Category: small town romance

Romance Writers’ Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, later in life romance, romance, second chance romance, small town romance, western romance, writing lifeLeave a comment

Hi everyone. If you haven’t noticed I’ve been silent for a few weeks. Lots of fun family time and travel have been going on in my life, but now I’m back 🙂 This week for our blog hop, we have been asked write about our favorite scent and what it evokes for us. This was a hard one as I have lots of favorite scents, but if I have to choose one, I think it would have to be the smell of pine trees, especially after a rainstorm. As many of you know, I write western romances centered in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana. The smell of pine always brings me back to those mountains. It brings back wonderful memories of times I’ve spent in the mountains on horseback or hiking trails. It evokes a sense of peace and calm and that all is well in this sometimes crazy world of ours. If you want to experience the mountains for yourself even if you’re somewhere else, check out my Peakview Series which takes place high in Colorado.

Once you’ve done that, hop on over to my good friend, Brenda Margriet’s blog to see what scent she likes at https://www.brendamargriet.com/blog Also check out her new romance, Secrets Under the Covers, at https://books2read.com/SecretsUndertheCovers

Romance Writer’s Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romance, writing lifeLeave a comment

The week on our Romance Writer’s Weekly blog hop we’ve been asked to share one of our favorite reviews of one of our books. I’ve been blessed with many wonderful reviews on my books over the years. I’m always humbled when a total stranger is touched by what I write and takes the time to share it in a review. There were so many I could have picked from, but I decided on this one from last summer when I decided to write a story, Peaktop Dude Ranch Aflame, about the wildfires that have been devastating our west in recent years. The cover is an actual photo of a Colorado Wildfire descending on a Dude Ranch. Fortunately, as in my story, by some miracle the ranch was spared.

“Another outstanding book by Jill Haymaker! Everytime I think that she couldn’t write another one as good as the last, she proves me wrong. As the terrible fires continue to burn in the West, this book was extremely timely. It touched on the fear and anxiety that all the characters felt in the face of a fast moving wildfire. Their town, businesses and loved ones were all effected. Jill has a way of making you feel like you’re right there experiencing the same feelings as the characters. Then there was a touching love story that intermingled throughout. I truly feel this is one of her best, but I always feel that way when I read one of her books!! Thanks Jill, it sure felt good to be back in Peaktop again!”

Hop on over to Leslie Hatchel’s blog to see one of her reviews at https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com

If you like historical romance you’ll love this one: Bound to Morroco https://amzon.to/3Rngykf

What if your stepmother and stepsister sold you to a Sultan’s Harem?It is 1708 and Lady Shera Everton wakes up as a captive on a ship headed to Morocco. Shera meets a man named Kincaid, who is disguised as one of the Sultan’s soldiers. He intends to find his sister, Catherine, who was also captured, and make her kidnappers pay.He is immediately captivated with Shera and to protect her, Kincaid, known as Kemal, disguises her as one who has been scarred. The Sultan rejects her and she is safe from his bed, but still a captive to be ransomed. Shera must find a way to escape and confront the people who betrayed her.  When her partnership with Kincaid turns to love, the two must face constant danger to endure. But will they ever be free?

Romance Writer’s Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, later in life romance, romance, second chance romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

This week on our blog hop we were asked to compare the relationship with the characters in your book with real life relationships. How do they differ and how are they the same?

Tough question. I suppose in fiction or real life every relationship is unique in some ways.

The most glaring way they differ would be that I write romance so there has to be a happily-ever-after. No matter how bad things get, you know there is light at the end of the tunnel. In real life, I think we are often flying blind with no idea if any given relationship will last forever or end tomorrow. Oh, we build trust for someone over time and have a pretty good idea about the future, but things change. No one goes into a relationship expecting a bad ending. I used to be a divorce attorney and let me tell you I got to be an expert in shattered dreams. Also, being a female, I’m aware that my relationships are written from a female perspective. My heroes may not be the same as if they were written by a man. I try to be realistic, but let’s face it, I’ve never been a man.

