NEW COVER REVEAL

 By Caroline Clemmons

Each of us likes new clothes occasionally. For books, that means a new cover. The three books I’m featuring today have new covers from Charlene Raddon’s Silver Sage Book Covers. Can’t you imagine the women on the covers preening in their new “clothes”? I can, but then many of us writers are slightly crazy. But I digress. Bear with me while I remind you about the trilogy with the new wardrobe, the Pearson Grove books.

When I was growing up, my dad told us stories about his family and things that had happened to them since they arrived in Texas in 1876. He was from a family of one girl and seven boys—and what a rowdy bunch of boys they were (poor girl!). When he was eight, he moved from the rural Pilot Grove community where he’d been born to the town of Denison, Texas so he could attend a good school. That town is the county seat of Grayson County and an important stop on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railway, known as the Katy. I’ve visited Denison several times due to my curiosity about what my dad might have seen as well as research for my historical books. The site for my Pearson Grove Series is near the community of Pilot’s Grove. There are very few buildings left there now, but it’s between Blue Ridge and Van Alstyne. Dad’s first name was Pearson, which is the reason for the series name.  

Each of the series is available in e-book and in paperback and is free on Kindle Unlimited. These are stand-alone books. But I’d love for you to start with the first one if you haven’t already read them. The continuity is more enjoyable if they’re read in order.

Here are the new covers and  blurbs.

Book 1, is MAIL ORDER MORIAH (A Brides of Beckham romance):

A woman searching for a place where she is accepted…

A disillusioned man…

A couple searching to meld their lives and build for the future.

Moriah Singleton faced hardship to get from England to America but met more problems once she arrived. The only solution was to become a mail-order bride in r away Texas. How will she ever save enough to bring her sister to America?

After a disastrous brief engagement ended badly, Scott Ferguson sent for a mail-order bride. He needs her help in his mercantile. He hopes his wife will also be his life’s helpmate.

Danger, family entanglements, and disaster await the couple. Will the problems bring them closer or drive them apart?

The Amazon buy link is. https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Moriah-Brides-Beckham-Pearson-ebook/dp/B07KKMM2SN/r

Book 2 is ALEXANDRA’S AWAKENING:

A wealthy woman forced to change…

 A heroic sheriff standing his ground…

The danger that unites them…

Alexandra Novak has been raised in wealth and is used to having whatever she wishes. Her parents have spoiled her and she’d begun to believe it her right. A fire that destroys her family home and almost costs her mother’s life starts Alexandra rethinking her values. When her father’s revelation shatters her world, she is determined to do whatever necessary to make her father happy—even if it means being nice to that girl he’s brought into their home.

Virgil Witt is the best sheriff Pearson Grove has had. Under his leadership, crime is at an all-time low. He has reconciled himself to the fact that he is destined to live alone except for his dog. Maybe that’s best since his job is a dangerous one. He can’t understand why Alexandra chases him, especially not after he’s explained he has no money.

When danger strikes the Novak family, can Virgil solve the problem in time? Can Alexandra convince Virgil she has changed? Can the two of them work together or will her need for the best resurface?

The Amazon buy link is https://www.amazon.com/Alexandras-Awakening-Pearson-Grove-Book-ebook/dp/B07QN87L13

Book 3 is DEBORAH’S DILEMMA:

What can Deborah do to protect herself from the devil plaguing her hometown?

Can a young man who’s been away for six years fit into the community he left?

What madman is responsible for the murder and mayhem plaguing Pearson Grove?

Deborah Taber has been concerned by her inability to choose her life’s occupation. That worry was pushed aside when someone shot her brother and fire bombed her family’s newspaper, The Pearson Grove Gazette. She believes Trey Pearson is innocent of attacking her brother—isn’t he? She’s had a crush on Trey since second grade and desperately wants to trust him.

Wade Pearson III, called Trey, is happy to be home on Pearson Ranch after six years in New England. He trained to manage his family’s far-reaching investments. Nothing prepared him to be accused of murder or targeted by a killer. If not for quick action by the sheriff, Trey would have been lynched by vigilantes. He wants to help trap the real villain while protecting Deborah, her family, and his.

Can Deborah and Trey survive the threats against them? Will this clever murderer be caught before he delivers his terrible revenge against those he believes slighted him? 

 Here’s the Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Deborahs-Dilemma-Pearson-Grove-Book-ebook/dp/B07SNH2SG2/

 

If you haven’t already these books, please do so. I think you’ll enjoy them.

 Stay safe and keep reading! 

CREATING THE PEARSON GROVE SERIES!

I'll be giving away an e-copy of one of these books to a person who comments.

