Oh, The Waiting! by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting to write Pete's story and now it's finally here! MAGGIE'S SONG released yesterday, and I adore the cover. (My husband designs all of my covers.)

Pete has been a character in my series since my first book. He owns the livery, and he's also the town's blacksmith. When his likeness and demeanor grew in my mind over a decade ago, it was the famous hero, John Henry, that I saw. I've always loved John Henry, and writing a romance for a hard-working, giant of a man was something I couldn't wait to do. 

I hope I did him justice. In MAGGIE'S SONG, not only is he leading his community through a new endeavor, but he's slowly earning the trust of Maggie, a woman who has reasons to be wary of men. I love their story, but the best thing is Maggie's daughter, Iris. She's five and is all kinds of sweetness. 

You know, authors live with their characters for so long, that they become quite real. That's either crazy or dedicated. Not sure. Hopefully, the latter.

By the end of the story, Maggie becomes the bride she always wanted to be, but it takes a lot of courage on her part to get her there. (Takes a lot of Pete's courage, as well.)

I could ramble on forever about these characters, but, instead, I'll give you an excerpt.....

“You go on and see Pete, while I head over to Forrester’s to find Esther. You can ask him about the cupboards.”

Maggie froze. “But I don’t know where his shop is.”

Aletta laughed lightly. “Oh, child.” She pointed down the road. “It’s right there. Just past the sheriff’s office.”

Maggie turned and caught the shingle sporting black lettering proclaiming “Jerkin’s Livery and Blacksmith Services”. She gulped.

“I’ll fetch you in ten minutes,” her aunt said, leaving Maggie gaping on the boardwalk.

Ten minutes. Ten. With Pete. Whose eyes held nothing but warmth. Who looked fondly at Iris. Who’d kissed Maggie as if she were precious and all things to him. Oh, my.

She drew in a deep breath and forced herself to move. It took no time to reach the building that looked quite similar to a large barn. The double doors were propped open, and she could hear the pound of a hammer against steel. With her heart in her throat, she entered and found him immediately.

He bent over an anvil, his attention on whatever metal he shaped. His giant frame took up the area, his leather apron emphasizing the breadth of his chest and the power in his shoulders. She couldn’t take her eyes from him.

Something must have alerted him to her presence, because he looked up in mid-swing. “Maggie,” he breathed, sounding as if the sun had visited him and not just her lowly self. He put down his hammer. “Maggie,” he said again, coming around his anvil and breaking into a blissful smile.

“Hello, Pete.” She stayed where she was, unable to move, because all she wanted to do was fling her arms around his neck and spill all her secrets.

He stopped an arm’s length from her as he ran his gaze over her. “Are you well? Why are you in town?”

“We’re fine. Aletta, Esther and I needed a few items from Miller’s and Forrester’s.” When she kept her voice from trembling at his nearness, she realized she possessed a strength she didn’t know she had.

“You decided to stop by and see me, though? How nice.”

She felt her cheeks heat. “Oh, well, not exactly. Aletta wanted me to ask you a question.”

While his happiness at seeing her didn’t diminish, she sensed a change in his demeanor. She wouldn’t call it disappointment, though. Acceptance, maybe? But what was there to reconcile himself to? She gave herself a mental shake and continued. “She thinks the lower cupboards in the kitchen of the meeting house ought to be raised to four feet. George disagrees. What do you say?”

Pete’s brow furrowed in thought. “I wouldn’t want to raise them. Too many women wouldn’t appreciate that height. And if it’s really a problem, we could have a worktable for taller people.”

Surprise at his compromise distracted her from the tension inside her, and she breathed easier. “That’s a perfect solution. I’m sure Aletta will see the merits.”

He nodded once then a look she could only describe as pleasure came into his gaze. “I sure am glad to see you.”

“And I, you,” she rasped.

“Wanna help me shape a horseshoe?”

Bashful, she lowered her lashes. “I don’t know, I—”

“Come on.” He reached for her hand and pulled her forward. “It’s easy. I’ll be right there.”

She had no choice but to follow, and now the strain of being close to him resurfaced with a vengeance. She clammed up and allowed him to maneuver her in front of his anvil while he stood behind her. He took her basket from her and set it on the ground.

“Here.” He gave her the hammer. “Hold this.”

She took the handle and gasped at its weight. “I didn’t expect it to be so heavy.” She could carry it, but it was much more substantial than any cast iron pot.

“It’s got to be, in order to shape metal.” Using the tongs, he picked up the shoe he’d been working on when she’d walked in and put it back in the fire. After half a minute, he withdrew the iron, and it glowed red.

“All right,” he said, setting the metal on the anvil. “Here we go.”

He put his large hand over hers and helped her hit the shoe in the right place. The bang resonated up her arm. “Oh, goodness,” she exclaimed, but it was more from the feel of being surrounded by him. As she stood in the well of his arms, with his fingers wrapped around hers, desire shot through her like a cannon blast.

“Hit it a little harder this time,” he instructed.

She lifted the hammer, and with his guidance with aim, she pounded the metal with as much force as she could. This time the reverberations moved through her whole body. She gasped.

He laughed. “That’s the way. Give it another go.”

BUY MAGGIE'S SONG

Pike’s Run, Texas, 1883

In the dead of night, Maggie Nelson flees New Orleans with her five-year old daughter, Iris. Maggie can’t live with her abusive husband any longer and seeks safety in the home and arms of her aunt, Aletta Williamson in Bordersville, near Pike’s Run, Texas. When she arrives, surprising her dear aunt, Maggie tells her Haywood died. She is too ashamed to tell the truth about her marriage.

