Thank you to everyone who shared a comment about where they would take a dream vacation today. So many awesome ideas!
Our winner today is Janet Lambert! Congrats, Janet!
Shanna Hatfield
Roped Into Paradise
Sometimes the idea for a story catches me completely by surprise.
Such was the case for my wholesome rom-com that releases next week.
Last February, I was sitting at my desk, looking outside at the cold, wintery day, and wondering why we don’t plan vacations to sunny locales during the coldest months of the year, when an email popped into my inbox from my dad’s cousin, J/J.
J/J loves to go on cruises. In fact, at the time, he was on a multi-week, back-to-back series of cruises in the Caribbean.
When I saw an email from him, I thought, “Oh, fun! More news from someplace where it is warm and sunny and you don’t have to put on wool socks just to go get the mail.”
The email read:
“Is there any chance in the future I might see a book about romance on the high seas where a cowboy takes a cruise to some exotic location?”
After reading that question, I couldn’t help myself. My imagination shifted into high gear and I began brainstorming story ideas.
What if there was a cowboy from someplace cold, going to spend time with his grandmother who lived someplace warm, and the grandma—being an eccentric ol’ gal—drags him onto a cruise without giving him any warning or opinions on the matter? From there, the ideas kept rolling.
I’ve never been on a cruise, but, thankfully, J/J was so kind to answer my many questions and share day-to-day cruising details with me. For a week, I almost felt like I was right there on the cruise ship. J/J was also kind enough to save a bunch of information he received on the cruise, like their daily planners, and mail them to me when he returned home. There was so much great information that he shared, and I tried to work in as much as I could into the story.
A cowboy, a cruise, and a meddling grandma—what could go wrong?
JJ McKade expected to spend two weeks with his grandmother at her condo in sunny Florida, celebrating her birthday. Instead, he got shanghaied by his mischievous grandma on a Caribbean cruise—complete with hot pink luggage, a gaggle of giggling octogenarians, and a humiliating childhood nickname haunting his every move.
Between meddling matchmakers, unexpected friendships, and the endless chaos of cruise life, JJ can’t help being drawn to Kinsley Kline, the ship’s enchanting horticulturist. There’s just one catch: crew fraternizing with passengers is strictly forbidden.
With only a few months left in her contract aboard The Affinity, Kinsley can’t let anything rock her boat or derail her plans. Then the arrival of a hunky cowboy on the ship makes her question if some rules are meant to be broken, and a little boat rocking is a good thing.
From sun-drenched beaches to moonlit strolls, JJ and Kinsley must decide if an onboard romance can last on land, and if love is worth risking their hearts.
Packed with laughter, longing, and a grandmother who refuses to play by the rules, Roped Into Paradise is a heartwarming and wholesome romantic comedy about family, hope, and finding love where you least expect it. Perfect for fans of witty banter, unexpected romance, and cruise ship escapades that sweep you off your feet.
Here’s a little excerpt from the book:
JJ tugged on the only pair of clean jeans he’d packed in his bag and unrolled a green plaid western shirt, fastening the snaps with one hand while using the other to finger-comb his hair. In the adjoining bathroom, he splashed his face with cold water and brushed his teeth, then he moseyed into the kitchen, lured by the scent of coffee.
“Here,” Grams said, shoving a travel mug into his hand. “You can drink that on the way.”
“On the way to where?” he asked, taking a long, bracing sip of coffee so strong and black, he could feel it peeling away layers of tissue as it traveled down his throat.
“The store, JJ. Do try to keep up,” Grams said, snagging her car keys off a hook by the door that led into her garage. She gave him a look that clearly conveyed her thoughts that he was hopeless as he stumbled over the step into the garage. “I’ll drive.”
He thought about arguing, but refrained. Until the caffeine kicked in, he wasn’t sure he could find his way out to the end of the driveway.
