Texas

Gingham Mountain releases next Tuesday—and a giveaway

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Wow, this re-release schedule is HECTIC.

Gingham Mountain is book three in what will be a NINE book series called

PETTICOATS AND COWBOYS

(I love that because it sounds so much like Petticoats and Pistols!!!)

Right now it’s listed as book 3 out of 6, but three more are coming.

GINGHAM MOUNTAIN

I always consider this book the story of my own life growing up. The tiny house…full of kids. All outside playing really year round…yep, it’s Nebraska. COLD in the winter. HOT in the summer.

But honestly our heater was pathetic and the air conditioning…well, I’m not sure air conditioning had been invented yet. Least ways there wasn’t much of it around my house.

So outside was actually cooler than inside in the summer. And it wasn’t that much warmer in the winter. Plus my mom’s solution to about 90% of discipline problems was GO OUTSIDE!!!

None of us are in jail (I’m reasonably sure none of us even is on the run from the law)

So I’m claiming that as a good discipline tool.

There were EIGHT OF US. In a TWO BEDROOM FARM HOUSE. Well, later it was a three bedroom farmhouse. So I exaggerate!

It was the baby boom. These things happened. Our neighbors across the road built a four bedroom house for their seven kids and man, was that fancy.

Anyway.

So Grant stacking kids in his ramshackle house was the absolute truth. I knew it could be done.

And Hannah, such a little pill. Driving Grant CRAZY trying to save the orphans he kept adopting. Her heart was in the exact right place. And Grant would have handled it better if she didn’t make his heart skip a beat every time he saw her. And if he didn’t end up kissing her a few times which was absolutely NOT his plan.

I love this book. It is, I believe, the bestselling book of all I’ve written, which is weird. I just figured that whole three book series just built and built and built. Until BAM Gingham Mountain.

What did you do back then that is absolutely NOT allowed today? My city grandkids can NOT be told to get out of the house. It’s DANGEROUS OUT THERE. Hah, as if we didn’t flirt with death all day every day climbing around the rafters of buildings and wandering into yard with killer bulls.

Leave a comment about your own childhood to get your name in a drawing for an ebook copy of Gingham Mountain. It’s available now for pre-order but it’s coming SOON!!!

Gingham Mountain

A devoted bachelor rancher, a determined schoolteacher, and the orphaned children who bring them together.

Grant Cooper has dedicated his life to taking in orphaned children others have overlooked, building a loving family on his rugged Texas ranch. When a new schoolteacher arrives in Sour Springs with strong opinions about his unconventional household, he finds himself drawn to her fierce spirit—even as she challenges everything about his carefully ordered world.

Hannah Cartwright’s own painful past as an orphan makes her wary of the bachelor rancher raising children alone. But as she gets to know Grant’s extraordinary family, she discovers there’s more to him than meets the eye. When dangerous enemies threaten both their futures, Hannah and Grant must learn to trust in God’s plan—and each other.

Can a man who’s sworn never to marry risk his heart for love? And can a woman who’s known only betrayal find the faith to build a true home at last? A touching story of healing, hope and the family bonds that transcend blood.

Jill Kemerer – Welcome to Tumbleweed, TX – plus a Giveaway!

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Howdy, fillies! It’s wonderful to be back at the junction!

Welcome to Tumbleweed, Texas, where love is in bloom and broken hearts heal in the most surprising circumstances. Embrace the small-town community, juicy storylines, and faith-filled romance in this four-book continuity published by Love Inspired.

Today I’m sharing about my new book, The Rancher’s Unlikely Match, which releases on Tuesday, April 28th, and giving you the inside scoop about the fictional town of Tumbleweed, Texas. The first three books in the continuity released in January, February, and March, and were written by different authors.