But how are they the same? Both in my real life and books, characters experience ups and downs, good days and bad, times they are happy and times they just want to run and hide. Both types of relationships are filled with emotion and self-doubt and require work to make them succeed. Both also can be very rewarding. They say you write what you know so I suppose there is a little of me in every one of my heroines and probably my heroes, too. My own relationships pop into my stories, I’m sure. After all, we all just want to see those happy endings for characters and the people we care about. I believe love always wins 🙂

check out my Peakview Series for heartwarming stories filled with the power of love.

If you want to get another author’s take on this topic, hop on over to PG Forte’s blog at http://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com to see what she has to say. And check out her book below at htttps://books2read.com/u/boaKy1

Romance Writer’s Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, new release, romance, small town romance, western romanceLeave a comment

This week on our Romance Writer’s Weekly blog hop we have been tasked with sharing 5 facts from our work in progress or newest release. Since Montana Pines Winter Romance just released last week I will share 5 facts from that book :

Number one: This book is the first book in my new Montana Pines Series. This is my fourth series. The first three all take place in the mountains of Colorado. Although I have now “moved” to a new state, you will find the same type of heroes-cowboys and rugged mountain men with big hearts.

Number two: At least one character from each of my first three series have ties to my new town of Pine Meadows, Montana. I hope readers will enjoy catching up with favorite characters.

Number three: My heroine, Haley, has been let down by everyone she has ever loved. Trust is hard for her.

Number four: My hero is quite the ladies man. It will take a special woman to get him to settle down.

Number five: I love to include kids and animals in my stories. This one includes an adorable four-year-old boy and a cute kitten.

Please hop on over to Andie Fenichels blog at http://asfenichel.com to read her fun facts. Also it it release day for a new box set of historical romances, Secrets, Scandals, and Seduction, of which she is a part. You can purchase it here: https://books2read.com/u/4joPNj

Romance Writer’s Weekly #lovechatwrite

On By jillhaymakerIn authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, new release, romance, second chance romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romance, winter time, writing advise, writing lifeLeave a comment

Thus week on our Romance Writers’ Weekly blog hop our topic is: How did you get started in your career, how did you get to where you are today and what’s next for you?

I started writing novels almost by accident. I had been practicing law for many years when I became friends with another author in my office building. She had just started writing her first novel and was so excited. I spent a couple of years following her writing journey and sharing in her joy of writing. One day, when I was especially discouraged with the practice of law, she suggested I try to write a novel. I laughed. I knew nothing about writing fiction! But I sat down a couple of days later and started my very first romance. I loved it. It was so different from the formal legal writing I was used to. I guess you could say I never looked back. I split my time between writing and practicing law for about four years before I took the plunge and transitioned to writing full-time. I’ve never regretted the decision. Today, is the release day for my twenty-sixth novel. Writing romance and happily ever after is something I truly enjoy and hope to be able to continue to do for the rest of my life. I have found my calling 🙂

How did you get started in your career? leave a comment and then head over to Jenna’s blog at https://www.jennadasie.com to see how she got started, too 🙂

Pre-order alert

On By jillhaymakerIn baby boomer romance, contemporary romance, family, motherhood, love, happy endings, later in life romance, moving, romance, second chance romance, silver fox romance, small town romance, western romanceLeave a comment

Book ten in my Aspen Ridge Series is now available for pre-order at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09R9GC5H8

You don’t want to miss this story of love, redemption and starting over.

What if the past catches up with you just when you’re starting a new life?

Lorelei Grant, recently widowed, can’t believe that her best friend Charlotte wants to leave their hometown in Kansas and move to Aspen Ridge, a tiny, mountain town in Colorado and buy a gift shop. Is she crazy? Despite her hesitation, Charlotte wears her down, and they make the move.

Remington Hunt has always been a loner, content to live out his life in the mountains with his dog, Grizwold. That is until two ladies buy the gift shop next to his own gun shop. There’s just something about the redhead that has him reconsidering his hermit lifestyle.

Just when these two unlikely people start to put aside their differences and develop romantic feelings for each other, a past that Lorelei isn’t proud of catches up with her. People she’d put behind her from over thirty years ago, suddenly become real and threaten everything she’s started to build.

Can Lori overcome past mistakes and find a way to not only love, but also forgiveness? Sometimes the person who is the hardest to forgive is yourself.