Ten minutes later, Grams pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of a superstore that sold everything from fried chicken to pontoon boats. Hungry as he was, the fried chicken didn’t sound all that bad, even if it was a grease-soaked remnant from yesterday’s offerings.
Confused as to why they were at the store before most of the population was even awake, JJ took another long drink of coffee and then set the mug in the cupholder of the SUV.
“Why on earth are we here?” he asked as he got out of the vehicle and walked with his grandmother to the door.
“We can’t go on the boat ride until you are properly outfitted.”
“Boat ride? Outfitted?” JJ thought maybe he’d dreamed the part about Grams mentioning a boat ride last night. Did he really need new attire for a ride around the lake? Usually, they took a fishing charter cruise around the lake at some point during his visit. Cargo shorts, a T-shirt, and an old pair of sneakers would work just fine for that. “What are you talking about, Grams?”
“I told you I booked a boat ride, JJ. Aren’t you listening?” Grams asked as though he were five and incapable of paying attention.
He watched as his grandmother snagged a shopping cart from the row of them outside the door, set her purse inside, and grabbed his arm in one seemingly smooth motion as she marched inside the store.
“What kind of boat ride requires getting up this early in the morning to come shopping here, of all places, so I can be properly outfitted? Last I checked, you and Mom would both develop acute hives if you had to purchase your wardrobe here.”
Grams smiled at the greeter standing near the door and made a beeline for the men’s clothing. JJ hoped he could still move with as much agility as his grandmother had when he was her age. Then again, she attended a yoga class three times a week and took pride in walking at least a mile every day.
“It means, JJ, that we are boarding a cruise ship at half past ten this morning and setting sail for the Caribbean. You need clothes for an eleven-day trip. From the pathetic contents of your duffel bag, you’ll be forced to wash your undies in the bathroom sink every other day. You should have listened when your mother suggested you pack a suitcase with plenty of clothes, baby. Now, stop dawdling and get to shopping.” Grams pointed to a rack of cargo shorts.
Releasing January 29!
If you could snap your fingers and be on a dream vacation today, where would you go and what would you see?
Post your answer for a chance to win a $5 Amazon Gift Card!
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Toast the Holidays with Shanna Hatfield
It’s fun to come up with mocktail recipes. This festive take with a peppermint twist is so easy to make, and tastes great! My friends gave it a test-drive and they gave it thumbs up!
Enjoy!
Peppermint Crème Fizz
Ingredients:
Cream Soda
Peppermint Coffee Creamer (I used Coffee Mate’s Harry Potter Peppermint Toad creamer – because it was the only peppermint creamer they had at the store … and it was SO good!)
Optional –
Whipped Cream
Crushed Peppermints
Peppermint Sticks
McCormick Candy Cane Finishing Sugar
Directions:
Pour a cup of chilled cream soda into a glass. Add two tablespoons of creamer. Stir and serve.
If you want to make your drink a little festive and fun, wet the rim of the glass then dip it in a shallow dish with candy cane finishing sugar before adding liquid. Once you’ve added soda and creamer, top with whipped cream, crushed candy cane or peppermint pieces, and a peppermint stick for stirring.
Happy Holidays!
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Covering Christmas
Covering Christmas is my last holiday release this year. It was such a fun story to write about a bareback rider trying to win a world championship title, the western lifestyle reporter who catches his eye and his heart, and Ella – the daughter he never knew he had until her mother dies and he suddenly finds himself in the role of single parent.
He wants a gold buckle. She needs a fresh start. But love—and a little girl—have other plans.
When the reigning world champion bareback rider retires, Keller Drake finally has a clear shot at claiming the title he’s chased for years, until an attorney corners him at a rodeo with life-altering news. Keller has a five-year-old daughter he never knew existed, and Ella’s late mother named him guardian in her will. Suddenly, the man who can ride the rankest broncs in the world is terrified of something far more dangerous—fatherhood.
In the book, Keller is a peanut butter addict. He loves anything made with peanut butter. His daughter, Ella is the same way.
