AN INTERVIEW WITH WESTERN ROMANTIC SUSPENSE AUTHOR JUDITH LUKE

Today we sit down for an interview with romantic suspense author Judith Luke. Learn more about Judith and her books at her Amazon author page.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels? 

When I was in fourth grade, I began writing episodes of Lassie.    

 

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication? 

I wrote the first Hightower Book, Secrets of the Heart, thirty years ago. We lived in New Hampshire for seven years, and my critique partners agreed to read this old manuscript. With their encouragement and help, I published it last year. Return to Hightower is the second book in the series.

 

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I am indie published on Amazon.

 

Where do you write? 

I write in my office. Ideas pop up at any time, so I am often scribbling notes on scraps of paper or receipts. 

 

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind? 

I like it quiet, but if a scene or additions blast through my mind, I can write anywhere.

 

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular? 

My first book, Murder on the 4^th Tee, came from a golf course where my husband and I played. Some readers recognize the town I used in the story.  

 

The Hightower novels come from experience. I lived in Colorado for decades. I raised and showed paint horses for over twenty years. And we spent a great deal of time in Wyoming at a relative’s cabin outside of Laramie. So, I have lots of memories and knowledge to create these stories. 

 

Describe your process for naming your character?

I research names. In Return to Hightower there is a character named Phillipe Marshall. I needed a name that represented his job, a steward and protector of actress Desiree Diamond. Marshall in French means steward. And Phillipe means lover of horses. 

 

Real settings or fictional towns?

My towns are fictional but may be outside of a major city.

 

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has? 

Phillipe Marshal is Desiree’s protector from the time she moved to New York. He’s older, good looking, can be stuffy and formal like a stern butler, always well dressed, a professional cook, but at the same time he is caring and giving.   

 

What’s your quirkiest quirk? 

I tend to be ADHD and I tend to change discussion topics without warning. My husband is used to it, so he reminds me when I do. A busy mind is like that.

 

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why? 

I love Tami Hoag’s Lucky Lady. It’s fun, dangerous, has mystery, and romance. 

 

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours? 

I wish I had investigated self-publishing earlier. Thanks to my critique partners, I took their advice and self-published. Readers like the books, and that is a good thing. I guess that’s the fear of any artist—exposure to the world. 

 

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Cliques. I try to stay away from people like that because they often as not turn on each other.  

 

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

 A flare gun, a machete, my husband. 

 

What was the worst job you’ve ever held? 

I worked at an employment agency. I got paid to do what the client could do on their own. It was so boring. 

 

Who’s your all-time favorite literary character (any genre)? Why?

Jane Eyre. I have read the book numerous times throughout my life, starting in high school. I’ve seen all the movies. I guess the story about someone who has nothing, who can find hope in everyday life and eventually find happiness, inspires me. Two of my characters have that character arc.

 

Ocean or mountains? 

I do like living near the Florida coast and sitting on the beach or walking in the waves. But, having lived in Colorado for most of my adult life, I do like the seclusion of the Rocky Mountains and nature.

 

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

Country girl. I love all animals, horses and dogs especially. 

 

What’s on the horizon for you?

I have another book in the Hightower Series in the works. I also have two romantic suspense books that take place in Seattle waiting for me to edit.

 

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

I like to write books that I would like to read. I like to write the “what’s the worst thing that could happen now” in my books. And of course, a happy ending.

 

Return to Hightower

A Hightower Mountain Novel, Book 2

 

Steve Tower's curiosity grows when he learns a beautiful woman is the owner of Diamond Ranch. But his interest intensifies when he discovers that some of the employees are former ranch hands of his family's Hightower Ranch, the relatives of Desiree Lorde--the woman who shattered his heart and dreams, a woman he never forgot.

 

When soap opera star, Desiree Diamond acquires the ranch of a distant relative, she has one goal--revenge on family and ex-friends who abandoned her when she needed them most. First she sets her sights on Hightower Ranch and Steve Tower who jilted her when she was pregnant and destitute. But, she's not destitute any longer. She is building a premier horse ranch to challenge their prominence in the horse industry and will soon move there.

 

But before she can make the move, Desiree is pressured by her producer to bring attention to the lagging soap-opera by doing a cross-country tour and attending her high school reunion. And there he is, handsome as ever. Even after fifteen years, Desiree and Steve cannot deny the smoldering flames of the past, and the heart-breaking events of their youth arouse old fears and uncertainties.

