Good morning, friends!
Day two of the RSJ conference. Great session yesterday on copyright and free-use given by attorney Desarie Green. Also, great tips on self-publishing from a woman who's well-versed on the subject and has won multiple awards; Saharra Sandu. When I purchased the early bird package last July, I opted in for the recordings. I can go back and listen as long as RSJ lives.
This week is all about Summer!
Good morning, friends.
I had the realization yesterday I'd not chosen Spotlight Authors or books for this week; the whole month actually.
I will be in the RSJ Romance Writers' conference all this week. In preparation for the event, everything else just fell by the way. I will get the Friday Photos scheduled for your inspiration as well as the rest of the Thoughtful Monday posts. Spotlight Authors and Reviews will resume next week.
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
As we celebrate our Nation's 250th birthday, please be safe.
Good morning, friends.
I'm taking a step away from the Korean War history to bring you a special 4th of July Tribute.
The video below posted to YouTube nine years ago. After learning the process of bringing Pfc. Chance Russell Phelps home was properly done, the details precise (not a Hollywood make believe), I knew things I needed to look for and include in An Ozarks Homecoming.
The story of Pfc. Phelps' return home is documented in the film, 'Taking Chance' staring Kevin Bacon. The emotional thread runs through the movie like a trip-wire. Strong, powerful, tugging at every conceivable emotion regarding the loss of life but more importantly the sacrifice our men and women are ready to make to insure our freedom.
Good morning, everyone!
Can you believe we just stepped in to July? Crazy!
I'm choosing the books for this month. Here's a tip - they're going to be Christmas related. Hallmark is releasing new movies this month as well. I'll be showcasing them each week.
An unforgettable
collection of Sweet Historical Western Romances set against the rugged backdrop
of the Old West. Each story is a unique journey of faith, love, and the power
of hope in the face of adversity.
Alanna
She has nowhere to go,
but he doesn’t trust her. Can love bloom amid suspicion?
Donald Dill has heard every excuse in the book from would-be brides. Now jaded and skeptical, he’s ready to send his new mail-order bride back. Alanna Foley, however, is determined to stay. With her niece in tow after her sister’s death, Alanna has no other options. She’s strong and resilient, but Donald’s lack of trust stings deeply.
Amid the perils of land grabbers, dangerous wildlife, and another woman’s shocking claim to Alanna’s niece, love quietly takes root. But can they overcome their fears and listen to their hearts before it’s too late?
Good morning, friends!
We are closing out June with another Western Romance author. I hope you've enjoyed the bridal series.
USA Today Best-Selling Author of Heartfelt Western Romance
Kathleen Ball is a
celebrated USA Today Best-Selling Author and Amazon Kindle All-Star, renowned
for her deeply emotional and unforgettable storytelling. With a unique talent
for weaving tales that capture the rugged beauty of the West and the enduring strength
of the human spirit, Kathleen has become a beloved name in both Historical and
Contemporary Western Romance.
Her novels transport readers to a time of simplicity, courage, and unwavering values, where love triumphs over adversity and faith carries characters through their darkest hours. Each book delivers a heart-stirring journey that will make you laugh, cry, and ultimately rejoice as love conquers all.
Whether set on a sun-drenched ranch or amidst the untamed frontier, Kathleen’s stories are rich with vivid imagery, compelling characters, and the hope of a happy ending. Her heartfelt narratives resonate with readers who cherish tales of redemption, second chances, and unbreakable bonds.
When you pick up a Kathleen Ball novel, prepare for a page-turning experience that will leave you inspired and longing for more. Explore her works today and discover why she is one of the most celebrated voices in Western Romance.
Good morning, friends!
We have officially moved into Summer. What are your plans?
Do you know how the Korean War began?
The inspiration for An Ozarks Homecoming began when I stood along side the road and watched the procession bringing CPL Donald Eugene Matney home to Seymour MO. I'd never seen support such as CPL Matney received on his journey. Even his Uncle commented in a presentation he gave at the Broomfield Veterans Museum in April of 2017 how the state of Missouri did his nephew (his wife's nephew) proud.
