LISTEN TO MY STORY

 By Caroline Clemmons

Medina River in the Texas Hill Country

 My latest series is the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides. I’ve enjoyed writing this series, which now includes six books. If you haven’t yet read them (hand to my breaking heart, I’m crushed), this is a great time to listen to the audiobook. The narration will leave your hands and eyes free to do mundane tasks like folding laundry or unloading the dishwasher or struggle through traffic. Of course, you could always choose my way to listen and just curl up in your favorite chair. <G> My dogs prefer that method because it leaves my lap available. Baxter the labradoodle doesn't realize he's too large to be a lapdog. Murphy the Maltese fits nicely and leaves space for Baxter.

I’m tremendously excited that this series and my other books are available as audiobooks from Amazon and Audible. This may not seem like a big deal to you, dear reader, but—trust me—it is for any author. So, if you’ve read the series, hearing them narrated will be a pleasant experience in which you’ll catch things you overlooked or forgot from the ebook or print.

The first of this series, GENTRY AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, is on sale now for 99¢ as an e-book. So, I suggest you start your audiobook quest with JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE.

Sheriff Jesse Cameron came from Scotland several years ago, directly to Texas. After wandering through several towns, he found the place for him. That one is Harrigan Springs, county seat of Harrigan County (a fictitious county squeezed in between real Bandera and Medina Counties, with the Medina River flowing along the town’s edge). Before he became sheriff, there were rough characters causing trouble in town. Now that he’s cleaned the troublemakers away, it’s a pleasant and mostly peaceful place to live. He's a popular man. 

Jesse’s home is only a short walk from his office at the jail. His chief deputy, Zan Crain, has a home on the street behind him. Each man wants a wife to offer comfort and companionship and start a family. Together they send letters to a matchmaker and hope their wives will be friends. They certainly are.

The story of how their wives arrived in Harrigan Springs and how their arrival affected the men’s lives is this book. It’s a sweet romance with danger and adventure and children. Jesse is one of my favorite heroes. I’m sure you’ll see why when you listen to his story.

 https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Jesse-Mail-Order-Bride/dp/B0CY4HR8PY/

 

Thanks for stopping by.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE HEROES

 

By Caroline Clemmons

Welome Sheriff Jesse Cameron as our guest character today, the hero of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Jesse, thank you for agreeing to our interview.

Thank you, ma’am. I’m honored to be invited, though I dinnae ken why your readers would be interested in the Harrigan County Sheriff.  

I know you’re a Texas sheriff, but I detect an accent in your speech. Would you tell us from where you’ve come?

Aye, I came from Scotland. First, I worked as an indentured sailor for seven years to pay for my passage to America. I started my indentured service at fourteen—almost fifteen—because I could pass for eighteen, you ken? I was that tall for my age.

What was life like growing up in Scotland?

My family lived on a farm not far from Kelso. We raised sheep. Mum also had chickens and a few goats for milk. She made and sold her goat cheese. We also had a couple of cows. You can tell I didnae escape caring for the animals. We lived in a small cottage, but we enjoyed one another. I had a grand time growing up. I didnae mind working with Da on the farm, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

Your leaving must have upset your parents.

Aye, they worried about me leaving so young. Mum and Da are great parents who understood my wish to leave and live in America. In fact, they will join me here after my Gran dies. She’s a grand lady, so no one is eager for that day to come.

What brought you to send for a mail order bride?

Several months back, I helped fight a grass fire on a local ranch. Volunteers barely saved the house, but much of the grass and some cattle were destroyed. A couple of people collapsed from the heat and stress. If not for a sudden downpour, more would have been lost, including men exhausted from fighting the fire. The sudden danger presented to so much land and so many people reminded me how fleeting life could be. I evaluated my life and realized it was time to settle down. I bought a house and sent for a bride. My best friend is my deputy, and he decided to send for a bride from the same matchmaker. Turned out our brides are cousins.

That sounds like a good result. Are you each pleased with your bride?

Aye, the plan worked out grand. My bride, Rosalin, is beautiful, regal, intelligent, and works hard to please me. I couldn’t be happier—except I feel like there’s something she’s hiding from me. I haven’t worked out what it could be, and she insists there’s nothing. She brought her nephew, who’s 8. He’s a good boy, but he has a lot of nightmares. My deputy is sure pleased with his bride, who is a pretty chatterbox.

Ma’am, I appreciate you having me here today, but I have to get back to work. Tell your readers if they’d like to learn more about me, check out my story in JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

 

 

ROSALIN AND JESSE PLACE!