 

Steve realizes that he cannot lose her again. As lies of the past peel away, they delve into what happened so many years ago and uncover a conspiracy to keep them apart. After a suspicious accident threatens Desiree's life, Steve knows someone will do anything to keep those dark, evil secrets hidden and separate them this time forever.

 

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AN INTERVIEW WITH DAVID TAYLOR FROM AUTHOR M. ELLE KELSO'S CYBER COWBOYS SERIES

Today we sit down for a chat with David Taylor from author M. Elle Kelso’s Cyber Cowboys series. 

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

I was probably best described as an over-educated computer nerd/minor adrenaline junkie, which I know is a contradiction if there ever was one. I flew helicopters, rode horses without benefit of anything except a halter and a couple of lead shanks as reins – all while searching for black hat hackers, stalkers, and computer fraud artists in my day job. 

 

It was when Blake Corbin, Jared Wynn, and I formed our partnership that I found out there were people out there who needed our help who weren’t suffering problems related to computers.

 

In our first documented case, a dog breeder, Kaycee Morgan, was being stalked by someone who seemed to want her dead. Kaycee ended up married to Blake. 

 

The second case involved a woman, Annie Bolton, whose dead husband was trying to rob her of everything she owned, not to mention her life. Figure that one out! Annie Bolton ends up married to Jared.

 

The third case is my book, and yeah, I end up married to the woman of my dreams. It was a bit of a disaster there, for a while, when I lost my head along with the use of my legs. Why C.J. ever put up with me I will never know, but thank God she did. 

 

Maybe I should warn Will Carter, the star of the fourth documented case, or he’ll find himself hitched to our client, Mercy Brittain, by the time he’s done.

 

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

That I could finally grow a pair, as the saying goes, and get over the lemon life handed me and quit being a complete jerk to the woman who loved me and stood by me for months after the accident that left me in a wheelchair. She did everything she could to make my life livable, and I took endless swipes at her, then booted her out of my life completely. Only after I got over feeling sorry for myself, thanks to my partners, did I realize that I still wanted and needed her in my life. 

 

I eventually got my life in order and knew that without her, I was nothing. What she gave me was my love of life and her love. Without her, I had nothing, but she took the chance and gave me back my life. For that I am hers for eternity and owe her everything. I’d guess you’d call that trait perseverance because I finally got my life back to my new normal.

 

What do you like least about yourself?

My short temper, my ability to block out and ignore others, and to feel sorry for myself. I’m not sure which is the worst. I don’t know where those traits came from because I used to be this giving sort of guy and would help anyone, however when it came to helping myself, I failed miserably.

 

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

Trying to crash-land my brand new helicopter on the side of an old rock slide site, big rocks everywhere, no place to set down, after a rustler shot me down. I mean, really! My life had just hit the pinnacle, I had everything; a great wife whom I loved, a horse I had a very strange, almost human bond with, an enjoyable job, and that brand new Bell JetRanger. Then she goes and shoots me down, crashes the helo into little bits of wreckage that come back to injure me, and then, as if that isn’t enough, she takes my legs. Who wouldn’t think that was strange? Or maybe evil? Or at least downright unfriendly. I didn’t know she had it in her to be so nasty, but considering the other books she’s written, maybe I should have at least had a small clue.

 

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

I did once and learned my lesson. I tried to convince her the helo shouldn’t crash, that it was a waste of a perfectly good bird, and that she could have had me find a place to land. The rest of the time, she was pretty good to me, but that? That really hurt. But as you can see, she was right. It had to happen just the way she wrote it. I finally learned my lesson. 

 

What is your greatest fear?

Failure. Failure to live life to its fullest. Failure to love like there’s no tomorrow. Failure to be the best I can.

 

What makes you happy?

Oh, darlin’ that’s an easy one. My wife, my horses, my friends, but especially a black Arabian stallion named Mirage. The bond we have is almost as great as the bond I finally achieved with my wife.

 

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? 

Well I think I’d tell my author not to have me crash that helicopter after getting shot, so I wouldn’t act like a complete jerk and lose the love of my life and the ability to walk. That’s rather demeaning, don’t you think?

 

Why?

Because I could never get back the months I lost putting up a fight against everyone in my life who tried to help and used cruelty I didn’t know I had in me to make my wife leave. When I told her to get out, I meant it; until she was gone and I finally realized what I’d done.

 

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? 

There are two - one is Mike, the guy who sold me the helicopter that caused all my problems, and the other is Annie Wynn - because there was a woman who’d been beaten down by life but good and she came back time and again with nothing but love and generosity to everyone around her. 

Why?