Book 1: The Coach’s Secret Child by Lee Tobin McClain

Book 2: The Pastor’s Easter Prayer by Tina Radcliffe

Book 3: The Police Chief’s Instant Family by Mindy Obenhaus

Book 4: The Rancher’s Unlikely Match by Jill Kemerer

When the four of us authors were approached to write the continuity, we immediately shared files to help us keep the town and characters consistent. Tina drew up a fictional map of the town, and that helped tremendously. The rest of us added stores and businesses as we were writing our books.

Tumbleweed is a small fictional town located in eastern Texas, and it’s full of charm and fascinating people. You can get your hair done at Beauty Lounge, worship during Sunday services at Tumbleweed Community Church, grab a delicious meal at the Friendly Fork, or snack on a Texas-sized cinnamon roll from Sweet Dreams Bakery. Personally, I want to do it all!

The town square has a gazebo, and you might spot the manager of the Grocery Spot racing across the park to catch his runaway wiener dog. You’ll definitely want to set up your chairs early to watch the Tumbleweed Days parade. The entire town shows up for the annual event. Former mayor, Jim Stewart, is in charge of the planning committee, and rumor has it that he and local ranching matriarch, Patty Wright, have been getting cozy. Hmm…I wonder what’s going on with them?

Back to Tumbleweed. Here’s what each author had to say when asked about the town.

If you could visit Tumbleweed, Texas, where would you go first? And who would you most like to meet?

Lee Tobin McClain:

As a teacher from a family of teachers, I’d head to the high school to watch my heroine, Kayla, mentor Coach Mike in the art of teaching. Then I’d head to the Friendly Fork diner for a bite to eat. Finally, I’d get my hair done at the Beauty Lounge, so I could catch up on all the gossip from Ginger Jackson, the owner.

Tina Radcliffe:

I fell in love with Sweet Dream Bakery. If I visited Tumbleweed, I’d stop in and say hi to baker Luna Perez and order both a cinnamon roll and a chocolate croissant. If it were a Wednesday, I’d order a cupcake slathered with fudge buttercream frosting. Yum!

Mindy Obenhaus:

Sweet Dreams Bakery would definitely be my first stop. I have a voracious sweet tooth. And I wouldn’t mind chatting with Patricia Wright. It takes a mighty strong woman to handle the largest ranch in the county AND Jim Stewart.

Me!

I’d head straight to Sweet Dreams Bakery for one of those Texas-sized cinnamon rolls and a latte. Then I’d find Jessica and find out how she’s doing with those goats!

As you can see, we all clearly are craving yummy treats from the bakery. In fact, I could go for a cinnamon roll now…

My book begins at Big W Ranch. Patty Wright’s son, Ben, took the large cattle operation over after Patty’s husband died years ago. Three of the new neighbor’s goats have invaded Patty’s garden, much to Ben’s three kids’ delight. They love goats. Ben’s not happy about it, but the single dad is always grumpy. Enter the new neighbor, Miss Sunshine herself, Jessica Howard, and sparks begin to fly. I’ve always loved a good grumpy-sunshine trope. You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens!

I had such fun writing The Rancher’s Unlikely Match, and I have a happy announcement. There will be a second four-book continuity set in Tumbleweed, Texas, that will be released in early 2027! Yeehaw!

Giveaway Time

I’m giving away one copy of The Rancher’s Unlikely Match to a commenter. US winner will receive a signed paperback. International winner will receive an e-book! Simply leave a comment below to be entered.

Does your town have any special festivals the entire town attends? I’d love to hear about them!

Could her fresh start…be the answer to his prayers?

Widowed rancher Ben Wright doesn’t need more complications, especially not runaway goats from the pretty new farmer next door, Jessica Howard. With three kids, a farm and a baseball team to coach, he’s earned his gruff reputation. Jessica left a draining social work career in Houston, hoping for a fresh start and to save her inherited farm from debt—the last thing she needs is a grumpy neighbor. But despite their rocky start, Jessica begins to see past his tough exterior as she spends time with his kids. When old hurts arise, Ben and Jessica must decide…is a future together worth fighting for?

