July is Here by Karen Whiddon

 It's officially July and almost Independence Day.  I'm not going to lie - 2021 has been a rough year for me.  But in the end, the good always outweighs the bad.  I can't ask for more than that.  

One of the constants in my life is writing.  I've cut back my production a bit to three books per year instead of four and that's made my job less stressful.  And this month - THIS MONTH - my next Harlequin Romantic Suspense Texas Sheriff's Deadly Mission comes out!  July 27th for Kindle, though you can pre-order it if you're so inclined.  

Pre-order or Buy Here

I'm excited about this book, as its the first of several set in the fiction town of Getaway, Texas! 

I really enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it too!

Looking Forward by Karen Whiddon

 As I type this, August is ending.  Here in Texas, the month is going out with a roar - record breaking heat and last night, a ferocious storm.  School has started, remotely for most districts in my area, though in-person is supposed to resume on September 14.  My daughter is a teacher - starting her 18th year - and she's extremely worried, which means I am too.  Like me, she's been staying in, rarely going anywhere. I've actually gotten used to the social distancing thing.  We still don't go out to eat, but we order take-out or delivery occasionally.  I've taken my dogs to several vet visits, all masked and waiting in the car while the vet tech takes my dog inside.  

As summer winds down (hopefully - you never know with Texas,) I find myself looking forward to the cooler temperatures, the fall scents and decorations, and the return of our TV shows in late September. Unless they've been impacted by the pandemic, and then I guess I'll just continue watching Netflix and reading.  

I've read a lot this summer.  New books by favorite authors, old books by people new to me.  I actually went on my Kindle to the oldest pages and randomly started reading the older books.  I've been enjoying this too.

I've also been writing.  A lot.  August 15th, I turned a book in to my publisher Harlequin Romantic Suspense.  I took a few days off and then started a new, already contracted book for them.  I'm wrapping up the second chapter and enjoying the story.  I always know I'll have to go back and revise the first few chapters once I get to know the characters better.  That's part of my process and after so many published books, I'm comfortable with that.  

Fall and winter are my favorite time of the year.  Winter most of all, but fall comes a close second. 

What about you?  Are you ready for cooler days and nights?  The pumpkin spice, the colorful leaves, the change?  What's your favorite season and why?

My Top Ten Favorite Secondary Characters by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

On September 7th, my fourth book, The Miller Brides will release. This story contains one of my favorite characters. 

But...he's not the focus of this romance. He is a secondary character and holds a supporting role. 

But, let me tell you, it was fun writing each one of his scenes. He's grumpy. Abrupt. Blunt. And...he has three sisters. They all live with him. And run his general store.

In this one book, he ends up walking each of his sisters down the aisle. The drama that enfolds throughout this romance just makes him ALL kinds of happy! Ha!

So, this got me to thinking...are there more secondary characters I like written by other authors? Hmmm...

I pondered this for awhile. I love to rank my likes. I give it a lot of thought, and this list was no different. Now, some of you might not consider some of these secondary characters, which is fine. I suppose my criteria could be wrong, but I couldn't stop myself from making my list.

So, without further ado, here are my favorite secondary characters:

1. Jane Bennett from Pride and Prejudice -- because she is Lizzie's touchstone

2. Mrs. Jennings from Sense and Sensibility -- because she is hilarious

3. Elizabeth McKenna from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society -- because she has an amazing amount of courage

4. Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter -- because he is courageous and kills the snake

5. Rudy Steiner from The Book Thief -- because his cheerfulness and exuberance and sweetness during Nazi-controlled Germany made my heart squeeze every time

6. Miss Havisham from Great Expectations -- because her eccentricity was so sad and my heart broke for her

7. Wulfric Bedwyn from Slightly Married -- because, well, he just stole the show with his intelligence, his presence, and his melancholy demeanor

8. Deets from Lonesome Dove -- because he was always so cheerful no matter what happened and because he wore pants made of patches

9. Dallas Leigh from Texas Destiny -- he loses his bride to his brother, but still steps to the side with kindness and humor and I fell in love!

