Ah, Autumn, it’s finally here! And I’m loving it! This is my favorite time of year and has been for as long as I can remember. I love the changing of the seasons as summer fades and fall begins. And of course, I’ve set books around this wonderful time of year but we’ll get to those in a moment. Right now, I want to share a few recent moments (literally, as I just ran outside and snapped some pictures from around the house) and some not so recent but hey, I thought I’d share! 
I’m in Oregon and the leaves are just starting to change. One of my favorite things about fall is what I call the “carpet.” It starts with the cedar trees changing color. Toward the end of October, the orange bits of cedar fall off with the east winds to carpet the driveway and ground, turning everything orange! It’s a grand sight and the smell is lovely too! I used to love walking home from school, (the house is in a canyon with a mile long driveway) getting to the bottom of the canyon and walking on the “carpet.” My sister and I own the house we grew up in, and of course, this delight never gets old!
Fall also brings with it familiar friends, as our local deer love to venture into the canyon and do so more often in autumn. Always a fun sight, I like sipping coffee and watching them when I can. And yes, these are some of the girls in front of my house by the creek. Autumn is also beautiful in different parts of the country. I spend a lot of time in New York City as my daughter and son both live there. Here’s a shot of a trail in Prospect Park, my favorite. A beautiful place in the Fall! And then of course, there’s the food … 
Last night I made my first fall dinner. Thin cut pork chops with potatoes, onions, and carrots simmered in Campbell’s Golden Mushroom soup. It’s so easy. Just brown your pork chops, add your soup and water as per instructions on the can, stir, add vegetables and stir again! Then let simmer until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. That’s it! You can also add red cabbage or any other vegetables you want! It’s simple and yummy! Of course, hearty fall recipes get me thinking about pumpkin cookies and what not. You’ve got to have dessert, right? I’m always up for some of that!
Okay, on to the books! I’ve written a few books that take place in autumn. Both historical and contemporary. These books are near and dear to my heart because of my love of the season. Authors approach seasonal romance differently. Some really showcase the season itself, so that it becomes a huge part of the story (almost like a character). Others touch simply on it so you enjoy the setting with your characters. I love all the different ways authors in my particular genre write about how folks celebrated the season with harvest festivals, All Hallows Eve, Fall barn raisings, school and the changing of the seasons in general. Here are just a few of my books that take place in Autumn.
As you can see, I like this season! In most of the books of this particular series, none of the grooms know the bride is coming! Of the four books above, Love at Harvest Moon and The Thanksgiving Mail-Order Bride, my grooms haven’t got a clue. In The Columbus Day Mail-Order Bride and The Harvest Time Mail-Order Bride, the two heroes are also identical twin brothers which made things a lot of fun. How about an excerpt or two?
From Love at Harvest Moon:
“Mr. Brody, it’s my fault yer son lost his sight – ye can’t tell me otherwise!” Finn stood and ran a hand through his hair. “I only hope that one day, Lorcan can see it in his heart to forgive me.”
“Pah! He’s already forgiven ye! Yer just too stubborn to see it.”
“Then why doesn’t he write? I’ve not heard a word from him!”
Mr. Brody stood and waved the letter in Finn’s face. “Well it just so happens that Lorcan is sending ye something! Something very special!”
Finn took a step back and stared at him. “What? And why didn’t he write and tell me about it?”
“Probably so Ada wouldn’t have to write and send two letters.” He unfolded part of the letter and showed it to him. “See, look here – read it!”
Finn did so, and slowly he smiled. “Well, what do ye know? He is sending me something.” He looked at Mr. Brody. “What do ye suppose it is?”
Mr. Brody shrugged. “Must be something special, if he has to send it by stagecoach.”
“Stagecoach – I almost forgot! There was an accident up the road. The afternoon stage lost a wheel and crashed into a ditch. The sheriff’s gone to fetch the driver – he’s hurt pretty bad, I hear.”
“What’s this? Who told you?”
“The Passenger.”
Mr. Brody blinked a few times. “Passenger?” He glanced at the letter, folded it and shoved it into the pocket of his jacket. “Where’s the passenger now?”
“Doc Henderson’s. She was trying to run through my pumpkin patch to get help, but fell and twisted her ankle.”
