It's Release Day! Fall For You: Texas Heat

Fall For You: Texas Heat

Heartwood, Texas: Book One

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https://books2read.com/FallForYou

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even if it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Fitness ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "Do you have a fitness routine? What do you do to maintain your physical and mental health?"

Okay! Finally. An easy question! Yes, I absolutely do. Although for most of the last five years this was NOT the case. I used to do yoga somewhat religiously. Then Covid hit and everything shut down, and then I moved, and it's been hard finding a place to go. Most yoga in Texas is hot yoga--which I don't get. It's already hot here (well, not THIS WEEK, but more often than not) so why bother?

Also I don't really like Vinyasa. I'm all about Yin and gentle Hatha--and Restorative, OMG, I love Restorative! I'm all about the props. 

I ltry to do a minimum of five classes a week. But I've been known to bump that up to eight classes a week, if my schedule allows it. Right now, I'm on a really tight deadline so, I've pared my routine down a little.  

Now, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page to learn about her fitness routine! 

Fall For You: Texas Heat

A Heartwood, TX Story

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even though it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.​

https://books2read.com/FallForYou

Musical Monday: Austin (Dasha)

So there's kind of an interesting story having to do with this song. I'm one of those people who obsessively listens to song lyrics. And this song used to drive me crazy because the person singing the song makes no sense. She was living in Texas and had gotten involved with someone and they had decided to move to California together. But when she went to pick him up to leave, he wasn't home. 

So--like no one does ever--she decided he'd changed his mind for some unknown reason, and she leaves without him and the whole song is about her wondering what happened to him.

BUT she doesn't wait to find out, she just leaves town. 

The song is catchy as hell, but (to quote from The Big Lebowski): the story is ludicrous. 

Fast forward to me, attempting to plot Fall For You. I had a heroine who left town and left the hero behind. I needed a reason for that. My heroine actually does exactly what the singer does in this song Gets ticked off and goes on her own. Doesn't find out until later what had happened. The hero is a little pissed about that--as anyone would be!

My heroine at least has a reason. She'd been abandoned as a child and thought it was happening again. 

The song still makes no sense.

Fall For You: Texas Heat

Heartwood, Texas: Book One

Available for pre-order now: FallForYou

​

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even if it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.

​

Releasing January 30, 2025

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Chemistry ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "How Do You Create Chemistry Between Characters?"

Wow. I wish I had an answer to this question, but honestly I think it's more instinctive than anything else. I think the only trick is to give each character a trait that the other character needs, wants, or is attracted to. For example, in Fall For You (releasing later this month) one of my characters (who has abandonment issues) sees the other as a hero--someone who'll protect her, care for her, and never abandon her. The other character views himself as both the black sheep of his family and the "disappointing middle child" forever overshadowed by his brothers. To him, the heroine is someone he hasn't let down yet. Someone who (see above) looks at him and sees hero material.  

She needs a hero, he needs to be a hero. They give each other what they need...until they don't. Until her abandonment issues cause her to underestimate him, to leave him because she's just that certain that he's leaving her. Until his desire to protect her leads to his witholding information that she deserves to know. But, I don't know. I think pain can create its own kind of chemistry. 

Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's page to see how she creates chemistry! And don't forget to check out her book, Stay With Me.

STAY WITH ME

Two women. Years apart. Linked by common experience and a cottage that has survived since the Civil War. When Rebecca reaches out from the past, Evelyn finds it life changing.

And in their own times, each must discover strength and fight to find and keep true love.

A NEST Award winner for paranormal.

https://amzn.to/3VtxaZ3

Fall For You: Texas Heat

A Heartwood, TX Story

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even though it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.​

https://books2read.com/FallForYou

Musical Monday: Crazy Every Time (Tracy Byrd)

 

I first started listening to this song while I was living in Paso Robles, working on...probably the fourth or fifth Oberon book. The whole album is giving serious Dan Cavanaugh vibes, although maybe not this particular song. The characters in Fall For You, on the other hand definitely fit this profile. 

Fall For You: Texas Heat

Heartwood, Texas: Book One

Available for pre-order now: FallForYou

​

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even if it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.

