#Bluebonnets

By Sandra Nachlinger

On a sunshiny spring day I topped a hill outside Dallas and the scene before me took my breath away. Flowers carpeted the hillside in a dazzling blanket of blue. The state flower had made its annual appearance.

Bluebonnets have awed Texans throughout history. Some believed bluebonnet seeds had been brought to Texas by priests, but the native blooms existed long before the padres arrived from Spain. Native American legends about the source of the flowers involved warriors knocking pieces of blue from the skies and a sacrificial maiden’s blue headdress falling to the ground, resulting in fields of flowers. Comanche lore tells of a little girl who sacrificed her doll, adorned with a blue jay feather, to bring rain to her village. The next day the tribe awoke surrounded by fields of bluebonnets. Not only was the flower edible, it brought small game as well as buffalo back to the area, thus saving the tribe. A modern urban myth warns that picking bluebonnets is against the law (not true).

In 1907 the Texas State Legislature named the bluebonnet as the state flower, but because there are five species native to Texas, controversy raged for the next sixty years as to which one should serve as the official flower of the state. In 1971 the legislature finally solved the dilemma by lumping all five species into the designation, as well as “…any other variety of bluebonnets not heretofore recorded.”

Excerpt from BLUEBONNETS FOR ELLY 

(to be re-released in February):

“My wife liked to dabble in oils, and most of these are hers. She painted them years ago.” He gestured toward the one that had captured Elly’s attention. “That bluebonnet painting is from a hillside not far from here—one of our favorite places, known to a few locals. We’d go there every spring, and she spent days capturing the state flower at the height of its beauty. She always said that if fairies exist, that’s where they go to play.”

I hope you enjoyed the beautiful bluebonnet paintings I've included in today's post. They were created by Robert Julian Onderdonk in the early 1900s and are now in public domain. (Click on paintings to enlarge.)

Sources:

Texas A&M College of Agricultural & Life Sciences

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - University of Texas at Austin

The Legend of the Texas Bluebonnet

Wikiart - Onderdonk Paintings

PROMISES OF SPRING

By Caroline Clemmons

March is here, and that means spring is near. What a lovely thought. This month brings the switch to Daylight Saving Time on the 8^th, St. Patrick’s Day on the 17^th, and Palm Sunday on the 29^th. 

In addition, this is Irish-American Month. Most schools have a spring break this month—applauded by students and teachers. I not only love living in spring, I love writing books set then. 

Bluebonnet photo by Nelda Liles

One of my books set in spring is BLUEBONNET BRIDE. Pardon me for being immodest, but I love that book. (Okay, I love most of my books.) My friend Nelda Liles gave me the lovely bluebonnet photo for the cover and Hero applied the image of the lovely woman who (in my head) looks like the heroine, Rosalyn. Many of you readers have commented on how much you like the book’s cover. Thank you. If you haven't read the book, here's the link to purchase it. (hint, hint)

Amazon http://amzn.com/B00BHOC7L8

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bluebonnet-bride-caroline-clemmons/1115679131?ean=9781482507089

In addition, bluebonnets are the Texas state flower and one of my favorite flowers, second only to pink roses.  Did you know bluebonnets smell like orange blossoms? Every spring when they bloom along the highways, we see families stopped to take photos of children sitting in the fields of flowers. Picking the flowers from public land is illegal, but smelling them and photographing them is just fine.

Ennis, Texas has an annual Bluebonnet Trail. That’s where Nelda photographed some lovely pictures of fields of bluebonnets.  I’ve always wanted to drive that trail, but life always interferes. Le sigh.

Ladybird Johnson

Regardless of your politics, Texans have Ladybird Johnson to thank for the wildflowers, including bluebonnets, that grow along Texas highways. She persuaded then Senator Lloyd Bentsen to promote planting wildflowers on highway right of ways. He even promoted it in Washington D.C. for national roadways. The last grass cutting of the year, cutting crews tossed out seeds. For many years, free bluebonnet seeds were available from the State. Amazing what one influential person can accomplish, isn’t it?

I’m not a fan of summer heat, but spring and fall are my times of year. Not too hot, not too cold, just right. We do have violent storms in spring, but we always need the rain they bring. My books often feature extreme Texas weather. BE MY GUEST has a spring flood which strands the heroine on the ranch of the hero. The cover features Jimmy Thomas standing in front of a photo I took of spring flowers. BE MY GUEST is also the first book I had published. Once I recovered the rights from Kensington, I self-published.

Amazon http://amzn.com/B004M8T1EC

Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-my-guest-caroline-clemmons/1100076650?ean=9781478192206

As happy as I am to see spring approach, I know all those in the frozen northeast are even more eager to see the end of winter. What a winter they’ve had! In the meantime, stay warm.

What’s your favorite time of year?   

Cover Reveal for TASTING TEXAS by Kimmie Easely

***SQUEEEE***

Ok, now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can move on. J I have been so excited to share this post, I am busting at the seams over here! I have a steamy little secret to share with you!

I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the romance box set, Hot Summer Nights, set to release May 30, 2014. This anthology is choked full of talent, and I’m honored to have been invited to take part.

And what does an author do to celebrate?

Share a brand spanking new cover, of course! You are getting the first sneak peek at the gorgeous cover for Tasting Texas, the first novella in The Tasting Series. Brace yourselves for the awesomeness!

(Insert drumroll here) 

TASTING TEXAS ON GOODREADS

HOT COVER! I am beyond blessed to be able to work personally with my cover model, Padme’ Kane. She is new to the literary industry, but not to taking gorgeous photos. You can check out her portfolio here. Padme' Kane on Facebook

Once again, I have to give HUGE props to my cover designer, DeLaine Roberts. The woman is a graphic rockstar. Check out her other works here. DeLaine Roberts Website

I have great things in store with both of these fabulous ladies. 

About Tasting Texas:

Beth Garrett spends every waking moment with the love of her life, The Long Branch Saloon. The popular southern bar is a much needed escape from the reality of living in a small Texas town.

Never one for drama, Beth swears off messing around with men from her own backyard, and spends most of her nights alone. That is until fate has pity on her and sends the occasional handsome stranger through town.

That’s exactly what happens when Eric Alexander comes to Sommerville on business. After a long meeting, Eric and his colleagues end up at The Long Branch to blow off some steam, and when the sexy New Yorker challenges Beth to a game of pool for one night together, all bets are off.

Just as Beth thinks she has Eric eating out of the palm of her hand, she quickly realizes he’s been the one pulling the strings the entire time.

About Hot Summer Nights: 

Multi-talented romance authors, collaborating to bring you stories so hot, they'll melt your Popsicle off it's stick.

So grab your sunblock, drink of choice, snack, and claim your "me time" before you escape into our characters' sexy, dog days of summer.

***Releasing May 30th, 2014!***