“She?” Mr. Brody began to cough.
“Aye. Birdie’s taking care of her. She told us she came to Oregon City to get married. I was just on my way to fetch her intended, but decided to wait for the sheriff to see how the driver fared.” He looked at the street again. “Ah, looks like the wait’s over. Here they come.”
Mr. Brody stilled his coughing and watched the sheriff and his men approach. One of his deputies was driving a buckboard to transport the injured man. “Er … ah … Finn?”
“Aye?” he asked without taking his eyes off the men.
“Did the young lady from the stage happen to tell ye the … name of her intended?”
“No. But she gave me this,” he said and took the folded envelope she’d given him from his pocket. “Here’s his name and address. I’m sure he’ll want to know what happened. I know I would, so I thought I’d find out before I fetched him to her.”
Mr. Brody gave him a lopsided smile, took the envelope, pulled out the paper and read it. Then he coughed again and gave the paper to Finn. “Ye’ve, uh … not read it?”
Finn looked at him just as the sheriff rode up. “No.”
Mr. Brody’s face was turning redder by the second. “I think maybe ye should.”
Finn glanced at the paper and paled. “Don’t tell me that poor girl is here to marry one of the McPhees?”
Mr. Brody shook his head.
“That’s a relief,” Finn said and crossed himself. He looked at Mr. Brody again. “One of Jim Tark’s boys then? Oh, the poor wee thing …”
Mr. Brody shook his head again. “Read the paper, Finn.”
Finn rolled his eyes. He’d been so intent on the sheriff and buckboard, he really hadn’t thought to look at the blasted paper! He unfolded it and …
“Great Mother o’ God!”
Mr. Brody smiled in satisfaction. “I told ye Lorcan was sending ye something special.”
And from The Harvest Time Mail-Order Bride:
Calvin strolled among the various booths, most of which were nothing more than planks of wood on saw horses, with some sort of covering to shade the occupants. He kept a close eye on his wife, who studied her surroundings with interest. He’d felt numb up to this point, their wedding a blur, and just now felt the first inklings of excitement that he was now married.
But did she feel the same?
Her English was broken most of the time, only the occasional full sentence, but that should improve with time. Of course, his hadn’t, nor had his brothers … but they hadn’t really tried. None of them had any fancy education, but they could read and write and do their sums. You didn’t need much more than that to work on a farm. It was more important to know how to till the land, maintain the orchards, take care of livestock, protect your property and those that lived on it …
He stole another glance at his bride. Her beauty was beyond compare. How was he going to protect her? She was turning more than a few heads, and it was starting to bother him. What would she think of him if he socked some dreamy-eyed suitor? He hoped he wouldn’t have to since they were married, but some of the men, especially those from out of town, might not know that.
And then, of course, there were the women. He’d already overheard two or three say “She married Calvin Weaver?” as he and Isabella strolled by. Why was it so hard for them to believe he could have a beautiful wife? Were they expecting her to show up without her teeth?
“I don’t believe it!” another whispered loud enough for everyone within earshot to hear. “Is the girl daft?”
Calvin tensed and wondered if Isabella noticed. He’d best do something to distract himself. “Ya hungry?”
She put down the wooden soldier she’d picked up and smiled at the man selling toys. “A little. Is it time to eat?”
“Not yet, but I could do with a little somethin’. There’s no set time to eat lunch today and everyone’ll make do with somethin’ for dinner before the dance.”
“Dance?” she asked, her eyes bright.
“Yeah, we have one every year. Actually, we have three. The Harvest Festival, Christmas, then the Valentine’s Dance.”
She nodded and eyed one of Aunt Betsy’s pies. She was selling them whole and by the slice.
Calvin followed her gaze and smiled. “How ‘bout a piece of pie? We could share one.”
She smiled at him, then pulled him toward his aunt’s booth. “Hey, slow down,” he laughed.
“Well, there you are!” Aunt Betsy said as they approached. “How do you like our little festival, Isabella?”
“I like it very much. Very happy.”
“Most folks would agree,” she said. “This is a happy time of year. Our barns and root cellars are full, folks are settling in for the winter and Harlan Hughes is in town!”