Purchase THE RANCHER’S UNLIKELY MATCH here!

Jill Kemerer

 

About Jill Kemerer

Jill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. Nearly a million of her books have sold worldwide. Jill’s essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, and long walks outdoors. She resides in Ohio with her husband. They have two adult children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.

 

Book #2 of the Petticoats and Cowboys series-THIS MONTH–and a giveaway

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Last month,

Petticoat Ranch

and now

Calico Canyon

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

 

Welcome to Guest Author Mindy Obenhaus

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Hello, and happy Friday!

Mindy Obenhaus here, coming to you from down Texas way. And while I may not have been born in the Lone Star state, I got here as quick as I could and married a man whose Texas roots run deep. We live on a ranch that has been in his family since the mid-1800s. Nine generations have enjoyed the land. But that wouldn’t have happened had it not been for one man.

You see, a yellow-fever epidemic claimed the lives of my husband’s great, great grandparents back in the 1870s, and their two toddler daughters went to live with their uncle in another town that is now only about a twenty-minute drive but would’ve taken much longer via horse-drawn wagon. A handful of years later, one of the girls died, leaving only my husband’s great-grandmother.

Back in the late 1800’s, it wouldn’t have been uncommon or even frowned upon for her uncle to sell the land that was a good distance from where they lived. Taxes had to be paid, along with wages for those who worked the land. But he preserved his niece’s legacy.

A century and a half later, my husband and myself, our children and grandchildren are still enjoying that land because of him.

That story was the inspiration behind my current Love Inspired Books series, Legacy Ranch. It revolves around four sisters and their spunky cowgirl aunt whose dreams for the ranch had been squelched by her brother, until his sudden death. Now, as Aunt Dee breathes new life into the century-and-a-half old cattle ranch, her nieces find themselves wanting to be a part of its transformation, as well.

Let’s talk about legacies. An inheritance, if you will. Something of value that you pass on to someone else. While our minds often go to things like land, jewelry, money, sometimes it’s simple things, like Granny’s favorite cake plate, even cherished recipes.

But how will your loved ones remember you?

It’s a question I asked myself not long ago. And I was rather dismayed by my response. You see, I tend to be a people pleaser. I want everybody to be happy. So, when our large family gathers, I usually find myself in the kitchen cooking up everyone’s favorite dishes while they’re playing games and enjoying the ranch. But do I want them to remember my peach cobbler or that I made them feel like they mattered? That I’m a best-selling author or that I love Jesus and want them to know Him, too?

Talk about food for thought.?

Have you ever contemplated your legacy?

I’m giving away a copy of my new release,

Their Texas Christmas Redemption.

Simply leave a comment to be entered.

Print copy US only, ebook international.

Here’s a little about the story –

’Tis the season for a second chance at love.
Back home at her family’s Texas ranch for the holidays, the last thing Audrey Caldwell expects to see is her ex-husband, Tyler, on her doorstep—with his orphaned niece. The sweet baby in his arms brings up painful memories that she’d rather forget, but when little Willow gets sick, Audrey can’t turn them away. She offers to care for the baby if Tyler agrees to do some construction projects on the ranch. As they work together on a community Christmas event, neither can deny their growing connection. Can they heal their deepest wounds and find their way back to the family they always wanted?

Best-selling author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner.

She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, two sassy pups, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching heartwarming romance movies.

Learn more at http://www.MindyObenhaus.com

Welcome Guest Author Teri Wilson

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Howdy, everyone! I’m Teri Wilson, and I’m excited to be here and tell y’all about my latest book, The Perfect Pass.

First, just to share a little bit about myself, I write sweet romance as well as inspirational/Christian romance, and I’ve had five Hallmark Channel movie adaptations of my books. So, yes, I’m also very much a Hallmark girl! I’m also a lifelong Texan, and I’m a big dog lover. My Cavalier King Charles spaniel Charm is a therapy dog and a reading education assistance dog, and we love volunteering in our community to spread a little doggy comfort and joy.