 Pete Jerkin, the town blacksmith and livery operator, is a leader in Bordersville. He is taken by Maggie and Iris, especially since the child doesn’t fear him. With his large stature, he usually puts off females and children. As Iris tugs on his heartstrings, his gaze strays to the lovely Maggie. But he’s promised himself he wouldn’t ever court a woman. Not again.

However, love is sneaky, and Pete can’t help himself. Neither can Maggie. As the weeks pass, she grows more scared each day that Pete will learn the truth about her husband, that Haywood will come knocking. And ruin everything.

If you're looking for more books to read over the summer, click here and you can enjoy many Historical Romances for FREE!!!! 

My "Big Idea" Lady by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

My mother can sing. Really, really well. She has a voice like Kathryn Grayson. They have similar looks, too. My mother is timeless and classic. She reminds me a lot of Jackie Kennedy. And, well, she was raised in that era, so....

She's good at a lot of things. Cooking, sewing, gardening, leading, directing, caring for others....

The list is endless. She worked for the American Heart Association for 20 years in Houston. Which means she worked with some VERY smart doctors, and they ended up nicknaming her the "velvet hammer". (I think I know why, but I've never actually asked.)

I call her the "Big Idea" lady because she was always making me do things. Sometimes these things were actually worthy, but other times.....UGH. Piano lessons? Really? No. (But I had to take them for FIVE years.)

Before my mother graduated from college, she was invited to attend the conservatory in Paris. I'm not really sure what that is, but she chose not to because she wanted a family.

She's been an amazing mother. There's no way I could tell y'all everything, but I have one example of her commitment.

My brother had seizures as a baby, and there were many appointments as doctors tried to figure out what was wrong. And, of course, there were many scary moments. One of those occurred either right before or right after church -- I can't remember because I was six. They had to take my brother to the hospital, and the only way my brother would sleep was on my mother's chest. So she stretched out on a gurney in her dress, slip, and hose and laid there for several hours so my brother could get a decent sleep. She couldn't move or she'd wake him.

"Mother" means so much that I doubt Webster accurately defines the word. "Father" means just as much, but this month is for the mothers. And they deserve ALL the roses.

It's quite fitting for me as my current release, MAGGIE'S SONG, which is available for pre-order, is about a mother who's risking so much to save her child. And not only that, the heroine can sing. Maybe not as well as my mother, but certainly well enough! Ha!

MAGGIE'S SONG

Pike’s Run, Texas, 1883

In the dead of night, Maggie Nelson flees New Orleans with her five-year old daughter, Iris. Maggie can’t live with her abusive husband any longer and seeks safety in the home and arms of her aunt, Aletta Williamson in Bordersville, near Pike’s Run, Texas. When she arrives, surprise her dear aunt, Maggie tells her Haywood died. She is too ashamed to tell the truth about her marriage.

Pete Jerkin, the town blacksmith and livery operator, is a leader in Bordersville. He is taken by Maggie and Iris, especially since the child doesn’t fear him. With his large stature, he usually puts off females and children. As Iris tugs on his heartstrings, his gaze strays to the lovely Maggie. But he’s promised himself he wouldn’t ever court a woman. Not again.

However, love is sneaky, and Pete can’t help himself. Neither can Maggie. As the weeks pass, she grows more scared each day that Pete will learn the truth about her husband, that Haywood will come knocking. And ruin everything.

BUY MAGGIE'S SONG

I was able to write this story because I had the best inspiration and role model for it. I've learned so much from my mom, and there isn't a way to properly thank her. Perhaps this blog post will do it. (I bet she's crying. Should I see that as success?)

I love you, Mama. Thank you.

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Prom Night Palooza by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

May…It’s the prelude to summer, PLUS the month we celebrate all things MOM here in the USA! As I see many great posts on social media about moms, kids, grandkids, even pet moms, it got me thinking…What could I share today about motherhood that might make you smile? After all, it’s not all pretty cards, flowers, and smiling faces in shared pictures. It can be rough. But it can also be funny. Sit back, and let me tell you a story…

It was a balmy May evening almost a decade ago when Darling Daughter went to her first prom. (Hard to believe, it was that long ago!) A dear friend volunteered to host an “After Prom Party” at the high school, so our local kids that wanted a fun place to go and celebrate could be safe. Dusk to Dawn, everything from copious amounts of food to a bonfire, crafts, photo booth, movies, a live band, plus a DJ. My friend went all out, soliciting donations and recruiting volunteers from all around the community. Hats off to her!

On prom night, when our kids were at the actual event, parent volunteers went to work…decorating, cooking, prepping everything. It was a mini army of do-gooders, excited to help. Pretty fun, if I may say. Maybe it was that I got to take over a BIG cafeteria kitchen? Those giant refrigerators, stoves, and cooking utensils…OMG, I missed my calling! Hahaha

Then my friend handed me a list of things we were missing or still needed.

Like any good volunteer with a list, I left that kitchen and headed to Walmart. At midnight. That was something new. I’m in bed by ten o’clock, people, let’s be serious! But I grabbed my cart and began tackling the list. It wasn’t until checkout that I realized how crazy I looked.

Here was my list…Extra Large Trash Bags, Bleach, Clorox Wipes, Latex Gloves, Duct Tape…and "ALL the Whipped Cream you can find." *blink*blink*

Just imagine the looks I got in that checkout line. At midnight! That’s a heck of a party, unless you’re the one gettin’ murdered. Writer’s brain…I know…we’re weird sometimes. Okay, all the time.

So, here’s to all those wonderful moms out there! We couldn’t host a Prom Night Palooza, or do much of anything else, without you!

***

This is a silly story from my life. But honestly, I love writing about families and family dynamics. Keep an eye out for these two books from me COMING THIS SUMMER! Secondhand Hearts – A Last Chance Beach Novella and Sand, Salt, and Spirits – A Last Chance Beach Romance. There’s a hefty dose of family mayhem in both books!

