Tasting Texas by Kimmie Easley

Y’all! Tasting Texas is now LIVE! 

I am beyond excited about this steamy little novella, the first in the series. It’s always fun to write about Texas. The state (my state) is full of history, tradition, and culture.

One of my favorite places to visit is the Fort Worth Stockyards. My family and I never grow tired of the authentic Texas vibe. There’s something for everyone, and the fact that you can purchase salt water taffy by the pound is just icing on the cake, or the hips….

My family never grows tired of the rodeo, museum, and train rides. The food is to die for, and there’s always some form of entertainment to keep you on your toes.

While researching for Tasting Texas I also came across The Ashton Hotel. I’ve driven by the building more than once, but was became intrigued as I dug further into the history of the hotel. The two buildings that make up The Ashton Hotel are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed and built using a unique Italianate style, with wrought-iron balconies, decorative brick patterning, and cast stone. Even today, it remains the only building of this style in Fort Worth.

              

It is now on my bucket list to stay in the Presidential Suite and to eat at the Six 10 Grille!

Another little piece of Texas that I used in my novella was Plum Lake. I’ve had the pleasure of attending a girls’ writing weekend at Plum Lake, nestled right outside of Canton, TX. It’s a rustic style cabin with all of the essentials (other than internet, which proved to be a positive), and even a HOT TUB! My girlfriends and I enjoyed late night chatter by the fireplace with a bottle of wine and yummy snacks.

You can’t throw a rock in Texas without hitting something to do or see. It’s a great place to visit, and an even greater place to live!

If you like short, steamy reads please check out Tasting Texas. It’s the first in The Tasting Series with Tasting New York nipping at its heels!

Tasting Texas on Goodreads: Tasting Texas

Inspiration from My Shenandoah Valley Garden

"It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"  ~Mark Twain

I've spent countless hours outdoors laboring to restore order and beauty to my earthy realm. Many plants are missing from the borders, even faithful standbys. The bitter cold of the past few months took its toll. Overwintering weeds crowd out those herbs and flowers still clinging to life and must be carefully evicted. After a lengthy hibernation, I'm tearing about like a deranged bunny, but sleeping well. There's nothing like the profound peace that follows working in and among plants, with birds trilling overhead and from nearby fields, lowing cows, fussy nesting geese...all the sounds, sights, and scents of my country garden. 

Any writing I'm getting done is in my head, and a new story is slowly taking form. I seem to think more clearly outdoors. Conversations and scenes appear to me. I met a fascinating new character who has captivated my imagination. I must know her story. The challenge to these revelations is remembering them later. At the time, they're so clear, but they fade in the resulting haze. I suppose I should take a notebook out with me and jot ideas down on pages soiled with dirt. Some writers say ideas come to them in the shower, or while driving, so why not the garden? As long as they come. What of you? Where do you find your inspiration?

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden." ~Ruth Stout

The image below of the cow licking her newborn calf is what I see out my kitchen window today. Husband Dennis took it. Daughter Elise took the images above. Those are Virginia bluebells my dear late grandmother gave me years ago. 

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day."  ~W. Earl Hall