 By Caroline Clemmons

What a lovely surprise I had last week! An email notified me that my clean sweet historical western romance, JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, Book 2 of the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides Series, has tied for third place in the National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest for 2023 in the historical short category. That contest is sponsored by the Central Region Oklahoma Writers. Actually, it’s the only contest I entered, which increases the pleasure of being a finalist. At the time I was notified I was a finalist, I couldn’t fully appreciate the honor because Hero was in the hospital followed by rehab. He came home Wednesday, and I am happy to have him home and feeling better. He scared us there for a few days.

JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE is more the bride’s story than the groom’s. Rosalin Arnold grew up very sheltered in a large orphanage not far from the nation’s capital. Although beautiful, she was not adopted—possibly because many people don’t trust a redhead. In spite of her surroundings, Rosalin has grown into an elegant, graceful, and intelligent woman, but she is quite naïve about the world.

After leaving the protection of the orphanage, her first job was as a waitress in a restaurant located in a dismal area of Washington, D.C. Spunky Rosalin wasn’t afraid of hard work, but both her room in a boardinghouse and the nearby café were dismal. She viewed both as stepping stones to a better life. When she’d been waiting tables a year, a charming young man told her he could get her an easier job that paid more. Still naïve, she fell for his lies. Too late, she learned her boss was a devilish criminal who told her she had to pick pockets. After teaching her and others how to succeed at picking pockets, the man said she must bring back her quota each day. He also told her if she tried to leave, he’d find her and she’d suffer the consequences.

Rosalin had been taught right from wrong and hated being forced to steal. Though her boss and his henchmen terrified her, she vowed she would not show that fear. Rosalin also refused to accept that this was her fate—or that she could be transferred to work in the brothel if she didn’t follow orders. She and her roommate wanted to escape, but everyone they knew who’d tried was captured and bad things happened to them.

After biding her time, she felt ready to implement her plan. In addition, she intended to take her roommate and a young boy with her. She convinced her boss to let her and her roommate dress as elegant society ladies aided by the young boy to make a big score. Her boss agreed reluctantly. She chose a politician she saw accept a fat envelope. She speculated the envelope contained a bribe. In fact, the result was a bonanza, which provided enough cash for their escape—if she could evade their boss’ enforcers. Certain the money was a bribe, she didn’t feel guilty about relieving the politician of the funds.

Sheriff Jesse Cameron aimed for Texas when he stepped off the ship that brought him to America from Scotland. Good natured, Jesse is young for a sheriff. He arrived in town in the midst of a battle between the former sheriff and deputies against a group of robbers. He pitched in to help the sheriff. He is capable, well-respected, and viewed as firm but fair. When upset, his Scottish burr thickens his speech.

To learn what happens when a feisty pickpocket bride meets a strict sheriff as her groom, get your copy of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Available as an e-book, a paperback, and enrolled in KU.

https://www.amazon.com/Jesse-Order-Bride-Country-Brides-ebook/dp/B0BD64JC1D/

Stay safe and keep reading! 

WELCOME, JESSE CAMERON

JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE

By Caroline Clemmons

Please welcome Sheriff Jesse Cameron as our guest character today, the hero of JESSE ANE THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE for agreeing to our interview.

Thank you, ma’am. I’m honored to be invited, though I am that surprised at your invitation. In Harrigan County, I dinnae receive requests to speak to the public like this.  

I know you’re a Texas sheriff, but I detect an accent in your speech. Would you tell us from where you’ve come?

Aye, I came from Scotland. First, I worked as an indentured sailor for seven years to pay for my passage to America. I started my indentured service at fourteen—almost fifteen—because I could pass for eighteen, you ken? I was that tall for my age.

What was life like growing up in Scotland?

My family lived on a farm not far from Kelso. We raised sheep. Mum also had chickens and a few goats for milk. She made and sold her goat cheese. We also had a couple of cows. You can tell I didnae escape caring for the animals. We lived in a small cottage, but we enjoyed one another. I had a grand time growing up. I didnae mind working with Da on the farm, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

Scottish Cottage

Your leaving must have upset your parents.

Aye, they worried about me leaving so young. Mum and Da are great parents who understood my wish to leave and live in America. In fact, they will join me here after my Gran dies. She’s a grand lady, so no one is eager for that day to come.

What brought you to send for a mail order bride?