Thanks for reading!

~ Kathryn

One Lucky Girl by M.J. Schiller #RomanceGems

Hi, all! I'm the new kid on the block, your newest, little Romance Gem writer, and I am so glad to be here. I have admired these ladies' work, and the way they support each other, for a long time, and I'm happy I have the opportunity to join the group.

As a brief introduction, my name is M.J. Schiller and I write romance, romantic suspense, and chick lit. I live in the Midwest with my husband and our cat, Serena, and we are blessed to be the proud parents of a twenty-six-year-old and three twenty-four-year-olds. (Yes, they are triplets and no, I don't know how I survived those first months with three premature babies and a two-year-old, but I know it was with a lot of help from God!) My four little birdies have since flown the coop, and at the moment I have one in town with me, one in St. Louis, one in Kansas City, and one in Colorado Springs. I have joked that they've stretched the "Mommy Bubble" of comfort as far as it will go. But I feel I am very lucky that they are all healthy, employed, and with a significant other.

The simple beauty of Ireland.

This is such a great month for me to be here and be able to post about the monthly theme, Lucky in Love, because I have a lot of Irish in me. I offer as evidence that my mother's maiden name was McKee, and her mother's maiden name was Callahan. My grandmother McKee came from a family of eight, seven girls and one boy. (Poor guy!) I believe they all were fairly musically inclined and enjoyed family sing-alongs. My grandmother played multiple instruments including the piano and the banjo. Her father was a postmaster in St. Louis, where I spent my childhood. My Grandfather McKee was a mechanic and boxer in the Navy, a cantankerous sort with a soft heart underneath it all. It was he who fostered my love of Irish music by playing The Irish Rover's "The Unicorn" practically every time we came over. (It's a really cute song and worth looking up. :) ) I can see him now sitting in his chair with a smile on his face and a pipe tucked into the corner of his mouth. I feel lucky to have the heritage that I have.

Enjoying cocktails on the patio of the Ballynahinch Castle.

I have also been fortunate enough to be able to go to Ireland twice. The most recent trip I took with my husband the year our triplets left for college. My son Ryan called it our "victory lap" after successfully getting all of the kids out of the house. It was a very special trip and provided an opportunity to spend the night in a castle and hear an expert on William Butler Yeats read his poetry, while his wife, who was a chef, served us lunch. Their lovely home overlooked Galway Bay, an area often featured in Yeats' work. (While these were some of my favorite moments, my husband, however, most appreciated our tour of the Guinness factory!)

How has all this Irishness affected my writing? I'm so glad you asked. I actually used my grandfather's name in my book DAMAGE DONE which is set in Ireland, and bits of his life story made their way into it as well. I also have an Irish bartender in my chic lit DEVILISH DIVAS SERIES. I loved him so much I had to kill off the heroine in the first book that featured him so I could have fun creating a second romance for him. Even that wasn't enough and Killian's second wife also met her demise! (Some would say he wasn't lucky in love!) But, not to worry, an upcoming book gives him the opportunity to make the third time a charm.

So, to wrap things up, I thought I'd share a bit of Killian with you. That way you can see a little of my writing. This is from the scene when Killian meets the heroine, Bridey (Bridget), in SIN WORTH THE PENANCE.




“Killian?” My Aunt Deidre glanced over from her pour. “Be a love and fetch me a bottle of Jameson’s from the pantry, would ya?” She was a sprite of a woman, in her late fifties, and as sweet as could be. But if her kids got her riled up, she could equally be a terror. I kept on her good side.

“Aye.” I turned to follow instructions.

“And, while you’re at it, a bottle of gin, as well.”

I nodded and crossed the room, noting a table that needed to be bussed along me way. Under the stairs leading to the rooms I rented above was a small stock room. I opened the door and felt along the inside wall for a switch, but could find none. I left the door open instead, thinking the light from the pub would be enough to illuminate a bottle of Jameson’s and some gin. I squinted in the murky interior as I searched the shelf in the back for the familiar green whiskey bottle.

Then, in a sweep, what little light there was disappeared. The door swung shut and I was left in utter blackness. I could feel someone behind me and by the alluring fragrance, a woman. She circled me in her arms and caressed the fronts of me thighs. I froze, completely caught unawares. Then she nibbled on me neck, her tongue gliding along me skin as she went. I’d been a widow for coming up on a year, and with no woman, but me body hadn’t forgotten what need was. Heat quivered through me.

A sultry voice broke the silence. “Guess who?”

I cleared me throat. “I haven’t a clue.”

She swatted my head. “Would you deny me, Murphey?”

My confusion deepened. It wasn’t a case of mistaken identity then. She knew me name. An old flame? I listened more intently, trying to recognize the voice.

She leaned in, her mouth at me ear. “Ya weren’t denying me yesterday in your mother’s bedroom.”

Wait? What? Mother’s bedroom?

She continued to purr. “Or did you just want me to remind ya? Cuz I’ll gladly do that.”

Before I knew it, she’d slipped around in front of me, and lush lips covered mine, pulling me into a dizzying kiss. She put her hands on the sides of me face to guide her and, God help me, I knew I shouldn’t, but I responded. Her lips tasted of sin and sweet strawberries. But if she was a sin, she was a sin worth the penance, for sure.

I knew now that this woman was sorely confused, for I had been in no mother’s bedroom with her, except maybe in me dreams. I should pull away. I should straighten her out on just who she was kissin’. Instead, I weaved me fingers through her silky tresses and hung on for dear life. But when she reached down me pants... I jumped, as did she. We both simultaneously exclaimed, “Oh, me Gawd!” mine a murmur of pleasure, hers a reaction of surprise.

