STUFF ISN'T IMPORTANT--THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE ARE!

Please welcome my friend Merry Farmer. Merry releases a sweet and a spice version of her books. Isn't that clever?

What is your favorite childhood Christmas memory?

We didn’t really have a lot of money growing up. My mom was a single mother with an ex-husband who wasn’t particularly reliable with child support payments. One year, she decided we needed new Christmas ornaments for our tree. So we made them, me, my mom, and my brother. They were the simplest things possible, just felt shapes cut out with cookie cutters, sequins sewn on, and stuffed, but to this day, they are my favorite ornaments!

Handmade Ornament

What is your favorite adult Christmas memory?

Well, I have to confess, I don’t have as many happy memories of Christmas as an adult. My mom died of breast cancer in 2001, but it was right before Christmas in 2000 that we found out there was nothing left they could do for her. That was a really tough Christmas! Ever since then, for obvious reasons, the holidays have been tough for me. These days, I just enjoy a simple lunch with my brother and his wife at my aunt’s house. And that’s fine with me!

Is there a Christmas song that’s your favorite?

I’m a big fan of classical music. So I think I’d have to say that Bach’s Christmas Cantata is my favorite. And at the risk of having tomatoes thrown at me, I’ll say that I absolutely can’t stand most modern, jingly, kitschy Christmas songs, like “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas”. UGH!

Tell us about your family’s Christmas traditions.

Well, like I said above, these days Christmas is a low-key affair in my family. But my brother, aunt, and I do have one tradition that I love. When we get together for Christmas lunch, we always have sausage and eggplant soup. That probably doesn’t sound like much, but in fact, it’s amazingly delicious! It’s tomato based, and we melt cheese in it. Yum!

What about Christmas do you most enjoy?

Hands down, my favorite part of Christmas is directing the Christmas pageant at my church. It’s a children’s pageant, and I’ve been directing it for about 10 years now. Every year, as I get older, it gets more and more emotional for me. (What’s up with that?) I get all teary now when the kids are gathered around the manger singing “Away in a Manger”. It’s just so sweet!

Is there something about this holiday that drives you crazy?

I really don’t like how greedy and grabby and material people get. Maybe it’s because I lost my mom, but I’ve learned the hard way in life that stuff isn’t even slightly important, the people you love are. So when I see the fuss about Black Friday and commercials about sales, sales, sales, and especially when I see kids glorified for going nuts as they open presents, it just rubs me the wrong way. I actually try to make as many presents as possible these days (I’m a knitter, my list of requests for hand-knit socks gets longer every year), or I buy gifts when I’m traveling that reflect the places I’ve been.

What do you hope for this Christmas?

This holiday season is a little sad for me, because my best friend’s dad is dying. She’s like the sister I’ve never had, and having been through the loss of both of my parents, I know what she’s going for. But she’s a world away, at home with her father in India. I’m trying to spend as much time as possible with her daughter, my honorary niece, who she had to leave here with her husband, since the daughter is in school. But that’s been a great bonding experience for the two of us. I love my friend’s kids like they’re my own!

Do you have a Christmas book you’d like to share?

This Christmas, the last book in my Brides of Paradise Ranch series is coming out! His Yuletide Bride (spicy version) or Bebe: The Yuletide Bride (sweet version). For anyone who’s been reading the Paradise Ranch series, you’ll remember that Hubert Strong and Bebe Bonneville almost ran away together and eloped in the last book (His Innocent Bride/Julia: The Innocent Bride), but Bebe’s father, Rex Bonneville, put his foot down and forced the two apart. Hubert left to make his fortune so that he’d have the money to come back and marry Bebe. Seven years later—seven!—Hubert is back. But he’s got an uphill battle convincing Bebe to pick up where they left off, especially since the Bonneville ranch is in trouble and she’s about to marry another man on Christmas Day in an attempt to save it!

HIS YULETIDE BRIDE Blurb:

Seven years ago, Hubert Strong left Haskell, Wyoming, intent to seek his fortune and make a name for himself. He left with a promise to his sweetheart, Bebe Bonneville, that he would come back for her when he had enough money to give her everything she deserved.

Seven years!

