Hey everyone, just wanted to let you know that book 4 in the Peakview Series, Colorado Wrangler, is free today and tomorrow for your kindle at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MDJLYCW
Download to find out if a foster child and a rescue pup help two lonely people find true love and family. You don’t want to miss this heartwarming story of overcoming fears.
Want a chance to win 18 awesome sweet contemporary romances and a new ereader? Enter at BookSweeps here through February 15th: http://bit.ly/sweetromance-feb2019 My book, Mountain Hearts, is one of the books.
Hi Everyone, Can you believe that in a few short hours it will be 2019? This year sure has flown by for me. It’s been a year of ups and downs, but at its close, I want to focus on the positive–the things that have stood out for me this year as highlights, events that I am especially grateful for. So here’s my top five:
5. This was my complete year of writing full time. I loved being able to follow my passion on a daily basis. I finished and published four full-length novels, a record for me, and had many more sales than in the previous years of my writing career. I finished book eleven in my Peakview Series and the first book in my new Aspen Ridge Series.
4. I was able to travel to Denver this summer to attend RWA (Romance Writers of America Conference). What a wonderful experience being around so many talented authors and members of my tribe. The classes were excellent and I came home renewed and excited about my career.
3. Lost Valley Ranch–my favorite place on the planet. This November I got to spend a weekend at this beautiful resort high in the Colorado Rockies. I started going to Lost Valley in 1967 with my family on vacation, later worked there when in high school and college, and its been a favorite weekend retreat for me and all three of my children and granddaughters. This time was especially great because I was there with both my daughters, my brother, who had not been there since 1973, and my sister in law and son in law who were first time visitors. What a great family weekend.
2. Time with family. This year one of my biggest blessings was time with my family. I was able to travel to Colorado four times this year to spend time with my son, my granddaughters, and extended family members. I traveled to San Diego for a week this summer to spend time with my oldest daughter at her home on the beach. I got to meet her boyfriend and experience her lifestyle. Most precious of all, I got to spend an entire year living only a couple of miles from my youngest daughter. Whether it was meeting at Starbucks, taking walks with our dogs, or enjoying local events, we had a great time spending moments together. I cherish the time I get to spend with those I love.
1. Merlin came into my life 🙂 Anyone who follows me on social media is well-acquainted with Merlin, my toy Australian shepherd. Merlin joined my family just twenty-four hours after the sad event of the passing on my dog, Laddie, who had been my best friend for sixteen years. Merlin had brought such joy into my life. He’s gone from 3 pounds to almost 15, where he should stay for awhile. He gets me moving–we walk four to five miles a day to try and use up some of his never-ending energy. Not a day goes by that I don’t laugh out loud at some silly thing he does. And at night, he’s there curled up beside me his head on my body. Who knew something so small could bring so much joy.
There you have it, my five highlights of 2018. I’d love to hear yours 🙂 Happy New Year and cheers to an even better 2019!!
Hi Everyone, A Peakview Christmas, is now available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GWT7HZ1 Download your copy today and get into the Christmas spirit 🙂
Hi friends, As you may know, my new Christmas novel, A Peakview Christmas, is now available for pre-order at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GWT7HZ1. It was be released on October first.
Here’s your chance to watch the trailer now. https://youtu.be/ugLR0GaImoE Enjoy 🙂 I hope it puts you in the holiday spirit.
Even though the heat index here in East Texas is 100 degrees today, there’s nothing like winter in the Colorado Rockies to get you in the mood. It’s only 96 days until Christmas! Jill
Hi Everyone, my new Christmas Novel, A Peakview Christmas, is now available for pre-order at http://amazon.com/dp/B07GWT7HG1 Reserve your copy today and get it delivered on October 1st, just in time to get in the Christmas Spirit. A great holiday romance. 
Welcome, introduce yourself.
I’m Ethan Charm. I moved here to Peakview with my mom last fall. I’m fifteen and a freshman at Mountain High School.
What activities are you involved in?
I’m a runner, so I’m on the high school’s cross country and track teams. At first it was hard running at such a high altitude with my asthma, but I’m getting more use to it now. The elevation is much higher than where we came from in Nebraska.
How do you like Peakview?
It’s great. I’ve made a lot of friends. Everyone is very down to earth and friendly. I like being at a rural school. Now that mom and Jake are married, I love living on our ranch. We have so many animals. I love them all, but my favorite it my cat, Carrie. I was there the day she was born. She was the runt of the litter, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality.
What are you doing for the summer?
