MY HAPPY PLACE

By Caroline Clemmons

Louis L’Amour once stated he could write sitting in a folding chair in the center of Hollywood and Vine while balancing a portable typewriter on his lap. I love his books, own copies and have read most of them. Don’t you admire his ability? I prefer a few more creature comforts to write my stories.

Snacks are important to

fuel the writer. Sure they are.

I’m not sure I could shut out all the distractions offered at Hollywood and Vine. I grew up in a loud household and learned to shut out noises around me. One of the ways I accomplished this is listening to music. Many “experts” say listening to music while writing helps give the text rhythm and flow. Mozart’s music is most often recommended.  I don’t know about that, but it is pleasant. I subscribe to Pandora and wear headphones to listen to classical music. If I hear lyrics, they distract me and I want to sing along. Since my singing ability is such that when I sing, someone rushes in to see how badly I’m injured, it’s best to avoid vocalizing.

Except for missing clutter,

this could be my desk.

My desktop PC is where I write. I have a laptop, and I use it occasionally, especially if for some reason I don’t feel like sitting at my desk. My first choice is the desktop PC. From my friend Jacquie Rogers, I learned that a television makes a great large computer monitor. We seldom used our bedroom TV set, so it has been re-purposed as my monitor. I love having this large monitor and it cuts down on eye strain. Since Covid left me with vision problems, the large monitor is a blessing.

 Many years ago when I took a community education class on writing fiction to sell, the instructor (the late science fiction writer Warren Norwood) said a writer’s chair is THE most important piece of equipment. I’m not certain I agree, but if a chair doesn’t support your back and arms and protect your posture, how can you sit for hours?

Last on my list is my own little office. It may be small but it offers a refuge where I can retreat to write. Included are bookshelves, my knick knacks, and wall decorations. I’m sentimental, so I have a lot of memorabilia. My husband and I share the room designated as our office, and a row of bookcases divide the space. Each half is small, but my office is my happy place.

Where is your happy place? Tell me about it in the comments.

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! 

WRITING WITH A FRIEND

 I hope you are fortunate enough to have friends who make you laugh. They are a wonderful gift. One friend who makes me laugh is Jacquie Rogers. In my opinion, you can’t beat her Hearts of Owyhee series. In fact, each of us is an award winning and bestselling author.

Several years ago, we decided to write related books and combine them in one volume. This duet was titled Mail Order Tangle. We laughed so much, you may have heard us. Then, we decided to do another, Orphan Train Brides. Both duets hold a special place in my heart.

Let me share them with you:

Mail Order Tangle

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Tangle-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B00MZ6ZRXC

Mail-Order Promise by Caroline Clemmons

Ellie Dickerson and her sister are in desperate straits when she contracts to become a mail-order bride to a Texas rancher. After her arduous trip from Virginia, she learns her fiancé has died. His handsome brother has sworn to take care of her and she’s instantly attracted to him, but he seems indifferent toward her. What will happen to her and her sister?

Kage Johanssen, co-owner of a ranch in Idaho with his cousin Matt, is forced to take over his family’s Central Texas ranch on the death of his older brother. Kage is in no hurry to get married, and when his brother’s bride shows up, she’s everything he doesn’t want in a wife—except she’s stunningly beautiful. Despite his deathbed promise to his brother and his attraction to Ellie, he’s convinced she doesn’t have the grit to be a rancher’s wife.

When a greedy, sadistic villain attempts to take over the ranch and kill Kage, can Ellie save her true love? What will it take to prove that she’s the only woman for Kage?

Mail-Order Ruckus by Jacquie Rogers

Matt Johanssen returned to the ranch he and his cousin Kage started in Owyhee County, Idaho Territory, not knowing he took Laura Dickerson's heart with him. Now that her sister no longer needs her, Laura wants a home of her own and a family to put in it. No other man would fill the bill as well as Matt, but he’s not interested. Not wanting to live as a spinster aunt the rest of her life, Laura signs a contract with a marriage broker, choosing to go to Silver City, near Matt’s ranch, in hopes that he might come around. But he’s not on the roster of eligible grooms! When Matt sees Laura among the brides on display on the balcony of the Idaho Hotel, he feels gutshot. He’s in no position to take a wife, not with a ranch eating up every spare moment and dollar. But if he doesn't step forward, the one woman he wants will be wed at the end of the week—and not to him.

Will Matt walk away from the woman who stole his heart or let go of everything he's worked so hard to build go in exchange for love?

 

Orphan Train Brides

https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Train-Brides-Caroline-Clemmons-ebook/dp/B07TW8JH44

Two award winning and bestselling authors conspired to bring readers these two heartwarming stories, A Family For Merry by Caroline Clemmons and A Family For Polly by Jacquie Rogers in the duet, Orphan Train Brides.

Become a bride or lose her children!

 

Asked to help with recording who took which children from the orphan train, Merry and Polly Bird took advantage of their position. Determined to liberate five quirky, ragtag orphans not likely to be adopted by caring people, they vowed the children would not end up as they had fourteen years ago. Back then, Merry and Polly and the two boys adopted with them from that orphan train worked as slaves. They received little food, substandard living quarters, and insufficient clothing to protect against the cold winters.

Mary and Polly’s children love their new home and family at the sisters’ Mockingbird Boarding House. The rescue idea appears to have been a great success—until the supervisor from the Children’s Protection Society arrives. Single women are not allowed to adopt. Merry and Polly each has five days to find a suitable husband who won’t steal her share of the boarding house.

 

Orphans gathered by 

and on an orphan train

If you haven’t read these stories, I hope you’ll give them a read. Let me know how you like them.

Meanwhile, why not follow me on BookBub here?