SUMMERTIME IS HERE--AND A SALE!

Summertime… and the livin’ is not so easy for me. For the past several days, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has had orange ozone alert days with warnings to stay inside if you have health problems. We can see the air, which is never a good thing. That’s how we know it’s summer in these parts.☺

As for me, I’m a fan of cool weather so this is definitely not my favorite season. I stay close to the A/C and keep ice water or cold Dr Pepper handy and my ceiling fan swirling overhead. Although I don’t enjoy the 96 degrees F we had today, I enjoy a lot of things that happen this time of year.

For instance, graduations. Matthew Rogers, the grandson of my longtime Lubbock friend, Iris Dial Rogers, has graduated from high school. How can he be old enough? Only a few years ago (or so it seems!) I was one of Iris’ bridesmaids when she married Clarence Rogers. Then, when their daughter Clarissa married, I served cake and punch at the reception—along with Darlene, another of Iris’ former bridesmaids. We each wore the brooch Iris had given us as a bridesmaid gift for being in her wedding. Time flies when you’re not looking!

For a small fee, you can harvest your
own lavender at the Lavender Festival.

I enjoy the festivals held throughout the state—probably they’re throughout the entire country but I only keep up with local events. Over the weekend near Gainesville, the Lavender Festival was a success. Not as large as the one at Blanco, Texas, it’s still a fun outing. If it continues to grow, they’ll have to increase the size of their café. The café offers lavender flavored ice cream, tea, and other foods seasoned with lavender. I have lavender-flavored peach jam for my breakfast toast. Mmmm.

Speaking of peaches, the Parker County Peach Festival will happen on July 8. Hero and I used to own a peach orchard. While I'm quite content to no longer have that responsibility, I still miss eating a peach fresh from the tree. Peaches never taste sweeter than when you pluck them, wash them, and take a bite. Washing is optional, of course, but we chose to do so. While we owned the orchard, we picked fruit early in the day and were finished by about half past nine. Peaches last longer if picked before they get too heated in the day. I also last longer if I'm inside before that time. ☺

Daughter Bea, left, and me at
one of the Parker County Peach Festivals.

I no longer traipse from vendor to vendor at the Festival, but I used to enjoy seeing each booth. I've helped with several of them. I've baked peach cobbler for one organization to sell by the bowl. Another time I helped serve peach ice cream for the church. One year, I organized the Old Fiddler’s Contest. It isn’t called that because the participants were old men or women, but the idea of fiddlers as part of a Texas county event is an old, old tradition. 

Book one of ten

By the way, if you enjoy cozy mysteries, Livia J. Washburn writes a delightful series containing peach-themed books that are set in Parker County. Livia also writes as Livia Reasoner and with Cheryl Pierson owns Prairie Rose Publications. In addition to writing under both her names, to editing and creating covers for Prairie Rose, Livia edits her husband James Reasoner's books. She has a bunch of pets and is active in family care. I don't know what she does in her spare time. ☺

Usually (in any season) I can be found indoors in my nice air-conditioned, pink-walled office sitting at the computer and keying in words like crazy. If you read this blog regularly, you are aware that I just released LORRAINE, Bride Brigade book six. Thank you to those who’ve bought this book! If you haven’t purchased it, you can do so at this link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725WQ6XG. (Hint, hint.)

My current project is another in Debra Holland’s Montana Sky Series for Kindle Worlds, SNARE HIS HEART. Skhye Moncrief has designed the cover except for the title linking my series about ranchers within Debra’s series. The reason is I have just come up with a series name, Loving a Rancher Series.  What do you think? Does that work? I am loving this new story and will be eager to learn your reaction on July 15 when it’s released. 

SNARE YOUR HEART'S hero is scarred from his attempt to save his late wife from their burning home. His scars don't show on the cover because they're on the right side of his face and body. Because of the puckered reminders of the fire, he avoids people he fears will be shocked by his appearance, Yet, he needs a wife to care for his three children, to cook, and to clean. She will also need to teach the children because they’re too far for daily trips to and from school in Sweetwater Springs. Not a romantic start, but the heroine sorts him out by the end of the book—as you knew she would. Those spunky heroines always win their man's heart, don't they?

Amazon has a 99 cent sale during June on several of the Kindle Worlds books. You can get the entire list at http://debraholland.com/kindle-worlds.html Mine on sale are THE RANCHER AND THE SHEPHERDESS and BRIDE'S ADVENTURE. You'll find them listed on Debra's website and on my Amazon author page at https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Caroline+Clemmons While you're at my author page, please click follow. You'll be notified whenever I have a new release or there's a sale on one of my books.

I hope you'e enjoying the weather wherever you are. Thanks for stopping by today!

