Romance Writers’ Weekly #lovechatwrite

This week for Romance writer’s weekly we have been asked to write a flash fiction autumn scene using the words water, leaf, and coffee 🙂 here’s mine:

Before she even got out of bed, she knew that Autumn was here. She could tell by the cool, crisp breeze that blew in the window of the small cabin she’d rented for the weekend. It smelled like autumn. She didn’t know how to describe the scent, but she knew it when she experienced it.

She yawned and climbed out of the cozy bed, slipping into a soft, oversized sweatshirt and a pair of yoga pants. She made her way down the narrow wooden staircase to the country kitchen and hit the start button on the small coffee pot. Next, she opened cupboard doors until she found a stash of various coffee mugs. One called to her. It was plain white with red, block letters reading “you can do it!” She needed that this morning.

When the machine stopped, she filled her mug with the dark, brown liquid, and breathed in the aroma of coffee beans. She grabbed her latest romance novel, opened the back door, and walked out onto the small, wooden deck. Sitting down on one of the two Adirondack chairs, she gazed out over the lake. The crystal clear water lapped against the sandy beach below.

As she sat, a small, red leaf flitted down from one of the maple trees overhanging the lake and landed in her lap. She picked it up and turned it over in her hand, examining its bright color and small veins. No doubt, a few weeks ago it had been bright green and clinging tightly to a branch above. It was different now. It had changed but not in a bad way.

How much she had in common with this leaf. All long, hot summer she’d tried desperately to hang onto her old life—a life that had run its course. Now, she’d changed, but she realized it wasn’t in a bad way. She was emerging to a new brighter self. Different in appearance from her old self, but still the same person, just a new and improved version.

She sipped her coffee and stuck the leaf between two pages of her book to preserve it—a reminder that we are all meant to change. It was the natural course of life, and she vowed to celebrate every day.

Before you go. let me know what you think and then hop on over to Leslie Hachtel’s blog and check out her scene. I did, and I loved it! https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com

Also, my new Christmas novella is available for pre-order now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDXYVTZP

Romance Writers’ Weekly #lovechatwrite

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

Pre-order alert

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.

New Release-Peaktop Dude Ranch Reunion

The second book in my Peaktop Dude Ranch Series, Peaktop Dude Ranch Reunion, is now available at Amazon.com for your kindle, or in paperback or hardcover formats. You don’t want to miss this seasoned romance about a second chance at a long lost love.

Does first love ever die?

Pamela Emery, aged fifty-six, walked out of the courthouse with her divorce papers in hand. Life as she’d known it was over. Why had she let her son and his wife talk her into going with them on a vacation to a Colorado Dude Ranch? She just wasn’t in the mood, but she wouldn’t let them down. She’d spend a couple weeks with her adorable grandchildren, and with any luck, she’d come back home in a better frame of mind.

Kenneth Tucker glanced around the Peaktop Dude Ranch dining room at all the young families. He felt more than a little out of place. It was his first vacation since his wife died five years ago. Was there anyone here his age? Spotting the only other person in the room who looked like she was over forty, he decided to try to strike up a friendship with a stranger. Little did he know she wasn’t a stranger at all.

When Pam and Ken realize they not only knew each other in high school but were high school sweethearts, the sparks that sizzled between them almost forty years ago come crashing back. But can they trust their fragile hearts to the one person who broke them all those years ago, both believing that the other dumped them? Will they discover the real truth, or is it just too late for their ill-fated romance?

Peaktop Dude Ranch, where love soars to new heights.

It’s November 1st-Release day

Hi everyone. Are you ready for November? After weather in the 90’s for most of October here in Texas, we woke up to 28 degrees this morning, brrr! I spent a productive morning taking down my Halloween decorations and replacing them with Thanksgiving ones 🙂 I love decorating for all of the holidays. Let’s all remember this month to be thankful for all the good in our lives. I am thankful for all of my readers.

Thanks Decs

Aspen Ridge Ride into love

I have another reason to celebrate today. Book 5 in my Aspen Ridge series, Ride into Love, a story of hope and second chances is now available. You can buy it here.   https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZN61C332 

Audio Book

I’m very happy to announce that the first book in my Peakview Series, Colorado Sunset, is now available in Audio book format at audible.com. Go back to where it all began in this first in an eleven book series, set in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. I know you’ll love my fabulous narrator, Sarah Sampino.  You can download it here: https://www.audible.com/pd/B07SS5Y6NL/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-154087&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_154087_rh_us

Colorado Sunset full cover square

Free Ebook

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.

CW COVER FRONT3 - Cassie

Safe to Love

HI everyone, the wait is over, book two in my Peakview Series, Safe to Love, is now available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P9BKF5T, I think you are going to like this one 🙂 see blurb below:

The assault cast a dark shadow over ANGELA RODRIGUEZ’S life for twenty-three years. Her recent move to the tiny mountain town of Aspen Ridge allowed her to escape the person, but not the nightmares that haunt her nights. Will she ever be able to overcome the fear?

COLT OUTLAW owns and operates the largest cattle ranch in Peakview County, Colorado. Since his father’s untimely death, he’s not only taken care of the ranch, but also his mom and sister. There aren’t enough hours in his day for frivolous things like romance. That is until Angela walks into his life. Two hearts longing for more but separated by ghosts from their pasts. Can old walls, built to protect, crumble under the power of acceptance and love?

Love always wins.

REDISCOVER ROMANCE IN ASPEN RIDGE-A SMALL TOWN WITH AN OPEN HEART.

STL cover front - Copy (512x800)