She parted from me and the next thing I knew the door creaked open and light poured in. I spun to both find out who this vixen was, and apologize for not announcing meself more clearly. Blinking in the light, I put a hand up to block it, but all I saw was a head atumble with gorgeous, curly, black as midnight hair and a tight ass in jeans the likes of which I’d never seen before. Feeling weak-kneed I felt behind me and sat on a crate.

What just happened? Me brain had a hard time coming back to its normal senses. Was I kissed by an angel? Or perhaps the heavens are playing tricks on me for some reason?

Too late, I sprang to me feet and stuck me head out the door. And, although it was a wide open room with nowhere to hide, me phantom kisser was naught to be seen.

Blurb for SIN WORTH THE PENANCE: 

Even an entire ocean couldn’t separate Killian Murphey from his grief.

But when shortly after his return to Ireland Killian finds himself in an unexpected liplock, it definitely gives him a distraction from his sorrows. Who is the temptress that mistook him for someone else in the dark of the pantry? And why has that kiss set him ablaze?

 

Bridget O’Flannery is definitely the kind of girl that can leave a man burned.

But is Bridget more than reputation leads people to believe? And when shadows from her past come to claim her, will she be the one who ends up suffering a fiery end? Or will she and Killian be able to smother the flames that haunt her?

 Either way, she is definitely a SIN WORTH THE PENANCE!

To purchase SIN WORTH THE PENANCE:


Amazon: mybook.to/SinWorthThePenance

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sin-worth-the-penance-mj-schiller/1132647298?ean=9781644571231

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sin-worth-the-penance-the-devilish-divas-series-book-6

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sin-worth-the-penance-the-devilish-divas-series-book-6/id1474289833




Thanks for reading! One lucky commenter will win their choice of any of my e-books. I look forward to sharing more with you in the coming months!



What is one of your favorite vacations?

Mischief Makers by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

I love the boys who make mischief. The ones who try to make you laugh, who smile with a twinkle in their eye. I love it when they look at life as something to be enjoyed instead of endured. 

But best of all, I love it when they treat you like a lady, when they protect you with their broad shoulders and don't ask for anything in return.

Texas boys are often like this. Always ready with a quip, a wink, and a wildflower they picked just for you.

Let me tell you, chivalry is not dead. And even better, it comes with jokes and dimples.

My latest release, DESTINY'S SECRETS, has heroes who make mischief and hold the world on their shoulders. They are brothers, twins, who set out to return long-lost sisters to their rightful place.

The inspiration for Andrew and Ben's personalities came from pretty much all the men I've ever known. I dedicated this book to the ones who were closest to me, who were true to themselves and became gentlemen with kind hearts and strong hands.

And so...an excerpt for you...

“I can hear you thinking,” a deep voice called out.

She gasped and opened her eyes. “Ben?”

He laughed. “Who else?”

Oh, dear. How had he known she couldn’t sleep? “I’m sorry. I’m just having a little trouble.”

“Like last night.”

It wasn’t a question. He’d realized she hadn’t slept then, either? “You’re very observant.”

“That’s why I’m an investigator.”

Of course. She cleared her throat. “But you can’t really hear my thoughts.”

“Are you telling me or asking me?”

She considered his query. “I’m not sure.”

Some shuffling happened on his side, and she imagined he’d rolled over. “I promise I don’t know what’s going through your head.”

How absurd it would be if she truly believed he could read minds, but she definitely saw him as someone who could accomplish just about anything.

“Want me to tell you another story?”

If it didn’t help her sleep, it would certainly distract her. “I’d appreciate it, thank you.”

“All right.” The wind blew, then his voice rose above the lonely sound. “Andrew and I spent some time in boarding school.”

The revelation made her frown, but before she could ask about it, he continued.

“Our housemaster was hard of hearing. Not sure why they employed him to watch over twenty-five fourteen-year-olds at night, but it made it easy when we wanted to sneak out. And one night we decided it would be fun to create a scavenger hunt for our classmates.”

She anticipated the outcome and smiled at the darkness.

“We got into the classroom without a problem, I’d learned how to pick locks by then, and we moved our supplies, like our books and slates, and left clues on how to find them.

“The next morning, no one noticed right off, and we were a little disappointed. But when Mr. Pederson tried to give us a lesson in mathematics and he realized the shelf was empty, he turned beet red. The other fellows snickered.”

“The poor man,” Charlotte interjected. “How could y’all torment him so?”

“You forget we left hints on how to get everything back,” he reminded her.

“And did that make him feel better?”

“I’m not sure, but we had fun helping him search.”

She sucked air through her teeth. “You hid them.”

“But we were real good at pretending we didn’t know where they were, and we spent the rest of the day picking apart Andrew’s clues.”

Ben and his twin must have given their mother all kinds of fits. She couldn’t imagine having to discipline mischief-makers like them. “Y’all were little imps. And you know, just like you could hear me thinking, I can feel you grinning.”

DESTINY'S SECRETS

Andrew and Ben Lonnigan, brothers and private investigators, have accepted an important case—to reunite the long-lost DuBois daughters with their rightful inheritance. Abducted from their childhood home in New Orleans when they were three and two-years-old, Jo and Charlotte were adopted by separate families.

Andrew heads north to find Josephine Tatum—a pants-wearing, spitfire veterinarian who challenges his mind and captures his heart. Ben travels south to find Charlotte Ryan—the financial mind behind her father’s ranch, with a sweet disposition and, unfortunately, a fiancé.

As the sisters journey toward destiny, Charlotte must guard her heart against Ben, a man too daring to ever return her love. And Andrew must hide his feelings from Jo, a woman determined to carve her own path. While the foursome battle feelings, they must also war with a villain from the sisters’ past, one with the will and the means to destroy everything the DuBois daughters hold dear.