When Hubert returns, richer, wiser, and more world-savvy, he expects Bebe to fly back into his arms so that they can have their happily ever after at last. But Hubert is in for a huge surprise. Life has been cruel to Bebe. Her father has died, her family’s ranch is about to be foreclosed on, and the only way she can save it is to marry her father’s secretary, Price Penworthy on Christmas Day. And when Hubert walks back into her life, her fury at being abandoned reaches an all-time high.

But Price Penworthy isn’t what he seems, and Hubert knows it. He has his hands full trying to uncover the truth and convince Bebe to take him back. With time running out before the Bonnevilles lose the ranch, can Hubert and Bebe work through a mountain of misunderstandings to rediscover their love? Or will everything fall apart before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day?

Amazon buy links:

HIS YULETIDE BRIDE Spicy version: http://a.co/dbFCAah

(Please be advised: Steam level -- Very Hot)

BEBE: THE YULETIDE BRIDE Sweet version buy link: http://a.co/9g232cM

Merry Farmer, Author

Merry Christmas!

MERRY FARMER'S CREATIVE IDEA!

What a pleasure to feature my friend, Merry Farmer. She lives up to her name because she has always been cheerful when I've seen her. Merry has come up with what I think is a clever idea. She publishes two versions of each of her latest books—one spicy and one sweet. No matter what type book you enjoy, she has one for you. Now here’s her interview:

Please tell us about growing up. Siblings? Locale?

I was raised by a single mom after my dad left when I was six and my little brother, Stewart, was 3. It was pretty tough for us, because this was 1979 and we lived in a pretty conservative town outside of Philly where practically no one ever got divorced. My mom was wonderful, though. She did everything she could for us, including getting a job as the secretary of our elementary school so that she could be with us pretty much all day, every day. When I was in 5^th grade, we moved in with my grandmother after my granddad died. I never really connected with her (that’s a long, long story!), but we lived in a huge, beautiful house built in 1917. It’s our family home. My mom grew up there, and my granddad and his siblings grew up there. It’s still in the family too. Right now my aunt lives there, but I happen to know what her will says, and let’s just say I’d better save my pennies for upkeep so that it stays in the family!

Growing up, I was definitely shy and, well, shell-shocked from a lot of sad things that happened, including my dad leaving and my granddad dying. I loved to read and write from the moment I learned, though, and I escaped in books a lot. I started writing in third grade when I realized that I didn’t have to wait for my teacher to assign a creative writing project to write something. Best day of my life!

Wow, you look a lot like your mom. Who are your favorite authors and favorite genres?

I enjoy a lot of stuff across several genres. Of course, I loved the Harry Potter books and think J.K. Rowling is pretty amazing in person too. I’ve always been a big fan of L.M. Montgomery too, and not just for her Anne books. As much as I love Anne, I actually liked the Emily books a little more. As far as romance, I’ve been working my way through Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series this year and loving them. And I love Courtney Milan, Elizabeth Boyle, and Elizabeth Hoyt.

When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

I am a big knitter. Of course, this year that’s become a problem. I ended up with an overuse injury in my forearms from all the typing and knitting (sort of like carpal tunnel, but it’s the muscles that are strained, not the tendons). I had to cut back on knitting to preserve my writing.

Where do you prefer to write?

Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop? I always have music playing in my apartment, no matter what I’m doing. Usually it’s classical. There’s a local classical and jazz station in Philly that I love, WRTI, but they have news reports every few hours, so I’ve stopped listening during election season, because I just can’t take it. I’ve been listening to BBC3 (BBC’s classical station) online and another online classical station out of Princeton, NJ lately.

I listen to classical music when I'm writing. I’m a plotter and know the answer to this but will ask anyway: Are you a plotter or a panzer?

I’m definitely a plotter! In fact, I think I’m the biggest, most extensive plotter of any of the authors I know. The process I use is multiple steps with character sheets and scene cards and all sorts of things. But it means that once I’ve outlined a book, I can draft it in no time, and I have fewer large issues that I need to work on in editing because I’ve sorted them out before I started writing.

Do you do your research before you begin a new project, or as you go along?

Well, that’s an interesting question. I majored in History twice in college, so I learned a lot about the time periods in which I write back then. I also like to read history books for fun. So a lot of the time, reading the history books is what sparks story ideas to begin with.

Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?

Because I’m a full-time writer, I treat writing as my job. So I have “working hours” during the morning and early afternoon, and I always set myself a word count for the day. I’m a pretty disciplined person, so I am able to keep to that schedule.

I set myself word count for the day. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers.

