Last month,
and now
These are re-releases of out of print books that I love.
I have a chance to get them back in print with Wild Heart Books Publishing and I’m excited about it.
A few things I remember about Calico Canyon
- My mother-in-law was one of my favorite people on the planet. For most of her life…the part I was in…I considered her one of my best friends. She passed away fourteen years ago and I still think of her often and wish I could tell her some story that would make her laugh. I dedicated Calico Canyon to her. The mother of seven sons, of which My Cowboy Husband was number 6. She read the book and said, “My children didn’t behave the way these five boys did.” Completely true because NO CHILDREN ever behaved the way these five boys do.
- I got word of a contract offer for Calico Canyon the same week my daughter got married. Third daughter, but first to marry. The contract made the wedding FAR LESS PAINFUL to pay for and I really appreciated it.
- Calico Canyon got nominated for a Christy Award. Wow, I didn’t see that coming. I’m a firm…THE NOMINATION IS THE AWARD…person. Sure you can always upgrade what you say, WINNER instead of FINALIST. But no one’s taking that finalist award away and I always cherished this. I did NOT win but they announce the winner by reading the first sentence of the book. And the first sentence of Calico Canyon is, “The five horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in. Late as usual.” I always loved that as an opening for a book and I wanted so badly for them to read that out. Nope.
- And the wedding scene in Calico Canyon ranks up with, In My Opinion, the funniest thing I’ve ever written.
Calico Canyon, coming April 28. Can anyone remember a favorite first line from a book? I’ve got a few from other books that I love.
Grace McKennon’s Wonderbra saved her life. From Julie Garwood…Grace Under Fire
There’s just no good way to pick up a human head. From Alex Kava…A Necessary Evil
And the classic, Jane Austin…It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
And of course…
“The five horsemen of the Apocalypse rode in. Late as usual.
What about our Petticoat and Pistol readers? Have you got a favorite? Comment on your favorite first lines to get your name in a drawing for an ebook copy of Calico Canyon.
Calico Canyon
A runaway teacher, a bewildered widower, and five rambunctious boys who need a mother whether they want one or not. Perfect for fans of Tracie Peterson and Karen Witemeyer.
Grace Calhoun never imagined teaching school in Texas would lead to marriage—especially not to the infuriating Daniel Reeves.
When Grace flees her adoptive father’s cruelty by hiding in a stranger’s wagon, the town parson insists on an immediate wedding, leaving Grace trapped in marriage to a stubborn widower with five unruly sons—the very boys who made her teaching job impossible.
Daniel Reeves has no intention of risking his heart—or another wife—to childbirth.
Still grieving the loss of his first wife, Daniel wants nothing to do with the prim schoolmarm forced into his family. He’ll build her a house and provide for her needs, but he’ll keep his distance. His sons need a mother, but he refuses to fall in love again.
Snowed in together for a long Texas winter, walls begin to crumble.
As Grace discovers the courage she thought she’d lost, she transforms from a frightened woman on the run to a fierce protector of her new family. The boys who once tormented her become the children of her heart. And the husband who swore to keep his distance? He’s finding it harder each day to resist his spirited wife.
But when Grace’s dangerous past catches up to her, she must choose between running again or standing firm in the faith that brought her to Calico Canyon—even if it costs her everything.
A tender tale of found family, healing love, and the faithfulness of God in the midst of life’s unexpected turns.
