First, my heartfelt sympathies to Sam, on the loss of your grandmother. That’s a hard one. You and yours are in my prayers; may God hold you on His lap and soothe you in your sorrow.
Speaking of God, He’s outdone Himself today–snowy landscape, blue skies, and sunshine in the bargain. As I write this, I’m looking out over the draw behind my house, admiring the view and feeling very grateful for the gift of another day. This is the kind of Spokane/Northport weather I remember from my childhood–dazzlingly beautiful and balm to the winter-weary soul. The days are getting longer now (yeehaw)–since December 21–when the world was supposed to end. 
I guess God didn’t get the memo.
I’m loving my food plan–up to Day 5, which involves drinking lots of water. Eventually, I’ll post my “before” (yikes) pictures, but probably not until I can put the “afters” beside them. The new program is made up of regular food, common sense, paying attention to portion size, etc. The stuff we all know but never seem to DO. (Okay, better just speak for myself here.) Embarrassing truth of the day: I recently realized I’d ordered this same plan a couple of years ago. That set is somewhere in my garage, still in the original packaging. It’s downright amazing what happens when you actually take the product out of the box, read the instructions, and follow through. It’s too soon to weigh and measure again (darn), but I definitely feel some changes happening.
To answer some of the questions I’ve seen in the comment section: I HOPE to write another Mojo book someday, but right now, I just don’t have time. Ditto the vampires and the “My Lady” books. I’m only one woman here, folks, and right now, I’m up to my eyeballs in sexy cowboys–which is not a bad place to be. I am sincerely flattered that good folks enjoyed the above mentioned books, that’s for sure, but the truth is, I’m happy doing what I’m doing–spending lots of time in Parable and Three Trees. And I have my hands full with these characters, believe me.
Another query was: did they ever post the family trees? That’s a good question. The wonderful folks up at Harlequin handle the website, so I’ll check that one out.
Now, for a new contest on this blog. I’m giving away ONE of my sister Pam’s (polymerpamela on Etsy) beautiful beaded bracelets, along with a signed copy of one of my books. And here’s the question: What did Sam O’Ballivan write on the schoolhouse blackboard in “The Man from Stone Creek”? Since several of you will probably get this one right, we’ll put your names in a hat (so to speak) and draw out a winner, to be announced next Wednesday.
Make it a good day–speak a kind word to someone, and keep your heart open. As Jane Seymour says, love will find it’s way in.
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Dear Linda, it’s a gorgeous day in Seattle, too, the mountains are glorious! We had one of those sunrises yesterday that confirms in my soul that God wants the best for us; we just have to recognize it and be thankful for it! On MOnday, while clearing out some papers, I found a print-out of the original McKettrick family tree. I wish I was smart enough to post it with my comment, because I do know how to scan it, but that second part may be beyond me. Sorry!
And I’m voting that you just keep on sending us hunky cowboys and the brave women who love them!
Thank you so much!
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did Sam O’Ballivan write on the schoolhouse blackboard in “The Man from Stone Creek”? SOB!!!
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Hello Linda and Happy New Year to you and all the bloggers on this site. It is very cold and windy here in Cleveland, OH. Love it though and would not change it for the world. My answer to you Blog question is SO’B. Hope I get to be a lucky winner.
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his name
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I for one am glad you continue to write your COWBOY BOOKS.JUST LOVE THEM. For so many yrs I was a non fiction reader, but the 3-4 books I read a week now are all non fiction and have introduced me to wonderful writers.
happy new yr
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I am just getting back into the swing of things I have been without a computer since the second week of December. But now I am able to update my emails and visit my fav blogs and author sites.. I could not always do that on the public computers at the library. Although I appricate being able to use them, they blocked some of my fav sites.
As for the answer to the question I do believe it was ‘Sam O’Balliven
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He wrote Sam O’Ballivan
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Sam O’Ballivan wrote the initials of his name:
SO’B
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Ahh! Snow on a sunny Spokane morning! I envy you.
Well, I’ve been playing with the idea of re-reading The Man From Stone Creek so guess I’d better get at it because I don’t remember what Sam wrote on that blackboard.
So sorry for Sam and hers right now. Loss of a grandmother leaves a big hole in the family network.
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Sam wrote : SO’B. On the black board.
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Very pretty here in Colorado today. Sunny and bright, and a balmy 34 degrees-well balmy after that last week.
Not entering the contest-leave that to the pros!
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Oh, I loved Sam and Maddie’s story but hte I love all the stroies whether they be Creed, McKettrick or whoever. He wrote his initials the same as he always did SO’B. Happy 2013!!!