I was really unpopular in school and was bullied A LOT. It was pretty miserable. But I always knew that I was destined for something greater. It took a lot of work—and a lot of therapy—but I was able to achieve my dreams! The moral of the story is that you should never listen to who other people tell you to be. Always believe in yourself and keep your eyes on the prize.

I can’t imagine you being unpopular because everyone loves you now. What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

Really, I just want people to be entertained. I tend to fall in love with my characters and the world I put them in, and I want other people to fall in love with those worlds and people too.

Perfect answer, Merry. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

If you know that this is what you really want to do, that you can’t imagine yourself doing anything else, then keep your nose to the grindstone and keep working, no matter what anyone else may tell you. But be prepared to make sacrifices in order to reach your goals. I was working a full-time job and writing for hours every day for a couple of years when I first started. That meant almost no social life. But I was willing to do it because I knew it would get me to the place where I wanted to be.

Tell us about your latest release.

My latest release is the eighth book in my Brides of Paradise Ranch series. Talk about a town and a bunch of characters, including secondary characters, that I love! This is totally it. Here’s the blurb for the latest book, His Secret Bride (Spicy Version)/Bonnie: The Secret Bride (Sweet Version)

Bonnie Horner, madam of Haskell, Wyoming’s house of ill repute, Bonnie’s Place, has worked hard to make a better life for the girls unfortunate enough to end up in her employ. In fact, her Place serves more as a shelter and refuge than a brothel. For years, Bonnie has sacrificed her own happiness for the sake of her girls, going so far as to manufacture a sham engagement to local cattle baron Rex Bonneville in order to keep her Place financed. But when Rex demands the wedding take place, Bonnie finds herself in an impossible situation. Before she can marry Rex, she must divorce the husband she has kept secret for nearly ten years.

Rupert Cole has built a life for himself as half of the extremely successful King Cole Construction company out of Everland, Wyoming. But he has never forgotten the wife that he disappointed and drove away. When Bonnie appears in Everland, he thinks his deepest wishes for a second chance have come true. Instead, he finds himself embroiled in the battle of his life…the battle to win Bonnie back. But can love truly conquer all, or will Rupert and Bonnie both be forced to sacrifice their chance at happiness to save Bonnie’s girls?

His Secret Bride – the spicy version:

Amazon – http://amzn.to/2ev8IF6

B&N – http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/his-secret-bride-merry-farmer/1125069369

iBooks – https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1172336292

Kobo – https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/his-secret-bride

Bonnie: The Secret Bride – the sweet version

Amazon only - http://amzn.to/2ev6g1k

Merry Farmer, Author

How can readers learn more about you?

Newsletter sign-up URL: http://eepurl.com/cbaVMH

Website: http://merryfarmer.net

Twitter: @merryfarmer20

Facebook: www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor

Amazon Page: http://www.amazon.com/Merry-Farmer/e/B006RATLFC/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5247224.Merry_Farmer

Other Works by Merry blog page: http://wp.me/P5ttjb-14F

THE NEW WILD WESTERN WOMEN IS HERE!

The WILD WESTERN WOMEN are at it again! The winter holidays find them in Mistletoe, Montana and a bit inconvenienced because of a blizzard—make that a series of blizzards and a measles epidemic. How do they manage? You’ll have to read the books to find out! WILD WESTERN WOMEN MISTLETOE, MONTANA's  link is: https://amzn.com/B01M6BD4TB

Novellas included are:

MISTLETOE MISTAKE by Caroline Clemmons – When the sheriff sent for a town doctor, he didn’t expect a woman.

MISTLETOE SCANDAL by Sylvia McDaniel – A city girl, a cowboy, and a dog trapped together in a blizzard discover Christmas wishes can come true.

MISTLETOE AND MOONBEAMS by Merry Farmer – He stopped at her saloon to rest but they ended up trapped alone together for a week!

MAIL-ORDER MERRY by Kirsten Osbourne – He wanted an independent wife, but he wasn’t so sure he wanted her to come with two young children and a nurse!

I haven't read all of them yet, but I sighed with pleasure when I read MISTLETOE AND MOONBEAMS by Merry Farmer.  I got carried away with too many people involved in the measles epidemic in MISTLETOE MISTAKE, but I still enjoyed the story. You can bet I'll read the other two stories now that the box set is released.