I help Jake around the ranch and I’ve been working part time for Jerry at Heart’s Haven doing some repair work and trimming of trees and lawn stuff. I like it. It’s good to be outdoors in the mountains in the summer. In my spare time, I like to fish and hang out with the cross country guys. We have practices all summer, so running continues. I’ll go back to Nebraska for a couple of weeks with my dad, but I’ll be ready to come back. This town really does feel like home.
Introduce yourself.
Hi, I’m Sam Phillips. I’ve lived in Peakview for almost fifty years, I guess that means I’m getting old. My wife, Vickie and I live in the big white house on main street, right next door to Sophie’s Choice Bookstore.
What do you do in Peakview?
I own Sam’s Hardware. We sell a little bit of everything. There aren’t any big box store in our county, so we’re it. For the past year since, Kelly became the store manager, we branched out, carrying more household items and a greater selection of clothing. I’m an attorney and also run a law practice in Peakview. For years, I was the only attorney in town, but now Cindy Welch practices here, too. She’s been a great help now that I spend half of the year in Tumbleweed, Wyoming, my wife’s home town.
How long have you and Vickie been married?
We’re newlyweds, really. We’ve only been married a year. When my first wife, Alice, passed, I thought I’d spend the rest of my days alone, and then Vickie came into my life. Quite unexpectedly, I might add. In a short time, she’d turned my world upside down–in a good way.
Do you have any other family in Peakview?
My family has grown in the past year. There’s my Daughter, Nicole, and her new husband, Rick Brady. Now there’s Vickie’s son Hank, his wife Melanie, and their daughters, Sophie and Marissa. Melanie is pregnant, so there’ll be another grandchild soon. There’s also Vickie’s daughter, Gloria and her husband, Pete and their four boys in Tumbleweed. That’s the main reason we spend winter’s there. Oh and I can’t leave out my miniature Aussie, Marshall. He’s one on the family.
What’s the one thing you’d like us to know about Peakview, Colorado?
Its just a great place, full of wonderful, kind neighbors. I can’t imagine a better place on earth. Not only are the people great, but the scenery is spectacular. Our little community has grown a lot over the past few years, but the newcomers quickly become one of us. That’s just the way we are.
I understand you’re fairly new to Peakview. How long have you lived here?
It’s been almost a year. I moved here on the first of June last summer.
What brought you to Peakview?
I first wandered into town in a blinding snowstorm right before New Year’s Eve. My son had passed away, and I needed to get out of Denver. I just drove. I think God brought me to Peakview. I met Jerry, my husband and a world that had turned dark, was suddenly worth living again. Anyway, we fell in love and decided to open our bed and breakfast, Heart’s Haven. We’ll celebrate a year in business July first.
How’s the business going?
Great. I didn’t know it, but I think I was born to run a small inn. I love all the people we meet. Some become almost like family. We even do specialty weeks. We had weeks for veterans, families who’ve lost a child, and foster families. We plan to do a lot more of that kind of thing in the future.
Any plans to expand your family?
If you mean kids, not right now, but our four-legged family keeps growing. Since opening the inn we acquired a pony, another dog, several cats and goats. It’s fun. Being raised a city girl, I’m loving the mountain life.
What would you like to tell people about Peakview?
It’s a magical place. It saved my life. I want to do that for others. If you find yourself in our area, come on by and spend the night. I think you’ll love our little slice of heaven on earth.
Welcome, how long have you lived in Peakview County?
All my life. I was born and raised in Aspen Ridge and now live with my wife and stepson on my ranch outside of Peakview. We also have three horses, two dogs, six cats, 6 chickens, and two pigmy goats. It’s quite the zoo sometimes. My stepson, Ethan, constantly wants to add more animals. I think he should grow up to be a vet.
What do you do for a living?
I’m an EMT for Peakview Fire and Rescue. Have been for over twenty years. We serve all of Peakview County.
Tell us more about your job.
It’s always interesting. We handle all kinds of calls here in the Colorado high country. From vehicles accidents caused by flatlanders driving too fast on curvy mountain roads, to bear and mountain lion sightings, to rescues of hikers and climbers. Every day is different. That’s one thing I like about the job. It never gets boring. And I help those in need–it’s rewarding.
You’re newly married, how’s that?
Married life is wonderful. Kelly, my wife, manages Sam’s Hardware in Peakview. I love having her and Ethan at my ranch. Actually, I met her as part of my job, when Ethan had an asthma attack. He wasn’t used to the high altitude.
Was it love at first sight.
Hardly, we didn’t hit it off very well at first, but it all worked out in the end. I’m glad it did. I’d lived alone for a long time. Having a family is the best.
Anything else you’d like to tell us?
If you’re planning a trip to our beautiful county, rest assured that you will have the best help if anything happens. I think we have the best fire department around. Hope to see you all soon.