HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Can you believe it’s August? We've had an unusually hot summer here in North Central Texas so I’ve been hibernating under the fan in my air-conditioned pink cave and happily writing. The months are flying by way too fast. So many projects, so little time.

I’m in the midst of a special treat for me. In the past couple of years I was fortunate to have six books included in Debra Holland’s Montana Sky Series of Kindle Worlds, and these six comprise the Loving A Rancher series. Now that Amazon has deleted all Kindle Worlds from their inventory, Debra has returned the rights to me provided I remove all of her character and place names. She is gracious to do this because she could have kept them.

I’d like to tell readers a bit about writing in someone else’s world. The originating author sets all the parameters. She names as many characters, each person’s occupation, and each person’s physical and personality traits as she wishes. Those joining in the world must truthfully portray all the things the originator has labeled while contributing her characters and her plot line.

This doesn’t mean I had to use all of Debra’s characters in each book I wrote. Instead it means that if I mentioned one of Debra’s characters, I had to depict the character precisely as she did. In addition, the town layout had to be related as she had indicated on the map provided in her Montana Sky Series Facebook group.

Since I had read Debra Holland’s books, I believed I knew her characters. Still, I had to go back and make lists to be certain I was faithful to her creation. This makes writing in someone else’s world more time consuming, but Kindle Worlds were good to me and for me. Each of us has to try something new occasionally to stretch our mental muscles. Plus, being associated with Debra Holland was a great honor.

All the same, I can’t tell you how excited I am to have the rights to these books returned to me! The locales are now Cottonwood Springs and Randall Crossing, both still in Montana. My characters remain the same. These six books are all available for pre-order now (not so gentle hint!). Each will also be available in Kindle Unlimited.

I’m happy to announce that the first of these is being re-published on Friday, August 3, AMANDA’S RANCHER, http://a.co/jddh1g7. Please pardon the lack of modesty but this is one of my favorite of the books I’ve written in the past few years. This was an Amazon experiment and is longer than the usual Kindle World book. It involves stolen identity, mystery, murder, adventure, and romance. 

On August 17, THE RANCHER AND THE SHEPHERDESS will be re-published, http://a.co/4mFnOaL. This is about a young Irish widow who comes west to marry a rancher. He expects someone used to the hard life of ranching. She thought she qualified because she’d helped her Da raise sheep on their tiny holding in Ireland. Imagine her surprise when she sees the vastness of Montana ranches.

On August 30, MURDOCH’S BRIDE releases, http://a.co/9CwbAUk. This was the most popular of the books I wrote for this world. I enjoyed writing it, as I have all of my books. This one involves people being snowed in for a couple of weeks. They are in a large house, but is any house large enough to peacefully accommodate three men (one of whom dislikes women), the housekeeper, three stranded women (one of whom is a complainer), and at times the ranch hands?

On September 13, BRIDE’S ADVENTURE releases, http://a.co/4MtQIZm. Amelia sets off on an adventure to Oregon that sends her back to Cottonwood Springs. Sometime next year, I’ll be doing two spin-off books set in Texas because so many readers requested books about Amelia’s brother and his best friend.

On September 27, SNARE HIS HEART, will be released, http://a.co/2wXXekY. This is my version of the Beauty and the Beast. The hero was badly scarred trying unsuccessfully to rescue his wife from the fire in which she died. The heroine arrives prepared to love him and his children.

On October 13, CAPTURE HER HEART, will release, http://a.co/0SHNEtj. How does a woman who’s been mistreated by every man in her life learn to trust? Read this to learn how.

I have a giant favor to ask. If do read or have read these, would you please leave a review? When Amazon removed the Kindle World version, they also removed all the reviews. Each worthwhile place to advertise books requires a set number of good reviews before they'll accept the ad. So, without reviews, I can't get ads. Without ads, I can't sell enough to get reviews. It's a vicious cycle. But that's another story. If you are one of the readers who leaves reviews, bless you!

See you next month. Stay safe and cool.

WRITING IS MY JOB

Here in North Central Texas the weather had finally moderated after a spike of temper last week to a heat index of 106. From what I hear about Arizona, residents have my sympathy. Heat index of 126 degrees F. Yikes!

To a full-time writer, the weather is not as important as to most occupations. The commute is very short for me--from the bedroom to my little pink office. Fortunately, I have a ceiling fan and an air-conditioning vent over my computer. Hero just brought me a Cherry Dr Pepper. Life is good.

I can wear my jammies to work if I wish.
(This graphic reminds me of
Vonnie Davis' bear series.)

So I concentrate on my writing. Many people assume that if a person works from home, he or she doesn't have a "real" job. I assure you that I do and I work anywhere from six to fourteen hours a day writing and promoting on social media and studying the changes to social media. The shorter time is because at times my life outside of writing interferes with my art.

My latest release, LORRAINE, Bride Brigade book 6, was published on May 22nd. I love this heroine, Lorraine Stuart. She is a feisty redhead who wants to be a recognized writer. Of course, she achieves her goal because this is a sweet romance and that means you're guaranteed a happy ending.

Now I'm working on my July 18 release, SNARE HIS HEART, Loving A Rancher Series book 5, for Debra Holland's Montana Sky Series at Kindle World. Whew! That was a convoluted sentence, wasn't it? There are numerous wonderful writers associated with Debra's series. If you haven't already, please give them a chance to entertain you.

The problem with writing a lot of books is coming up with new twists. For instance, all of the young women in the Bride Brigade Series traveled together to Tarnation, Texas. Yet, each book has to revolve around a different situation and obstacles. Each woman is in her twenties and is looking for a husband. Giving each a different motivation was a challenge. But, like most writers, I love a challenge and chance to "stretch" my skills.

The same problem is true with the Kindle World books. My series is called Loving a Rancher, but each rancher has to be different from the others. The same is true for the heroines. Believe me, after 39 books and novellas, coming up with new situations is not easy. I believe I've succeeded so far. You'll have to be the judge.

The hero of SNARE HIS HEART has been badly burned and has scars on the right side of his body. He received them when he tried to rescue his late wife from their burning home. He thinks he will never love again. The heroine is a generally cheerful and optimistic young woman who is determined to "snare his heart" and his love but faces unjust accusations from his brother.

Usually, what happens when plotting a new story is I visualize the hero and heroine in a little movie in my head. The scene I "see" may not be the opening but could be several chapters later. Still, that little imaginary movie gives me a good handle on the characters. I've heard many other authors mention they see a movie for their characters, so if that makes me insane I have good company. ☺

I recently heard from a writer friend that she's stopped writing and doesn't miss it. That surprised me. I can't imagine not writing. I love pouring out stories from my heart. Doing so makes me happy. I write and send the stories out wishing they'll make readers happy. I intend them to provide a brief escape from the days's problems with a trip to another time and place where everyone overcomes obstacles. Perhaps that will give the reader the incentive to overcome his or her problems.

I hope you are looking forward to a fun-filled  and safe Fourth of July. For my family, the day will involve peace and quiet after an impossibly hectic past month and to gear up for the coming two weeks.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!