About Mike, I think it’s obvious. The guy cost me my legs and nearly cost me the love of my life. As for Annie, dear, sweet Annie, I mean, who could be that good a person? Really? Turns out, she was.

 

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? 

Mirage - I’d love to be able to fly over the ground, with the barest of efforts, feel the wind in my face and know I was one of God’s creatures. 

 

Why?

Come on, darlin’, wouldn’t you like to trade places with a horse? Think of the life. No worries except maybe when the next meal is coming, getting in out of the rain, standing in the sunshine and having people fawn over you. Maybe an hour’s work each day, if that.

 

But most of all, the freedom of being one of God’s creatures.

 

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

My author is a Canadian who lives in the same province that hosts the Calgary Stampede, and she assures me she doesn’t live in an igloo or walk the streets with moose and caribou. She told me that she loved the great outdoors, knew the Pacific Northwest fairly well having lived there, on the Canadian side of the border and an island, no less, but hadn’t been lucky enough to live where we live in Wyoming. But, her knowledge of things ranching, farming and veterinary care of horses and dogs comes from a family history as well as incredibly deep research. Check her out at mellekelso.com

 

In Eagle Down, my book, I’m injured in a helicopter crash while investigating a large scale rustling operation and when I wake from my coma, I don’t remember my wife, C.J. or our recent wedding, and I go ballistic when I finds she’s been at my bedside since the accident and knows I’m permanently paralyzed but doesn’t tell me. I throw her out of my hospital room and my life. I don’t have to rescue C.J.—I need to win her back.

 

What's next for you?

Trying to help my author find a new title for Will’s story. She had one that worked, I thought, then she changed it, or tried to. Since she probably won’t listen to me on that one, I’ll just be there when Will Carter needs help with his case. 

 

Her next book in the Cyber Cowboy series is called Mercy Rule and releases March 18th, if she finishes it on time.

 

Eagle Down

The Cyber Cowboys Series, Book 3

 

Meet the Cyber Cowboys—a tough bunch of private eyes who know computers and the law inside out and backward. Every time they step out of their computer-P.I. boots—answer a call that doesn’t include black-hat hackers, online hustlers and fraudulent con artists—they meet nothing but trouble. Attempted murder, arson, rustling, and abduction they can handle. Falling in love sends them looking for the ‘help’ button. Computers? Artificial intelligence has nothing to do with it! In every case, these laidback investigators have to get down and dirty to save the women they love.  

 

In Eagle Down, David Taylor is injured in a helicopter crash while investigating a large scale rustling operation and when he wakes from his coma, doesn’t remember his wife, C.J. or his recent wedding, and goes ballistic when he finds she’s been at his bedside since the accident and knows he’s permanently paralyzed but hasn’t told him. He throws her out of his hospital room and his life. David doesn’t have to rescue C.J.—he needs to win her back.

 

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--AUTHOR DONNA SCHLACHTER ON THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY

Multi-published author Donna Schlachter writes historical suspense under her own name and contemporary suspense under her alter ego, Leeann Betts. She facilitates a critique group, teaches writing classes online and in person, ghostwrites, edits, and judges writing contests. She loves history and research, traveling extensively for both. Today Donna joins us to talk about the story behind the story of Double Jeopardy. Learn more about Donna and her books at her website.

Double Jeopardy – The Story Behind the Story

The story behind the story is often told in the form of back cover copy on the book, but I think it goes way beyond that. Sure, that bit on the back tells us a little about the main characters, the overall plot, and perhaps some about the decisions the main characters must make, because always—let me repeat this—always the choices they are faced with conflict with each other. At first glance, it seems they cannot have everything.

So let’s delve a little deeper into the story behind the story. 

Rebecca Campbell was born in New York City, the only child of wealthy socialite Matilda Applewhite Campbell and Robert Campbell. Her mother is everything Rebecca—Becky to her friends—wants to be. Beautiful. Poised. Confident. Instead, she seems doomed to inherit all her traits from her father, who she adores. Reckless. Impulsive. A daredevil. 

Becky’s father is gone more than he’s home. When a year passes with no word from him, she sets out, on her own, for his last known location—Silver Valley, Colorado. On her arrival, she learns he has been murdered. Determined to make his mine a success—his last letter promised that as soon as he struck it rich, he’d send for her and her mother—and to find his killer, she settles in at the mine.

But somebody doesn’t want her to succeed. And after a series of accidents and near misses, she admits she’s in over her head. And the only person she can trust is Zeke—or can she? 

