holiday story from Barbara Britton

 

Christmas at Whispering Creek (Christmas Holiday Extravaganza) 

Barbara M Britton

White Rose Publishing

October, 2022

$5.99 ebook

$15.99 print

264 pp

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Bookshop

About the Book

All Samantha Williams wants to do is to use her teaching degree to instruct a classroom of second graders. But, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of twenty-three, and failed reconstruction surgery, Sam finds herself without a job and temporarily living with her parents. This isn’t the life Sam expected. When a family friend dies and leaves Sam a house and land in Whispering Creek, Tennessee, Sam must decide if leaving Wisconsin for Southern living is in her lesson plans.

Nashville native, Cole Donoven, left his family’s electrical business to write country music. When Cole’s song-writing partner and girlfriend dumps him for a country music star, Cole abandons Nashville to hole up in Whispering Creek and compose one more song. The last thing Cole expects to find in the sleepy small town is a deceased friend, estate squabbles, and a Northern beauty. Will the chaos in Whispering Creek help create a bestselling song for Cole and possibly help him find a life-long collaborator?

My Review

Echoing an achy country song, Britton’s latest contemporary inspirational holiday romance is a sweet twang of a hurting-and-healing stoked ballad set in rural Tennessee. When a down-and-out too-young cancer survivor is crushed by the loss of her beloved teaching job, and gets two more jolts in one day with the creepingly suspicious loss of her boyfriend and news of the death of Ted, a beloved influential friend, Samantha heads out for an adventure to learn the details of her inheritance. To her surprise, it comes with a house, cranky neighbors, and another handsome, hurting stray friend of Ted’s, the ultra-handsome and helpful songwriter Cole. Cole happens to be recovering from an unceremonious dumping of his glamorous partner, and appears at Ted’s country home to finish a contractual obligation for one last song. It’s chaos when he happens upon a furious contender for Ted’s estate, a beautiful damsel, and a tornado, all of which work to remind him that he’s never been the one in charge of his fate—God is, and he’d better re-learn that trust and faith practice.

Filled with lots of natural angst, a steady measure of faith, and delicious sweet romance, fans of Britton and clean romance will enjoy this loving holiday story.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton lives in Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb writes romantic adventures from Ancient Israel to Modern Day USA and especially enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light. She has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Barb is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America and American Christian Fiction Writers. You can visit Barb online at www. barbarambritton.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

new holiday story from Keeley Brooke Keith

 

Uncharted Christmas by Keeley Brooke Keith

Inspirational holiday novella

October 4, 2022 Edenbrooke Press, 58 pp

$4.99
$12.99

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About the Book

As Dr. Lydia Bradshaw makes her rounds in the village of Good Springs this Christmas season, each family she visits seems to be blessed in ways she is not. All the homes are beautifully decorated for the holiday, and every woman is expecting another baby.

Every woman but her, that is.

While the haze from the volcanic ash cloud outside the Land looms on the horizon, calls for the doctor force Lydia to work around the clock. Torn between fighting for the home life she craves and the career that defines her, Lydia needs a Christmas miracle.

Meanwhile, at Falls Creek…

Philip Roberts spends his lonely nights in the parsonage next to the humble chapel. Pastoring the church across from the Land’s only inn means encouraging many a road-worn traveler to carry on, whatever their journey might be. Philip also watches the ever-changing rotation of guests for the one person he prays will stay at Falls Creek forever.

Only he doesn’t know her name.

When the Vestal siblings break their journey to Good Springs at the inn for a much needed respite over Christmas, Philip is fascinated with the demure Lena Vestal. As he tries to get to know her, she stirs in him more questions than answers.

Can he discover who this intriguing woman truly is in such a short time, and is she the one he’s been waiting for?