Here’s a little excerpt from the story I thought might make you smile.
“My wife said to tell you that Ella is staying with us tonight, and you can pick her up after breakfast tomorrow.”
Keller turned to stare at Cooper as they stood in line at the hotel’s coffee shop. Cobie had knocked on their door and offered to style Ella’s hair, so Keller had volunteered to hustle downstairs to get breakfast. He’d run into Cooper in the elevator, and they’d made their way to the coffee shop. A line snaked out the door, but they weren’t overly concerned because the service on previous mornings had been fast and efficient.
“Is there any reason in particular your wife is kidnapping my daughter?”
Cooper grinned. “She said you and Cobie need some time together without a five-year-old chaperone. Buy tickets to a show and take Cobie out on the town after the rodeo tonight. You both deserve to have a little fun. Ella and Alex get along like two little peas in a pod, and it isn’t any trouble to keep her tonight. Just bring a bag with her jammies and whatever she’ll need to our room before you head over to the rodeo this afternoon.”
“Are you sure, Coop? I already feel like I’ve taken advantage of you and everyone else who has helped with Ella while I’m riding.”
Cooper looked insulted. “You aren’t taking advantage of us. We’re all glad to help, Keller. Paige and I know how hard it is to have a child and rodeo, and there are two of us working at it. You deserve a little time to enjoy life. You’re only what? Twenty-seven?”
“Just turned twenty-six, and I feel like I’m careening toward fifty.”
Cooper chuckled. “Exactly what I mean. Take Cobie somewhere fun and spend the evening being a young, not entirely ugly, single guy out for a great evening with a beautiful woman who clearly does not find him to be totally repulsive.”
“Ugly and repulsive. Guess I’m moving up in the world,” Keller quipped as the line inched forward. “Seriously, man, I appreciate it, and tell Paige I’ll gather Ella’s stuff and drop it off before we head out for the day. How about I reciprocate and keep Alex for you one evening so you and Paige can have some time alone?”
“I’d love that, but let’s make it during the day. We’re both too exhausted to do anything after the rodeo. I’m not as young as I used to be, you know.”
Keller shook his head in disbelief. “You’re going to be perpetually younger than us all, Coop. How about you leave Alex with me tomorrow morning? I can make sure he gets lunch, and you can reclaim him sometime in the afternoon before I need to head over to the rodeo.”
“I like it. It’s a deal,” Cooper said, shaking Keller’s hand.
“Any food allergies I should know about?” Keller asked as they got closer to the counter.
“Nope, and he’s usually a good eater. Takes after his dad.”
“I’m pretty sure a refined palate is more a trait from his mother, but what do I know?” Keller teased, then placed his order for breakfast. He got yogurt and an assortment of whole fruit, and could hardly believe his luck when he spied peanut butter muffins studded with chocolate chips in the pastry case.
“One of those muffins, please,” Keller said as the young woman behind the counter gathered his order.
“You and your peanut butter addiction,” Cooper pointed to the case of pastries. “I heard Ella has been known to eat it straight out of the jar.”
“What?” Keller asked, staring at Cooper. “Where did you hear that?”
“From Alex. He said they were hungry, and Ella got out a jar of peanut butter and ate it with a spoon. He went with a bag of fruit snacks. That was back when we were in Pendleton, or was it Walla Walla? Anyway, the gist of my story is that your daughter also has a predilection for peanut butter and eats it straight from the jar.”
Keller thought of all the peanut butter he’d eaten the last few months and wondered how much of it had five-year-old slobbers living in the jar. He would have been grossed out, but considering some of the things he’d cleaned up when Ella had the twenty-four-hour tummy flu, he decided slobber was the least of his worries.
Here’s an easy recipe for Peanut Butter Candy
Peanut Butter Drops
INGREDIENTS
1 11-ounce bag white chocolate chips
1 11-ounce bag peanut butter chips
1 cup cocktail peanuts
1 cup crushed pretzel pieces
DIRECTIONS
Line a baking sheet with parchment and set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together white chocolate chips and peanut butter chips, then melt in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chips are smooth (1-2 minutes).