The Perfect Pass is set in a fictional small town in my home state, so I thought it would be fun to talk about small town Texas settings and what makes them special. Like I said, I’ve lived in Texas my entire life, from big cities like Houston (where I grew up) and San Antonio (where I’ve lived for the past thirty-plus years), to tiny College Station, where I attended college at Texas A & M University. I love spending time in the Texas Hill Country, dotted with small towns situated among rolling hills, fields of bluebonnets and winding rivers. Each of those towns had its own special flavor, whether it’s a historic dance hall, a beloved barbecue joint or a bunch of wineries and vineyards, all in a row.

The Perfect Pass is the first book in my new Texas Forever After series, which came about when my editor asked me if I’d like to write a football romance. I immediately said yes, even though I’m not exactly a football expert. But I loved the television show Friday Night Lights, and I thought it would be a really fun challenge to write something in that same spirit. When my editor reached out to me, the first thing she mentioned was football, and then she followed it up with, “You’re from Texas, after all,” and I immediately knew we were on the same page.

The town I created for my series is called Bishop Falls, and I modeled it after a real Texas town called Gruene (pronounced like the color green), which has a historic steel water tower standing in the heart of the historic district. In my little fictional town, the water tower is an important landmark. The high school football team’s bulldog mascot is painted right on its side, and the water tower is a popular place for late night victory parties. I think it’s important for small town settings to have something unique to make them really come alive—special landmarks and quirks that set them apart from every other town on the map. Landmarks give readers something to picture, something that feels real and memorable. They’re the kind of details that make readers say, “I know this place. I’ve been here.” And in a way, they have. Because so many of us have our own versions of Bishop Falls tucked into our memories.

The other defining characteristic of Bishop Falls is its passion for football. In true Texas tradition, Friday nights revolve around the Bulldogs, and the whole town turns out to pack the stands, win or lose. You can see that love of the game everywhere you go, from the End Zone Bakery with its football-shaped cookies to Huddle Up Coffee, where the lattes are served in team-colored mugs. Even Main Street is called Bulldog Avenue, a reminder that in Bishop Falls, football isn’t just a sport. It’s part of the town’s identity, woven into everyday life in the quirkiest, most endearing ways.

And of course, no small Texas town would be complete without a big dose of Texas hospitality. In Bishop Falls, neighbors look out for one another, strangers are greeted with a smile (or, in my hero Jackson Knight’s case, a literal parade), and there’s always room for one more at the table. That welcoming spirit is part of what makes small towns so endearing, and the perfect setting for a heartfelt romance.

Still, even in a place as warm and welcoming as Bishop Falls, life isn’t always simple. The same closeness that makes the town so special can also stir up its share of challenges, especially for newcomers who aren’t quite sure if they belong. That mix of open-armed Texas hospitality and small-town scrutiny sets the stage for The Perfect Pass, where love takes the field right alongside football.

You can learn more or purchase HERE

Visit Teri’s website HERE

To celebrate the release of The Perfect Pass, I’m giving away a signed paperback of the book, along with a pair of J. Crew football socks featuring Bishop the Bulldog. One lucky winner will be sporting Bishop Falls pride while turning the pages!

To enter, simply answer this question in the comments below:

If you could invent one quirky business for a small Texas town like Bishop Falls, what would it be called and what would it sell? I can’t wait to read your creative ideas. Good luck, and here’s to the magic of small towns, both real and fictional!

Jolene Navarro Has Found Heaven

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The Heart of Family is in the Texas Hill Country:

Why I’m Back on the Frio River

Writing has always been a way for me to make sense of the world around me. And there are two subjects that constantly tug at my heartstrings, begging to be explored. The beautiful chaos of big family dynamics and the serene, rugged charm of the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River. When these two worlds collide in my writing, it’s like magic for me.