My Review

With so much on her plate, Dr. Lydia Bradshaw, the first female doctor in the unmapped island Land’s unofficial capital city of Good Springs, an anomaly of a twenty-first near future isolated culture stagnated in nineteenth century traditional religious mores, has fallen into a routine of nearly 24/7 medical care. A strange haze has entangled the Land for the past few months, and Lydia is certain that murkiness and unusual weather has peaked worries and unnatural fears in elders and children alike. She is working herself to an exhausted frenzy yet resents the help sent by the elders and approved by her husband without even consulting her. As Christmas approaches, Lydia is hard put to be thankful, especially after she believes she’s found a new treatment and a new potential hazard to the Land and no one believes her. A parallel story to Lydia’s takes place at our favorite inn in Fall Creek hinting at answered prayers for their overseer pastor’s desire to cure his singleness.

It’s Christmas blessings all around, with a special reason to rejoice and a new mystery in the Land Uncharted.

Uncharted Christmas is a lovely quick holiday gem, coming home to the people we’ve come to love in Keeley Brooke Keith’s Uncharted series. Told mostly in the perspectives of Lydia and Philip, readers are drawn into their world.

About the Author

Keely Brooke Keith writes inspirational frontier-style fiction with a slight Sci-Fi twist, including The Land Uncharted (Shelf Unbound Notable Romance 2015) and Aboard Providence (2017 INSPY Awards Longlist).

Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving 80s kid. She grew up in a family who moved often, which fueled her dreams of faraway lands. When she isn’t writing, Keely enjoys teaching home school lessons and playing bass guitar. Keely, her husband, and their daughter live on a hilltop south of Nashville, Tennessee.

Christmas is anytime with Stacey Weeks

Mistletoe Melody

Stacey Weeks

December 1, 2018

White Rose Publishing, a division of Pelican Ventures LLC

A holiday Christmas Extravaganza romantic novelette

65 pp.

$2.99

Buy on

Kindle 

Nook

Publisher

About the Book

Former musician, Melody Staff, spends Christmas at a bed and breakfast in the village of Mistletoe Meadows. While everyone sings familiar carols of Christ drawing near, Melody stumbles over misplaced notes. Her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has scared off her fiancé and thrust her life into a grand pause. She's not sure her heart will ever sing again.

Quentin Oxford has endured a devastating year. His preteen daughter suffered a stroke, and they've grieved his wife's sudden death, but the Lord coaxes a surprising refrain from Quentin's heart as God rewrites his and Melody's score into a holiday love song that will last for Christmases to come.

My Review

Weeks’s addition to the extravaganza holiday stories is filled with angst, mysterious health conditions, and determination to keep traditions.

When the Staff family gathers for Christmas as the inn of friends instead of Grandma’s house, the old family friend innkeeper, Quentin, catches a glimpse of the life that might have been. But there’s something wrong which keeps him hypervigilant against any chance of hurting his young daughter. And Janie absolutely should not fall in daughter-love with the woman from his past who apparently is no better than Janie’s now-deceased former druggie mom.

Melody is bitter toward everyone, especially God, for ripping her life—her gift of music and her fiancé—from under her feet. With a devastating diagnosis changing everything, she’s made decisions which she believes will keep the only thing left she has to guard—her heart—intact.

Christmas is a growing and revelatory season for Melody and Quentin as they celebrate the season of hope and promise.

About the Author

Stacey Weeks is the multi-award-winning author of Glorious Surrender (2016), inspirational romances The Builder's Reluctant Bride (2016), Mistletoe Melody (2018), and inspirational romantic suspense novels In Too Deep (2017), and Fatal Homecoming (2019). Stacey lives in Ontario where she speaks at women's conferences, teaches writing and bible study workshops, and writes about the things of the Lord. www.staceyweeks.com

Revisit Christmas with Jody Bailey Day

Mistletoe Mix-Up
Jody Day

Christmas Holiday Extravaganza

Pelican Ventures LLC

December 1, 2018

Ebook Novelette

$2.99

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Amazon

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Publisher

About the Book

Evan Edwards faces another lonely Christmas in the dorm, so when he chances upon a rain-soaked ad for holiday room and board in exchange for decorating, he wastes no time in driving to the empty home, dreaming of a cozy, if lonely, Christmas.

Across the street, Rise' Larkin is also home from school, and has some bad news for her dad. As Evan and Rise’s friendship deepens, and Christmas nears, Evan discovers he’s been decorating the wrong house.

Will this mix-up ruin everything?