Stir in peanuts and pretzels, then drop by spoonsful onto the parchment.
Let cool, then store in an airtight container up to a week.
What is your favorite must-have flavor or treat, or holiday indulgence?
Mine would chocolate in various forms.
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Cowboys & Mistletoe (Week 2) – Shanna Hatfield
Howdy, friends! Happy Holidays to you!
I’m excited to be part of The Great Western Christmas Celebration. In fact, I have five new western Christmas books to share with you!
Covering Christmas by Shanna Hatfield
He wants a gold buckle. She needs a fresh start. But love—and a little girl—have other plans.
When the reigning world champion bareback rider retires, Keller Drake finally has a clear shot at claiming the title he’s chased for years, until an attorney corners him at a rodeo with life-altering news. Keller has a five-year-old daughter he never knew existed, and Ella’s late mother named him guardian in her will. Suddenly, the man who can ride the rankest broncs in the world is terrified of something far more dangerous—fatherhood.
As Keller fumbles his way through parenting, he discovers he’s not alone. Cobie Quinn, a sharp-witted reporter for All Things Rodeo, jumps in to help. What begins as a professional connection quickly deepens into a friendship filled with laughter, late-night talks, and a growing attraction Keller didn’t see coming.
After walking away from a broken engagement and a high-pressure job, Cobie thought covering rodeos across the Northwest would be nothing more than a temporary assignment. She didn’t expect to enjoy it—let alone lose her heart to a rugged cowboy and his sweet little girl. Then a new opportunity arises, forcing her to choose between long-held ambitions and a future she never imagined.
With the holidays approaching and Christmas joy in the air, Keller and Cobie must decide if they’re willing to take a chance on a future wrapped in faith, family, and the magic of the season.
Fall in love with Covering Christmas, a wholesome holiday romance sparkling with western charm, healing hearts, and Christmas cheer.
Silver Bell Sweethearts by Shanna Hatfield
Four generations of love. A legacy of craftsmanship.
Four stories of hearts finding joy as well as finding their way home.
Begin the legacy with A Joyful Ring– Enjoy the setting of 1876 Lovely, Oregon—a dusty little mining town where hearts are tender, snow is falling, and love is about to ring with Christmas joy. Gunder and Risa’s story will warm your heart faster than a mug of cocoa by the fire.
A Joyful Love – A runaway woman and a hometown silver artisan discover that Christmas in a small Oregon town may hold more than snow and sleigh bells—it may hold the love they never knew they were searching for.
A Joyful Promise – Step back to 1957 and spend Christmas in the charming town of Lovely, Oregon—where a silver-crafting cowboy and a shy, artistic dreamer discover that the greatest gift may just be a promise of love.
A Joyful Home – Bo Birke’s silver artistry honors her family’s past—but horse trainer Rafe Judson may be her reason to dream about the future. Together, they might find a place to finally call home.
The Great Western Christmas Celebration
Now that we know what year it is, let’s talk about how Main Street might be decorated.
What do the storefronts look like? Are there any special window displays? Ribbons on the lamp posts? Again, anything goes, so long as it’s era-appropriate. Keep the year in mind so we don’t have electric lights in a Gold Rush era town or inflatables in the Roaring Twenties.
Everyone who leaves a response by Saturday 12/13 will get their name entered in the random drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card.
Every entry will also be eligible for our oh-so-beautiful Grand Prize – a gorgeous quilt hand made by our very own Jo-Ann Roberts
NOTE: ALL winners will be announced on Sunday 12/14.
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Silver, Bells, and a Town Named Lovely
About a year ago, I started kicking around the idea for a new holiday series. The notion of it having something to do with silver bells got stuck in my head.
So I asked my hubby, Captain Cavedweller, to brainstorm some ideas with me.