The resolution called on the North to immediately halt its invasion and to move its troops back to the 38th parallel. Seen as a diplomatic victory for the United States, the resolution was completely ignored by North Korea. This brought the UN and the US to take further action, setting the state for massive international involvement and the expansion of the Korean War.
Good morning, friends!
Already been a week and it's only Wednesday! Thankfully, I had a story to distract me.
Dr. Stephen Ambrose likes
his world orderly. His medical instruments are labeled, his routines timed, and
his patients cared for with quiet efficiency. What he never expected from Miss
Mabel’s matchmaking service was a whirlwind bride who brings more laughter than
silence and more peppermint lozenges than medical charts.
Della Tate has spent years volunteering in San Francisco’s free infirmary, learning every trick of nursing without ever earning a certificate. She’s cheerful, determined, and convinced that God has called her to help others, even if her new husband would prefer she sweep floors and keep quiet. But the people of Hickory Creek adore her, even as she turns Stephen’s carefully controlled life upside down.
When a mother and child nearly lose their lives in childbirth, the resulting controversy summons Stephen and Della before the Texas Medical Board. The hearing could cost him his license and her the chance to serve beside him. As uncertainty looms, both must decide whether love and faith are strong enough to withstand the weight of doubt—and whether God’s plan for them is larger than their fears.
With humor, heart, and a touch of Miss Mabel’s divine mischief, The Doctor’s Distracting Bride is a Christian Western romance about courage, calling, and discovering that sometimes God’s best prescriptions come wrapped in laughter and love.
They ask for quiet, obedient brides. Mabel sends them the ones with fire.
The Doctor's Distracting Bride is Book 6 in the Bride's of Miss Mabel's Registry.
London James has an interesting voice with her books. First off, Miss Mabel doesn't connect couples necessarily what they ask for. She has an innate ability to read between the lines to make the perfect match.
She also uses a unique trope. Rather than the 'Cinderella', 'Enemies to Lovers', etc, she uses stories from the Bible. For this one, she called on the Book of Ruth. Definitely a unique way to tell a contemporary (or in this case Historical romance) love story. I found her way of getting the couple's attention to their own predicament refreshing.
While she tells a great story, I did find a couple of editing issues, including an entire paragraph duplicated, one right after the other on a page. There were a couple minor editing issues as well. For the editing only, I'm giving a slightly lower quill rating this week.
I'm giving The Doctor's Distracting Bride...
. 8
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
I seem to be picking up Historical fiction lately. I had to work to find this author's information. The website listed on her Amazon author page is incorrect. I found the correct one by doing a Google search. How did we find information before Google? I'm hoping all the links below are correct. You will notice in her bio she writes under three different pen names, publishing everything under Long Valley Press.
Welcome to my humble
abode on the interwebs! Who am I, you ask? Well, I'm a wordsmith who creates
literary magic in my fuzzy pants while surrounded by my furry feline friends
and beloved equine companions. I pen Sweet Historical Romance and Sweet Contemporary
Romance under the pen name London James, while my alter ego, Angela Christina
Archer, delves into Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Historical
Romance.
Hailing from the wilds of Nevada, reading was never my top priority when I had horses to ride and shows to attend. But when I did find a quiet moment, I devoured the Saddle Club Series, Sweet Valley High, and the classics like Anne of Green Gables, The Box Car Children, and Little House on the Prairie. Writing always fascinated me, but it wasn't until 2009 that I finally took the plunge and started penning my debut novel.
When I'm not lost in the world of words, you'll find me on my ranch with my doting hubby, two beautiful daughters, and an assortment of farm animals. As a homeschooling mom, I keep busy from dawn till dusk, tending to my garden, baking up a storm, and ensuring my furry and feathered friends are happy and healthy. Though I've retired from showing horses, I still hit the trails with my trusty paint horse, Honky, and love teaching my daughter how to ride her handsome horse, Chubs.
I'll be back tomorrow with my review of The Doctor's Distracting Bride. In the meantime, please visit the links below to learn more about London James, her various pen names, and wide variety of books.
WEBSITE LINKTR.EE FACEBOOK GOODREADS
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
First off, I apologize for posting the wrong book title in yesterday's spotlight post. I had copied the bio and info from when I featured Christine last month, failing to proof my post.
Today, we are reviewing...