THE WILD BRIDE -- A NEW RELEASE FROM MERRY FARMER

Merry Farmer is one of the most delightful authors I know. She looks deceptively innocent and demure--until you see the mischievous sparkle in her eyes. Merry allowed me to grill her with the following interview about her latest release, THE WILD BRIDE.

When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

That’s a trick question for me, because from the day I picked up a pencil and learned how to write the word ‘grasshopper’ in 1^st grade, writing has been my way to relax. But I have been known to knit socks in my spare time. Lots and lots of socks!

How long have you been writing?

Since I was 10 years old and realized one day that I didn’t have to wait for the teacher to assign a creative writing assignment to write something. Best day of my life!

Why did you choose to participate in Debra Holland’s Kindle World?

It was such an honor to be asked to participate by someone as awesome and talented as Debra that I couldn’t say no! … No, really, it was like the proverbial offer I couldn’t refuse. I also happen to love group projects, particularly when we authors can include characters from each other’s stories in our books.

Where do you prefer to write?

I have a special office area in my house. My computer chair has a comfortable butt-print in it from all the hours I spend there. I do usually listen to music while I write, a local, classical music station here in Philly.

Are you a plotter or a panzer?

I’m definitely a plotter. I used to be a pantser, but a couple years ago I learned a method of outlining that works very well for me. It’s an involved, long process, but once I have that outline, I can write like the wind and get a lot of words on the page in a short period of time.

What research did this project involve?

Honestly, the biggest chunk of research I did was reading Debra’s books to get a feel for the world and consulting with my fellow authors to figure out how best to use their characters. I also did a little research about the earliest automobiles and internal combustion engines.

Tell us about your writing schedule. 

I keep to a strict writing schedule. I’m a full-time writer, so it’s my job. I work best in the morning, so I usually write pretty solidly from about 8:30-10:30, then another solid chunk in the afternoon. Every day, not just weekdays. I also make specific time to read. As Stephen King says in his wonderful book, On Writing, if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to be a good writer.

Do you write full time or do you have a day job.

Writing is my full-time job, my hobby, my obsession, my boyfriend, my all-in-all.

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers.

I may write romance novels, but I’m kind of a big Doctor Who geek these days. I used to be a total Trekkie too. There’s just something about the vastness of the universe and the infinite possibilities of space that gets me all excited. I’m also passionate about metaphysics and what might lie beyond those things that we, as mere mortals, can comprehend with our finite minds. I almost minored in philosophy in college…was only one class short.

What is something unusual you learned while researching and writing this book?

I learned just how remote and isolated some of those early mining towns in Montana were at the end of the 19^th century!

What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

I hope my stories make readers think about life—then and now—in ways that they never have before. I like to add a dash of unusual history into each of my stories and to try to make people see that it doesn’t matter when you were born, we’re all people and we’ve all always wanted the same things.

What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Write your brains out. No, seriously. The only way to know if this is the path you really want to pursue is to write until you think you can’t stand it anymore, and then, if you still have ideas and still want to get them down, you know you’re a writer.

Tell us about your Kindle World novel with a blurb:

Minnie Faraday is clever, daring, and out of control. When she finally goes too far, her parents hatch a plan to send her up to Morgan’s Crossing to marry the man she’s been in love with since she was a little girl. It’s the perfect plan to settle and ground her, and one her parents are sure will bring happiness to everyone involved.

One problem… They neglected to tell Minnie about the plan before shipping her off.

Freddy Chance always had a soft spot for the bright, adventurous girl who followed him around through his youth, but marriage is the furthest thing from his mind. He has made a life for himself as a mechanic in Morgan’s Crossing, in spite of a mining injury that slowed him down. Minnie doesn’t fit into his plans, but, feeling a sense of obligation, he’s willing to entertain the idea of marriage.

But when the beautiful and very grown up Minnie steps off the stage, what was once innocent affection blossoms into passion. Only, Minnie isn’t finished getting into trouble, and this time her life and Freddy’s are on the line.

Buy link: http://amzn.to/1Pz9w4h

How can readers learn more about you and your other books?