The hero is Ezekial Graumann. Most everybody calls him Zeke. Zeke and his family own a fairly large piece of land in southwestern Colorado near the town of Silver Valley. Zeke has two married brothers, as well as two unmarried sisters. In good years, with enough rain, their land can support the three families if they are diligent and careful with their stock. However, the last few years have seen droughts and not enough snowfall, and the grazing is poor. Zeke wants to build his own house, maybe get married and have his own family, but the land won’t support another household.

Unless he can buy water rights from a spread upstream. But he doesn’t have the money to do that. So he looks around town for some weekly work to earn enough to buy the water rights and receive his share of the family land.

And along comes Miss Rebecca Campbell. She is feisty, stubborn, and doesn’t know anything about mining. Yet her determination to find her father’s killer and her resolve to make his mine successful gnaws at Zeke’s heart. And soon he finds himself imagining what it would be like to have her at his side as his wife. Except she’s obviously not ranching material, either.

But when accidents happen at the mine that threaten her safety, he must acknowledge that his feelings for her are more than mere curiosity. Now he must choose between saving his ranch and saving this woman who has stolen his heart.

So what keeps them from getting what they want? The villain, of course. Suffice it to say, it is a man. This man is one of the longest-term residents of Silver Valley, a man of impeccable reputation. On the outside, he looks wealthy. Wears nice clothes. Speaks well. Sounds well traveled and educated.

But on the inside, he’s dark, greedy, and lazy. Well, lazy only in the sense he wants to get rich quick. He actually spends a lot of energy trying to cheat and steal his way into wealth. If only he’d use his superpowers for good.

Stop by the Launch Event. 

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--GUEST AUTHOR LINDA CARROLL-BRADD

Historical romance author Linda Carroll-Bradd has widespread interests ranging from baking and crocheting to watching dog agility matches and reading thrillers by Swedish authors. Today she joins us to talk about a holiday story that almost went awry. Learn more about her and her books at her blog. 

Holiday Story Almost Gone Awry

I love writing romances set in the second half of the nineteenth century. In addition to the simpler lifestyle with fewer possessions and people needing to work together to put food on the table and clothes on back, new innovations happened every day. American society was an unobstructed melting pot during those decades. People from so many different countries comprised the citizens of towns of all sizes. (As has been traced by family genealogists, my ancestors on both paternal and maternal side arrived from Scandinavian and Ireland in the early 1800s. But I like to include some creature comforts so my stories usually occur after the Civil War.) The majority of the historical romances I write are set in small towns and usually one of the characters is first or second generation from a European country. I then delve into the ethnic customs of that country so I can include an interesting tidbit.

In A Vow for Christmas, my most recent novella, set in 1872 Gunnison City, Colorado, the only requirements were that the story takes place at Christmas time and that the heroine be a spinster mail-order bride. I made her of Scottish descent and researched foods, wedding customs, literature, songs, the plaid associated with her last name, etc. To build on the fish-out-of-water trope, I wrote her as introducing foods to the hero sheep rancher, like neeps (turnips), mince and tatties (seasoned beef and potatoes), and clootie dumpling (steamed pudding).

More than halfway through writing my story (with a looming preorder deadline), the plot approached preparations for the Christmas holiday. So I switched gears and went into research mode. Only to discover (to my great embarrassment) that the Scots hadn’t celebrated what they called Christ’s Mass since 1647. In Oliver Cromwell’s rule, Parliament in the United Kingdom had placed a ban against the celebration. Although the ban lasted only 15 years in Britain, the Scots maintained it until the late 1950s. Yikes!

Thankfully, I’ve been a writer long enough not to waste time in too long of a panic, and I pivoted. Instead of her bringing her holiday traditions to the family, she turned to the widower and his two small children. They share their traditions, and she finally learns about what she had always felt left out of while growing up around other children who celebrated the holiday. A save! Definitely I learned the lesson of making sure to do research on the critical elements before writing. Still, I’m very pleased with how the story turned out. I hope readers agree.

A Vow for Christmas 

Spinster Mail-Order Brides, Book 7

Vika Carmichael hopes a mail-order marriage to a Colorado rancher with small children will provide much-needed security. What she yearns for is a love match. But her new husband Chad seems set in his ways, including his devotion to his late wife. Will this family of three embrace her, or has she made the worse choice possible?

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY ON A WEDNESDAY--EIGHT COWBOY-LOVING ROMANCE AUTHORS

Today for Book Club Friday we’re featuring an anthology of cowboy romances. We sat down with the six contributing authors to ask why they write western romances. Here’s what they had to say on the subject:

Susan Fisher Davis

I write western romance because I've always had a fascination with cowboys. I married one. I just don't think there's a man who works harder or loves harder than a cowboy.