BLURB:
A runaway bride in hiding. A wagon master with rules. One wagon train journey could cost them everything—or lead them straight to love.
Amanda Crumb is desperate to escape. Trapped under her brother’s cruel thumb and facing a future she never chose, she’ll risk everything for a chance at freedom on the Colorado trail. When stern wagon master Charlie Holstead refuses to let her join his train, Amanda makes a reckless choice and hides in one of his wagons.
Charlie Holstead trusts order. Scarred by loss and determined never to marry again, the seasoned wagon master has one rule above all others: no unmarried women on his train. But when he discovers a fiery stowaway with nowhere else to turn, Charlie’s carefully laid plans begin to unravel. Protecting Amanda becomes far more dangerous than sending her away.
Even though Amanda is falling for Charlie’s steady strength, quiet faith, and the way he makes her feel safe for the first time in years, her brother’s threats and her own fears could destroy their fragile trust. And although Charlie is drawn to Amanda’s courage, tender heart, and fierce determination, the pain of his past and the risks of loving someone in danger keep him from claiming the future he wants.
Will Amanda and Charlie trust God—and each other—before the unforgiving frontier tears them apart?
One of the first things I noticed in the beginning of the book was the blurb, 'if you enjoy books by Karen Whitmere or Shanna Hatfield...'
I am a fan of both of those authors. Karen Whitmer ( Karen Whitmer-Gow/ Elizabeth Grayson) was a dear friend of my sister and I had the pleasure of getting to know her as well. Almost thirty years ago, I received a gift of embroidery scissors from Karen for one of her books. I can't remember the book now, but I cherish those little scissors. Sadly, Karen passed in 2025. I met Shanna at the last RT Convention in Dallas and have featured on the blog several times.
With that information, and having reviewed The Farmer's Wife last month, I was not surprised to find this book just as enjoyable.
Christine Sterling is one of the best novella authors I've read. She has the format down to a science. 'This is where we are, this is what's happening, this is where we find our happy-ever-after'.
I loved Amanda's determination to escape her brother and thwart his evil plan to use her as a bargaining chip in a high-stakes poker game. The fact he eluded to the fact the winner could do whatever they wanted with her was down right disgusting. However, Christine let this add to the characterization of why Amanda was desperate to get away, and why she chose Charles as her 'knight in shining armor'.
Which brings me to Charlie Holstead. He may not be in the market for a bride, much to his mother's dismay, but when he hears Amanda's brother's evil plan he sets his reservations aside to save her. He has his own history with the man. He won't let history repeat itself.
How Christine brought the two together was perfect. Mind you, if I'd crawled out of a wagon to go relieve myself and walked into a 'tree with arms', I'm not sure I'd have the control Amanda possessed. One more little nugget of showing the heroine's strength.
Christine Sterling is masterful and I hope to read more of her books, including the rest in this series as well as the first one we featured last month. She writes tight, while leaving nothing out in any of her series'. I encourage you to go to her Amazon Author Page link below and begin a summer full of entertainment and enjoyment. If you don't have time to curl up with a larger book, her stories are perfect.
I'm giving The Wagon Master's Wife...
You'll find more about Christine Sterling by following any of the links below.
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM GOODREADS AUDIBLE
All my best!
~ Angela
Until I began researching how to portray the subject of bringing home Lt. Daniel Sterlings remains home from the Korean War in A OZARKS HOMECOMING I didn't know anything about Mortuary Affairs.
I knew our service men and women came home but I didn't know anything about the process - what steps were taken to honor our fallen heroes and bring them home with the dignity they deserve.Good morning, readers!
I have a repeat performance Author Spotlight tonight. Christine Sterling. I didn't realize until after I'd chosen this week's book and setting up blog posts that we were stepping into a book from a different series.
Here's a bit about Christine:
USA TODAY bestselling author Christine Sterling loves immersing her readers in the small towns she’s created. Her inspirational stories feature humor, redemption, and romance, with themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for the love you want.
She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.
An empty nester, she lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When she’s not writing, she can be found, drinking tea, being judged by her cat, eating snacks or napping.
While waiting for the review of The Wagon Master's Wife, you can check out any of Christine's links below.
