Will Rogers Medallion Awards and OKRWA IDA @CarolinClemmons @JacquieRogers

A Tale of Two Winners
by Jacquie Rogers

Honey Beaulieu must have taken exception to something Will Rogers said!

There's nothing like going to Texas this time of year.  It's snowing back home in Seattle but today it was 93 degrees in Flower Mound, TX.  Guess which I prefer!  Of course, another draw to Texas was that we have wonderful friends and family here.

The instigating factor for coming to Texas, though, was the Will Rogers Medallion Award banquet.  The first two books in the Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter series, Hot Work in Fry Pan Gulch and Sidetracked in Silver City, finaled in the Western Humor category.  Woohoo!  The committee chose four finalists and my books were two of them, so I figured I had a lock on the bronze.  

However, the probability of a bronze medal wasn't the reason I wanted to attend.   I could hardly wait to meet the head honcho and the founder of the awards, Charles Williams.  We did meet and I can assure you that he's just as kind and friendly as I thought, and he has a great sense of humor.  

Charles Williams, founder of the Will Rogers Medallion Awards
with me, Sassy, and Honey.  Honey too quite a liking to him.

The first day, at the Red Steagall Cowboy Gathering booksigning, I met Gene Helmick-Richardson.  So did Honey.  They seemed to get off to a bit of a rocky start but by the end of the doin's, they were best of friends.

Gene Helmick-Richardson knows when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

Did I mention our Texas hosts?  We were lucky enough to stay with one of my best friends who, unbeknownst to her, started off as one of my mentors.  I studied her books to figure out this writing gig, and I was beyond thrilled when she contacted me that first time.  Yes, I was her fangirl!  That would be the awesome and talented Caroline Clemmons.  At this point, you might say we're a mutual admiration society. LOL  

Our Halloween photo courtesy of Snapchat.

So good people and good fun.  What could be better?  Um, well, winning.  Imagine my surprise when both my books won gold medallions!  And also Camp Rogers Press won two!  To be honest, Mr R should've picked up the Camp Rogers Press medals, but I was all too happy to cart them back to the table myself. 

Mr R recorded it on my phone.  It was his first time ever recording anything on a smartphone so all in all, the video turned out pretty well.

Caroline and Hero, Mr R and I were all flying high that night.  We had a delicious steak dinner and met some really nice people.  What a grand time!

The four of us went back to Caroline's house, yammered half the night, and went to bed.  The next morning, we found out that Caroline's book Grant Me the Moon had won the International Digital Award (sponsored by the Oklahoma RWA) for Short Contemporary Romance!  That was so wonderful--two winners in the house.  Our husbands didn't quite know what to do with us. LOL.  We were yipping and dancing through the living room.  It must have been quite a sight.

But we did slow down long enough to get our photo together.

Let me tell you, that sure went well with our bacon and eggs.

Mr R and I will be headed back to Seattle in a few days.  I can't tell you how much I'll miss Caroline.  I really would like to stash her in the car and take her with me.  Then again, if it keeps snowing up north...  

If you're on Snapchat, friend me!  My handle is jacquierogers.  You can get videos of Sassy's latest updates there.  And goofy pictures of her scribe.

Keep up with Jacquie Rogers' latest news at the

Pickle Barrel Gazette!
Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter series

Hearts of Owyhee series

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Romancing The West | Pickle Barrel Bar and Books

Books and Bad Acting in Silver City, Idaho #JacquieRogers

Books, Fiddlin', and Bad Acting 
in Silver City, Idaho
by Jacquie Rogers

Here it is August already and my summer's just getting started.  That's because writing books and seasons don't always mesh.  Authors don't get out of school for summer break.  But I took a vacation anyway after finishing two books, Blazing Bullets in Deadwood Gulch (Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter #3), and Idaho Fairytale Bride (Rocky Mountain Romances #2).

A fun getaway it was, so now I'll dutifully subject you to some photos that were taken at my readers' event in Silver City, Idaho.

Idaho Hotel owner Jerri Nelson
telling us about her fun artifacts.

This is the second time I've sponsored this event, and I chose Silver City because: 1) that's where many of my books are set; 2) I grew up just north of there and spent a lot of time wishing I could live in Silver; and 3) I wanted my readers to have the opportunity to spend a weekend in the real Old West.

First of all, I should explain that people expecting modern services in Silver City will be a bit disappointed.  There are no gas stations, grocery stores, or even electricity (they do have solar-powered lights and the hotel has flush toilets and showers).  If AT&T is not your cell phone carrier, then you have no connection.

Me and the buzzard in the lobby
of the Idaho Hotel in Silver City

How on earth did people live back in the 1800s?  That's what we find out every year in Silver, so be sure to book your room for next year!  I'll give you a hint--we make our own entertainment and we actually visit with each other, complete with eye contact and hugs and lots of laughter.

It's a weekend where people can be themselves with no electronic interference.  The kids have a ball outside instead of playing video games.  You don't see a whole table of people all looking down at their cell phones.  We talk to each other--tell jokes, reminisce, talk books... talk. To me, it's heaven on earth.

Daria Paxton and her dad, Matt

About that entertainment...we had two forms.  First, we had Daria Paxton, award-winning violinist, who played fiddle (same instrument, different technique), and her dad, Matt Paxton on guitar and vocals.  Daria can really make that fiddle sing!  She played Irish jigs and everything else.  Matt sang classic country tunes and even a few Beatles songs.  I can't figure out how to get the video from my phone to here, but to the left is a still picture.

