Book club invite a true delight.

 

    Thank you Barb and Steve for selecting 

Undercover Outlaw as your June Book Club offering and for inviting me to your meeting. 

    What a lovely and interesting group of readers---and fabulous food too! So fun discussing the nuts and bolts of writing, and hearing that the members found my story entertaining, fast paced, and an inspiration to try my other books. 

                           Get your copy here...

Blurb: Jesse is determined to track down the man who killed his brother in cold blood. Impersonating an outlaw, his quest for justice becomes a living, breathing, part of his soul. 

Trinity is heading to Denver to escape her vicious guardians. When her stagecoach is robbed, Jesse kidnaps her, and all her well-laid plans collide with his, leaving them both in danger.

 

Trapped in Prairie Ridge by a flood, Jesse and Trinity's feelings soon run as high and wild as the river. When Jesse is accused of murder, Trinity stands by his side, and they take on the town's tyrannical leader. As the city cowers in fear, help comes from an unexpected source, but can it save Jesse from a hangman's noose?

                                          Get your copy here...

#Authorslovebookclubs #historicalwesternromance

 

Undercover Outlaw finalist at Colorado Authors' League.

 

         Such a thrill and honor to be nominated!

Blurb:      

   Jesse is determined to track down the man who killed his brother in cold blood. Impersonating an outlaw, his quest for justice becomes a living, breathing, part of his soul.

     Trinity is heading to Denver to escape her vicious guardians. When her stagecoach is robbed, Jesse kidnaps her, and all her well-laid plans collide with his, leaving them both in danger.

     Trapped in Prairie Ridge by a flood, Jesse and Trinity's feelings soon run as high and wild as the river. When Jesse is accused of murder, Trinity stands by his side, and they take on the town's tyrannical leader. 

   As the city cowers in fear, help comes from an unexpected source, but can it save Jesse from a hangman's noose?

         Available here e-book and paperback

             

Ready for a new summer read?

                    The N.N. Light giveaway 
                         has begun!

                   Over 30 prizes, including a copy of 

                                  Fatal Recall, 

               voted best romantic thriller of the year.

                        enter contest here              

                            

     Hudson Kincaid prefers the wide-open spaces. But tracking down a serial killer means hanging out in Denver as he investigates neuroscientist Dr. Marilyn Monrose. So far, he can’t figure out if she’s city kitty in high heels, or a country kitten in cowgirl boots?

   Marilyn’s experiments using ramped up virtual reality, captures the final moments of each murder victim’s life, a chilling discovery she’s trying to keep secret. The last thing she needs is a determined private detective barging into her lab—no matter how sexy he looks in his Stetson hat.

   When word of her research is leaked to the press, Marilyn becomes the killer’s next target.   

   Now the woman Hudson races to save, is the one who has stolen his heart.    

.enter contest here    

Goat Notes and Donkey Tales #4 Fiber Goats

    There are basically four types of goats, fiber, meat, milk, and pack animals. 
    Fleece-bearing goats have been raised in Asia Minor since the fifth century BC. Some were known for their long white fleece from which brilliantly dyed fabrics were woven. 
          
   These were named Angoras because the best were raised in the province of Angora (now Ankara) on the central Anatolian Plains of Turkey.

                   My angora goat, Precious.
   The first European record of the Angora dates from 1531 when the Dutch Ambassador, stationed at Constantinople, managed to secure a pair.
        
    For the first time, in 1820, the Sultan of Turkey allowed the export of raw mohair from Istanbul to Europe. The United Kingdom rapidly mastered techniques for spinning mohair and soon the demand for raw mohair was greater than Turkey could supply.
                  My raw mohair. Still working on mastering the spinning, lol. 

   Angoras were first imported into the United States in 1849 when seven does and two bucks arrived in South Carolina.
   Found out in my weaving class, mohair is the most difficult to spin, felt, and weave. 

                           

  But I'm excited that the fleece comes from my first animal rescue, and although Precious is gone, I get to work with the hair we cut off each year while listening to the Oldies in the barn. 
                       
She was frightened of any type of electric shears so I used a blunted scissor and the process took quite a while. She was a very patient goat! 
                     
    Angora goats are kept mainly to produce mohair which is used in the upholstery and apparel trades. Its particular characteristics are that it dyes to vibrant shades, retains its shape (memory), sheds dirt and imparts a ‘sheen’ onto finished articles. See the halo on the sweater!

In my new book, Break Heart Canyon, the heroine is a goat farmer harried by local cattlemen, and the hero is an Indiana Jones type searching for artifacts. Throw in a bit of myth and legend, and the story offers an exciting adventure as well as a sweet, sweet romance. 