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM GOODREADS AUDIBLE
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
The story is finally coming together, little by little. If you're writing, how is your project progressing?
Good morning, readers!
We're stepping into June all about the brides. This week's novella was interesting. Let's get into the book and the review.
The reality show ended
with an engagement, so why doesn’t this feel like the fairy tale she thought it
would be?
The Rejection Connection hardly sounds like the place to fall in love, but Wynne Hardy walked off the reality-TV set with an engagement ring. And in the whirlwind of publicity and preparation that follows a TV-bride-to-be in her fifteen minutes of fame, Wynne barely has time to consider how she really feels about her new fiancé . . . to say nothing of how she still feels about her ex.
As the wedding plans develop, so too do Wynne’s doubts: Is she in love with Andy? Or is this really about Callum—the ex-boyfriend who sent her onto Rejection Connection in the first place? A nationally televised snub might be the best revenge . . . but is it a good reason to get married?
When Callum resurfaces at the worst possible moment, Wynne can’t help wondering if she’s made a huge mistake. Is her marriage a publicity stunt? And what happens when the cameras stop rolling, and she has a husband she barely knows?
A June Bride is Book 7 in the A Year of Weddings series.
I've never been a fan of reality TV, unless it's a cooking show (those are a little harder to script, I think, though not impossible). But as this story brings to light, most of it is scripted for ratings. Meredith brings that to light when, as her Marathon Mom fame is dying, she steps onto Wynne's wedding dress train for a shot at a new run; a way to keep herself in the spotlight. Wynne doesn't see this at first. She's too caught up in her upcoming wedding to her chosen one on the reality show, The Rejection Connection. But was she really 'rejected'? Or did she misunderstand why Callum walked away?
The evolution of this story was smooth, believable, and worth the read. Once you read the book, please leave a comment either here, or in your own review whether or not Andy was really in it to find a partner or was he also riding the reality train?
I'm giving A June Bride...
Remember, you can find out more about Marybeth Whalen and her books by clicking any of the links below.
All my best!
~ Angela
As readers we think (or at least I've heard) that writing a book is easy. For those authors who are pumping out 4-6 books a year I just can't imagine. Do they not do anything but write? No other interests?
I have always had some experience, feeling, something to draw from and to add a dimension to my stories. With An Ozarks Homecoming, I started with a clean slate. The closest I have to experience with this book is 1) my passion for all things Eureka Springs and 2) my desire to in some way, pay my respects to Corporal Donald Matney, the Korean War Veteran who inspired the secondary story line.Good morning, friends!
This week we are preparing for a June wedding. That story comes tomorrow. For now, let's meet this week's author.
Marybeth Mayhew Whalen is
the author of THE THINGS WE WISH WERE TRUE (7/16) and five previous novels. She
speaks to women's groups around the US. She is the co-founder of the popular
women's fiction site, She Reads www.shereads.org. Marybeth and her husband Curt
have been married for 24 years and are the parents of six children, ranging
from young adult to elementary age. The family lives in North Carolina.
Marybeth spends most of her time in the grocery store but occasionally escapes
long enough to scribble some words. She is always at work on her next novel.
You'll find out more about Marybeth and her works by clicking the links below.
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
I've scheduled a lot of posts so I can get back to finishing this book. I'm ready to talk to new characters.
Good morning!
June starts the big travel season so you'll see photos to inspire your romantic getaways, excursions, and other fun ways to escape the daily grind.
Good morning, friends.
I'm going to be reposting older content. For one reason, I may have followers that have not seen them. The other reason is bring posts related to my current work in progress to the foreground. I'm getting closer to finishing An Ozarks Homecoming so it's time to bring some things back - refreshing both your memory (if you've been following me awhile) and my own. At almost sixty-five, this brain isn't always what it used to be in some areas.
Future posts will run on Wednesdays and the conference/ contest items will run on Thursdays, when available.
EDITED FROM JANUARY 2019 - How it all began.
I don't think I've told any of you yet, but Book 2 is centered around a young couple brought back together (there's that 2nd chance thing) through the events surrounding bringing home the remains of a Korean War Vet. I got the idea two years ago as I stood by the side of the road in solemn respect of a procession carrying Crpl. Donald Matney home to Seymour MO. Something about this young man spoke to me. While I've never believed in visiting someone at a cemetery, I find myself stopping by his resting place almost every time I travel through on my way to Springfield.