Melissa A Keir

I grew up with two amazing young men who spent their summers on ranches working as cowboys and ridging the trails. Their stories inspired me to write about men like them. And who doesn't adore a good love story? I believe that we need more happily-ever-afters in a world filled with angst and drama.

Leslie Garcia

My love for cowboys—and horses—defies logic. The only claim my parents had to the cowboy life was that my father briefly rented a boat slip three or four spaces down from Roy Rogers' yacht. But I became infatuated with cowboys because a) they had horses and b) they saved the world time and again. When I got older, and met real cowboys working on a Texas dude ranch, I realized that they were just as solid and dependable as the fictional cowboys I used to cherish, and writing their love stories became another facet of a lifelong passion.

Debbie Desmartea

My dad was a cowboy who worked as a ranch foreman. I often had a secret crush on his summer hired help as a young girl. Love a man in jeans! He taught me the importance of honesty, respecting others, lived by the good book, played harmonica with my mother on piano and was strong as an ox. I consider myself lucky to be a part of a cowboy’s life.

Stephanie Berget

I was born loving horses, a ranch kid trapped in a city girl’s body. It took me twelve years to convince my parents I needed a horse of my own. I developed a lifelong love of rodeo when I married my own hot cowboy. The Bronc Rider and I traveled throughout the Northwest while I ran barrels and my cowboy rode bucking horses. I began writing to put a realistic view of rodeo and ranching into western romance. 

D'Ann Linscott-Dunham

Cowboy bred, born and will die! Grew up with my parents running a dude string in Colorado (summers) and Arizona (winters). My mom was a city kid who always loved horses. My dad was the real deal--he broke horses the old-fashioned way--by bucking them out--when I was a baby. He roped calves like a pro, and had aspirations that way, but a growing family prohibited life on the road. He taught me to ride when I was three years old and break (gentle) my first horse when I was eleven. Later, he worked on cattle ranches and instilled his love of ranching in me. 

A Cowboy Under the Mistletoe

Christmas has always been a time for romance and love. Join six amazing and bestselling authors of western romance as they weave the sexiest cowboys into the holiday season. 

What are you wishing for this Christmas? How about a Cowboy!

Stories in the anthology include:

“A Cowboy for Christmas” by Susan Fisher Davis 

When Reid decides he needs to do one last thing to honor his best friend, will Lucy, his best friend’s widow, understand or say goodbye to the cowboy she got for Christmas.

“The Cowboy’s Christmas Hand” by Leslie Garcia 

Ty Olivares grew up cherished and surrounded by luxury--and lies she didn’t discover until her ex inherited the ranch that should have been hers. 

“Tempting the Cowboy” by Melissa Keir  

Johnson and Debra must trust in their love and rely on each other, because when temptation comes calling, only the strong will survive.

“A Different Kind of Gift” by Debbie Desmarteau 

Will a chance meeting between a forlorn cowboy and a woman who gave up her dreams a long time ago lead to love or just another set of broken hearts?

“Saving a Cowboy’s Christmas” by Stephanie Berget 

Gina’s been a lot of things but rebound girl isn’t the next on her list… even for a cowboy that’s always been out of her league.

“Noah’s Christmas Faith” by D'Ann Lindun 

Faith Cortland has to protect her teenage sisters left in her care, so she refuses to let any man get close. Will Noah Carpenter be able to break down her defenses and show her she can trust him?

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AN INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR CAROLINE CLEMENS' PINKERTON MATCHMAKER HEROINE

Today we sit down for a chat with Magdala from author Caroline Clemmons’ Pinkerton Matchmaker Series.

What was your life like before your author started pulling your strings?

I was living happily with my parents in Virginia while my father had an office in Washington DC. I say happily, but I confess I had this strange urge to seek adventure before I settled down. Mamá wanted me to choose a husband from her friends’ sons, but I wanted… more. Can you understand that? She can’t, but Papá is sympathetic.

What’s the one trait you like most about yourself?

I am adaptable to most situations without complaining. I have sarcastic thoughts but I don’t vocalize them.

What do you like least about yourself?

People think I’m a snob at times, but I’m just reserved. I don’t gush at people, but I really enjoy mixing with all ages and types. Well, not the criminal type, but all types of law-abiding people.

What is the strangest thing your author has had you do or had happen to you?

Hmm, if I tell you, it gives away part of her plot. I will say, I got my wish for adventure. <G>

Do you argue with your author? If so, what do you argue about?