September is here!

On By jillhaymakerIn 2021, autumn, Chicken Soup for the Soul Books, contemporary romance, cowboys, dogs, happy endings, new release, romance, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

I don’t know about you, but I am ready for cooler weather. When September arrives, my mind starts to think about autumn–cool crisp nights, sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and colorful leaves. If you live somewhere like me, and chances are you do, September doesn’t always signal a cool down. It’s still in the 90’s here, but we know that fall is coming. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love football and the beginning of the holiday seasons. I’m ready to decorate and have some hot chocolate.

To celebrate the fall season, I have a couple of book coming out next week on the 7th. First is the third book in my Peaktop Dude Ranch Series, Peaktop Dude Ranch Aflame. You wont’ want to miss this one and see what happens when a wildfire descends on Peakview County. Of course, there may be a romance with a handsome firefighter thrown in 🙂 You can pre-order it now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09D46R31N

Also coming on September 7th is the latest Chicken Soup for the Soul book, My Hilarious, Heroic, Human Dog. You will find my dog, Merlin’s own story on page 164. https://bit.ly/37mBaTX

Enjoy the beginning of Autumn wherever you are and sit back with a good book!

FREE E-BOOK

On By jillhaymakerIn 2021, authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, family, motherhood, love, free ebook, happy endings, life, small town romance, Uncategorized, western romanceLeave a comment

I wanted to let all of you know that book three in my Aspen Ridge Series, Come Home to Love, is free for your kindle today through Sunday.

Do you like secret baby stories? If so, this book is for you. When a one night stand results in Riley becoming a single parent, she soon realizes that the handsome stranger has given her the best gift of her life. She’s spent the last six years being the best parent she can be to her daughter, Ava. When cowboy and drifter, Justin Thorne, ends up back in Aspen Ridge, Colorado, memories of that one night with a special girl come racing back. He hadn’t thought about her in years. But when his attempts to rekindle their sparks are met with resistance, he soon discovers the reason why in the person of a beautiful six year old with his eyes. Will he try to take away the only thing that matters to Riley, or will the three of them find a way to make a home and family together? Rediscover Romance in Aspen Ridge, Colorado, a small town with an open heart. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T6B6M67

Pre-order now

On By jillhaymakerIn 2021, authors, contemporary romance, cowboys, happy endings, new release, romance, small town romance, western romanceLeave a comment

The first book in my new Peaktop Dude Ranch Series is now available for pre-order. If you enjoyed my Peakview Series and my Aspen Ridge Series, you’ll love this new series which takes place on Peaktop Ranch nestled in the Peak National Forest between the small towns of Peakview and Aspen Ridge, Colorado. Don’t worry, many of your favorite characters, from the prior series, will pop in from time to time to say hello. And of course, Violet Crandall will continue to take credit for all the new romances. If you are new to me as an author, this series is also a great place to start. Here’s a peak at the first story:

SOPHIE DALTON never expected to graduate from college and get dumped on the same day, but life doesn’t always turn out like you plan. When her boyfriend leaves her for New York City, she’s suddenly thrown into an uncertain future. A job offer from the dude ranch owned by her high school best friend and her older brother just might the solution to her problem. Coming home to Peakview County, Colorado, Sophie has no intention of letting another man capture her heart, even if her new boss is the crush she had all the way through high school.

BRANDON PEYTON has big boots to fill, taking over the running of the family ranch for the first season since his parents retired. Everything needs to be perfect. When his kid sister begs him to hire her high school friend as his office manager, he fears it will be a really bad decision. He wants someone older with more experience. Nevertheless, he gives in and decides to give Sophie a try. As the summer progresses, she not only surprises him with her handling of the job, but he’s drawn to her in a way he’s never been to any woman before.

Two people who’ve put up protective barriers around their hearts, slowly feel their walls start to crumble. Can these two find a way to run the ranch they love together and find the love that they’ve always longed for? In the beauty of the Colorado Mountains, two hearts unite with a common goal—make Peaktop Dude Ranch their forever home.

PRE-ORDER NOW BY CLICKING THE GRAPHIC COVER BELOW 🙂