​

Releasing January 30, 2025

Romance Writers Weekly ~ Unpredictable Plots ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "How do you surprise readers with unique and unpredictable plots?"

Well, that's an interesting question. Because it seems to me that one of the thing readers (including me) like best about romance novels is the lack of unpredictability. 

I guess the answer is that I surprise myself first. I never know where my next bit of inspiration is going to come from. For this month's release (Fall For You) I was struggling with the story--a second chance romance tale where the woman is the one who leaves town, hoping to make it in the big city and the man is the one who stays home and cares for his/their extended family. 

BUT THEN...I was enjoying an afternoon out with parents from my grandson's school when a delicious little plot twist was dropped into my lap. And no, I'm not going to tell you what it was--because it's a surprise!

Now, hop on over to Jill Haymaker's page to see what she has to say! And don't forget to check out her book, RISE UP TO LOVE.

RISE UP TO LOVE: 

a story of love and redemption

What happens when just as your life is coming together, the old life you left behind forever catches up with you? Can Lori find a way to make up for her past mistakes and move forward? Sometimes the person who is hardest to forgive is yourself.

https://books2read.com/AfterWords

Fall For You: Texas Heat

A Heartwood, TX Story

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even though it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.​

https://books2read.com/FallForYou

Musical Monday: Don't Call Me (Chris Young)

This song is so perfect for the story I'm currently working on. Poor Carter was dealing with the love of his life having left him. But now she's back wanting to pick up where they left off. 

Of course it's not as simple as that. Where would the fun be if it were all black and white? Eventually they'll find a happy ending, but in the meantime, they're gonna drive each other crazy. 

Fall For You: Texas Heat

Heartwood, Texas: Book One

Available for pre-order now: FallForYou

​

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even if it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.

​

Releasing January 30, 2025

Romance Writers Weekly ~ 2025! ~ #LoveChatWrite

 This week, on the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop, we're asked, "What are you looking forward to most in 2025?"

Hmm. Good question. I have a possible trip back to Costa Rica coming up, and I'm definitely looking forward to that! And I found the perfect yoga studio, so I'm also looking forward to getting back into shape. I felt my absolute best when I was doing yoga regularly, so that's definitely a goal. 

But I guess, really, the thing I'm most looking forward to this year is the books I'm going to be releasing. I have two new series coming up and I couldn't be more excited about them!

Now, hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's page to find out what she's looking forward to! 

Winter World of Love

A Winter Hearts Steampunk Novella

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December 24, 1871

Republic of New Texacali

Just one short year ago, Ophelia Leonides returned to New Texacali hoping to reconcile with her husband. And, for a while, it seemed that most, if not all, her dreams were coming true. But as the holiday season approaches, Ophelia can’t help but notice that Dario has begun to brood. He says it has nothing to do with her, but trust, once lost, is hard to regain.
 
Dario is frustrated by his inability to give Ophelia the life he knows she deserves. Now, as old ghosts from his past draw close, and the bright future he’s promised his wife grows increasingly dim, he’s on the brink of making a last, desperate gamble--one that might destroy everything they've been hoping to achieve.​

https://books2read.com/Winter-World-of-Love

Musical Monday: Bad Decisions (Dylan Schneider)

So the book I'm working on currently (Fall For You) has two main characters with a history of bad decisions. And I am enjoying them so much! The book is set in Texas (as are two more books releasing this year) so you can expect a lot of country music coming up for 2025. 

Fall For You: Texas Heat

Heartwood, Texas: Book One

https://books2read.com/FallForYou

​

Jocelyn Barnes couldn’t wait to leave Heartwood in her rearview mirror—even if it meant breaking two hearts in the process. Now, with her career on hiatus and her great-aunt in need of help as she recovers from concussion, Jo finds herself right back where she started, older but not much wiser, and about to make all the same mistakes all over again.

 

 Carter Donahue doesn’t believe in looking back. As the chef/manager of his family’s new farm-to-table restaurant, he’s got his hands full. With a goal of turning his legacy into a must-see, Hill Country destination, his focus is on the future. The past? He’d rather that stayed buried. The last thing he needs (or wants) is to dig up those old feelings or fall back in love with his ex—especially when she’s already got one foot out the door. Again.

Available for pre-order now!