BUY DESTINY'S SECRETS

Take a bit of Little House on the Prairie, a dash of Anne of Green Gables, add a touch of romance, and you've got the TEXAS BRIDES OF PIKE'S RUN series!

And as a special offer to celebrate Spring, WELCOME HOME, book 1 in the series is on sale for $0.99! I hope y'all enjoy it!

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Excuse Me…Someone Is Gettin’ Busy Over Here! By Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

It can be challenging to work from home. Trying to get everything accomplished, sticking to a schedule, meeting your deadlines with everyone and every distraction imaginable around you. Now imagine you’re a romance author that writes SPICY.

I begin each morning before dawn. Up early so I can get my wordcount in. Pour my coffee, sit down with my laptop… Hang on, a dog needs to go out. That’s okay, I haven’t started writing yet. Wait, it’s snowing again. Now the dog is stuck somewhere in the yard. Boots on, coat. Can’t find my gloves. Sorry neighbors for the scary writer lady in the robe, carrying a Dachshund through the snowstorm. What a visual, right?

Phew… *deep breath*typing, and more typing* Until everyone is awake.

Have you ever read a HOT romance in a crowded place? Maybe a plane, a train, or in a coffee shop? Things are really going great until someone asks you a question. But what if you’re the author attempting to craft that wonderfully romantic, super-sexy love scene with others around you?

…He smiled. That crocked smile she knew and loved. Leaning down, he swept his tongue across her… 

“Has anyone seen my phone?”

“Excuse me…someone is gettin’ busy over here!”

Hahaha.

So, tell me…what’s it like working from your home? I’d love to hear your stories. You know…because we all adore those Zoom crashing kids or the guy with the cat filter stuck on. 😊

Thanks for joining me today!

~ Kathryn

 

My Top 5 Favorite TV Friendships by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

THE RANGER'S VOW will be up for pre-order soon, and while I have many things I love about this story:

1) A bad-boy Texas Ranger

2) A feisty heroine who can pick locks

3) A hero who vows never to fall in love and a heroine who declares she will never marry

4) And....a garter thief

One of the best aspects of this book are the friendships between Sherry -- she's the spunky heroine who picks locks -- and her four sisters. They are Sherry's voices of reason, her champions, her secret-keepers. They hold Sherry accountable, but also would walk through fire for her, even if she was wrong.

I loved writing the scenes Sherry had with her sisters. And it got me to thinking about other friendships. Now I've already counted down my favorite book friendships, so I thought I'd share those from TV. Please tell me yours! 

1) Dorothy and Sophia from The Golden Girls. You gotta love how honest they are with each other.

2) Deputy Chief Brenda Lee Johnson and Sergeant David Gabriel from The Closer. He stands by her when no one else would, and she does everything she can to protect him, as well.

3) Joey and Chandler from Friends. They are hilarious and so sweet with each other.

4) Captain Killian "Hook" Jones and Princess Sheriff Emma Swan from Once Upon A Time. They made each other better and never gave up on each other even though they faced extremely tough situations -- including death.

5) Jim Halpert and Dwight Schrute from The Office. It's wonderful to watch these guys go from enemies to friends. 

Friendship is so important. And you don't need many. Just one that is honest. A person who will love you no matter what, who will tell you when you have spinach in your teeth and defend you even when they know you're wrong. And then they tell you that you're wrong in private.

THE RANGER'S VOW is a romance that gives you that closeness, that honesty. I adore Sherry and her four sisters. They are a noisy mass of risk-takers and lovers, seamstresses and party-planners. And here's a little snippet:

Sherry held onto the footboard while Mary pulled her corset tight. “We have to convince Julia to go,” Sherry muttered. “She’ll just sit in y’all’s room weeping over Alex. We have to help her.”

“Her loyal heart won’t let him go despite his four month absence and his non-existent responses to her letters.” Mary sighed as she tied the strings. “I don’t know what else we can say to her.”

While Sherry checked her reflection in the mirror, she smoothed down her petticoat. “Tonight is just what she needs. Andrew and Ben will make sure she has a good time.”

Mary cocked her head, her nut brown, corkscrew curls swaying with the motion. “That’s not gonna help. Andrew and Ben are Alex’s cousins. They’ll only remind her of him.”

Sherry checked her soft bun with its artfully escaping tendrils then reached for her dress of lavender muslin. “But they’ve already agreed to help.”

“You asked?”

“They offered." Sherry slipped into her dress. "No one can help seeing her sad face and moping attitude.” She glanced toward the door, her mind’s eye picturing the room across the hall, and wondered if Amanda had had any luck talking Julia into getting dressed.

“And we need to brighten up because our sadness is only going to make her feel worse,” Mary added.

Sherry nodded in agreement. “You’re right. Let’s go see her.”

She followed Mary out of the room and across the wood-floored corridor covered with a green and gold carpet runner to the room Mary shared with Julia. When they were inside, they gasped.

“Oh, Julia!” Mary exclaimed.

“You’re going?” Sherry asked in relief and delight as she hurried forward to take her sister’s hands.

Julia pressed her lips together, her blue eyes shining with gratefulness beneath her becoming, red bangs. She swept her gaze over her olive-colored muslin dress. “I can’t keep feeling sorry for myself. It’s only going to wear down my sweet sisters, and I can’t have that.”

Sherry squeezed Julia’s hands then brought them to her chest. “We’ll make sure you have fun tonight.”

Julia shook her head. “I appreciate that, but I’ll manage on my own. I won’t trespass on my sisters’ good natures anymore.”

Sherry reached up and smoothed Julia’s bangs. “Well, we won’t be far, and Andrew and Ben plan on twirling you to every song.”

