OUR NEW DECADE

Happy New Year to each of you, wonderful friends. Thank you for stopping by and for buying and reading my books. I treasure your friendship more than you can know!

Here we are at the dawn of a new decade, shiny and bright and sparkling. Each day offers a fresh slate on which we can write our name boldly or smear it a bit. What are your plans for the upcoming year? Do you expect to ‘make your mark’ or ‘go with the flow’? Did you go out to celebrate welcoming in the new decade or stay at home for a quiet evening?

Like many who stayed home, I’m an introvert. This is all right since I spend most of my time alone in my office writing my books. When I have to go out ‘peopling’, being an introvert is hard. In addition, I have an ankle abnormality that makes walking difficult. Thank goodness for online shopping and Amazon Prime!

When I was a small child, I was not just an introvert—I was so shy I was pitiful. I spent the first two days of afternoon kindergarten standing at the room’s door, crying and clutching the little blanket I’d brought for rest time. After the teacher consulted with my mother, I was switched to the morning session. I knew a girl, Judy McClosky, in that class, so I was fine. I actually loved kindergarten after that. Knowing one person made that much difference!

I believe Facebook was created for us introverts. We can interact with dozens of people without leaving our homes. For instance, we could live at Yellowstone National Park and work from an isolated home as Peggy L. Henderson does. Or, we could live atop a mountain like Kirsten Osbourne. Technically, Kirsten is in town, but she is at the top of a long drive up and up. Imagine how isolated authors were before the internet. Supposedly Emily Dickinson rarely left her room. Yikes!

Now I have a tiny office I call my pink cave. I feel happy and comfortable here surrounded by some of my favorite mementos, books, and general stuff. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stuff because I’m sentimental and a saver of too many things.

Currently, I’m putting the finishing touches on AN AGENT FOR LYDIA, Pinkerton Matchmaker Series, which will release on January 10. These are fun to write and I’ve enjoyed those I’ve read.

My next project is A BRIDE FOR LUKE, Proxy Bride Series, which will release on February 19. I love the cover for this one. Virginia McKevitt designed both covers. The model reminds me of an actress I like but whose name I can’t remember. Christine Sterling conceived both series.

So, you see that my year is starting off at full speed. What’s in store for you?

WELCOME 2019

Are you ringing in the New Year at a party or, like me, staying home with your loved one?  Hero and I will watch a movie, have hot chocolate (with marshmallows), and turn in before midnight.

Don't think we aren't appreciative of all we have, though. I'm certainly grateful for all the years I've been given with my real-life Hero, for our daughters, as well as the material blessings we've received. In 2019, I hope to write many more romances. In the meantime, thank you to those of you who read one or more of my books this year.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED FOR 2017?

What did you do for New Year’s Day? Our family had a quiet celebration—of course eating black-eyed peas for good luck as is customary in the South and Southwest.

What’s on your schedule for this week and for 2017? Do you make New Year’s Resolutions or set goals? I set goals. This year I have a number of books I’m eager to write and publish.

Last year, I published eleven books, which meant I failed my goal to get in twelve. 

With all the family drama such as our daughter’s prolonged recovery from four surgeries in the past year, though, eleven books during the year were good for me. On top of that, we had other illness, a car wreck, yada yada the same things as everyone else. My new goal is to publish ten romances in 2017. We’ll see if I make this goal. I'm excited about those I've chosen.

Another goal is the same as always—to lose weight, especially the pounds I added between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Whew! I can’t resist yummy food and there was plenty of it in our house. Hero does the cooking, and he indulges me with my favorites. However, I easily resist exercise, which I hate with a passion and always have. This year, I have to find a happy compromise.

In case you missed the news, my last release of 2016 was MURDOCH’S BRIDE. This book is set in February of 1887. 

Here’s the synopsis:

Stranded in the snow…

Charity Kelso is accompanying her fussy Aunt Edwina from New York to Oregon when their train is wrecked and the passenger cars burn. Sweetwater Springs, Montana doesn’t have a hotel, so passengers are parceled out to townsfolk’s homes. No one wants anything to do with complaining Aunt Edwina. That also leaves Charity and their newly widowed friend Amelia nowhere to stay until the tracks are repaired. A new blizzard is headed their way, so what are they to do?

Logan Murdoch and his brother come to Sweetwater Springs to restock before the next storm arrives. Against Logan’s better judgment, the sheriff convinces him to take three stranded women to Murdoch Ranch. Other than their housekeeper-cook, no woman has set foot in the Murdoch home in the twenty years since Logan’s mother abandoned them. He doesn’t expect his father to welcome these unwanted female visitors.

Both Charity and Logan are surprised at the events that unfold. How could this have happened?

Amazon Buy Link: http://a.co/7flAy94

Thanks to each of you who bought any of my books and who took the time to leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. I look forward to your friendship continuing in 2017.

For now and in the coming year, I wish you abundant good health, prosperity, and peace.

Blessings,

Caroline