Good morning!
Was nice to curl up and really enjoy the book yesterday. I needed the break. The canning is done until fall, so that's one thing off my plate and I can get back to writing.
In the mean time, I have a soft romance for you today. This book was special. One of the reasons I love to read novella's because they show the author's true artistry in telling a tight, well-structured story. This week's book is a great example of Christine Sterling'stalent.
She offered herself as a bride, to save her future—and his heart.
Elizabet Garrett is out
of time and out of choices. Cast out by her brother’s growing family, she knows
the early American frontier offers little mercy to an unmarried woman with
nowhere to go. When she witnesses a wounded farmer being rejected by his mail-order
bride, Elizabet does the unthinkable. She steps forward and offers herself as
the substitute.
Peter Arkin has learned not to hope. Finding a wife on the frontier isn’t easy when you have a disability. He has survived loss, injury, and a bitter struggle with anger on his isolated homestead. When his carefully arranged mail-order match fails, the last thing he expects is a stranger’s brave and desperate proposal. Elizabet never intended to fall for the rugged man behind the scars, but her past threatens to follow her into marriage.
Peter starts believing in love again, but his temper and self-doubt could destroy the fragile bond they’re building. Can two wounded hearts find healing, faith, and love on the unforgiving frontier, or will fear cost them everything?
Set in the small town of
Flat River, Nebraska, this heartfelt and uplifting historical romance is
perfect for readers who enjoy 1800s western frontier stories filled with strong
pioneer women, rugged men, and the courage it takes to choose love. If you love
clean historical romance rooted in faith and hope, with frontier hardship and a
love which grows stronger through God’s grace, then read The Farmer’s Bride
today and discover why readers keep coming back to Flat River.
I loved multiple things about this story. First and foremost a disabled hero. It isn't often we see disability featured, especially in a historical. He was so sweet. Elizabet helped him see he wasn't incapable of a lot of things, including love, just because he was missing a leg. They were both bruised from various occurrences in their past. They found each other when they needed to someone to help them heal.
As for Elizabet. I loved her character. The fact that her brother acted the way she did. Elizabet left to begin her new life with Peter with a small carpet bag holding her meager possessions. I won't give anything away but safe to say, Peter had much more restraint than I would have.
The Farmer's Bride is Book 1 of 7 in the Flat River Matchmaker series. Christina said we'll see some of the characters make appearances along the way. I want to read the others if for no other reason than to find out if Elizabet's brother comes to his senses.
You'll find a complete list of the series on...
Goodreads Series Link: https://www.goodreads.com/series/351177-the-flat-river-matchmaker
I'm giving The Farmer's Wife...
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, friends!
How can it be June already? June is one of the biggest months for weddings so we're reading those all-in novellas this month.
According to columnist Kate Boswell (her article references The Knot data), seventy-six percent of weddings take place between May and October. June comes in second place of the top 3. Please tell me in the comments what seasons you think come in at number one and number three.
Kicking off our June brides authors is Christine Sterling.
Here's a bit about Christine:
USA TODAY bestselling author Christine Sterling loves immersing her readers in the small towns she’s created. Her inspirational stories feature humor, redemption, and romance, with themes of friendship, forgiveness, and fighting for the love you want.
She’s the author of over eighty romances, including the reader favorites, First Families of Flat River, and The Flat River Matchmaker series. She loves to create tight-knit families with strong family values, and you’ll often find that her characters cross over in many of her stories. Her readers describe her characters as old friends and her settings as places they would love to visit.
An empty nester, she
lives with her husband and a menagerie of animals on a Pennsylvania farm. When
she’s not writing, she can be found, drinking tea, being judged by her cat,
eating snacks or napping.
While waiting for the review of The Farmer's Bride, you can check out any of Christine's links below.
FACEBOOK INSTAGRAM GOODREADS AUDIBLE
All my best!
~ Angela
Good morning, readers!
A new month full of promise and great reads.
Good morning, friends!
Winding up another month. Time just seems to fly, doesn't it?