By the time we’d finished, I had pages of notes, a fictional town named Lovely (that was going to be anything but lovely, at least in the first book), and the plans for a four-book series that followed a family of silversmiths.
I didn’t know anything about silversmith work, but I sure enjoyed learning enough to write the stories.
I knew even less what someone would do in 1876 when they wanted to work with silver but were too poor to acquire any that was “clean.”
In the first book, A Joyful Ring, Gunder Burke leaves behind the big city of Pittsburgh after finding an advertisement for a silver mine in the new town of Lovely, Oregon. He sets on out a journey, determined to build a good life for himself. A life that will allow him to move his parents and sisters to Oregon as well.
Gunder arrives and Lovely is nothing like it was advertised. He gets a job at the silver mine, but is still determined to turn silver into something more. His father’s ancestors were bell makers and his mother’s family were known for making jewelry in their home country of Sweden.
It was fascinating to learn how Gunder could scrape up the tiny bits of silver from beneath the wagons that transported it, clean it, then melt it. In the story, Gunder struggles to figure out how to get the fire hot enough to melt the silver.
Here’s a little scene from the story.
Gunder watched her go, then returned to pumping the bellows until the fire burned so hot that he couldn’t stand to sit there any longer.
He stood and moved back, waiting as the blaze dropped below the rock rim of the pit he’d built. Assured it wouldn’t burst back to roaring flames and catch anything on fire, he returned his box to the hiding spot beneath his cot, washed up at the pump by the cookshack, and joined the other mine employees for Jed’s supper of ham, potatoes, and soggy green beans. For dessert, they had slabs of apple cake that were actually tasty, and not a crumb of it remained when the meal was finished.
Gunder hurried back to his tent, full and content. Although the sun had set, there was still enough light remaining in the sky for him to see. When he scooted the coals off the pot in his pit and lifted the lid, he saw that the silver had melted.
It had finally melted!
“Hurrah!” Gunder shouted and raised both hands to the sky in victory.
“What happened?” Risa asked, suddenly appearing at his side. Her presence was so welcome, he didn’t bother to wonder why she was there.
“It melted! My silver finally melted!” he said, swinging her into his arms and dancing her in a lively jig around the fire pit until she was laughing so much she could hardly stand upright. Her hair slipped from her pins, and the shawl she wore was askew, but he thought she looked utterly enticing. He’d never seen her hair down, not that it all was now, but the strands that had escaped looked like shimmering ribbons of silk. His hands itched to reach out and finger one of the waves.
“Congratulations, Gunder.” She gave him a hug and kissed his cheek, then stepped back and looked at the silver that was already beginning to harden back into a solid form. “You can melt it again, can’t you?”
“I certainly can. I’m going to need more oak wood, though.”
Four generations of Birke family silversmiths find joy and love during the holidays.
A rugged freighter, a hopeful dreamer, and a Christmas they’ll never forget.
In 1876, Gunder Birke leaves the daily struggle of Pittsburgh behind, determined to build a better life in the rough-and-tumble mining town of Lovely, Oregon. Hired as a freighter to haul dangerous explosives for the local mine, Gunder faces ongoing danger—but nothing as treacherous as the risk to his heart when he meets the beautiful and spirited Risa Hoffman.
After losing her mother and siblings, Risa has spent most of her life on the move with her father, never knowing what it means to have a real home. When she convinces him to settle in Lovely, the remote, uninviting town is far from the idyllic refuge she imagined. Still, Risa pours her hopes into building a future, working at the boardinghouse while dreaming of a finding a husband who can offer stability and comfort.
But when Gunder’s steady kindness and quiet strength awaken feelings she never expected, Risa must choose between the security she’s always longed for and the love that rings true in her heart.
As snow begins to fall across the rugged Oregon landscape, two souls discover that sometimes the most beautiful gifts come wrapped in hope, faith, and the promise of love.