Julia forced a smile. “I’m glad I’m wearing my most comfortable dancing slippers.”

THE RANGER'S VOW

Sherry Forrester has her life just as she wants it. No attachments. No pressure from her parents to marry. A little bit of money and the freedom to be the lady she desires. When a stranger rolls into town, mysterious and gorgeous, her interest is piqued. Sherry swore she wouldn't give away her heart, but she longs for one night of passion, and the newcomer is perfectly capable of supplying that.

Texas Ranger Luke "Rip" Calhoun is hoping for a few diverting weeks in Pike’s Run. Along with promising to help the local sheriff catch a wily garter thief, he looks for challenging card games, good whiskey and a willing woman. When Sherry Forrester catches his eye—who wouldn't want her after stumbling upon her skinny dipping?—he does the hardest thing ever and waits for her to choose him to warm her sheets for a night. And only one night. For Luke made a long-ago vow never to let love ensnare him.

But what neither plans on is the hand of fate changing their paths…

Cowboys, lawmen, and soldiers, oh my! You can enjoy several other books in the Texas Brides of Pike's Run Series! Click HERE to see the rest!

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Christmas, Only Different by @MaddieJames #RomanceGems

As I write this, thinking about family gatherings in this holiday season, I wonder if our current ways of getting together is our new norm.

This past Thanksgiving, we introduced Dad to Zoom. While I finished dinner preparations, he sat with my laptop and chatted with my son and daughter, and their children (his great-grandchildren), for nearly two hours. When it was all over, he asked, "Do I need internet for that?"

He cut off internet in his house not longer after my mom passed. She was the computer person of the duo. Now, he's contemplating putting it back in. I fired up Mom's old laptop the other day to see how it was running (just fine) so perhaps by Christmas we will have Dad zoomed up into the 21st century again.

We'll see.

When you think about it, why do we have to wait for a holiday to have those virtual family gatherings? My children/grandchildren live a state away. We should be doing this more often.

Same thing with gift-giving.

This year, I decided to tackle the 12 Days of Christmas gift idea. Now, I know there are many beliefs that surround the 12 Days of Christmas, religious ones that put the 12 days starting December 25--but in my world, I decided to lead up to the holiday. I'd box up and mail a package a day--one to my son's family and one to my daughter's--that represented each of the days. You know, partridge in a tree and all that. But what to send? Just ask Google.

Seriously. There are so many ideas out there! Like this one, that gives you ideas with direct links for each day. Or this Pinterest board, with ideas aplenty. My gifts weren't super elaborate. Some where even silly. Candy was added occasionally and some home-made cookies. And every box, of course, had the appropriate day Christmas tree ornament. If you decide to tackle this idea, have fun shopping! 

But then there is the downside. Before I knew it, Amazon had delivered and my dining room was full of boxes! Only good thing about all those deliveries were the actual shipping boxes they came in. It took me about a week to organize, wrap, rebox, and line them all up, ready to ship. And then came the secondary expense I hadn't really thought about--shipping! (consider this, please, in your holiday gift-giving budget, if you choose to do this!)

But all in all, the gifts are mostly on their way now. The grandchildren have started receiving and opening. I get pictures from my son with this four girls digging into the boxes. Lots of smiles there. My fourteen-year-old grandson, in the other family, lamented, "Is this really what we are getting for Christmas this year from Mimi?" His older sisters (15 and 16) thought it was cute and fun. My daughter is already making plans to do this when her kids all move out.

To be honest, this all cost way more than what I normally would spend for Christmas gifts for my family--but it was worth every penny. I needed it as much as they did. Just as I needed to fix a traditional Thanksgiving meal, even if it was only for my Dad and me, I needed to do something "normal." Needed the tradition, and maybe the excitement, of starting a new one.

Yeah. Maybe, the new norm. Again, we will see. 

I hope your holiday celebrations are safe, happy--however you decided to celebrate them! Snuggle up by the fire (if you have one) but just make sure to give your loved ones a (maybe virtual) hug and spend some (Zoom) time together. 

***

Speaking of the holidays--my holiday romance box set special is still available! Get all four of my Harbor Falls Holiday stories right now, for only $0.99 through the end of the month. Not This Christmas is one of those stories. In this set, you'll find bonus content not found anywhere else! 

Enjoy. And Happy Holidays! 

~ Maddie

My Grandparents by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

My grandmother was a teacher and a working mom in a time when women didn't do that. She was an English teacher for 30 years and ended up being Regional Teacher of the Year. She was a Kansas Princess who became a Texan's wife. She started and maintained the public library in her town, and she owned over 1000 books herself. Which she organized into her own personal card catalog. And boy howdy, was she smart. Playing Twenty Questions with her was like...well...the hardest thing ever.

My granddad, her husband, was a pharmacist. He took over his father's confectionary shop when he got home from WWII -- he was a Sea Bee -- and put a pharmacy in it. It was a drug store, complete with a soda fountain and booths and swivel seats. And Blue Bell ice cream. He was a hard worker. Gentle. Kind. And his parents were from Spain -- but that's a story for another time.

My grandma grew up picking cotton. She quit school when she was in 3rd grade in order to help her family pick cotton. They moved around a lot. She was German, Texan, sweet as jam and pie, and couldn't raise her voice. Even when she tried. She had three rowdy boys -- and I do mean rowdy -- and she couldn't holler at them. She could cook like you would not believe and playing scrabble with her was impossible. She won every time.

My grandpa started working when he was 12. He had twelve brothers and sisters and he had to make money. He was the second oldest and worked on a diary farm. All the money he made he sent home. His employer fed him, and he slept in the loft. He was German, hard-nosed, hard-working, and a Sergeant in the Army during WWII. He died on Thanksgiving Day.

