Write what you know by Jan Scarbrough

My parents were married for fifty-three years. I wasn’t so lucky. I spent many years as a “single mother.” Of course, that experience found its way in many of my books.

The Bluegrass Reunion series has several things in common: Kentucky setting, horses, reunions, and single moms. It wasn’t until twenty years after my divorce that I wrote about a divorced single mom in Kentucky Rain. Kate Lawrence’s rose-colored glasses are rudely yanked off when her divorce leaves her without her home, her friends, and her identity as the perfect stay-at-home wife and mother.

In other series books, my single moms were without the fathers of their children for various reasons. In Kentucky Woman, ex-jockey Alexis Marsden is raising her son by herself until her son’s older brother intervenes by offering her a marriage of convenience.

 Life isn’t easy for the widowed Carrie Mercer in Kentucky Groom. Jay Preston has always wanted to be loved for himself, not his millions, but when the shy widow and her little daughter need him, he offers a marriage of convenience.

Horse trainer Melody O’Shea in Kentucky Flame has given up her daughter for adoption. Ten years later she returns to the Kentucky horse farm where her secret daughter lives, and so does the unsuspecting father. 

Veterinarian Mandy Sullivan doesn’t have room in her life for dangerous risk-takers. She’s too busy being both mother and father to the daughter her sister abandoned in Kentucky Cowboy. When professional bull rider Judd Romeo returns home, Mandy’s perfect and safe life is disrupted big time.

Darby, in the Ghost Mountain Ranch series, is the widowed mother of two adult children, Slade and Kelsey. They both have a story in the series.

The same goes for Liz in the Dawsons of Montana. When a handsome stranger arrives at the ranch, Liz—divorced and widowed—fears her daughter-in-law is playing matchmaker. Her children, Brody and Mercer, are also featured in the series. (This series is on Kindle Unlimited.)

Novelists are always instructed to “write what you know.” I haven’t lived in Medieval England, but I’ve set a story there (after doing tons of research). I once heard an argument by a woman who said she was psychic. She claimed unless you were psychic you couldn’t write about one. But I have. I do suppose putting your experiences into books is only natural. That doesn’t mean I can’t write about a bull rider or a horse trainer if I haven’t been one.

But I have been a single mother.

My mother and I were at odds for many years. I was an only child, and of course, much loved. But I had my growing pains as we all do during our teenage years. By the time my mother died, we were friends. I miss her every day and often want to tell her things that have happened in my life. Most of all, I’d love to share my grandchildren with her. I can hope she's watching from heaven and knows about them, and about how much I still love her.

BREAKIN' UP IS HARD TO DO!

 By Caroline Clemmons

No, not a romantic breakup. I’m talking about favorite clothing.

One thing I’ve noticed recently is that no matter how overstuffed our tiny closets, I usually choose what I wear from the same few pieces. I favor maxi-skirts and knit tops with three-quarter sleeves. Which brings me to my point: 

How long do we continue to wear an item of clothing before we have to “break up” and send it to the ragbag or trash?

You know what I mean, right? Soft, often-washed fabric relaxes to fit your movement. Tops and skirts/pants that are your friends. Never mind that the skirt’s hem may be frayed (it is) or the top’s elbows are wearing thin (they are). These clothes pamper us in ways a new set can’t.

Recently, I gave in to my eldest daughter’s urging and tossed a pair of slacks into the trash. Letting go hurt, but she was right. They were disgraceful with their almost bare knees and frayed hem. Still, I had to hold the slacks a few minutes for a last goodbye before I could release them into the bin. They were part of the ensemble to the skirt I’m wearing now—the one with the frayed hem. I bought this so long ago I’m not sure of the age. Other than old. I know that soon I’ll have to relinquish the skirt.

The same is true for my favorite top, which is so romantic it’s perfect for a romance writer. It’s soft pink with the words “romance” and cabbage roses and other romantic graphics, all in soft hues. I’ve searched for a duplicate or suitable replacement without success. I do remember where and when I bought this top. I found it at a tent on the Granbury, Texas square during a celebration which drew vendors from across the area. I checked for choices using the label, but nothing happened to help me.

In the meantime, please get my latest release, MAIL ORDER BLAZE, Secret Baby Dilemma Series, at https://www.amzn.com/B08T6C5FKD   This is a short, sweet but fast-paced read I believe you'll enjoy. I love the cover model's dark red hair very like I've always wished I had. Sigh. Are we ever happy with out own hair?

Blaze arrives by train to meet her groom.

She is desperate to save a boy…

He questions his mail-order bride’s past…

An evil man threatens their survival.

 

Bernadette “Blaze” Cook rescues her nephew after her brother-in-law murders her sister in a drunken rage. While the killer is in jail, Blaze takes her nephew with her when she answers an ad in the Grooms Gazette. As further precaution, she doesn’t tell anyone where she’s going. She hopes to disappear and keep her nephew safe.