My review

I am starting to get hooked on novellas/novelettes, shorter complete books that are longer than short stories but shorter than a full length book. They don’t have time for complicated plots or side stories, yet have nicely developed characters and a problem to solve. For Evan Edwards, it’s what to do with himself. As a student he’s looking the future in the nose, as a musician he knows he needs something else that will push his playing to the next level. As a son he feels like a failure to a mom who is constantly on the lookout for the next man. For Rise Larkin, the problem is how to tell her father her life is a disaster but she’s already started a do-over about which she’s worried he won’t approve.

Mistletoe Mix-Up is a cute story of two lonely hearts finding home and a future and making peace with the present through an odd turn of events one special Christmas.

About the Author

Jody Bailey Day writes inspirational fiction, poems, and devotionals looking through love colored glasses - the love of Christ.

Holiday Read Mistletoe Melody

Mistletoe Melody

Stacey Weeks

From White Rose, an imprint of Pelican Ventures LLC

A Christmas Holiday Extravaganza novella

$2.99

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About the Book

A former musician, Melody Staff, spends Christmas at a bed and breakfast in the village of Mistletoe Meadows. While everyone sings familiar carols of Christ drawing near, Melody stumbles over misplaced notes. Her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has scared off her fiancé and thrust her life into a grand pause. Will her heart ever sing again? Quentin Oxford has endured a devastating year. His preteen daughter suffered a stroke, and they’ve grieved his wife’s sudden death, but the Lord coaxes a surprising refrain from Quentin’s heart as God rewrites his and Melody’s score into a love song.

From the Author:

Tell us why Mistletoe is part of your Christmas story.

Every business in the tourist town of Mistletoe Meadows uses Mistletoe in some way. The town website highlights things like The Mistletoe Mile: a mile walk that winds all around the quaint Christmasy town. The trail leads followers through stores and businesses decked out with various kinds of mistletoe and holiday decor. Each one offers some trivia on mistletoe, some samples to take home for Christmas decorating, or berries to plant in your own in a host tree. One even serves Mistletoe Tea. The Mistletoe Mile ends at the bed and breakfast, Mistle Manor, in a giant gazebo built from tree trunks covered in vines and mistletoe. The website claims it is famous for Christmas proposals. Other events and business names included in this story are Mistletoe Teas and Mistletoe Talks. 

What would you like your readers to know about Christmas after reading your story?

I hope readers come away with a fresh understanding that Jesus came to us that first Christmas so He could later take care of our greatest need, finding forgiveness through His death and hope in His resurrection. Melody Staff struggles with God's role in her pain. Eventually, she comes to this conclusion: “I had never thought of it that way before.” Melody picked up the conversation as soon as he clicked his seatbelt. “About God, speaking from afar, then sending messengers, then finally, Jesus coming to reach me, to give me the courage and desire to reach out to him." ... “Jesus came to me. Not to make my life perfect, but to walk with me through the pain.”

What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

I love our tradition of staying in our jammies on Christmas and having a big family dinner. We stay home, allowing our children a day of relaxation and play. But every one in our extended family is invited to join us if they desire. 

 

About the Author

Stacey Weeks is the multi-award-winning author of Glorious Surrender (2016), inspirational romances The Builder’s Reluctant Bride (2016), Mistletoe Melody (2018), and inspirational romantic suspense novels In Too Deep (2017), and Fatal Homecoming (2019). Stacey lives in Ontario where she speaks at women’s conferences, teaches writing and Bible study workshops, and writes about the things of the Lord. www.staceyweeks.com

Mistletoe Mania! and book launch

Celebrating release day for our Christmas Holiday Extravaganza 2018!

Today, the three Happy Holiday stories featuring Mistletoe are highlighted below!

But first, a little about mistletoe.

TODAY - DECEMBER 1 - ONLY
FACEBOOK LAUNCH AND GIVEAWAY
FACEBOOK 10:30-Noon EST, 9:30-11 AM CST

Mistletoe—it puts a picture in everyone’s mind, doesn’t it? Mostly we think of this little plant as a cute holiday decoration put up in doorways or other passageways to encourage a kiss. It’s an ancient plant with over 13,000 species worldwide, many of which are endangered. North America has over 30 different species alone.