I've been thinking about them a lot lately. Probably because of the holiday. I hosted Thanksgiving this year. It was my second opportunity to host.

I also happen to be the keeper of many of my grandmother's and grandma's things.

I served the turkey on my grandmother's Thanksgiving platter, and we ate off of her wedding china. I sat at her Duncan Five table and in her folding chairs. And all of the platters and china I used are stored in my grandma's china cabinet.

This Thanksgiving was a sweet and blessed day. I felt so very close to all four of them. Losing my grandpa on Thanksgiving was tough. He died in 1998, the year I got married. He's been gone for awhile now, so I can think of him without tears, but that love/pain is there in my chest. I miss him. I miss all of them. They're all gone now, but I know they watch over me.

I also ended up dedicating my most recent book to them. It's weird how things work out. The story got me thinking about them because, well, the heroine, Truly Cunningham, gets married on Christmas day. And my grandma got married on Christmas day. That's the day my grandpa had off from work. The only day, in fact.

There's so much more I could say about these four people. Even now, I thank them often for being there for me and shaping me into the person I am.

The Christmas Bride released on November 21st! It is $0.99 cents and ready to help you snuggle up and get cozy during this upcoming winter season!

The Christmas Bride

Historical Romance

Truly Cunningham flees after her fiancé jilts her for her sister. With nowhere to go, she ends up in Pike’s Run, Texas, hiding in the town’s opulent Royal Hotel. As she nurses her pain, finding no comfort in the Christmas season, she is slowly running out of funds. She must find a way to support herself or return to Dallas where her sister is the wife Truly had planned to be.

Alfred Taylor, manager of the Royal Hotel, hates Christmas. The decorations. The celebrations. The presents. All of it. And he must help the Ladies’ Auxiliary put on the Christmas Eve social. The only bright spot is the presence of a new guest, Truly Cunningham. She is beautiful, mysterious, and warming parts of his heart he thought dead.

When Truly asks for a position in his hotel as hostess of the establishment, Alfred immediately hires her. Which becomes dangerous. He can’t stay away from her, and even worse, wants to spill his secrets. Will he lose his one chance at happiness, or will Christmas finally give him the hope it promises?

The Citizens Are Coming! by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

If you’ve followed this Romance Gems blog for any amount of time, you know the inhabitants of Camp Hills often have adventures. So, why would the Thanksgiving holiday be any different? Sit back, and I’ll tell you a story…

It was autumn more than twenty years ago, and we’d recently moved back to New England after living down south. A homecoming we were excited for, as Mr. H comes from a big family, and relatives would be within driving distance again. We were a happy little family unit with Darling Daughter (DD) and a cute Dachshund puppy. How fun to spend the holidays in our new home!

Darling Daughter was a first grader at the time. New school. New Friends. Thrilled by all the build-up to the holidays, since her new teacher had many projects planned for the class. All good things, because moving can be challenging for any child.

You see we’d left an urban setting for a more rural one, and both DD and the pup were anxious. Everything was different. For starters, it was incredibly dark at night, and there were wild things living in our yard. Deer and fox regularly crossed our lawn, not to mention the flock of wild turkeys and howling coyotes that traumatized the dog.

Fast forward to late November and our first Thanksgiving in the new location. It was an unusually warm afternoon when I picked Darling Daughter up at school the Friday before the holiday. We returned home to play with the dog, her favorite thing to do. Yet DD seemed off, distant, and preoccupied. When I asked what was wrong, her tone and expression turned ominous. “The citizens are coming,” she whispered.

“What?” I asked in confusion. “What ‘citizens’ are coming, and to where?”

“To my school. My teacher said so, and she said we’d better behave, or they’ll be very mad.”

Let me pause here for a moment to explain that I am an avid horror, paranormal, and fantasy reader and movie enthusiast. THIS statement sent chills down my spine.

“Why are they coming?” I prodded.

DD dropped her gaze. “Teacher says we have to serve them.”

Okay. Stop the presses! What the heck is going on here?

Of course, I questioned my daughter further, but it was to no avail. She had no more information to give. Of course, again, it was the weekend before Thanksgiving, so there was no one to call at school to ascertain what was going on.

On Sunday night, Darling Daughter was concerned about going back to school. She told Mr. H the same thing. “The citizens are coming.” He shot me the look.

When I dropped DD off at school the next morning, I assured her I’d find out what was happening. Her answer…with a stoic expression… “It’s too late, Mommy. They’ll be here soon.”

*gasp*

We still laugh about this story each Thanksgiving. Turns out “the citizens” were senior citizens from a nearby nursing facility. The children were hosting them for a Thanksgiving-themed party. Also turns out Darling Daughter’s teacher was a bit wound up about the whole event, and she had warned her students to behave or there would be dire consequences.

The moral of this story? Life with a someday-author—and her imaginative daughter—will be an adventure. Just ask Mr. H. Must be all that excess creativity, flitting about. I’m just glad the movie The Village hadn’t aired yet. 😊

This holiday season, I wish you peace, love, joy, and good health. Share some funny stories with those you love best, even if it is via Zoom or by phone, so everyone can stay safe.

Thanks for reading. Happy Thanksgiving!

~ Kathryn

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Those Little Tidbits by @KaraONealAuthor #RomanceGems

I was in high school when I read my first historical romance. While I enjoyed the love story VERY much, I was also drawn to the details and facts the author shared about the characters' daily lives. There were duties and objects and fashions that I had never heard of until I started reading historical romance.

For example, it was Mary Balogh who taught me what a "forlorn hope" was. And I learned from Maggie Osborne that if you wanted to get over Chilkoot Pass during the Alaskan Gold Rush, you had to keep walking or you might just go sliding right back down. And no one was going to help you.