Several months back, I helped fight a grass fire on a local ranch. Volunteers barely saved the house, but much of the grass and some cattle were destroyed. A couple of people collapsed from the heat and stress. If not for a sudden downpour, more would have been lost, including men exhausted from fighting the fire. The sudden danger presented to so much land and so many people reminded me how fleeting life could be. I evaluated my life and realized it was time to settle down. I bought a house and sent for a bride. My best friend is my deputy, and he decided to send for a bride from the same matchmaker. Turned out our brides are cousins.

That sounds like a good result. Are you each pleased with your bride?

Aye, the plan worked out grand. My bride, Rosalin, is beautiful, regal, intelligent, and works hard to please me. I couldn’t be happier—except I feel like there’s something she’s hiding from me. I haven’t worked out what it could be, and she insists there’s nothing. She brought her nephew, who’s 8. He’s a good boy, but he has a lot of nightmares. My deputy is sure pleased with his bride, who is a pretty chatterbox.

Rosalin

Ma’am, I appreciate you having me here today, but I have to get back to work. Tell your readers if they’d like to learn more about me, check out my story in JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

 

Here’s the description:

What will happen when her lawman husband learns the truth about her criminal past?

Sheriff Jesse Cameron is dedicated to uphold the law of his adopted country. After leaving Scotland, he came to Texas, and learned he liked the place and the people—at least, most of them. He keeps Harrigan County free of troublemakers with his “strict but fair” policy. Now that he has a steady job and has bought a house, he figures it’s time to find a wife and start a family. He and his best friend write to the same matchmaker, hoping their brides will be sisters or friends. Jesse hopes his wife will provide a peaceful home and welcome him each evening with a good meal and a warm smile.

Growing up in an orphanage left Rosalin Arnold too naïve to avoid being trapped in the clutches of an evil man who has her picking pockets. Those who’ve tried to escape him always fail, and are severely punished—or killed. Rosalin has been plotting to get away, and seizes her chance to escape. She takes her best friend with her, and also a boy of eight. All she and her friends want is a home where they can live without constant fear. She prays she has successfully evaded the man who has tentacles everywhere.

What will happen when her past catches up with her, and she’s forced to confess everything to Jesse? Of course Jesse will defend her, but will he forgive her lies?

 

Excerpt when Jesse returns from a manhunt. As he was leaving, he asked his neighbor to take his bride to his home.

He hurried up to his front door and stopped short. Did he knock? This was his house, but he didn’t want to scare her.

While he deliberated, the door opened and a wee lad stared up at him. The boy scrutinized his badge, then his face. “You must be Sheriff Jesse Cameron.”

He stepped inside and took off his hat. “That’s right. You must be Rosalin’s nephew.”

“Yes, sir. I’m Henry Bernard. Did you get the bad guys?”

“We did.” He hit at his leg with his hat as he looked around the parlor. Furniture had been moved and decorations added. Odd feeling, being treated like a guest in his own home. “Um, is your aunt here?”

“I am.” She swished into the room and smiled at him. “I hope you don’t mind that we’ve stayed here in your absence.”

His tongue tangled and he couldn’t form a sentence. While he gaped at the prettiest woman he’d ever met, the boy took his hat from him and hung it on the hat tree.

She gestured to the kitchen. “Mrs. Pickard brought over a pie this morning. She thought you’d be back today.”

He managed to say, “I… I better wash up. Dinnae usually look like this. Had a rough few days.” He washed up at the kitchen sink, wondering if that was all right. Wait—this was his house.

 

Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous and Healthy New Year!

CHARACTER INTERVIEW -- ROSALIN ARNOLD

 By Caroline Clemmons

Today we welcome Rosalin Arnold to the blog. Those of you who read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE will remember that Rosalin is the heroine of that book. Rosalin, thank for coming your interview.

Thank you for inviting me today. I hope I’m dressed appropriately.

You look lovely. Tell our readers where you were born and grew up.

My parents died when I was four. I was sent to an orphanage. Life there was grim. I wasn’t exactly mistreated, but the staff members were not fond of children. We were often shamed for being orphans, as if we could help the situation.

 

That’s terrible. Hard to imagine people working at an orphanage if they didn’t like children, but I hear that is too often the case. What did you do after you left the orphanage?

Oh, I hate to admit what happened. You see, I started out working in an eatery as a waitress. It wasn’t too bad—until I met this young man named Johnny. He convinced me he could find me a better job where I’d make more money for easier work. Now I know if it sounds too good to be true, it is.

 What happened, Rosalin?