My last few series have been along the Texas Coast. Who can resist a cowboy pirate. Not me.

But now I’ve started a new series in the fictional town of Rio Bella with the five De Leon siblings. They were raised by their grandfather.

There is something undeniably special about large families. The constant laughter, the occasional squabbles, the shared memories, and the deep bonds that tie everyone together. These dynamics are a rich tapestry of stories I love to write.

My goal is to capture the essence of those moments, big and small, that make family life so vibrant. Whether it’s a chaotic family gathering or a quiet moment shared between generations, I find endless inspiration in these relationships.

The Texas Hill Country, specifically along the Frio River, holds a piece of my soul. The rolling hills, the crystal-clear waters, the ancient cypress trees—it’s a place of breathtaking beauty and profound peace. When I write about this place, I’m transported back to lazy summer days spent swimming in the river, the smell of barbecue in the air, the sound of crickets chirping under a starry sky and chasing fireflies in my grandparents’ backyard. The Frio River isn’t just a location; it’s a character in its own right, shaping the stories I tell.

In THE TEXAN’S UNEXPECTED HOME, my hero doesn’t think he belongs in the small town of Rio Bella, but he might change his mind. I love this story of finding family and home where you didn’t expect it.

After losing everything in a devastating fire, racehorse trainer Kingston Zayas returns to his family’s ranch to claim his inheritance…and learns that he must first live there for a year. The only silver lining? Single mom Abigail DeLeon, the ranch’s event planner, and her energetic son, Leo. But Abigail’s family wants nothing to do with any Zayas. Forced to work together, they unravel a tangle of secrets that changes everything Kingston thought he knew about his family—and most important, where he belongs…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

The Ranchers of Rio Bella

Book 1: The Texan’s Unexpected Home

Here are some reasons why I feel so compelled to write about these topics:

Connection: Writing allows me to connect with others who share similar experiences or dream about that type of life. I have the honor of writing my dreams and walking through the pages with me. It makes my dream real.

Preservation: Bits of truth and family stories are woven through my fictional pages. I want to capture stories and memories before they fade.

Exploration: Each story is an opportunity to explore the complexities of relationships and the magic of nature in a deeper way. How has God worked in my life? It can be very eye opening for me.

Joy: Ultimately, writing about these topics brings me immense joy. It’s a way to celebrate the things that matter most to me: family and the beauty of the natural world.

This photo is of my husband’s mother with her children (11 surviving) and grandchildren and great grandchildren. Yes, we had to go to the high school football field to get the picture. How Texas is that? Writing about big family dynamics in the setting of the Texas Hill Country along the Frio River feels like coming home. It’s where my heart is, and it’s what I feel compelled to share with the world. I’m currently writing the third book in the series and it just feels so natural.

I’ve shared my favorite place in the world with you and as much as I love my Hill country I also love traveling. So, give me a place to go. If you could go one place in the world, where would it be and what would you recommend, I do there? Leave a comment to put your name in the hat for one of three copies of The Texan’s Unexpected Home. 

So, inspire me. Give me some good places.

About Jolene:

Jolene, a seventh-generation Texan, knows, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that dancing in the rain never gets old. Her life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, laughter, dirty dishes and all of life’s wonderful messiness. She uses her art degree to teach inner city kids about the world and they teach her about life.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Instagram

A Cowboy Surprise

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It’s always a special treat when my birthday falls on Memorial Day as it did this year. Not only do I get a day off of work (the day job, anyway) but I also get to spend extra time with my family. But my husband surprised me a couple days early with a romantic cowboy gesture on the Friday night before.

First, he showed up at my office unannounced and kidnapped me from work an hour early. He brought me a change of clothes, including my cowgirl boots, then showed me his own footwear. He’d bought HIMSELF a pair of cowboy boots that afternoon just for the occasion. He hasn’t worn boots ince high school, so this was a big deal. He wore Wrangler jeans, boots, a button-down shirt, eveything but the hat. It was as if he’d walked out of the pages of one of my books!