I do, but does she listen? No. I wanted to explain all about my family and former life but she insisted there was no proper place in the book. How could she say such a thing about fascinating details?

What is your greatest fear?

Being abandoned by the man I eventually love. This is one reason I’ve been so careful to whom I give my heart.

What makes you happy?

I can usually find something to be happy about in any situation. Well, I didn’t like being paired with my Pinkerton agent at first. The man was rude to me before he even met me. And there was one part of the book in which I was worried, but most of the time I’m an agreeable and happy person.

If you could rewrite a part of your story, what would it be? Why?

I would include more of my history. I performed a great service for the King of Bayergrovenia and his daughter, Princess Maguerithe. I revealed a threat against our country and against the throne. I received a special award from the King. My author said there was no place to explain all that. Can you believe it? She thought the story should only be about the agent and me working together to solve a crime.

Of the other characters in your book, which one bugs you the most? Why?

That odious man Mr. Carl Kennedy. I can’t explain why, but he gives me the shivers. He wears a permanent scowl and I think he must not be a nice person.

Of the other characters in your book, which one would you love to trade places with? Why?

I’m happy with my place, but I do admire Ava McMillan. She has a normal life and a loving husband who provides well for her.

Tell us a little something about your author. Where can readers find her website/blog?

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To compensate for this illogical error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a tiny office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their three rescued indoor cats as well as providing nourishment outdoors for squirrels, birds, and other critters.

The books she creates in her pink cave have made her a bestselling author and won several awards. She writes sweet to sensual romances about the West, both historical and contemporary as well as time travel and mystery. Her series include the Kincaids, McClintocks, Stone Mountain Texas, Bride Brigade, Texas Time Travel, Texas Caprock Tales, Pearson Grove, and Loving A Rancher as well as numerous single titles and contributions to multi-author sets. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her family, reading her friends’ books, lunching with friends, browsing antique malls, checking Facebook, and taking the occasional nap. Learn more about her on her blog and website where you can find links to her other social media sites and sign up for her newsletter.

What's next for you?

A lot is happening this fall! On September 12th A Bride for Dalton, Proxy Bride Series, will release. On October 1^st Christmas Wishes, an anthology, will be released. On November 8th Melody, Angel Creek Christmas Brides Series, will be released. And on November 29th An Agent for Lydia will be released.

Whew, and then I’ll take the month of December off for Christmas celebrations.

An Agent for Magdala

The Pinkerton Matchmaker Series

She craves adventure, but this may be too much.

His job means the world to him…

Capturing jewel thieves will test them…

Magdala leaps at the opportunity to become a Pinkerton agent. Learning the position requires a paper marriage shocks but doesn’t deter her. She plans to get an annulment before her unusual family learns of the situation. She’s determined to prove she has the grit to be an excellent investigator. But, why does she have to be partnered with the one man who has been rude to her?

Douglas “Cloud” Ryan loves being a Pinkerton agent. Otherwise, he’d never go along with his boss’ crazy plan to marry him to a female agent. He’s certain women have no business dealing with criminals. After barely surviving the stagecoach trip from Denver to San Antonio Maggie needs to stay in the background and let him solve the case. He has reasons to distrust women, especially women like Maggie.

Can Maggie and Cloud catch the jewel thieves plaguing an historic San Antonio hotel without becoming victims? Will they take a chance on the love growing between them?

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#COOKING WITH CLORIS--BAGELS AND INSPIRATION FROM AUTHOR ELIZABETH ROSE

Today, in our continuing series on how authors get their ideas, we feature Elizabeth Rose, bestselling author of more than 80 books and counting. Mainly known for her medieval series, she also writes paranormal, contemporary, and western romances. Learn more about Elizabeth and her books at her website. 

Starstruck Cowboy is a book that almost never got published. I started writing more than twenty years ago, and this was the third book I ever wrote and also the first contemporary romance.

Back then my works were stored on floppy disks. Well, I changed and updated computers several times since then. I couldn’t find a copy of this book and thought it was lost forever. Recently, I found it on a floppy disk but had no way to read it. So I bought a floppy disk reader and plugged it into my computer and was thrilled to see that the book hadn’t disappeared into a black hole after all. With a little revising and lots of editing, I am happy to say that Luke Tyler and Star Brighton’s story has been born after all.

As writers, our inspirations come from anywhere and everywhere in life. There is a scene at the beginning of this book when Luke and Star first meet. Luke is driving a limo with darkened windows. He turns off the highway and doesn’t pull back as Star Brighton is driving past. It almost becomes a game of chicken with the two of them, since neither of them wants to yield. Well, this happened to me many years ago. I was in Star’s position, and a limo with darkened windows almost ran me off the road. That got me fired up, and I decided to put the scene in my book.