Ah, and there you have it. Harvest Festivals, mix-ups, surprises and all taking place in my favorite season! To celebrate, how about a giveaway? I’ll give to FOUR lucky winners one e-copy of your choice of the books shown above! Comment and tell me what it’s like around your house this time of year. Do you decorate? Make special dishes or desserts? I’ll pick my winners from the comments!
USA Today bestselling author Kit Morgan is the author of over 140 books of historical and contemporary western romance! Her stories are fun, sweet stories full of love, laughter, and just a little bit of mayhem! Kit creates her stories in her little log cabin in the woods in the Pacific Northwest. An avid reader and knitter, when not writing, she can be found with either a book or a pair of knitting needles in her hands! Oh, and the occasional smidge of chocolate!
It is time for all things pumpkin. Pies cookies and cakes. But I have a friend from northern roots that loves strawberry rhubarb pie. When we ever get any rhubarb in the store I am gonna try to make her a pie. North Central Texas is not rhubarb country until October.
My family loves strawberry rhubarb pie! There’s a little farmer’s market held in a nearby town on Thursdays. A lady sells her homemade pies there! One of which is strawberry rhubarb! Guess where I’ll be later today!
I’m the one who loves this time of year the most in my family. The falling leaves, sweatshirts, blankets, warm drinks, cozy food, boots! I don’t decorate, but I do start making yummy comfort foods. We all go on color tours to see the leaves changing, too. Bonfires are also a must around here at this time!
Where do you live, Susan? Sounds like fun! Gosh, we haven’t done a bonfire in years. But around here, you have to really follow the burn rules or get a hefty fine! Color tours is another great idea! So cool that you guys do that!
This is such a great time of year, football games, leaves turning, wonderful soup making weather, and cuddling up with a great book.
You said it, Tonya! I want to try some new soup recipes this fall!
I’ve always loved this time of year. Cooler temperatures,The smells and colors are just so colorful and cozy. I love baking especially pumpkin anything :).We decorate for any holiday and the kids love that part as much as the baking.
I really enjoyed the excerpts especially Love At Harvest Moon.
I got out of decorating when the kids were grown but now I have a grandson and I shall decorate for him. It will be so much fun. I like the soup recipe but cannot have mushrooms.
I love fall too! Friday night lights as well as Dallas Cowboys football! I love fall dishes, soups, stews, roast, hearty main dishes of all kinds! The hearty desserts too, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, cakes made with fresh pears from my mothers pear tree. I have mostly pecan trees in my yard so my leaves just turn brown ans fall off so my yard isn’t my favorite place in fall and winter. However, having MS and heat intolerance I do love it when the temps cool off! I live close to the Piney Woods of East Texas so I do get to see fall color mixed in with extremely tall pine trees if I go on short road trips heading East! I’d love the opportunity to read one of these books! Happy Fall y’all! Oh, and yes I decorate for fall, Halloween and Christmas. Not as much as I used to but I’m wanting to this year since my health is good!
Glad to hear your health is good, Stephanie! Cakes made with pears, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Do tell? What sorts of cakes do you make? Are you using a white or yellow cake mix to start and go from there, or are you making them from scratch?
Good morning to you Kit on a crisp cool day. Fall has me making Chicken and dumplings, Corn Chowder and I’m eating New England Clam Chowder. Apple pie and Apple Crisp, Apple Cider Donuts. I don’t usually decorate as all my decorations are still packed in boxes after we bought a house last year. I’m still unpacking. Thank you for sharing your amazing books with us all.
What night are you having chicken and dumplings? I’ll be right over! LOL! And yes, I love all things apple at this time of year too. There’s a lovely farmer’s market held at Army Plaza in Brooklyn, NY. They sell apples there I’ve never heard of and one farmer always has Apple Cider Donuts and sells Apple Cider Slushies to boot! By golly, are they ever good!
Fall is also my favorite time of year. I enjoy watching the leaves change color, the cooler evenings, and football.
Yes, I also like the crisp mornings, warm afternoons and cooler evenings. I’m not a heat person at all!
Fall is my favorite time of year. We don’t get much in the way of trees changing color, but I do love the cooler temperatures that come with it.
What part of the country are you in, Janine? I myself don’t like the heat. If I was smart I’d find myself some old farmhouse in New Hampshire!