The interview for the job went well, but I didn’t really understand what I’d be doing. I was so naïve. When it was too late, I learned the work was picking pockets for a man who was nothing less than the devil incarnate. He trapped people into working for him under threat of death if they tried to leave. I was terrified of him, but I didn’t let him know I was. Even talking about him makes me shudder. I wanted to escape, but was afraid to try. I admit it took me three years before I could get my plan in action.

Rosalin Arnold

 

Did you have friends there to help you?

My best friend was my roommate. She grew up in an orphanage, too. We tried to stick together, but we had to pickpockets to survive. Neither of us did very well. I was good at picking pockets, but I wouldn’t take money from someone unless they looked as if they could afford to lose it. My friend wasn’t very good at picking pockets. I didn’t let her in on my plan, but I knew I would take her with me.

Rosalin's roommate

 So, you mean you ran away?

I was so frightened, but our evil boss threatened to send my roommate to one of his so-called hotels. He was looking at me with lustful eyes, but I wouldn’t become his mistress. There was the sweetest little boy who was often beaten because he didn’t bring in enough money. I couldn’t leave without them, could I?

Boy when Rosalin met him

 

That sounds frightening. What happened?

Oh, so much, it would take a long time to tell you! But, I don’t think I should spoil the story for you. By the way, Jesse is a Texas sheriff. He is so handsome and good and kind, my heart beats faster just thinking about him. You can learn all the details if you read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Stay safe and keep reading!

WHO IS YOUR HERO?

Who was your hero when you were a child? Of course, my father was my hero, but Roy Rogers was my constant companion—in my imagination. I don’t know when I saw the first movie starring Roy Rogers, accompanied by the Sons of the Pioneers. When neighborhood kids played, I always demanded asked to be Dale Evans so I could ride the range with Roy.

Dale Evans and Roy Rogers

With my friend Lance pretending to be Roy, we rounded up rustlers and bank robbers and kept the Old West safe. Of course, we didn’t realize it was the Old West and that times had changed. In fact, I planned to grow up and marry Roy—who miraculously would still be the same age—I guessed he was as old as 20 or 25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXFil77aj1o   

You may be laughing and/or rolling your eyes, but I have dozens of friends who felt as I did. One friend and her husband even sing “Happy Trails” on their answering machine message. I was heartbroken when I got old enough to realize that (1) Roy was older than 25, and worse, (2) he hadn’t waited for me, but was married to Dale Evans and they had a family. Ah well, at least Dale was a great person.

America's Sweethearts

Thanks to a great teacher named Miss Huff, that’s when I turned to reading. First with NAncy Drew and then expanding my selections. She encouraged me to broaden my mind and try writing. I hope she had a wonderful, prosperous life.

I never went through the rock star or movie star fan stage. I was too busy reading. I loved going to movies, but didn’t fall for any of the stars. I was carried away by the beautiful clothes and the settings.

Now, I have a new hero, my sweet husband, who I call Hero. He doesn’t ride a horse (although he has on occasion), but he loves me and treats me like a princess. What more could I ask?

Don't forget to read my latest Old West book, JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE, book 2 in the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides Series. Get it in ebook, print, or in KU here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420 

Stay safe and keep reading. Happy trails to you! 

SHERIFF JESSE CAMERON, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

By Caroline Clemmons

Welcome Sheriff Jesse Cameron as our guest today, the hero of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. Jesse, thank you for agreeing to our interview.

Thank you, ma’am. I’m honored to be invited, though I dinnae ken why your readers would be interested in the Harrigan County Sheriff.  

I know you’re a Texas sheriff, but I detect an accent in your speech. Would you tell us from where you’ve come?

Aye, I came from Scotland. First, I worked as an indentured sailor for 7 years to pay for my passage to America. I started my indentured service at 14—almost 15—because I could pass for 18, you ken? I was tall for my age.

An indentured sailor sounds hard. Did you like life on a ship?

Nae, I hated every day, but I'd given my word to work 7 years. I never break my word, you ken? A man's word is his honor. I wanted to come to America, and didnae have the money for the fare. This was the only way I could manage to get here.

What was life like growing up in Scotland?

My family lived on a farm not far from Kelso. We raised sheep. Mum also had chickens and a few goats for milk. She made and sold her goat cheese. We also had a couple of cows. You can tell I didnae escape caring for the animals. We lived in a small cottage, but we enjoyed one another. I had a grand time growing up. I didnae mind working with Da on the farm, but that wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life.

Your leaving must have upset your parents.