When I conceived the idea of the Pearson Grove Series, I visualized seven books. Each book will feature a young woman of the fictional town of Pearson Grove, which is in North Central Texas near Van Alstyne. Coincidentally, my father, Pearson Johnson, was born near Van Alstyne at Pilot Grove. While the site of Pearson Grove is not where my father was born, it is close.

My father always encouraged me to read and to write. In fact, he taught me to read. He placed a high value on education. He was almost old enough to have been my great-grandfather. His father was middle-aged when he was born, so our generations on that side of the family are skewed.

Daddy was a gifted storyteller whose tales about growing up with six brothers and one sister (poor girl) mesmerized me. The stories Daddy told me ignited my passion for history, especially Texas history. He spoke of his family coming to Texas from Georgia and events that plagued or amused them. I tried to write all these stories down and insert them into a Johnson family book my brother and I compiled.

The Pearson Grove Series is my attempt to pay my father homage for encouraging me to write and read and study. I hope readers will enjoy the seven titles over the next few months as they are interspersed between other releases. Of course, they are in e-book and print and are enrolled in KU.

The books to date are:

MAIL-ORDER MORIAH, a Brides of Beckham romance, Pearson Grove Series Book 1.

A woman desperate to begin a new life

A mercantile owner besieged by problems 

The disaster that brings them together . . .

Moriah Singleton faced hardship to get from England to America but met more problems once she arrived. The only solution she could find was to become a mail-order bride in far away Texas. How will she ever save enough to bring her sister to America?

After a disastrous brief engagement ended badly, Scott Ferguson sent for a mail-order bride. He needs her help in his mercantile. He hopes his wife will also be his life’s helpmate.

Danger, family entanglements, and disaster await the couple. Can Moriah fit into Pearson Grove? Can she help her sister? Will their problems bring Moriah and Scott closer or drive them apart?

Universal Amazon link: http://getbook.at/MORIAH  

ALEXANDRA’S AWAKENING, Pearson Grove Series Book 2.

A wealthy woman forced to change; a heroic sheriff standing his ground; the danger that unites them…

Alexandra Novak has been raised in wealth and is used to having whatever she wishes. Her parents have spoiled her and she’d begun to believe it her right. A fire that destroys her family home and almost costs her mother’s life starts Alexandra to rethink her values. When her father’s revelation shatters her world, she is determined to do whatever necessary to make her father happy—even if it means being nice to that girl he’s brought into their home.

In spite of his young age, Virgil Witt is the best sheriff Pearson Grove has had. Under his leadership, crime is at an all-time low. He has reconciled himself to the fact that he is destined to live alone except for his dog. Maybe that’s best since his job is a dangerous one. He can’t understand why Alexandra chases him, especially not after he’s explained he has no money.

When danger strikes the Novak family, can Virgil solve the problem in time? Can Alexandra convince Virgil she has changed? Can the two of them work together or will her need for the best resurface?

Universal Amazon link http://mybook.to/Pearson

DEBORAH’S DILEMMA, Pearson Grove Series Book 3   

What can Deborah do to protect herself from the devil plaguing her hometown?

Can a young man who’s been away for six years fit into the community he left?

What madman is responsible for the murder and mayhem plaguing Pearson Grove?

Deborah Taber has been concerned by her inability to choose a life’s occupation. That worry was pushed aside when someone shot her brother and fire bombed her family’s newspaper, The Pearson Grove Gazette. She believes Trey Pearson is innocent of attacking her brother—isn’t he? She’s had a crush on Trey since second grade and desperately wants to trust him.

Wade Pearson III, called Trey, is happy to be home on Pearson Ranch after six years in New England. He trained to manage his family’s far-reaching investments. Nothing prepared him to be accused of murder or targeted by a killer. If not for quick action by the sheriff, Trey would have been lynched by vigilantes. He wants to help trap the real villain while protecting Deborah, her family, and his.

Can Deborah and Trey survive the threats against them? Will this clever murderer be caught before he delivers his terrible revenge against those he believes slighted him? 

Universal Amazon link Is http://mybook.to/Deborah

The young women still to be featured are Felicity, Corinne, Lula, and Evelyn. 

I hope you'll read the entire series and that you'll enjoy each one. In the meantime, if you've already read one or all three of these, please leave a review on Amazon! You'll be helping me tremendously and helping prospective readers. 

Best wishes,

Caroline

HAPPY BOOK RELEASE TO ME!

DEBORAH’S DILEMMA, Pearson Grove Series book 3, released today in e-book, print, and in KU. Woo Hoo! Help me celebrate.

Deborah Taber is twenty-two and believes she faces a dilemma. What does she want to do with her life? Most women her age are married, many with children. If she aspired to a specific profession, she wouldn’t be in a quandary, but she doesn’t.

Her attention is diverted when an unknown assailant attacks her family members. Here’s the synopsis:

What can Deborah do to protect herself from the devil plaguing her hometown?