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oops that should have been ‘but then I love all the stories’. too many fingers today
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I love the O’Ballivan stories as well as all the Creeds/McKettricks/Just any Cowboy story I really like the new Parable series tooo. It was Sams initials on the chalkboard.It is a cold but sunny day here in TN just right for curling up with a good book and a quilt.
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Hi Linda,
Glad you are loving your food plain, so you had order it before. But never took it out of the box. I enjoy the sexy cowboy books.
New contest, what did Sam O’Ballivan write on the blackboard in the schoolhouse, he wrote, S. O’B his name.
So Linda you were fickle, you fell madly in love with Sam.
God bless you and keep you safe.
Norma Stanforth
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On the first day of his being schoolmaster, Sam wrote on the board his name … the way he always did: SO’B (which caused quite a few snickers from the students).
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SOB
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Sam wrote his initials. . .SO’B. Happy 2013!!!
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Love all of your books, Well all the ones I have read.
Sam Wrote his initials SO’B
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I read this book about a year ago and loved it. I took it from the library so I can’t look it up in time. I won’t cheat and say what the others have said just to bein the drawing, but one of these days I want to win an autographed book :))
Happy New Year!
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Sam wrote his initials, SOB
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He wrote SO’B the way he always signed his name
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Mr S.O.B.
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ill have to re-read it i dont remember
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I agree with Christine Gaskill. If everyone else has the answer, there is no point in copying them just to be in the drawing.
Once, a long time ago, we had a test in our monthly training at work, and I wasn’t sure of the answer. I heard the trainer/instructor trying to explain it to another woman without giving the answer away. When he finished, I could have changed my answer and made a 100, but…I didn’t. He asked me later why I didn’t and I said I thought it’d be cheating since I wasn’t sure before I heard his explanation, so I just went with what I had. I would have liked the 100, but……………
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Did they even say “SOB” as an abbreviation for you-know-what back then? Unfortunately I’m not old enough to remember — I mean, I’m not old enough to KNOW! But I have to say, I get dreamy thoughts every time I hear “Sam O’Ballivan.” I read the book 5 minutes after it was released so it’s been awhile, but I remember having a huge crush on Sam!
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Hilda,
And, no matter that the question about what he wrote on the blackboard seems to have been answered, I’m starting a re-read later tonight. 
It’s been way too long since I read Man From Stone Creek, too. Strange that I didn’t remember how he signed his name because, like you, I developed an instant crush and every time I see or think about that book I get a twinge.
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He wrote his name
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Sam wrote his name/initials.
I love your cowboy book and I believe I have just about all of them.
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He wrote his initials SO’B
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Chilly in Illinois
I believe he wrote his initials S O ‘B
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Hi Linda it sounds beautiful out your way. Your family sound like they are very talented in different areas.
It in the Man from Stone Creek, Sam O’Ballivan wrote on the chalkboard his name. Which is signed as SO’B.
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Sam wrote his initials S.O’B.
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This is one of my favorite books. I’ve read it several times. Sam wrote his initials SO’B.
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Sam wrote his initials SO’B of course! One of the first books I ever read by you Linda, just by chance at my local library. I’ve been reading ever since!
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He wrote “SOB” which led to one of his students calling him Mr. SOB
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“My name,” he told them, “is Sam O’Ballivan.” On the board he signed his name the way he always did. SO’B.
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Walking through the Fred Meyer today and noticed that your latest book was all across the TOP shelf, face out and under each copy the big #1! Guessing you are pleased!
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Have a Happy, Healthy, New Year!
I believe Same wrote his initials SO’B.
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Been a while since I read this one. Loved it!! I love your cowboys. But I vote for more Mojo also.
My answer: his name as SO’B
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The family trees–I have one for the McKettricks and one for the Creeds, but I added some stuff of my own so I could have more information. I found them really helpful to keep track! It’s been quite some time since then. Will have to check to see if they’re still there.
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To Linda,
I would just like to say to you and all my fellow bloggers, thank-you for your condolences and prayers for my nan. I was brought to tears when I saw the messages, I am so touched. Nan is going to have “Abide with me” for her hymn, and when I read the words I thought they were beautiful, it brought me some comfort.
Again Thank-you
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May God be with you and your family, Sam. I’m praying for you.
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He wrote SO’B
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Happy New Year to You All. I didn’t remember at the time of the question what he wrote BUT reading everyones answers i was like OH YEAH!!!!! Now i am in a mood to re-read that book AGAIN. Unfortunately I’m ALL about Big Sky River!!! After this one i will definetely have to pull that back up on my nook!!!! Have a wonderful day Linda!!!
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He wrote SO’B
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