Aye, they worried about me leaving so young. Mum and Da are great parents who understood my wish to leave and live in America. In fact, they will join me here after my Gran dies. She’s a grand lady, so no one is eager for that day to come.

What brought you to send for a mail order bride?

Several months back, I helped fight a grass fire on a local ranch. Volunteers barely saved the house, but much of the grass and some cattle were destroyed. A couple of people collapsed from the heat and stress. If not for a sudden downpour, more would have been lost, including men exhausted from fighting the fire. The sudden danger presented to so much land and so many people reminded me how fleeting life could be. I evaluated my life and realized it was time to settle down. I bought a house and sent for a bride. My best friend is my deputy, and he decided to send for a bride from the same matchmaker. Turned out our brides are cousins.

Rosalin

That sounds like a good result. Are you each pleased with your bride?

Aye, the plan worked out grand. My bride, Rosalin, is beautiful, regal, intelligent, and works hard to please me. I couldn’t be happier—except I feel like there’s something she’s hiding from me. I haven’t worked out what it could be, and she insists there’s nothing. She brought her nephew, who’s 8. He’s a good boy, but he has a lot of nightmares. My deputy is sure pleased with his bride, who is a pretty chatterbox.

Oh no, I dropped my list of questions. Pardon me while I gather them.

Ma’am, I appreciate you having me here today, but I have to get back to work. Tell your readers if they’d like to learn more about me, check out my story in JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE at Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

   

The Medina River near Harrigan Springs. Texas

JESSE IS HERE FOR YOU!

By Caroline Clemmons

Woo Hoo! JESSE IS HERE! 

That’s right, join me in celebrating the release of JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. This is a sweet, clean historical western romance set primarily in a small town, available in ebook and in print, and enrolled in Kindle Unlimited. 

The url is https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BD64JC1D?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Swoonworthy Jesse Cameron emigrated from Scotland. He’s now the Harrigan County Sheriff in Harrigan Springs, Texas. He’s respected and well-liked for his firm but fair approach to the law. He’s a strong believer in the law and in justice. After several years in Texas, he’s ready to settle down with wife to go in the house he just bought.

Rosalin Arnold

Rosalin Arnold was naïve when she left the orphanage at sixteen. She was deceived into becoming trapped as a pickpocket for the past three years for a man she believes personifies evil. Those who’ve tried to escape him are harshly punished or killed when caught—and they’re always caught. She hatches a plan to escape escalating danger, bringing her best friend and a small boy with her. But can they escape a man who has tentacles nationwide?

What will Jesse think of her when she confides in him? He’s too honorable to desert her, but will she lose his trust and any chance of his love? What will happen when her nemesis finds her and her friends?

JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDR BRIDE is Book 2 in the Texas Hill Country Mail Order Bride Series.  

Here’s an Excerpt when Jesse and the posse return home from a manhunt that caused him to miss Rosalin ‘s arrival:

He hurried up to his front door and stopped short. Did he knock? This was his house, but he didn’t want to scare her.

While he deliberated, the door opened and a wee lad stared up at him. The boy scrutinized his badge, then his face. “You must be Sheriff Jesse Cameron.”

He stepped inside and took off his hat. “That’s right. You must be Rosalin’s nephew.”

“Yes, sir. I’m Henry Bernard. Did you get the bad guys?”

“We did.” He hit at his leg with his hat as he looked around the parlor. Furniture had been moved and decorations added. Odd feeling, being treated like a guest in his own home. “Um, is your aunt here?”

“I am.” She swished into the room and smiled at him. “I hope you don’t mind that we’ve stayed here in your absence.”

His tongue tangled and he couldn’t form a sentence. While he gaped at the prettiest woman he’d ever met, the boy took his hat from him and hung it on the hat tree.

She gestured to the kitchen. “Mrs. Pickard brought over a pie this morning. She thought you’d be back today.”

He managed to say, “I… I better wash up. Dinnae usually look like this. Had a rough few days.” He washed up at the kitchen sink, wondering if that was all right. Wait—this was his house.

 

I hope you’ll read JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE and will enjoy it. 

Hint: If you haven’t yet read Book 1 in the series, it’s not too late to get it also.

Stay safe and keep reading.

 

 

YOUR ASSIGNMENT SHOULD YOU ACCEPT IT

 By Caroline Clemmons

I hope you’re enjoying the arrival of Fall. I love the colorful leaves and cooler weather. Someday, I’d love to visit New England at this time of year. Not likely to happen. I’ll have to content myself with a couple of watercolors done by a New England artist, Mrs. E. Van Liew.