Andrew “Drew” Wagner didn’t expect his bride to have a toddler but he’s willing to accept the boy. He is suspicious of her story. If the child is hers, why not admit it? As his fondness for her grows, the question becomes less and less important, but won’t rest. Is his wife here to stay or is she planning to take off with some of his cash?

When the nephew’s father breaks out of prison, he’s able to trace Blaze. She and Drew will need all their resources to overcome the killer’s try for revenge. Will their new found love survive as well?

 

A couple of cows bawled. More moved forward until they were near the wagon.

Kenny pointed at the closest steers. “Moo, moo. Mik, mik.”

“This isn’t the kind of cow we milk, dear, but you’re right. We get milk from cows and they go moo. You’re being a good boy.”

“Ma’am, pardon me for saying so, but you’d better put him back in his play area. If Drew fires at something, the horses might jerk the wagon. Sure don’t want the boy to fall out.”

The thought sent her stomach sinking to her knees. “Oh, thank you, Henry. You know I’m new to being in charge of a child and even newer to ranch life. I’ll appreciate your pointers.”

She set Kenny in the triangle formed by the trunks. “If you’ll look the other way, Henry, I’ll climb over the seat and keep him busy.”

“I’m looking for Drew, but feel free to use my arm or shoulder for support. Don’t see him. Sure wish he hadn’t told me to wait here.”

She managed the transfer from the seat to the center trunk without tearing her stockings or her skirt. “I understand, but if he fires the rifle and the blast frightens the horses or the cattle, then I’d be lost at what to do. A runaway team would be disastrous.”

“Oh, I see the point of me staying here, I just wish I didn’t. I worry about Drew. He’s a good man and kind, but sometimes takes risks he shouldn’t.”

“Like now? But he has to protect his herd. That’s his livelihood.”

“We could send the others to look for what’s causing the ruckus and hope nothing happened until they got here.”

A screech like a woman screaming for help prefaced the blast of a rifle. What had happened to cause that horrifying shriek?

“Bwaze!” Kenny cried and grabbed her legs.

Frightened herself, she laid a hand on her nephew’s back. “Henry, did Drew scream?”

The ranch hand stood and appeared to search the direction from which the sounds had come. “That wasn’t a who, that was a what—a panther. Sounds like a woman in agony, don’t it? Fact is, first time I heard one, I figured a cat had attacked a woman. Reckon Drew will be along any minute now.”

Drew appeared trudging toward them. When he reached the wagon, he leaned on the side. “Biggest panther I’ve ever seen. I’d like the pelt for a rug. Henry, you mind staying here to keep the birds away until I can send the others to help?”

Before Henry could answer, Blaze asked, “What if you loaded it behind the trunks?”

Relief shot across Drew’s face when he looked at her. “I hated to ask you, but that would sure help. I don’t want ants and other bugs to get to it.”

“Then, let’s load it now.” She was eager to get to her new home, but apparently this meant a lot to her husband. She simply wouldn’t look at the dead animal on the way to the ranch house.

Drew climbed onto the wagon and released the brake. “It isn’t far. In fact, he was so close it gave me cold chills. We drove within ten yards of him.”

The news set her shaking. The cat could have attacked them—Kenny might have been injured. If she were killed what would happen to her nephew?   

From the wagon seat, Drew snapped the reins. “I can almost hear your thoughts churning, Blaze. We always keep a rifle in the wagon for this reason. You and Kenny were never in danger.”

“Thank you for telling me, but I have a vivid imagination. I don’t understand how having a rifle in the wagon equates to no danger if the panther had leapt at us. Surely someone would have been severely injured before you could fire the rifle.”

“He wouldn’t have attacked the wagon. He was looking for a weak animal to pull down, like a calf or a birthing mama or an old deer. We lost a calf last week and knew a panther had killed it. Lost the tracks across rocky ground on a ridge. Reckon this was the one responsible. Mt men were keeping an eye out for signs.”

The wagon stopped beside the carcass of a huge cat. She had never seen one except in pictures and hadn’t realized how large they could grow. Stretched out, it was longer than a man was tall. How horrid it would be to have such a creature leap at her.

Kenny climbed onto her lap to watch the men. Henry let down the tailgate, then helped Drew lug the cat onto the wagon bed. When they had it loaded, they closed the tailgate and climbed onto the wagon seat.

Kenny pointed at the panther. “Kitty cat says meow.”

The men laughed.

 Our theme this month is April Showers. Our area has had lovely showers and I look forward to May's flowers. Already, the roses planted on two sides of our patio are a riot of red. How can I fail to be optimistic with such color greeting me each morning?

Keep Reading!

Blooming Romance! by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

In May, everything's in bloom, including love. Spring fever is another euphemism for the desire to get outside, to meet people, and fall in love after being cooped up all winter.(or for weeks of a pandemic)

Yesterday a grandson told me they'd seen a broken Robin's egg on the ground under a tree. Spring and baby birds are here!

Today is a SURPRISE day on the blog, where we don't have a scheduled post and I thought maybe readers would like to know that while love is blooming and life is renewing this month, so are romance books.