So, what is it? Would it change your mind about the cute kissing Christmas decoration if I told you that it’s partially a parasite? It can grow on its own and makes its own food through photosynthesis; it just prefers the easy way out by attaching itself to some kind of tree and eating from it. Those thousands of species come in several shapes and sizes, with different berries. Some types are shrubby with little flowers and white berries that are poisonous; some prefer growing on oak trees, most on apple trees.

Naturally such an ancient plant has many legends associated with it. Celtic people of northern Europe, Greeks, Germans, and Scandinavians stories have been passed down through the eons. Mistletoe is revered as a symbol of fertility and emasculation, depending on what part of a king’s reign he finds himself in. The ancient Druids used it in their cult ceremonies. We’re trying to keep it upbeat here, so that’s as far as I’ll go. You can look up more if you want. In various cultures it was considered to ward off evil spirits, put out fires, and bring about peace. Enemies could make peace treaties underneath a ball of mistletoe; in Scandinavia, embattled spouses could make up and kiss under the mistletoe. In France, kissing under mistletoe was once considered a New Year’s Day custom.

In Scandinavian mythology "the Death of Baldur", the plant was sacred to Frigga. She was the mother of Balder, who dreamed that if he died, all life on earth would end. Frigga went to all the elements, air, fire, water and earth, as well as the animals and plants and exacted a promise that nothing on earth or under the earth would harm her son and thus end all life. Unfortunately, she overlooked mistletoe, which grows neither on nor under earth, but in the trees. Loki had an arrow made of mistletoe and gave it to Hoder who killed Balder. Frigga’s tears for her son became the white berries on the plant. Balder was restored to life three days later. Frigga kissed everyone under the mistletoe who came to offer help. Can you relate this tale to the Christian story of Jesus?

Mistletoe’s mythical healing powers are beginning to be studied in modern medicine as a cancer treatment. Although mistletoe parasite growths affects the life cycle of the trees it “infests,” the growth harbors nesting birds, including endangered species such as the spotted owl, as well as small nesting mammals, and butterflies such as various hairstreaks, and bees. The berries are poisonous to humans, but many creatures rely on them during times of scarcity.

So—mistletoe the misunderstood? Mistletoe the romantic? Which side are you on?

Come back and check in on THURSDAY DECEMBER 6 to see the post and review here.
$2.99 eBook
Buy on Amazon
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Mistletoe Mix-up - Evan Edwards faces another lonely Christmas in the dorm. His mom is on her fourth, or maybe it's her fifth, honeymoon. A rain-soaked ad promises free room and board in exchange for holiday decorating. Evan jumps at the chance to spend Christmas in a cozy home. The owners won't even be there until Christmas Day, so he'll have plenty of time to practice their piano for his graduation recital. He heads for Candle, Tx. Across the street, Rise' Larkin, also home from college for the holidays, has some bad news for her widowed father.

As Evan and Rise's friendship grows, Evan wonders if he might have a future with a family of his own. Evan realizes, nearly too late, that he's been living in, and decorating the wrong house! Will this crazy mistletoe mix-up ruin his Christmas, or possibly, even his future?

Come back SATURDAY DECEMBER  8 to read the full post and review here.
$2.99 eBook
Buy on Amazon
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A former musician, Melody Staff, spends Christmas at a bed and breakfast in the village of Mistletoe Meadows. While everyone sings familiar carols of Christ drawing near, Melody stumbles over misplaced notes. Her recent diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis has scared off her fiancé and thrust her life into a grand pause. Will her heart ever sing again? Quentin Oxford has endured a devastating year. His preteen daughter suffered a stroke, and they’ve grieved his wife’s sudden death, but the Lord coaxes a surprising refrain from Quentin’s heart as God rewrites his and Melody’s score into a love song.