Newsletter sign-up URL: http://eepurl.com/RQ-KX

Website: http://merryfarmer.net

Twitter: @merryfarmer20

Facebook: www.facebook.com/merryfarmerauthor

WILD WESTERN WOMEN - NEW BARGAIN-PRICED BOX SET

What a pleasure to announce that I’m included in a box set with four of my favorite authors. WILD WESTERN WOMEN has been available for pre-order, but the release date is finally here! On November 1, the group of five historical western romance novellas and two bonus short stories is available for Kindle and iTunes and will soon be on Nook and Kobo. Woo Hoo!

The title doesn’t necessarily mean the heroines are wild—although you can form your own opinion by reading the box set. And it doesn't necessarily mean that the western women who wrote the novellas are wild.--but that might well be true. I'm not telling! ☺

Actually, we intended the title to refer to the strong women who lived in the Wild West. Each deserved the equally strong man with whom she fell in love. Here are the five novellas and their authors:

USA Today Best Selling Author Kirsten Osbourne – MAIL ORDER MISUNDERSTANDING

Julia traveled West to be a schoolteacher. Thomas requested a mail order bride. When he arrives at the train station to pick up his bride, Thomas mistakenly thinks Julia is there for him. Julia sees Thomas and thinks he's there from the school board. She's married an hour later.

USA Today Best Selling Author Callie Hutton – A CHANCE TO LOVE AGAIN

Widow Rachel Stevens is very happy with her job as a cook for the Lazy Sunset ranch where she is raising her son. However, the new foreman, Rusty McIntyre, is turning her life upside down. She could overlook how her son has begun to idolize Rusty, but she’s having a heck of a time ignoring the flutters in her stomach every time the man smiles at her.

But Rusty has problems of his own. His previously unknown fourteen year old daughter has just arrived to live with him. Used to always being on his own, now he has a young boy following him around imitating his every move, and a surly young lady glaring at him. Throw into the mix the tug he feels toward the ranch cook—who wants no part of him—and life is no longer as easy as it once was.

Best Selling Author Caroline Clemmons – SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME

After fleeing an abusive husband six years ago, Beth Jeffers wants nothing more than to protect her son Davey and to help her mother operate a Texas Hill Country boarding house. The strong women in her family have had no luck with men, and she has no intention of letting any man influence her son. Not even handsome lawman Matt Petrov, no matter how much her lonely heart urges otherwise.

Federal Marshall Matt Petrov, also known as Lone Wolf Peters, fell in love with Beth the first time he saw her. Then she was another man’s wife, so he kept his longing a secret. But he’s saved his love for her for six horrific years. Now, the lovely widow and he have crossed paths again. This time, he intends to risk all for a chance at happiness. First he must rescue his distant kinsman from an assassin’s clutches and protect Beth’s son Davey from the villain. Mystery, kidnapping, and twists await Matt and Beth. But will Matt’s secrets shatter the love he and Beth share?

Best Selling Author Sylvia McDaniel – DESPERATE

After the death of their father, the McKenzie sisters, Meg, Annabelle and Ruby try the normal ways for women to earn a living in a small western town. When they fail, the McKenzie sisters decide to take up their father’s profession, bounty hunting. They quickly learn they can use their feminine wiles and their Baby Dragoons to earn their way in the old west. They’re tough and resilient, badass women in this historical western novella. Kick off the adventure with the first installment of the new series, Lipstick and Lead with DESPERATE.

Best Selling Author Merry Farmer – THE INDOMITABLE EVE

The one thing Eve deLaurent has wished for in the two years since her sister, Amelia, was whisked away to America was to be a family again. But the tragedy that befell her once Amelia was gone has left her wounded, body and soul. Now, reunited with her sister, all Eve wants to do is run. Amelia’s new, happy life is a betrayal deeper than Eve can stand. She would leave and never look back, were it not for Mark Andrews.

As Cold Springs’s reverend, Mark is used to people confiding their darkest sins and looking to him for help. So when he sees the pain behind Eve’s mask of confidence, all he wants to do is help her. But Eve awakens a desire in him that reminds him that even a man of God is still a man. They seem to be everything the other wants and needs, but can the people of Cold Springs accept an actress in their pastor’s arms? Can they be together if bitter family betrayals keep Eve and Amelia at each other’s throats?

You’re only as strong as the loves that hold you together...

Plus Bonus Short Stories from Caroline Clemmons (“Stone Mountain Reunion”) and Merry Farmer, ("A Hero's Heart").

All of this at the bargain price of 99 cents!

Buy links are:

Amazon                AmazonUK             iTunes

Thanks for stopping by!