A Joyful Ring is the first book in the wholesome holiday Silver Bell Sweethearts series.
A Joyful Love (releasing tomorrow!)
One spark of hope. One act of courage. One joyful love.
Caleb Birke once believed adventure waited somewhere beyond the horizon. But after wandering the world, he discovers the one place his heart longs to be is right where he began—home in Lovely, Oregon. Now devoted to preserving his family’s legacy of fine silverwork, Caleb lovingly crafts everything from heirloom sleigh bells to western saddle silver, each piece carrying stories of the past and hope for the future.
A routine delivery trip to Baker City becomes anything but ordinary when he meets Laramee Scott—a lively, sharp-witted horse trainer who steals his breath and quickly claims his heart.
After fleeing a scandal in Texas, Laramee is grateful to find refuge with her aunt and uncle in Eastern Oregon. The land, the horses she loves, and the freedom to rebuild her life are exactly what she needs—until one unexpected encounter with Caleb makes her wonder if she wasn’t running from her past, but being led toward her future.
As Christmas draws near and snow begins to fall on the high desert, Caleb and Laramee discover that love—like silver—can be shaped, refined, and polished into something lasting. But only if they are willing to trust their hearts… and believe that sometimes the greatest gift of all is the courage to love.
A tender, heartfelt holiday romance, A Joyful Love is filled with family legacies, jingling sleigh bells, and the timeless hope Christmas brings.
A Joyful Promise (November 27)
He crafts silver. She stitches dreams. Together, they discover a joyful promise that could last a lifetime.
Baylor Birke has always known where he belongs—at the silver bench in his family’s shop in Eastern Oregon, crafting Western heirlooms that honor a legacy that is generations strong. Spurs that jangle, bridles that shine, and saddle silver that elevates cowboys into kings makes his work feel both satisfying and meaningful as he labors in the place he loves. But when a shy, talented young woman arrives in Lovely, Baylor begins to wonder if life has more to offer than tradition… perhaps even a joyful promise he never expected.
Bonnie McClure has spent her life preparing to take over her family’s department store in Heppner, but the world of inventories and invoices has never stirred her passion. Her true calling is in the artistry of embroidery, turning simple cloth into something beautiful with every graceful stitch. Sent to Lovely to care for her injured aunt, Bonnie anticipates a quiet holiday season … until she crosses paths with the handsome cowboy who caught her eye in Pendleton at the rodeo.
As Christmas approaches and they are thrust into helping with the church program, Baylor and Bonnie find themselves caught between obligation and longing, expectations and dreams. The magic of the season whispers of possibility— but only if they dare to follow their hearts.
Will the holidays bring them a joyful promise of love and a future stitched together with hope?
Discover a wholesome holiday romance filled with small-town charm, heartfelt tradition, and the timeless magic of Christmas.
A Joyful Home (December 4)
A legacy rooted in silver. A future shaped by love. And two hearts searching for home.
Silver artist Bo Birke has crisscrossed the globe showcasing her award-winning work, but the only place that truly feels like hers is Lovely, Oregon—the quiet Eastern Oregon town where generations of Birkes have crafted heirloom treasures. Time with her beloved grandpa Baylor and her Birke cousins restores her spirit, while the call to protect her family’s legacy grows stronger every time she steps into her workshop. Bo thinks she knows exactly what her future holds… until a chance encounter introduces her to the one thing she didn’t realize she was missing.
Rafe Judson lives for the rhythm of working with horses. When his parents buy a ranch outside Lovely, they tempt him to move there with wide-open pastures and the freedom to train equines the way he prefers. He’s not convinced this small town is where he belongs—until he bumps into a gorgeous, spirited woman in the local convenience store. Suddenly, staying doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.
As the holiday season arrives, Bo and Rafe are drawn together by shared dreams, unexpected laughter, and a growing sense that home isn’t a place—it’s a person.
Will they discover that the joyful home they’ve both been searching for is waiting for them to take a leap of faith?