$2.99 eBook

Purchase links:

AMAZON UK 

AMAZON US 

BARNES AND NOBLE 

Ivy has just cause to be wary of men. Her long-time fiancé backed out of their wedding. The slow fizzle of their undramatic relationship leaves her wondering if romance is a myth. Then, Adam, an intriguing new member of her pet organization, catches Ivy’s attention. Unfortunately, his cat Isis, a beautiful purebred Egyptian Mau, prefers to pick on her cat, Memnet. Ivy would like to get to know Adam better, but with her self-esteem in the gutter and feline fights at every turn, she wonders how to proceed.

When Ivy agrees to help a clingy friend find her missing pet, she learns that true love doesn’t need theatrics. There’s hope for Adam and Ivy, if only their cats would approve.

Christmas Kind of Perfect with Christine Schimpf

Here's a peek into Christine Schimpf'’s new release, A Christmas Kind of Perfect

.99 cent eBook

Buy on Amazon

Goodreads Giveaway during the month of December - sign up!

About the Book:

Conrad Hamilton thought his life would be easy. A great job running his own construction business, living in his hometown in Door County, Wisconsin, with Lila Clark by his side. He planned on marrying her as soon as she returned from her Chicago internship but it never happened.

Lila never expected to become a successful writer nor did she plan on spending the last decade in New York. But she did.

Can the magic of Christmas turn two hearts back to one another again or is it too late to capture that special kind of perfect?

Enjoy this excerpt:

Chapter 1

Lower Manhattan, New York 

Lila almost tripped over her suitcase as she swept into her apartment. Hand to chest, she willed the panic to subside. It seemed that everywhere she went lately, she saw a tall, broad-shouldered man who reminded her of…him. Her first love. He was even showing up in her dreams.

Taking a deep breath, she locked the door and kicked off her high heels. She dragged the suitcase to her bedroom and quickly unpacked as if by doing so she could set memories from ten years ago back in the closet of her mind where they belonged.

It hadn’t mattered where her book signing was or that she’d been out on the west coast working on the movie versions of her books, Conrad haunted her.

Ah, the mind of an author was a terrifying place at times. She’d been working too hard. At least that’s the excuse she gave herself. Settling into more comfortable clothes she headed to the kitchen.

Lila walked to the window of her apartment cradling a cup of chamomile tea sweetened with honey. She watched the street traffic below, which reminded her of a busy ant colony. How she wished the city would sleep, if only for one night. Oh, the blessed silence. She’d walk for miles. Better yet, she’d run. Although Lila feared the attempt wouldn’t be easy. Like so many other activities she used to enjoy doing, she’d abandoned running since moving to the Big Apple years ago.

She padded over to her favorite chair, a chaise lounge in dire need of new fabric, and snuggled in like a fat cat finding its spot. The chair stuck out compared to the eclectic-themed room, but Lila refused to reupholster the piece despite the persuasive arguments from her friends. In an odd sort of way, Lila drew comfort from the inanimate object. They shared the same flaw—an inability to fit in with their surroundings.

Lila’s bones ached. Now that she was back in the city, her life would return to normal. She’d hibernate for the next few weeks and start outlining her next book. Ugh. At this point, she’d much rather clean her uncle’s morning catch of fish.

Goodness, what had made her think of her uncle? He’d died years ago.

Reaching for the remote, she flicked on the receiver. Sounds from an acoustic guitar filled the room. Ooh, much better. She placed her emptied cup near her phone on the end table, leaned her head back on the cushion, and stared up at the ceiling. 

Her smartphone buzzed. Ahh. The phone always seemed to ring at the worst of times, scaring her half to death. The clock had barely moved five minutes, and she’d bet her last chocolate donut that her agent Andrea was calling with another idea for a book tour. Lila swiped the call through. With tired eyes and a worn-out spirit, she forced a pleasant tone. Sounding irritated was not how Lila wanted to present herself. “Hello.”

“Hi, I’m calling for Lila Clark.”

Lila’s heart stopped as if she’d skidded on ice and slammed her vehicle into a fire hydrant. This wasn’t Andrea. She recognized the sing-song melody in the caller’s voice, so reminiscent of someone from the past. Was her memory going as well as her stamina? 

A brief interview with the author:

Christine, what is the most challenging aspect of writing for you?