10. Mr. Collins from Pride And Prejudice -- because he is amazingly ridiculous but I still hope he's happy with Charlotte

And there you go! It was hard. I have an honorable mention, though...Boo Radley from To Kill A Mockingbird because he saved the kids and was so mysterious. (I just couldn't stop myself from adding one more.)

My character, Thomas Miller, does get his own story. But that's a post for later. 

Now it's your turn! Tell me your favorites in the comments and one lucky person will a free book from my Texas Brides of Pike's Run Series! Make sure you leave your email address and spell it out, too!

After Eulalie Miller was left at the altar, her younger sisters, Susannah and Lucy, pledge to never forsake her, not suspecting the vow would label them "Spinster Sisters". Neither did they realize Eulalie would become so formidable, the male population would be too scared to darken their doorstep.

But, while Eulalie makes it her mission to protect her sisters from men, she can't stop Brady Callahan, the saloon owner, from turning Susannah's head. Nor can she keep Harold Dawson, recently widowed, from stealing Lucy's heart. And when Richard Morrison comes calling for Eulalie, expecting courtship, marriage, and her love, Eulalie’s world is turned on its axis.

As the "Spinster Sisters" tumble into romance, the people of Pike’s Run might have to seek a new title for them. One of distinction and hope…

The Miller Brides.

Website ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ BookBub ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest ~ Newsletter

Our COMMENT TO WIN giveaway is back! If you wish to enter, just leave a comment with your email address spelled out! Return everyday for more chances to win!

October 3rd by Karen Whiddon

So much is going on in the world, sometimes it's difficult to concentrate.  I have to walk to find my quiet space, and then lose myself in the world I've created inside my books.  I just turned in a Harlequin Romantic Suspense that will be out in 2020 and started my next one that's due 12-15-19.  I adore writing for this line.

I'm also slowly getting up books for which the rights have reverted to me.  I just had covers made for The Wolf Prince as well as The Wolf Princess.  Look for them on Amazon soon.

I love October.  Halloween decorations, fall colors, and lower temperatures (soon, please, soon!)  It's the last quarter of the year, which happens to include my favorite holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!  Decorations, parties to attend, lots of good food.  Yumm!  There's little I like better than curling up in my recliner next to the fireplace, with a cup of hot cocoa and a good book!  I can't wait.  But first, summer has to let loose of Texas!

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO -- https://youtu.be/-H1auoGa30A -

I'm giving away a paperback copy of my Harlequin Romantic Suspense book - Texas Ranch Justice. (Unless winner is outside of the continental United States, in which case I'll send an ebook)  The deadline for entering this Giveaway is Sunday, October 5th.

NO TRICKS—JUST TREATS

Every Day is Treat Day in October. Each author will give away a prize of her choice on her posting day. That's 31 days of prizes! 

To be entered in the random drawing for a paperback copy of  Texas Ranch Justice, leave a comment with your email address written out (not as a hot link) on this post.

The deadline for doing this is Sunday night at 8:00pm Central time. I’ll draw the winner's name Monday, October 7, and notify the winner by email and by leaving a comment on this post.

By the way, in case you wonder why Authors give away books, it’s simple. We want to introduce new Readers to our writing.

If you want to say thanks to the Author, please post a review of the book. Just a few sentences saying why you liked the book is all that is needed! Do this, and Authors will adore you!

But Wait, There's More

Yes, indeedy! We're not just doing a daily random drawing for a prize. We're also doing a Rafflecopter with 4 Amazon Gift Card Prizes. Whoop! Big money! Visit our Monthly Giveaways Page for all the details.  

New Beginnings by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

I’m ready for fall. August in Texas can be brutal. Not to mention what a crazy month it has been. We were staying with our daughter and her family until our house was ready. We didn’t think that day would ever come. But it did and we’re all moved in. After 3 ½ years of traveling in a 350 square feet fifth wheel to see 39 states, we’ve settled down again in a home without wheels. I have to admit, we were a little sad, but this is a brand new adventure. We’ll still travel, but in a different way.