A wholesome, holiday romance filled with hope and Christmas-kissed nights, A Joyful Home is perfect for readers who love heartfelt family legacies, tender love stories, and happily-ever-afters wrapped in the sparkle of the season.
Be sure you enter the big The Bridge giveaway!
Then come back here and share if you’ve started reading Christmas stories yet, and if not, when you crack open that first book full of holiday magic.
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Congrats to Shanna’s Winner
Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway away. I loved reading your comments.
The winner of the autographed copy of The Bridge is Carrie McCauley! Congrats, Carrie!
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The Bridge and a Farmer
I have two new books out this month, and they are so different, yet both were so fun to write.
The first one (The Bridge) is a blend of high-stakes drama, found family, and a heartwarming holiday ending.
The second one (Favoring the Farmer) is a fun rom-com with a mop-wielding meet-cute, a meandering goat named Ethel, and a tiny community full of love.
The Bridge
Christmas Eve. One Man’s Choice. Five lives that will never be the same.
The fate of strangers intertwines when a man contemplating suicide commandeers a bridge on Christmas Eve, forcing everyone into an unexpected detour from their holiday plans.
Sergeant Archer Raines finds himself torn between duty and family as he negotiates with the distraught man.
Pregnant Rosalee goes into labor and navigates an expected trip to the hospital with the help of Nova, a compassionate nurse.
Carter, a seasoned tow truck operator with a romantic heart, winds up in the midst of the drama on the bridge.
Ian, a recent college graduate eager to pursue his career, finds love in the most unlikely of places.
Set against the backdrop of a busy holiday, this novel balances tension and warmth with the enduring strength of human connections.
It is entirely possible I got a little carried away with this book. There were definitely many firsts for me tied to it.
I decided the cover was too pretty not to put it into hardback, but I wanted the hardback to have a little something extra. So, it includes a bonus chapter not available in another of the other formats. Each chapter has a lovely illustration at the beginning, and there is an alternate wintery cover beneath the dust jacket! You can watch an unboxing video here.
I also created a Book Club Kit. It’s free to download. If you have a book club, know someone who belongs to one, or just want to take a look, you can access it on my website.
The characters from the story have become so dear to my heart, I wanted to share them with you, so I created character cards. The front of each card has a watercolor illustration of the character, and the back has a description. You can purchase them directly from Shutterfly.
I also have bookmarks, two different stickers, and these gorgeous, tote bags that you can buy direct from Amazon. (I’ve been really impressed with the quality.)
If you haven’t yet, I hope you’ll check out The Bridge! It’s available in ebook, audio, paperback, or special hardback formats
Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo | Smashwords | Audible
Favoring the Farmer
He’s a weary farmer. She’s a city designer with a rebellious teen in tow. Summer Creek might just be the fresh start they need.
Farmer Dane Becker feels like life has left him behind. With his father gone and the woman he loved like a grandmother now laid to rest, Dane is exhausted, lonely, and convinced his best days are buried in the middle of his wheat field. Then one evening, he spots lights in the house next door. His investigation ends with a mop-wielding beauty mistaking him for a burglar—while unexpectedly stealing his heart.
Bellamy Larken is used to designing one-of-a-kind apparel for Hollywood’s elite, not wielding cleaning supplies against handsome strangers. But when her younger sister Elise’s rebellion spirals out of control, Bellamy—as her guardian—knows something has to change. Inheriting her late aunt’s home in Summer Creek, Oregon, feels like the perfect fresh start. Hastily packing without warning her sister, she drags Elise from the city to small-town life, hoping the quiet community will give them both a chance to heal.
But the house is stuck in a disco-era time warp, Bellamy feels overwhelmed, and the rugged farmer next door is equal parts frustrating and irresistible. Dane insists he doesn’t need anyone, yet Bellamy’s determined heart might be exactly what he can’t live without.
