family. And the same is true of the residents of fictional Laramie, Texas.
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Cathy Gillen Thacker is the bestselling author of witty romantic comedies and warm, family stories whose books are published in 17 languages and 35 countries.