WISHING FOR A COWBOY

Are you in the holiday spirit yet? I love the holidays, but this year my enthusiasm dragged until recently. One of the things that helped inspire me is an anthology, WISHING FOR A COWBOY, by the new publishing company Prairie Rose Publications. This Christmas anthology is the first release by Prairie Rose. I loved each of the stories in WISHING FOR A COWBOY. Because most of the authors are friends and I want to save the book on my keeper shelf, I bought the print version. But the anthology is also available in e-book.

Cheryl Pierson and Livia J. Washburn launched the imprint. Each is an accomplished and prolific author of multiple genres. You might think that writing award winning books and novellas would be enough to satisfy any author. Not these two women who are always stretching to learn new things. For instance, when Livia’s elderly dog’s hip problems left the animal unable to walk, Livia built her pet a sort of wheel chair for doggies for his back two feet so he could get around. Livia also edits for her husband, James Reasoner and Western Fictioneers. She must work without sleep to accomplish all she does. Cheryl is just as busy, and must be super organized. The stories Cheryl and Livia selected for the anthology are winners.

WISHING FOR A COWBOY includes eight Christmas tales by (alphabetically) Kathleen Rice Adams, Tracy Garrett, Tanya Hanson, Sarah McNeal, Phyliss Miranda, Cheryl Pierson, Jacquie Rogers, and Livia J. Washburn. In addition, recipes at the end of the book sound delicious.

I should have read the anthology from the front to back. Those who read this blog know I love the writing of Jacquie Rogers. Readers won’t be surprised to learn I read her A GIFT FOR RHODA first, and was not disappointed. Once again, Jacquie has delivered a poignant story that includes her special subtle humor, a touch of suspense, and a happy ever after conclusion. Rhoda Johnson is a mail order bride who wants out of her situation when she learns her prospective groom is a drunken lout. Nate Harmon arrives just in time to intervene and also reconnect with his parents.

After Jacquie’s story, I did start at the beginning. Phyliss Miranda contributed A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE. This story is touching, but the ending is a bit too much at once. Still, I enjoyed the story of Mattie Jo Ashley and Dr. Grant Spencer and how they inspire the true meaning of Christmas in a small Texas town.

Cheryl Pierson is another author whose work always pleases. Her OUTLAW’S KISS is a touching tale about a special friendship between Talia Delano and supposed outlaw Jake Morgan. When he paid an outrageous sum for her box supper and then claimed a public kiss, he ruined Talia’s reputation in her straight-laced town. Now he’s back. Will he restore her standing in the community or further destroy it? Not to spoil the story for you, but it IS a Christmas story. ☺

A HUSBAND FOR CHRISTMAS is by Sarah J. McNeal. I loved the touching story of a woman and her son who survived the Titanic, but whose husband did not. What a horrific experience that must have been for them. Teekonka Red Sky wants to help assuage their grief. Can his Lakota customs help?

PEACHES is by Kathleen Rice Adams. Kathleen has a special type humor that I find irresistible. Ruth Avery is the new school teacher who feels she can do very well, thank you, without the interference of rancher Whit McCandless. Whit would love to avoid his three meddlesome aunts. He figures the new teacher needs educating in western ways. Reading about their interaction is fun and satisfying.

HER CHRISTMAS WISH is by Tracy Garrett. Kathryn McConnell is a widow who is quite capable of living on her own. Being able doesn’t mean the situation is ideal. She runs a remote stagecoach station. Will O’Brien is the man who intended to marry Kathryn thirteen years ago, but fate intervened. When he lands at the stage station, he is determined to win back his one true love.

COVENANT is by Tanya Hanson and is a touching tale of misunderstood love. Ella Green was a mail order bride who came to Nebraska from Pennsylvania to wed Carsten Green and care for his young daughter. The child’s death sent both adults mourning in different ways and apart. A blizzard ignites love gone cold.

CHARLIE’S PIE is by Livia J. Washburn. Lauralee Brannam bakes what had been her son’s favorite pecan pie on Christmas Eve. Burke Lavery, a wounded Texas Ranger, seeks her help at her ranch in Parker County, Texas. Lauralee’s reaction when outlaws steal the pie creates havoc and gets amazing results. I loved this story.

In fact, I loved this anthology! I highly recommend WISHING FOR A COWBOY. Readers are sure to enjoy each story. The collection would put even the Grinch in the holiday spirit.

Amazon buy link:

http://www.amazon.com/Wishing-Cowboy-Phyliss-Miranda-ebook/dp/B00G9GTWVC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1385384474&sr=1-1&keywords=wishing+for+a+cowboy 

Thanks for stopping by!