Can a young man who’s been away for six years fit into the community he left?

What madman is responsible for the murder and mayhem plaguing Pearson Grove?

Deborah Taber has been concerned by her inability to choose her life’s occupation. That worry was pushed aside when someone shot her brother and fire bombed her family’s newspaper, The Pearson Grove Gazette. She believes Trey Pearson is innocent of attacking her brother—isn’t he? She’s had a crush on Trey since second grade and desperately wants to trust him.

Wade Pearson III, called Trey, is happy to be home on Pearson Ranch after six years in New England. He trained to manage his family’s far-reaching investments. Nothing prepared him to be accused of murder or targeted by a killer. If not for quick action by the sheriff, Trey would have been lynched by vigilantes. He wants to help trap the real villain while protecting Deborah, her family, and his.

Can Deborah and Trey survive the threats against them? Will this clever murderer be caught before he delivers his terrible revenge against those he believes slighted him? 

Here’s the Universal Amazon buy link: http://mybook.to/Deborah 

Read an excerpt from the church box lunch social:

She led him to the spot she had in mind. A large oak tree provided shade. Nearby, a bed of roses sent their fragrance on the breeze. Overhead the brilliant blue sky was dotted by a few fluffy cotton wool clouds. Birds sang and squirrels chattered their complaints at being disturbed.

On the bench nearby, Virginia and Ambrose Green shared their box lunch. The couple was far enough away that their conversation was a murmur with no words distinguishable. She was glad because that meant what she and Trey said would be private.

Trey set the basket on the ground long enough to spread the blanket where she’d indicated and then moved the basket to a corner. He extended his hand. “May I help you settle?”

When she’d arranged her skirt to insure her ankles were covered, she removed the small tablecloth and spread it before she set out their food. She was so glad she’d taken extra care with the meal. The chicken had browned nicely, thank goodness. Before packing it, she’d pulled apart one thigh piece to be certain the meat was done all the way to the bone.

Potato salad and deviled eggs were greeted by Trey’s “Mmm.”

The rest of the food included pickles, cheese, corn relish, butter, biscuits, and peach cobbler. To drink, she’d packed apple cider.

Trey accepted the tin plate, napkin, and silverware she handed him. “From the looks of this spread, I should have at least doubled my bid.”

“What a nice thing to say.” While he filled his plate, she said, “Tell me about your years away and how it feels to be back.”

His blue eyes sparkled. “Didn’t you read Jeff’s article?”

“I certainly did. It was short, however, and hardly consisted of six years’ worth of information.”

“There isn’t that much to tell. I missed Texas, but I had to learn about investing and finance and our business interests. Although he’s supposedly retired and handed over the reins to my grandfather, I spent a couple of years in Boston with my great-grandfather after I finished Harvard.”

“You’re fortunate to still have him.”

“He’s eighty-seven but remains sharp. You’re right about me being fortunate. I learned a lot more about business in those two years with WW, which is what we call him, than I did in four at university.”

He gave a slight shrug of one shoulder. “I don’t like to talk about money, but I have a responsibility to follow in my father and grandfather’s footsteps.”

He reached for a biscuit. “I don’t suppose it’s a secret that our ranch is not our main source of income. The ranch is our home and holds our hearts, but we can’t depend on it for the entire family’s support.”

She sipped her cider. “Besides you and your parents, grandparents, and this great-grandfather WW, are there others?”

“There are, but they live in Boston and Cambridge. I suppose you know Papa’s an only child. Grandpa has a brother named Wyatt, Sr. and his wife Eleanor, a nephew named Wyatt, Jr. and his wife Millicent and their son William, and a niece named Alice and her husband Sam Holt. Grandpa is the eldest, so we control finances somewhat but we have to answer to a board of trustees.”

“Goodness, that sounds complicated.”

He tilted his head. “Can be but we try to keep it simple and grudge-free.” He closed his eyes. “Ahh, this chicken is prepared perfectly.”

“Thank you. I cooked it this morning, of course, and also made the potato salad, deviled eggs, biscuits, and cobbler then. I’m always afraid to prepare picnic foods the day before in case the meal spoils. The pickles and relish are from Mama’s and my canning last summer.”

Eyes sparkling with mischief, he looked at her over another piece of chicken. “You’re a great cook. I apologize for thinking your mother prepared all this.”

She pretended to be upset. “Trey Pearson, I should be insulted but I’m not. Well, maybe I am a little. Mama is a good cook, but she helps Papa so much that I’ve pretty well taken over meal preparation.”

He glanced around. “I think we’re on someone’s family plot.”

“We are. In fact, you’re sitting on Grandma Taber. I don’t think she’d mind, since I believe she’s looking down from heaven.”

“Sorry, Grandma Taber.” He gazed upward before returning his gaze to meet hers.