I found that I loved those little nuggets of information. They were so interesting and made the story better. They pulled you into the time period and made the setting richer and easier to connect with.

Many years ago, I took a tour of a Victorian home in Galveston, Texas. It was there where I learned what carpenter's lace was. So many of those houses had all that intricate and beautiful woodwork. What I didn't realize, probably because I was born when suburbs became the norm and every fifth home was the same, was that these carved pieces of artwork were all different. And they didn't always have to be on the outside of the house.

The docent called it "carpenter's lace", which was each carpenter's trademark, and became his signature. Isn't that cool? A carpenter would sign the houses he built, just like an artist signs a painting. Once the builder created his signature, he would put it in a spot in the house, making it possible for people to identify his work.

I loved that soooo much, and I knew I had to put this little tidbit in a book.

Love's Promise releases on November 7th. It is the sixth book in the Texas Brides of Pike's Run series. One of the main characters, Jonas Boswell, is a carpenter, and I wrote a wonderful scene where he shows the woman he loves his handiwork. I love that scene so much and a snippet of it is below.

Is there something interesting that you learned from a romance? Please share below and you could win a book from my series!

Love's Promise: An Excerpt

She shook her head then turned toward the house.

When he would have hurried her up the steps, she stopped to take in the view. He was so ready to get her inside and show her his woodworking abilities, he’d forgotten she might want to admire the outside first.

He looked at it through her eyes, wondering what she would think. The house was yellow with white trim. The front had two bay windows, one on either side of the wide porch, set under twin gables that had barge board, carved with a leaf design, running along the edge. The trim under the roof overhang had been shaped into waves and went from one end to the other.

“How beautiful,” she breathed. “It’s like a fairytale.”

There weren’t any other words she could have said that would have pleased him more. He’d almost abandoned the project when his wife died. She’d passed when the structure was only a shell, and the frames had stood almost as another marker for her departed soul. Eventually, he’d needed something to do and had been surprised when completing the house had provided solace for his grief. When he looked at it now, he always saw Mary’s proud expression in his mind’s eye. “Let’s go inside,” he urged.

She said nothing but allowed him to take her by the hand then up the steps. When she entered, she gasped at the high ceiling. He’d left the entry open to the top floor. There was a window intricately placed above the door to allow the setting sun to shine through.

“Oh, Jonas! How beautiful.”

The wonder on her face gripped him as nothing ever had before. She treated his home as if it were some kind of priceless painting. To him it was. To others…well, he’d never expected such a reaction.

“The shine is gorgeous. The beams are so rich.” She turned in a circle, running her enraptured gaze over every inch of the ceiling.

“Thank you,” he murmured. Inadequate words, but they were all he could think of. “They’re mahogany.”

When she finally took her gaze from above and looked at the entry, he waited with bated breath. Would she think the rest as beautiful?

She assessed the curving staircase and reached out a shaky hand to touch the newel post. “You carved this.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a statement of amazed wonder. He said nothing and swallowed past the lump in the base of his throat.

Then she found the floor with its snowflake shadows made by his woodworking skills. “Jonas!” she gasped. “It’s lace!”

While she stared with wide eyes, he cleared his throat and explained. “Carpenter’s lace. It’s my signature.”

Her gaze switched to him. “Your signature?”

He pointed to the edge of the ceiling where the stairs disappeared onto the second floor. “See the design here?”

She tipped her head up. “Oh, I do,” she breathed. “It’s a carved detail you added, and when the setting sun shines through, it makes lace shadows on the ground.” She reached a hand up. “I’m too short.”

She didn’t need to ask twice. He stepped forward then lifted her at the waist, her soft feminine curves making his gut clench with desire. She giggled but didn’t tell him to put her down. Gingerly, as if it were precious, she touched the grooves of his signature, running her finger along the carvings.

When he set her down, she gazed at him. “A carpenter signs his work? Like a painter signs a painting?”

He nodded. “It’s usually called carpenter’s lace. When you begin your business, you develop one and put it in a spot in each house you build.”

“This is fascinating. I knew you were talented, but I underestimated how much.”

Heat climbed into his cheeks. “Thanks,” he said sheepishly.

“Are you embarrassed?” she asked, her mouth curving upward in pleased surprise. “Or modest? That’s it. You’re modest.”

He shrugged then held out his hand. “Wanna see the rest?”

Her gaze lowered to his outstretched palm, and he waited with his breath held for her to accept his touch again. When she slid her fingers through his, tingles shot up his arm and sent warmth to areas that had been dormant for too long. He tugged and she followed.

Love's Promise

Historical Romance

Texas Brides of Pike's Run

When Eliska Spencer opens a bakery in Pike’s Run with her friends, Cora Ann Carter and Sugar Fremont, no one suspects the women aren't what they seem.

Jonas Boswell is enchanted by Sugar Fremont. He fights the attraction, not wanting to risk his heart after experiencing the death of his first wife. Falling in love again has never seemed possible or safe. But then Sugar appears with her bouncing, red curls and shining, blue eyes, and he is lost.

Thomas Miller gives females a wide berth. After living with three sisters, he finds women frustrating and irritating. And Cora Ann Carter is no exception. However, her feisty nature and bold curves draw him in until he doesn't recognize himself. It's all he can do not to drag her down the aisle.

Reverend Aidan Black had his heart broken many years ago. He swore off women and made his flock his priority. Then Eliska Spencer crosses his path. She is kind. And gentle. And giving. His heart melts, and he is powerless against her. He vows to make her his own.

But the ladies’ past looms, invading their future and stealing their happiness. All the women want is to love and be loved. Can they achieve their dreams, or will the men in their lives prove too stubborn to forgive their past?

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