Filled with small-town charm, laugh-out-loud moments, and a tender romance that blossoms under beautiful Oregon skies, Favoring the Farmer is a sweet and hopeful love story about finding where you truly belong.
Coming October 30!
One of my favorite parts of The Bridge is how strangers become something more.
Have you ever met someone by chance who changed your life?
Share your story below—I’d love to hear it.
One commentor will win an autographed copy of The Bridge and some fun swag!
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Magic Cake and a Giveaway
Four years ago today, I released Romance at Rinehart’s Crossing.
If you haven’t read the book yet, it is actually three stories all woven together about the King siblings.
The setting of the story is in the town closest to the farm where I grew up. Way back then, the town was sometimes called Rinehart’s or Rinehart’s Crossing, and was a stop on the Oregon Trail. A hot springs and the river made it a popular stop, especially after the pioneers walked across the dusty, sagebrush-covered hills from Idaho.
It could be the familiarity of the setting, or the fact that I just dearly loved the King siblings (especially Tenner) that made this story such a pleasure to write.
Tenner King is determined to make his own way in the world far from the overbearing presence of his father and the ranch where he was raised in Rinehart’s Crossing, Oregon. Reluctantly, he returns home after his father’s death to find the ranch on its way to ruin and his siblings antsy to leave. Prepared to do whatever is necessary to save the ranch, Tenner isn’t about to let a little thing like love get in his way.
? Austen – After spending her entire life ruled by her father, Austen Rose King certainly isn’t going to allow her bossy older brother to take on the job. Desperate to leave the hard work and solitude of the Diamond K Ranch, she decides a husband would be the fastest means of escape. If only she could find a man she could tolerate for more than five minutes.
? Claire – Two thousand miles of travel. Two thousand miles of listening to her parents bicker about the best place in Oregon to settle. Two thousand miles of dusty trails, bumpy wagons, and things that slither and creep into her bedding at night. Claire Clemons would happily set down roots that very minute if someone would let her. What she needs is her own Prince Charming to give her a place to call home. When a broken wagon wheel strands her family miles from civilization, she wonders if handsome Worth King, the freighter who rescues them, might just be the answer to her prayers.
? Kendall – Anxious to escape her mother’s meddling interference, Kendall Arrington leaves her society life behind, intent on experiencing a Wild West adventure. Hired as the school teacher in a growing town on the Oregon Trail, Kendall hopes to bring a degree of civility and a joy of learning to the children of Rinehart’s Crossing. However, the last thing she expects to find is a cowboy with shaggy hair, dusty boots, and incredible blue eyes among her eager students.
Will love find the three King siblings as Romance arrives in Rinehart’s Crossing?
~*~
When I was searching for recipe ideas to include in the story, I came across one for a magic vanilla custard cake. I don’t know how old it is, but it’s good! And it made me think of the “impossible” pies my mom used to make.
Magic Vanilla Custard Cake
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter-melted and slightly cooled
2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
4 eggs-separated
1 tablespoon water
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
powdered sugar for dusting
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 325°F
Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish, set aside
Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form, set aside.
Beat the egg yolks and powdered sugar until pale yellow.
Mix in melted butter and the tablespoon of water (for about 2 minutes) until evenly combined.
Mix in the flour until evenly incorporated.
Slowly beat in the milk and vanilla extract until well combined.
Gently stir in the egg whites (1/3 at a time, then repeat until all of the egg whites are folded in).
Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-60 minutes (until the cake is barely jiggly in the center). Baking time might vary depending on your oven or pan you use, but start checking after 40 minutes. If the top browns too quickly before the minimum of 40 minutes, you can cover the cake with aluminum foil.
Cool the cake completely before dusting with powdered sugar.
Serve plain or with fresh berries or sliced peaches. You can also add a drizzle of caramel.
Cover and refrigerate any leftovers.
NOTE: Even after it has cooled, it will be slightly jiggly because it has custard layer in the center.
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My mom used to make impossible coconut pie that was so good!
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