At the end of this story, there is a cameo appearance by James Taylor. Not the singer, but the hero from Wrangling James – Book 6 of my Bad Boys of Sweetwater, Tarnished Saints Series, a twelve book series about twelve brothers who are sons of a preacher but far from saints. As a matter of fact, they’re nothing but trouble.

Tarnished Saints, is my favorite series of all the ones I’ve written because it’s inspired by my own life. It takes place in a small town and on a lake in Michigan. I grew up visiting my grandparents on that Michigan lake.

Getting back to Starstruck Cowboy, it’s a fun read about two people willing to do whatever it takes to save their ranches. I hope you enjoy a quick visit to Texarkana where Luke is about to find out that Star has a strong right hook.

Keto Bagel Recipe

(Low calorie and gluten free)

Yield: 6 bagels

Ingredients:

1-3/4 cups almond flour

1 tsp. each garlic powder, basil, oregano and parsley*

1 T. baking powder

2 oz cream cheese

2 eggs

salt

pepper

2-1/2 cups mozzarella cheese

chopped nuts

Asiago or Parmesan cheese

Mix dry ingredients and spices in one bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with a sprinkle of salt and ground pepper.

In a third bowl cube cream cheese. Add mozzarella and microwave till soft. (1 min & 15 sec at 70% power then mix, 45 sec 70% power, mix, 45 sec 60%.)

Mix eggs into cheese. Add dry ingredients.

Knead dough until completely mixed. (I refrigerate a little afterwards to make the dough less sticky and to shape it into bagels.)

Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Separate dough into 6 pieces. Roll each into log and shape into round bagel. Top with chopped nuts and/or fresh Asiago or parmesan cheese.

Bake 12 - 15 min. at 400 degrees.

TIP: Put a 2^nd baking tray on bottom shelf while preheating. When bagels go in, put a few ice cubes on bottom tray for humidity to help the bagels rise.

Serve fresh or freeze.

* If desired, you can choose your favorite herbs and spices instead.

Starstruck Cowboy:

Working Man Series, Book 1

Luke Tyler is a cowboy turned stuntman, trying to raise money to buy back his ranch. When the low-budget movie shoots on location at Bright Star Ranch, Luke meets up with the feisty rancher’s daughter, Star Brighton. However, his charming ways don’t work on her. Star is a tough cookie, and can herd cattle and run a ranch with little to no help. But after one kiss from Luke, Star starts wishing she were playing the role of his leading lady instead.

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BOOK CLUB FRIDAY--MEET WESTERN ROMANCE AUTHOR CAROLINE CLEMMONS

Today we sit down for a chat with western historical and contemporary romance author Caroline Clemmons. Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a small office her family calls her pink cave.  Learn more about Caroline and her books at her website.

When did you realize you wanted to write novels?

I don’t count the “stories” I wrote and illustrated as a child, most of which featured a beautiful blond princess and a castle. In school, I loved journalism and served as editor of my school newspaper. As an adult, I first wrote newspaper stories. When I was ill and confined to bed, I plotted a short romance. The first novel I wrote was poorly written because I didn’t understand the craft. Attending RWA chapter meetings and listening to qualified speakers made all the difference.

How long did it take you to realize your dream of publication?

Around five years

Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?

I had four titles traditionally published but now am indie published. I enjoy the freedom and control of being indie published.

Where do you write?

I write in a tiny office my family calls my “pink cave” because the walls are pink. I prefer to write on my desktop PC and have a large monitor. My friend Jacquie Rogers gave me the monitor idea because she uses a TV as her monitor. We had a bedroom TV set we never watched, so my Hero set it up as my monitor.

Is silence golden, or do you need music to write by? What kind?

I prefer listening to classical music when I write. If I’m using my Dragon speech-to-text program, I don’t listen to music. My West Texas twang is confusing enough for Dragon software without the added interference of background music. When I’m working on other projects or email, I listen to a mixture from jazz to classical to light rock.

How much of your plots and characters are drawn from real life? From your life in particular?

We are the sum of all that has happened to us, plus all that we have seen and read. So even though I get my plots from my imagination, I probably subconsciously draw on real life events and people. As far as I’m aware, plots and characters in my books are straight from my imagination.

Describe your process for naming your character?

If the book is historical, then I choose a name that was popular at that time. For this, I use names from my family. If I’m looking for a character name for someone foreign, I rely on Google to supply popular names for that country. Isn’t technology wonderful? For contemporary names, I Google popular names for the year the character would have been born.