Absolutely killing my darlings! And they always seem to be scenes that you love the most but that’s the tough work of editing. Having a critique group is essential for me so I can weed out what doesn’t work and hone in on what does.

Are your characters created from people in your life?

I’d have to say they are more likely a combination of all the people I’ve met along the way of life. A writer draws from their real life experiences…the great times in our lives and the times that hurt us the most. I believe that’s our voice.

Where do you get your ideas for your books? Would you consider yourself a creative?

It’s pretty simple really. I wait on God’s timing. I find the outdoors very inspiration for my writing and spend as much time as I can outside. Of course, living in Wisconsin, that time becomes more limited during the cold winter months but if the temperature is above 20 degrees – I make sure to get outside. It’s there that I have the most relaxed conversations with God – where I look for His guidance in my work. Once I’m sure of his direction, I proceed to the next story. When I finish one book, I’m never quite sure there’ll be another so I place my trust in The One who does know and let the rest go.  I wouldn’t consider that a creative practice but one steered by faith.

Anything on the horizon for you?

Actually yes. In September, I finished a romantic novella entitled, A Perfect Fit, a spin-off romance from A Christmas Kind of Perfect. The story steps into the life of a young woman who typically chooses the wrong kind of man until she turns the decision over to God. But it’s not always easy letting go, even of behaviors that hurt us.

Presently, I’m working on A Perfect Ending another spin-off romance from A Christmas Kind of Perfect with intentions on finishing that work by summer 2018.  This story peeks in on a woman with a professional career. Her intentions are to keep moving forward and achieving more and more success until God places her in an unexpected situation and turns her world upside down.

Connect with Christine:

Website: www.christineschimpf.webs.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorchristineschimpf

Blog: www.christineschimpf.blogspot.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ChrisSchimpf

Book Review - All's Fair in Love and Arson by Sharon McGregor

All’s Fair in Love and Arson 

Sharon McGregor

Prism Book Group

c. Nov 2015

novella

inspirational holiday romance

.99 ebook

ISBN 9781943104255

Buy on Amazon http://amzn.to/1GNIZ4K

From the publisher: 

Bella is back at her childhood home. When her mother took a fall in the Nuisance Grounds (garbage dump) and broke her leg, Bella came back to help her and run her shop, Izzie's. Soon Bella discovers she's also been handed Izzie's role in the town's Christmas theatre production, a musical version of a well-known mystery that threatens to become more bizarre each day. A serial arsonist is frightening the townspeople, a family feud threatens young romance, and intrigue and rumors are the order of the day. On top of everything, Bella's high school sweetheart Jake, who dumped her for a cheerleader, is now Chief of Police. Poor Bella! Christmas in St. Christopher's is not what it used to be.

My review:

Bella comes home to her small town of St. Christopher to help her mother at the shop while Izzie heals from a broken leg. It’s been twelve years and old wounds have festered. But St. Christopher has some secrets—some good, some not-so-good. One of them is the new chief of police—Jake—Bella’s high school honey she thought cheated on her all those years ago. She can’t decide if that’s a good or not-so-good secret. Another is the amount of nostalgia for a sense of home Bella left behind and never really felt anywhere else.

Izzie has a few secrets of her own—including a romance and a task for Bella to force her into the public through a local theater production role. A definitely not-so-good secret is there’s an arsonist afoot, and no one knows his or her next target. This is not the St. Christopher Bella left behind. In some ways, it’s better.

McGregor’s small town family stories pack a lot into a sweet, easy, quick read that tends to linger with a sense of nostalgia after the last page. Told in a folksy, third person manner from Bella’s point of view, the reader is transported to December in St. Christopher, where the nativity set in the hardware store window reminds Bella and Jake what life is truly all about. A gentle, multi-generational love story with a bit of mystery and lots of fun. For those who enjoy a quick and clean read with forgiveness to go around twice.

About the Author:

Sharon McGregor is a west coast transplant from the Canadian prairies. Her imagination and story weaving got its start when she was an only child living on a farm. She's moved on from cowgirl dreams to romance and mystery, but hasn't lost her love for horses.
When not writing or reading, she's busy with the two shops she shares with her daughter- an ice cream and candy store and a bath boutique.