So, surprise! I have a couple of stories priced at only 99c that you may have missed.

First up is a novella that has a warm place in my heart because I was invited to write it by a stellar group of ladies to have it included in a boxed set.The set is no longer available but Whole Lot o' Love is still a fun, happy romance.

If you haven't read my work before, I'd like to introduce you to Ashlee Branton and Brick Harcourt, two young lovers torn apart by his family when they were too young to fight back.

She's strong now. She's capable now. And no one can make her run away again.

Amazon Exclusive

Ashlee Branton’s lottery win is enough to give her and her son a new, settled life back home.

Except that returning to Blaine, Washington means facing her son’s father, Brick Harcourt, in a most unsettling way.

But Ashlee has two pasts now, one with Brick and one with an ex who wants to crash their reunion.

Will she run again or stay and sacrifice money for love?



I love reuniting past loves as a writer. When characters know each other in ways the reader doesn't, it makes for a deeper connection than expected. There are shared memories, good and bad.

Next up is a short story, Long Time Coming that was borne of frustration because I couldn't make the idea into a full-length novel. There just wasn't enough "meat" on the bone and I don't like to write books without depth. BUT, as a short story, Long Time Coming is fun, sexy and again, brings two people together who deserve to be after years of being apart.

Available Everywhere!

Kurt McCord has waited far too long to see Leigh Douglas again.

Once, they’d shared a foster home but at 16, he knew it was wrong to want her the way he did.

But that was another time and today, he has Leigh right where he wants her: in his home with her eyes full of promise.

Can they shake off the shackles of the past and finally have all they’ve ever wanted? In a short story that sizzles with heat first love can be a long time coming. . .



Don't forget to enter our Monthly Giveaway for a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Our Monthly Giveaway is in full swing!

Available now - The Brantons A Collection by @BonnieEdwards #RomanceGems

Only 99c

When I was sick for the entire month of April (started March 25, but who's counting), I wasn't able to focus on my work-in-progress. Craving Jake is at a point where it needs total focus and my brain just ran out of juice.

But, I decided to work on other things, like promotion and blog posts and cover art. For the first time, I managed to format a boxed set of my own work.

I'm excited to share The Brantons!

And please...isn't this a beautiful cover? Doesn't it scream happy endings?


The Brantons, A Collection...

Three fun, steamy stories of lost love returned, new love found and brand new chances.

The Brantons have had some peculiar twists in their love lives...

Body Work: A second chance romance for reunited first loves...

Slow Hand: A runaway bride finds love on her honeymoon...

Whole Lot o' Love: A secret baby comes home in this second chance romance...

For the beautiful month of May, we've got a bucket load of contests, giveaways and prizes. Check out our page Monthly Giveaways for all the ways you can enter and what all the prizes are. (We think you'll love what we have in store for you.)

For those of you who enjoy getting a deal in your inbox, consider subscribing to BookBub and following me there: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bonnie-edwards

Playing Favorites by Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

Have you ever been asked which of your children is your favorite? Which grandchild? How about whose apple pie is better? Your mom's or your mother-in-laws?

One of the questions authors get asked quite often is: Which of all the books you've written is your favorite?

Like choosing that favorite child/grandchild, it's difficult. Well, not so much difficult as wrong. No matter which you choose, the other books are going to be upset. Each book, like each child, brings something different to the table. One is strong in conflict, the other in action. One brings you to tears, while the other makes you laugh so hard you pee a little.

Because I write across multiple genres, I can cheat and choose an "out" ... a favorite in each genre perhaps. Still, I'm probably hurting the other books' feelings. I truly believe, when I'm not looking, my characters talk to each other. From one book to the next, they discuss why this book got two love scenes, why this one got none. Just like teenage sisters, they're often jealous of one another.

Despite our assurances (or at least mine) that we don't play favorites, it's not true. Deep down, if we look hard enough, every author has a favorite. That book of our heart. The one we had to write.

For me, it was an idea I tweaked based on a true story. I'd met these two women at one of my son's sporting events. Sisters actually. The older of the two was obviously fighting an illness but determined to watch her little boy at play. The younger sister was equally invested in the boy's activity and for a very good reason. Their story moved me. So much so, I knew I had to turn it into a romance. Even though I couldn't change the older sister's destiny, I could create a conflict, a solution, and what we all long for...a happily ever after.

Their story became that book of my heart.

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.

Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.

Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Amazon | B&N | Chapters/Indigo

First Place: International Digital Award for Contemporary Romance

Watch the Trailer

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Shameless plug complete, how about we try and win some prizes? Our multiple Luck O’The Irish giveaways are in full swing. Don’t forget to comment and include your last name and email (written out please to avoid scammers). You may win one of our weekly gift cards. While you’re at it, bring a friend to the blog and you both might win!

And, of course there’s our March Rafflecopter drawing that’s up and running for two unique opportunities to help one of our authors name a character in an upcoming book!

Until my next turn on the blog, stay happy, stay healthy, find a favorite something, and stay well read!

Nancy