    Blurb: 

     Unearthing artifacts in Colorado sounded like easy money to Ryker Landry. Then he met the woman who owned the land. 

     Una MacLaren vows no fortune hunter will desecrate the ancient relics of Break Heart Canyon—even if the man is a handsome scoundrel. Fighting to keep her goat farm afloat as local cattlemen hatch deadly schemes to make sure she fails, she has enough to worry about. 

     Captivated by the courageous redhead, Ryker joins forces with Una and her deer hound, MacTavish. But what does he desire most, the woman or the artifacts? 

     When the mythical white cougar again prowls the rocky cliffs, the legend of Break Heart Canyon draws them into a web of danger. Now only daring and blind trust can save them. 

FYI. Please do not buy products with Moreno wool or any wool or fleece from producers who use museling or freeze brand procedures. These practices are horrifically painful to goats and sheep. 

FYI, mohair comes from Angora goats, angora comes from rabbits, mostly from China.  Angora rabbits, gentle, socially complex animals are typically kept inside small, filthy, bare cages and face the ordeal of live plucking up to four times a year.

    

 

Happy May Giveaway.

 This month's giveaway features over 30 prizes!                           Thank you N.N. Light

Enter contest here...

Look for my book 

Portence: Fae Warriors Book 3

In the final battle to save the Earth, Fae Warrior, Portence Goodeve stands ready to serve Mother Nature. But as she fights for the future of the planet, she’s haunted by her past. One near-death experience and a betrayal that goes deep become weapons that could get her killed.

 

Malachi, a cross/breed, half-sorcerer and half-Fae, is back to help fight the Reptile invaders. Once upon a time, his sexy Fae-half stole Portence's heart, breath, and good sense. Then he abandoned her—what if it happens again? Should she surrender to desire, giving both Malachi and love another chance? Or seek retribution and be done with him forever?

 

Portence and her sisters, as well as their Earth partners, are in a fight for their lives. When Malachi's magic is stolen and his life is in danger, will she discover the path to her future is bound by both love and duty?

SuperKam reviews says: Portence and Malachi’s love scene: It has fun, sexy, creative….. magical. Most importantly, it was memorable and that says a lot because, as an avid reader, I have read A LOT of love scenes.

Enter contest here...

Goat notes and Donkey Tales #3 Donkey fun facts.

From the facebook post of 
Fox Run Equine Center
www.foxrunequine.com

 15 fun facts about donkeys:

1. A donkey is stronger than a horse of the same size.

2. Donkeys can see all four of their feet at the same time.

3. Donkeys can vary hugely in size, from 26 inches to 68 inches tall

4. A donkey's bray can carry up to 60 miles in the desert.

5. Donkeys have incredibly efficient digestive systems, utilizing 95% of what they eat.

6. Donkeys do not like being in the rain for long periods as their hair is not waterproof.

7. Donkeys have been used as working animals for at least 5,000 years and they are still a lifeline to families in parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America

8. Healthy donkeys can live well into their 50s

9. A blind donkey will often bond with a seeing donkey who will act as their guide

10. Donkeys can be a calming influence on other animals.

11. Donkeys are very clever with a keen sense of curiosity.

Watching the gat go in.

12. Donkeys are not stubborn but can be reluctant to do anything that might be unsafe - they consider situations before deciding what to do

13. Donkeys are extremely nimble and can cross tricky terrain

14. Donkeys are very sociable and form strong bonds - you will often see pairs of best friends within a herd

15. Donkeys are different to horses in their physiology, communication, thinking and behavior - they do their best with other donkeys as companions.

My donkeys, Rosie and Jack, are from the Long Hopes Donkey Shelter in Bennett, Colorado. M

Long Hopes Donkey Shelter

Tartan Day 2022

       

            

 Quite a blustery day, 

                  perfect for seeing men in kilts! 

And spending time out of doors with my sister.

Tartan Day is a North American celebration of Scottish heritage on 6 April, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320, the Scottish Declaration of Independence. It also recognizes achievements of Americans of Scottish descent.

                          

There was myth..... 

And music.....

and monsters!

Lots of cool weaponry to look at and wish for. 

        I especially enjoyed the weaving tent. 

   Here is a four harness floor loom, the tartan being made was amazingly complicated. I'm still making tea towels and scarves on my rigid heddle loom!  

we were about to see the spinners at work, but their tent started blowing away! 

The most interesting and authentically dressed person I met was this gentleman. He said he'd been doing reenacting for 30 years. Wish we'd had more time to chat. 

Remember to always Persevere. 

Looking forward to the next Tartan Day.