Real settings or fictional towns?

With a few exceptions, I use fictional towns. Then, no one can say that street doesn’t go there or there’s no business at that address, and so forth. I can create all the businesses, streets, and homes needed for the plot.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?

I like the housekeeper Lily Chapa in Be My Guest. Lily is a secondary character who says, “I would never interfere” or “It’s not my place to interfere” and then does so by telling the hero what he should do. 

What’s your quirkiest quirk?

I suppose the fact that I like to stay up very late and write after my family is asleep. I have quirky circadian rhythms that make me a night owl. That’s another great thing about being a writer—I can choose my office hours.

If you could have written any book (one that someone else has already written,) which one would it be? Why?

I think Julie Garwood’s Prince Charming. This book seamlessly combines two genres I enjoy: British Regency and American western. I reread this book about once a year. My second choice would be Loretta Chase’s Lord Perfect. Her descriptions are wonderful. In fact, when I’ve given programs and taught classes, I’ve used as examples the passages from this book when the hero and heroine first see one another.

Everyone at some point wishes for a do-over. What’s yours?

There are far too many to list here. When someone says, “If I had my life to do over, I wouldn’t change a thing,” I shake my head and wonder, “Didn’t you learn anything?”

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Negativity. I admire people like Kirsten Osbourne who are always kind. I’ve never heard Kirsten say a bad word about anyone. Thankfully, I can say the same about several of my friends. That kind of person is a joy to be around and have as a friend.

You’re stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?

My husband, a sharp machete, and fresh water

What was the worst job you’ve ever held?

I once worked for a doctor who was rude to patients unless they were wealthy. Of course, he was rude to those of us who worked for him. He was one of those people who, when speaking to someone who didn’t understand English, yelled as if that would somehow make the person understand him. He was mean-spirited and penny-pinching. I’m sure you get the picture.

What’s the best book you’ve ever read?

That depends on my mood and what I’ve just read. With so many authors as friends, I really can’t answer this question. LOL

Ocean or mountains?

I prefer the mountains. I do like the ocean, but I dislike hot weather. A nice mountain lake to look at would be great. One of my favorite memories is of a hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. The room had a huge picture window overlooking the forested landscape and I had my laptop with me. Watching huge snowflakes drift down onto the trees was a lovely sight. In fact, the view was so lovely I didn’t get much writing done on that trip.

City girl/guy or country girl/guy?

I am a city girl. I enjoyed the years we lived in a rural setting, but that was due to the house and the people I knew. I prefer being close to everything we need now that we live in the city.

What’s on the horizon for you?

I’m adding to my Kincaid series this summer and fall with the novella Monk’s Bride and the novel Rafe Kincaid. In October, the first of two books I’m writing for the Widows of Wildcat Ridge series will be released, Blessing. That’s a woman’s name, by the way, but she prefers to be called Buster. The second will be in April, Garnet. Early in 2019, I’ll release Snowy Bride, another of my Stone Mountain, Texas series. I love writing and get excited even talking about my books.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about yourself and/or your books?

In addition to the new release of Under a Mulberry Moon, rights have reverted to me for the six books I wrote for Debra Holland’s Montana Skies Series for Kindle World. These Loving a Rancher Series titles are Amanda’s Rancher, The Rancher and the Shepherdess, Murdoch’s Bride, Bride’s Adventure, Snare His Heart, and Capture Her Heart. I’ve changed the names of all of Debra’s characters and will republish these six books with the same title and cover (minus the Kindle World logo and Montana Skies banner) beginning later in July. They will be released two weeks apart until all six have been republished. I’ve already released book seven, The Rancher’s Perfect Bride. I may write three more for this series.

Under a Mulberry Moon

An anthology offers Adventure! Mystery! Romance! Nine award-winning and bestselling authors present sweet western historical stories to ignite your imagination and feed your passion for reading. Let us sweep you away from your daily cares and entertain you with our sigh-worthy novellas set between 1865 and 1900. What a line-up we have for you! 

Stories include:

Millwright’s Daughter by Zina Abbott

Worth the Wait by Patricia PacJac Carroll

Ada and the Texas Cavalryman by Carra Copelin

A Family For Merry by Caroline Clemmons

A Family For Polly by Jacquie Rogers

Comes a Specter by Keta Diablo

The Widow Buys a Groom by P.A. Estelle

Matthew’s Freedom by Cissie Patterson

The Lady Lassoes an Outlaw by Charlene Raddon

Buy Link (limited time .99 offer)