Then he took me on a 90+ minute drive through the country (we saw wildflowers, longhorn cattle, herefords, deer, and sheep) to a ranch outside of Graham, TX called Wildcatter Ranch. They have a steakhouse there with beautiful hilltop views.

We had a scrumptious dinner next to a large set of windows looking out over this porch and the wooded hills below. So lovely! They served cheesy southern biscuits with a honey glaze for an appetizer, which were scrumptious! I had trout with glazed carrots and salad and Wes had a half-rack of ribs with a baked potato and salad. My fish was good, but when he let me sample the ribs, I regretted not getting some for myself. They were literaly melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious.

After dinner, we walked around the grounds, and took lots of pictures.

One of my favorites was when we sat in a pair of rockers on the back porch of the Wildcatter Hotel and snapped a photo of our boots.

Then in true Texas style, we stopped at a Dairy Queen in Breckenridge,TX on the way home for a Blizzard. Ha!

It was a wonderful western evening with my personal cowboy hero!

When was a time you received a fun surprise?

Kara O’Neal Shares Her Newest Series – Plus a Giveaway!

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It’s such a pleasure to be here today! I’m so excited to share my newest series – Wildflowers Of Texas – with y’all. This series combines several of my favorite things – heroes, heroines, true love, romance, family, and last…

Flowers.

I adore them. I don’t care what kind they are, or what color, or how cheap, I love them ALL. And as long as my husband gets me flowers on Valentine’s Day, I couldn’t care less what else he gives me. There’s something about them that just makes my heart sigh.

My favorites are Texas wildflowers. God bless my state and what happens in the Spring, because nothing else equals it. Not in my opinion anyway. My absolute favorite flower is the Bluebonnet.

Growing up, we’d go on “bluebonnet hunts”. We’d search for the best fields that showcased all of the beauty God had to offer and got to tour Texas at the same time.

One of the coolest places to visit is the Antique Rose Emporium. They’ve been a nursery for over a hundred years and have centuries old roses. I can wander the Emporium’s meandering paths for hours, and I’m not even a gardener.

Flowers inspire me. I think each one has character. And I’ve decided to write heroines who match with the “personality” of Texas wildflowers.

The first is MISS GREEN EYES. It’s available for pre-order now and will release on April 30th.

I chose the Texas Green Eye for my first heroine in the series, Annalee Gillespie. Not only are her eyes a startling green, but her flower is hardy and strong. It can grow in dry soil.

And Annalee, despite the tragedy she’s had in her life, or perhaps because of it, is just as strong and just as hardy. I enjoyed writing her story so much!

I’d like to give away a copy of “MISS GREEN EYES” to two lucky winners! Please comment with your favorite flower and you might win!

Thank you so much for letting me be here today. I hope you “visited” the Emporium and saw how lovely it all is.

 

Enjoy the Journey with Jodi Thomas

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A big welcome to Jodi Thomas today! We’re so pleased to have her join us again!

The Wild Lavender Bookshop is my second book in the Someday Valley series, a spin off of my Honey Creek series. The Wild Lavender Bookshop will be out in April of 2024. I enjoyed writing this book for two reasons. One, I love bookstores. When I was writing about the bookshop it was fun to describe the people I see in bookstores and libraries every day. Two, I enjoyed writing a character who had no idea where he was going in life.  

It seemed when I was young I could never decide what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was working in high school and I was in the bottom fourth of my class, but I decided I should go to college because Tom (my then future husband) was going to college, and I was crazy about him my senior year. Of course, he never even talked to me. But he was going so I decided to go too. The only thing was I had no idea what to major in. I wanted to be a writer, but I can’t spell. And my mother told me to major in home economics because it was a course that would always be there. I went to Amarillo College and then Texas Tech and got a degree in family studies and became a marriage counselor. I hated it. People came in and yelled all the time, so I went back and got a degree in counseling, majoring in grief. I still didn’t know what I wanted to be, but I was happy.  