I enjoy the Fall season. The crisp air and cooler temperatures.
Fall has it all! I might even venture out to a high school football game this year! And I’m all for the cooler temperatures!
I love this time of year. Cooler temperatures, leaves changing color it’s just beautiful.
Yvonne I hope you win, I know how much you love these kinds of books. Happy fall Dear.
Happy Fall, Tonya!!!!
I know! The leaves are just changing here!
I enjoy the fall season but so far this year it has be rain and more rain and I hope it gets better. I love a good pot of Chili in the fall weather so looking forward to that. It is real cool today but rain on the way again.
Yikes, Gail, are you in Washington? Sounds like the Seattle area at times. It’s been beautiful this week here in Oregon. It’s even in the 80’s!
Our whole family loves this time of year. It is finally starting to cool off and we can get out and enjoy walking and hiking more. We love to decorate and bake goodies. We really enjoy everything about autumn.
That’s one thing I haven’t done yet, is bake some goodies. My sister did bake a peach crisp the other night. I’d better get with it! I usually start with a batch of pumpkin cookies!
I’m a little behind on decorating for Autumn. I have a few maple leaves turning on the trees. Weather has been cooler this week, but it’s also been raining.
The apple festival is in two weeks–that’s when it will really feel like fall.
Love seeing the deer at your cabin, Kit! So, so fun. And thanks for the recipe, too! 🙂
You’re welcome, Shanna. And we do have a lot of deer around here! So fun to watch!
Fall brings on cooler temps (most of the time) in Alabama. We can open the doors and enjoy it. I think my favorite as far as baking is a spice cake ( Tomato Soup Spice Cake) with cream cheese frosting that I usually make around Thanksgiving.
I think of the books blogged I would like Love at Harvest Moon. Like all of them but would start with that one. Have read Kit Morgan in the past and would like to catch up on her newer stories!!
Hey, Bama! I love Alabama and have some dear friends in Tuscaloosa! There’s a Victorian house I fell in love with in Oroville, Alabama. Sigh. Anyway, tell me more about this Tomato Spice Cake, Ruth. Sounds yummy!
I live in downtown Lincoln Nebraska not far from University Nebraska Lincoln the football team is based here so until the end of November is football season here and only about 6 blocks from the stadium. Home games are crazy here but we do get wild life this close about 8 blocks west and about 6 blocks north is a baseball/ soccer field and the red fox are abundant early mornings.
Wow, Kim, you’re surrounded! Sports, sports, sports! I love college and high school football games.
I love college cities just not a sports fan. Great from may to mid august I can get in a ton of walking without having to stop a every light.
Great blog, sister Filly! It’s really fall here in the Texas Panhandle, although we’ll be back in the 80’s tomorrow! Just normal for here. I love fall. I gotta order your books. They look great. Thanks again for a great Autumn Fever blog! Hugs, Phyliss
You’re welcome, Phyliss! Wow, you’ve got 80-degree weather too! It’s 85 here today in Oregon. Sometimes we get these great Indian Summers! Next week it’s back to the 60’s and 70’s which is more the norm for this time of year.
We don’t usually decorate for fall, but we definitely love the fall menu–a lot more soups, stews, chili, and so on! And we see how long we can hold out as the temperatures drop before we turn the heat on 😉
I admit I do that with the heat too! See how long I can hold out!! The yearly challenge!!!!
Fall is my favorite time of the year. I grew up in Northern New York on the Canadian and Vermont borders. It is McIntosh apple country and I always looked forward to harvest time. Nothing beats a crisp, tart Mac fresh off the tree. Apple pies frequently grace our table. I love the switch to hearty meals. Pot roasts, stew, chili, spaghetti and soups warm us during the cooler weather.
I used to decorate for all the seasons, but we have gotten so busy I rarely have time. With the grandchildren living a ways away, much of the incentive for decorating is gone, especially at Halloween.. It is too bad. I have some wonderful decorations from when I worked as a children’s librarian.
I’ve always wanted to explore upstate New York and Vermont! I bet its beautiful in the fall! I’d like to see New Hampshire and Maine too. What a wonderful place to grow up, Patricia!
Apple crisp & pumpkin pie, football and chili! Autumn is my favorite season too! My favorite part is that Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means family time & I love that so much.