We also celebrated (a few weeks early) our 50^th wedding anniversary. Wow, has that much time already gone by. They say time flies when you’re having fun. I guess whoever said that was right. Our kids surprised us with a party and a cruise. Karl and I are super excited. We’ve only been on one, and it was very brief, but we had a blast. This time we’re headed for the Mayan ruins! This has been on our bucket list for a while.

Then we headed to Port Aransas with our son and grandson for 5 days. Our grandson is 9 and we had a great time teaching him how to fish. We walked on the beach and collected shells and a whole lot of new memories. Speaking of which, our son did a collage of pictures and had them put on one sheet in a beautiful frame.

But then they flew back to Michigan. The house is quiet once again. Now it’s me and Karl. I have an office again and plan on having a lot of new releases. If you haven’t had a chance to grab my newest, Bless Your Heart, is the start of a brand new series and just released this month. It has a sexy, small town flavor. I hope you enjoy my, It’s A Southern Thang series (intentionally misspelled, pronounced with a Texas drawl).

Our new Monthly Giveaway starts August 4, and it's Winner's Choice with great options for prizes. Take a look at it.

Best Wishes,

             Karen Kelley
             www.authorkarenkelley.com

                                                                   Purchase now or read
                                                                      for free in KU

Bless Your Heart by Karen Kelley #RomanceGems

    

  Buy now or

read for free in KU

     I love the South, cowboys, and romance. Until we started traveling, I’d thought everyone was pretty much the same. I guess we are, but I discovered each state had something really special to offer. There were some states we learned not to order Mexican food because it was more often than not closer to original Mexican dishes. I’m too used to TexMex, I guess.

     Buffalo burgers were really dry because they don't have much fat. Frog legs---forget it, I'm not going there.

     But what’s up with Michigan and their mac and cheese? It’s like gourmet food. They even have it as an entrée. I don’t think I’ve ever had mac and cheese as wonderful as what I had in Michigan. Same with their root beer. I love it!

     And I thought curds were something from a nursery rhyme. No, curds actually exist! I ordered some in Wisconsin just to try them. They're wonderful, melt in your mouth, fried cheese. We need curds in Texas, although I’m not sure we could do as well by them.

     And the accents. I love someone with an accent. I have an English friend and I could listen to her talk all day. But not on the phone. If she talks too fast, I can’t understand a word she says. 

     But Texas has always been home and I love being back. All our traveling in the RV inspired me to start a brand new series, It’s A Southern Thang. Yes, I meant to spell thing like thang.

     I love the townspeople, country life, and the falling in love in the first book, Bless Your Heart. I drew on my memories growing up, like my aunt’s sweet tea. How all the cousins eyed the jugs and wondered which one she had made. It was the worse tea I’ve ever tasted. Seriously! It would make your toes curl and your hair frizz. We never had the heart to tell her how awful it was, though. We just talked about her tea when she wasn’t around, but it wasn’t gossip because every bit of it was true.

     Since I titled this first book Bless Your Heart, I've realized how often I actually say it. How funny. If you want to know the meaning, this is how Riley, the hero, explains it:

     Yeah, and I knew when a woman said, bless your heart, it could mean something entirely different. It was all in the way they said it. It could be commiseration if someone in the family died or something, or shock that you’d gone through a traumatic event, like a car accident or were getting a divorce. It could also mean go screw yourself. The words could drip with sarcasm, so you knew they didn’t really give a damn about you. I had a feeling Whitney leaned toward the latter.

     The first book is a little spicy, with humor, and a whole lot of down home country. I hope you enjoy Bless Your Heart as much as I enjoyed writing it.   

     Don't forget to enter our rafflecopter for a chance to win great gifts! 

BEACHES and BOOK BOYFRIENDS is the Romance Gems Julytheme. Enter our drawing for a chance to win 1 of 3 Amazon Gift Cards and fun beach books too! Read the post, leave a comment, and enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway.

Happy Reading,

Karen Kelley

www.authorkarenkelley.com