When I started this book, I had a character in mind who was drifting too, just like I had. Sometimes, you’re not looking for a thing; you’re looking for a person. My character, Noah, wanted to be a writer, so I began to think about how most writers stumble into their careers. I think most people through life look for their place in the world, and some of them spend their whole lives looking. While a rare few actually find what they’re searching for.  

As always, when I write small towns, I met many interesting characters. And I brought back a few characters from Strawberry Lane that I loved. I hope you’ll join me in Honey Creek again in The Wild Lavender Bookshop and enjoy the journey as much as I did.  

Giveaway!

For a chance to win a free autographed copy of Strawberry Lane,
just share about a dream you had of going somewhere for years.
Was it as exciting as you expected when you got there?
I had always dreamed of going to Paris, and when I got there it was beautiful, but I was ready to come home.
I find when I’m driving alone between Amarillo and Lubbock, that is a most beautiful prairie drive.

With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 60 novels and countless short story collections. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world.

 In July 2006, Jodi was the 11th writer to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. With five RITA’s to her credit, along with National Readers’ Choice Awards and Booksellers’ Best Awards, Thomas has proven her skill as a master storyteller.

 Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, Thomas also served as Writer in Residence at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. Jodi was inducted into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame in 2022.

 When not working on a novel or inspiring students to pursue a writing career, Thomas enjoys traveling, renovating a historic home, and “checking on” two grown sons and four grandchildren.

 

Cover Reveal and a Giveaway!

by

“Stone Landry stared into the green depth of her eyes and brushed a knuckle across Emma’s soft cheek. “One day.” He dragged air into his lungs. “One day I intend to court you, lady. That’s a promise. Hangman’s daughter or not.”

Courting Miss Emma, Book 2 of the Hangman’s Daughters series, will soon come your way and I want to share this gorgeous cover. The colors and fonts are really nice. I wish her skirt was a bit slimmer but maybe the wind got under it and ballooned it out. After all, we have a LOT of wind in Texas! I also love Emma’s hair and think it’s perfect. With sixteen orphans to keep track of, she wouldn’t have had a lot of time for her hair.

As with her sister Maura in Book 1, she’s never been courted, kissed, or even come close. At 26 years old, she would’ve been considered an old maid back in 1868. But when Stone Landry bought the property next door, Emma began to see herself as a woman with something left to give.

Stone gets her dander up right away after one of the orphan boys wanders over onto his property. He brings the kid back—along with a sharp rebuke for Emma to watch the children better. She sees red of course.

So, that’s how their relationship starts. They mix like oil and water. It isn’t that he doesn’t like kids, he was just never around any.

Add in a couple of adult camels and their baby and you get the idea. The kids weren’t going to stay on their side of the property line and that was that.

It’s a fun story with a group of unscrupulous bad guys trying to take both Emma’s and Stone’s land and shut down the orphanage. It leads to a land war with the couple fighting tooth and nail to stop them.

Wars have been fought over land since the beginning of time. Someone big and powerful always thinks they can take what they want and no one can stop them. It’s a familiar theme in westerns and it happens today all over the world. Sometimes the little guy wins.

This is a sweet romance with lots of action and a mix of humor thrown in. I think you’ll like this story that shows the depth of Emma’s and Stone’s hearts and their commitment to keeping Heaven’s Door open. No matter the cost.

Ever since I wrote Knight on the Texas Plains, I’ve always put children in my stories. They make the stories richer. Animals are another constant and I’ve had a variety—horses, dogs, cats, a monkey, a talking parrot, and now camels. You never know what’s coming next.

I’m giving away an ebook copy of the first book, Winning Maura’s Heart. To enter, tell me the one-word name of Maura’s love interest.