Meet Me - I'm Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy

I've told you about my books from Rebel Ink Press and shared some excerpts.  Now I thought I'd share a little about me.  I could just post my official bio but I won't because you can find it many places.

I'm from the old river city of St. Joseph, Missouri about fifty miles north of Kansas City in the northwest corner of the Show-Me State.  Some of my ancestors settled there as early as 1850 and others came from Europe much later.  I was born there at the old St. Joseph's Hospital nicknamed "Sisters" and grew up in the neighborhood just outside.  In those years a lot of my relatives - my two sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins - lived within blocks of our house.   Here's a look at the local skyline there and a picture of Sisters - then and the lot where it once stood - now.

Now I live in the far southwest corner of the state, in a small town called Neosho.  I like to say I live in what passes for suburbs in a small town, in a subdivision built upon the bones of an old fruit farm.  That fruit farm just happens to figure promiently in one of my Rebel Ink Press titles (In Love's Own Time) as well.

Neosho - Spring Street downtown

Here's home sweet home and a couple of views - my kitchen with my cousin Tom Puett and me in the way, my dining area with a special heirloom table and my office...

Oh and here's my humble home:

And here's a picture of my family with some friends - can you tell who's who?

And here's a couple vintage pics - a blast from the past:

MIDNIGHT SNACK TIME!

First, thanks to the Goddess Fish peeps - Judy and Marianne - for hosting my party! Smoooochies!!

I want to thank ALL OF YOU who have commented on my blog posts, bought my e-book or plan to buy the print copy when it becomes available. I also want to thank Cheryl St. John, Sharon Mignerey and Jacquie Rogers for "stopping in" and sharing their insights of an author's life and work. I want to thank Astraea Press - publisher Stephanie Taylor, editors Brieanna Robertson and Audrey Jamieson, cover artist Elaina Lee, marketing director Alice Bennett and proofreader Elise McCallister, for their hard work. I have to thank my family -- husband, daughter, Dad, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews -- plus friends of all kinds -- from the Crabs to the OFE to the Wonsies to the SHUpeeps to the "Lunch Girls" and everyone else too!

And I have to thank God most of all for this wonderful blessing.

I planned a midnight snack of hot chocolate ... mmmmmmmmmmm ... plus a shortbread cookie. Or two. ;-) My favorite type of cookie is shortbread. There's something about that buttery crunch that crumbles and almost melts in your mouth. Add a squiggle of chocolate and it's even better.

I'll be drawing prizes and will contact the winners as soon as possible. Again, THANK YOU so much! Please keep in touch -- through my author website blog or Double Crossing for more information, for future books or exciting news, or my Facebook page. I use Twitter - @megmims - also.