The Paxtons are old family friends.  Matt's parents and my dad were all in the same class at Homedale High School, Class of '44.  Matt and my brother have been friends since they came into this world the same year.  Not only are Daria and Matt very talented, they're part of our family, too.  This is exactly the sort of situation you'd find in the Old West.

Tresa Hiatt as Audience Shill #2

And what's a doin's without a melodrama.  We laughed ourselves silly over Professor Walker's Miracle Elixir of Life, and Dr. Paxton's Blood and Liver Renovating Tonic.  The latter of which, according to Nick Monteiro who played Ichabod, Dr. Paxton's pitch man, is made of distilled wombat testicles.

Okay, so I wrote the script.  It was really, really bad.  So were the actors, all except for Daria, Nick, and Curtain Rod #1 and Curtain Rod #2.  The rest of us all managed to mess up our lines.  But the audience loved it and all the actors (calling us actors is stretching it a bit) had a great time and we'll do it again next year.  We're gluttons for punishment, I guess. Ha!

Daria and Nick with Honey

We had an auction for charity.  Sherry Walker organized it and made most of the baskets, and Brenda Paxton (Matt's wife) also made a nice one.  My brother, Ken Walker, was the auctioneer.  The gals in the kitchen soon learned that if they banged a pan too loud, he considered it a bid.  We had a good laugh about that.  All in all, we raised nearly $300 for the Children's Tumor Foundation, which will go on Mercedes Christesen's NF Walk page.

I hated to leave Silver but life goes on and we all had to get back to our hectic lives.  As for me, I have books to get into print and two more books to write this year (I hope).

We finally got home a week later.  It's so nice to sleep in our own bed!  But we had a great time, and I returned to some wonderful news: Hot Work in Fry Pan Gulch and Sidetracked in Silver City both finaled in the Will Rogers Medallion Award contest!  Besides being tickled about that, I now get to go back to Texas and visit with my buddy, Caroline Clemmons, so I'm excited about that, too.  And we're dragging her and Hero to the awards banquet because I'll need all the bracing up I can get.

What's up next?  We're heading back to Idaho to view the eclipse.  Meantime, I'm starting the sixth book of the Hearts of Owyhee series.  This will be Bram's book, and I have him in an awful dilemma. Bwahaha!

Happy August Reading!

If you're on Snapchat, friend me!  My handle is jacquierogers.  You can get videos of Sassy's latest updates there.  And goofy pictures of her scribe.

Keep up with Jacquie Rogers' latest news at the

Pickle Barrel Gazette!
Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter series

Hearts of Owyhee series

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Pickle Barrel Gazette

Romancing The West | Pickle Barrel Bar and Books

Fun Days in Idaho #NFwalk #NewRelease #SilverCityIdaho #Beatles

Fun Days in Idaho!
by Jacquie Rogers

I have a very, very busy October.  Why?  Because I goofed off most of September.  Well, not exactly, but I sure didn't get any writing done.  It started with a writing retreat with Judith Laik.  We went to Chelan, Washington, where we brainstormed a few books.  Speaking of Chelan, Honey went along and she had quite a good time.  Of course you know that adult beverages and brainstorming go hand in hand.

We won't mention that I locked myself out of the condo.  I had on ugly pajamas and no wine.  Or even coffee.  No phone, either, but I had my Kindle, so at least I could read and text Diane Garland about my woes.

I was back a day and Honey wanted her hair and nails done, so off to the salon we went.  I've been going to Marty DeGrazia since forever (1988) and this time Honey wanted to go first.  Then Mai was a bit hesitant about the manicure, but Honey convinced her it was a good idea.

So off we go to Idaho.  First off--the NF Walk.  This is a fundraiser for the Children's Tumor Foundation for the purpose of finding a cure for neurofibromatosis, which is a physically and emotionally debilitating disorder.  We had a great time.  

Peggy Conover won my author basket.  Mercedes Christesen (my daughter) received an award for outstanding service, and the bunch of us as we were ready to go, dressed as our favorite book characters.  

Next stop, Silver City!  Y'all know I love Silver City and the second weekend in September is very special because it's the only time the public can see inside the buildings.  All the buildings there are privately owned and also privately funded by people who truly love history and walk the talk.  If you visit, don't forget to leave a few dollars in the jar for nail and paint.

Looks like Honey hitched a ride with Paul Nettleton.  If you want to go on a trailride, call him!

And from there, we went to see the Beatles!  Okay, not the REAL Beatles, but let me tell you, this retro band, RoofTop Revolution, is awesome!  And of course I'm prejudiced because one of the lead singers also performed at my Silver City shindig in June

.

Dave, Jim, Honey, Matt, and Frank

When we got home (exhausted), guess what?  Honey's second book came out!

Want to win a digital copy?  Just comment below.  Tell me about the concerts you've been to, or if you have a favorite retro band.  I'll pick a winner Saturday, October 8.  Party on!

Keep up with Jacquie Rogers' latest news at the
Pickle Barrel Gazette!
Honey Beaulieu - Man Hunter series

Hearts of Owyhee series

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Pickle Barrel Gazette

Romancing The West | Pickle Barrel Bar and Books