Today, I want to encourage each of you to do something for posterity. Doesn’t that sounds important? In my opinion, it is. 

Here goes: Even if you couldn’t care less about genealogy or history, someone in your family’s future will. Start now and write down everything you remember your mom, dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents telling you about their lives. I mean all the little stories that they told—good and bad—which seemed incidental at the time you heard them. Unless you record them permanently, those stories will disappear.

You don’t have to do any research! 

Facts remain for others to find. Thank goodness for our National Archives, for Ancestry.com, and for the massive archives stored by the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Utah. But, you see, those are just the skeleton of your past. You need the anecdotes to flesh out the body of information and give it life.

Personally, I have enjoyed research because (1) I'm a history nerd and (2) facts made history come alive for me. When you learn where those in your family served in wars back to the American Revolution, those people are not just names and dates—they’re individuals.

For instance, the reason ancestors of my dad's moved to Georgia was because they blew up an English munitions warehouse near the end of the American Revolution. You can understand how this made them extremely unpopular with the English, who put up handbills and issued warrants for the extended family. They had to abandon their former home quite rapidly.

I admit learning this relieved my mind. Previously I had wondered if they lived in Georgia because initially someone in the family had come when Georgia was a penal colony. <g> See, research can be liberating!

As I said, you don’t have to do research. 

Simply write the stories you remember. They don’t have to be in chronological order. Some of the stories will be funny, some exaggerated, and some sad. You’ll discover repeating cycles of strength and weakness. They are part of you. No, finding bad people doesn’t make you bad; that’s not what I mean.

I’ve done my part for my family. My mother-in-law asked me to write a book about her life for her grandchildren. I did, but then we had to have a second set of copies done for other people in the family. Since I did a book for my mother-in-law, I had to do one for my mother, even though I don't think she really cared until it was finished, other than the keeping things equal. (Hero’s parents and my mom were in the same Sunday School class.) My dad had asked me to write a book about his family, and I’d been collecting information for years. Unfortunately, he died before his book was printed. Now I’ve done three family books, and I’m done. My sister-in-law did one about Hero’s dad.

Now it's your turn for your family.  See how I passed the buck... er, I mean baton.

Stay safe and keep reading. Don't forget Sheriff Jesse Cameron and Rosalin Arnold's story comes out the 29th!

NEW PREORDER -- JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE

Join me in announcing JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE is now available for preorder from Amazon for release on September 29. This is book 2 of the sweet, small town, family-oriented Texas Hill Country Mail Order Brides Series. It will be available in e-book and print, and will be enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.

https://www.amazon.com/Jesse-Order-Bride-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B0BD64JC1D/

Book 2 of the series

Sheriff Jesse Cameron is from Scotland. He believes in the law and in justice, and does his best to serve Harrigan County citizens. Rosalin Arnold hates the way she’s forced to live and vows to improve her life. After months of plotting, she seizes her chance.

Here’s the blurb:

What will happen when her lawman husband learns the truth about her criminal past?

Sheriff Jesse Cameron is dedicated to uphold the law of his adopted country. After leaving Scotland, he came to Texas, and learned he liked the place and the people—at least, most of them. He keeps Harrigan County free of troublemakers with his “strict but fair” policy. Now that he has a steady job and has bought a house, he figures it’s time to find a wife and start a family. He and his best friend write to the same matchmaker, hoping their brides will be sisters or friends. Jesse hopes his wife will provide a peaceful home and welcome him each evening with a good meal and a warm smile.

Growing up in an orphanage left Rosalin Arnold too naïve to avoid being trapped in the clutches of an evil man who has her picking pockets. Those who’ve tried to escape him have always failed and were severely punished—or killed. In spite of that, Rosalin has been plotting to get away and seizes her chance to escape. She takes her best friend with her, and also an adorable boy of eight. All she and her friends want is a home where they can live without constant fear. She prays she has successfully evaded the devil who has tentacles everywhere.

What will happen when her past catches up with her, and she’s forced to confess everything to Jesse? Of course Jesse will defend her, but will he forgive her lies?   

 

Rosalin Arnold

I hope you’ll preorder JESSE AND THE MAIL ORDER BRIDE. This entire series is set in fictional Harrigan County, which I squeezed in between the real Bandera and Medina Counties. I like this part of Texas, and hope you’ll enjoy visiting via reading. Books open new worlds.

Texas Hill Country Scene

Stay safe and keep reading!