MONTHLY UPDATE

 Good morning, friends

As I sit here planning out September I realized this is the last day of August and time for an update.

Sadly, there is no update on the writing. I really want to finish this book but life keeps happening. I'm so over interruptions.

I was almost to the point of having the studio in a workable order and already had my desk space to layout the scene printouts and begin putting the final phase of the draft together when this happened:

Above my paper storage we discovered I have a serious leak. Now, this did not surprise us as it's just an extension of a roof leak we've been dealing with for at the very least, a couple of years. We've tried everything tofind/ fix the issue. Bob was sure it had to do with the chimney because that had been an issue before we bought the house. The only time the leak affected us was when we had a pelting rain from the northwest. Well, over time the leak has become a stead drip with any rain and apparently running down a channel and into the addition - my office. 

As you can see, we removed everything from the shelf and now we have this:

Bob thinks he's found the issue and fixed it for real this time, but we won't know until we get a good rain and he can actually see.  So we wait through the next couple of weeks as we are in for nothing but sun and close to 100* temps for the next week or two. 

In the mean time, stuff from those top shelves are all over the office, the living room, and my roll-top desk in the bedroom until we find out. All the spaces I'd sorted/ pitched/ cleared now have those items on them and I'm back to no place to work but the dining room table.

I'll be back to work on the manuscript for a couple of hours each night this week as I ask Earth Mother for rain. 

What life interruptus do you deal with in your writing life? I'd love to commiserate with you.

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

Can you believe it's the last day of August. If you're counting, Halloween is just two weeks away! 

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning!

I hope these photo prompts are inspiring you.

Courtesy of Pixabay

All my best!

 ~Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Lighthouse Keeper's Argument

 Good morning!

Ever have those weeks, not days but weeks, where if something can interrupt your flow, it will? That's been my case lately. Balace will be restored. Maybe with the Lunar Eclipse tonight. 

This week, I'm reviewing The Lighthouse Keeper's Argument by Sloane Hart.

AMAZON

This is Book 1 of 2 in the series.

BLURB:

Nora Callahan came back to Cedar Falls for one reason: sell her late grandmother's lighthouse cottage before the ink dries on her promotion offer and get back to her real life in Boston. She did not come back to argue with the infuriating, broad-shouldered harbor master who's filed three injunctions against the sale and apparently has opinions about everything she does. Declan Marsh has spent five years quietly protecting the Cedar Falls coastline — and the lighthouse that anchors it. He's not about to let some city lawyer in impractical shoes hand it over to a resort developer who'll gut the soul out of his town. Even if that lawyer has a laugh that keeps him awake at night. Forced to co-manage the cottage's legal fate through a town heritage review, Nora and Declan wage war in public and wage something far more dangerous in private. But Nora's flight back to Boston is already booked. And Declan learned the hard way that the people you love most are always one tide away from leaving. Something's got to give. The question is whether it will be the injunction — or their hearts.

After three attempts to get into the story and barely making my way through Chapter 7, I had to put the book down. Nothing is happening. I knew as a reader I was going to be in trouble when Nora meets Declan, bringing the two characters together, then the very next chapter Nora is parked in front of the cottage again, thinking about the argument. What argument? We are not privy to the confrontation between Nora and Declan. As a reader, I want to experience that fire between the main characters. We never really see this in as far as I've read. While there is one point where they are in the cottage together assessing potential historical value as well as what is wrong, the content is as foggy and cold as the sea air coming off the ocean. 

Maybe I'm missing something but I can't rate this book. I do encourage Sloane Hart to learn the craft before investing her time, and ours, on a story we can't feel. 

I can't rate this book. We'll see what September brings. I'm in the mood to curl up with a good Autumnal read.

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Delayed

 Quick note, everyone!

Yesterday marked forty-two years of being married to my real life hero. He planned the day so I didn't get to read this week's book. I'll do that today and the review will post tomorrow.

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Sloan Hart

 Good morning, readers!

I wanted to promote a new author this week but her name gives conflicting searches. One has her writing small-town romance, connected to this week's read, The Lighthouse Keeper's Argument.

As I went looking for the social media links, I only got info for a totally different, Sloane Hart (yes, same spelling) but writing thriller-intense memoirs (not what I was looking for).

With that said, I did further research and found the small-town romance genre are both published this year. whereas the memoirs were published in 2025.

Here's the BIO for this week's author:

Sloane Hart writes small-town romances about second chances, stubborn hearts, and the places that pull us home. Her Cedar Falls series unfolds on a windswept stretch of the Maine coast, where the tide always brings people back to where they belong. When she isn't writing, she's chasing the perfect cup of coffee, rereading her favorite comfort reads, and planning a trip to somewhere with a lighthouse. She believes every love story deserves a happy ending — and she makes sure hers always do.

The only link I have for this author is her Amazon Author Page.

Until tomorrow..

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

All my best!

 ~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning!

Continuing our summer travel...

Courtesy of Pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

WRITING MY WAY - Part 2 Balancing Home Life with Writing

 Good morning!

Another hot day in the Ozasrks. I am so over the heat. However, the heat does give me a good reason to park my hiney in the office and get real work done.

Last week I talked about finding your best writing time. I suggested Sarra Cannon's videos to help in your search. I mentioned that my best 'novel' writing time is from about 4-6 p.m. So, what do I do the rest of the day?

I can manage writing shorter pieces, like this blog post, during the day when my 1950s housewife brain is focused on taking care of my home and family. I can write a blog post or outline a short story then get up and work a load of laundry, set the robot sweeper to run, prep dinner; you know, the general household duties. Since Bob retired that might also include a game of Triple Yahtzee or a card game. I'll explain why that task is important in a future post.

This is also a great time for the administrative side of my business such as posting to social media, buzzing through the email, or other tasks involved in running a successful writing business. Maybe I need to write a blurb, order a cover, line up beta and ARC readers. Am I successful? Not even close. Another topic we'll dive in to another time. But I'm learning as I go. 

Sarra's Publish & Thrive course was an eye-opener and to be honest, scared the crumbs out of me. I have so much to learn about this business and I hate the fact this is one more facet of my life other entities feel the need to get their claws in. 

The key is in KNOWING your best writing time for whatever you need to do. Writing also includes the business tasks, not just writing the book but the entire profession you have chosen. 

So how do we balance our writing business with our personal life? Sarra has some great tips in the video below.

Next week, I'll talk about deciding what is most important to me, and figuring out yours.

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Where Hearts Heal

 Good morning, friends!

Looks like we might have gotten a spot of rain overnight and I do mean 'spot'. The map shows the rain passed through but not a bit of dampness on the concrete. I'll have to water the garden this morning.

This week, I inadvertently picked up another novella by Kathleen Ball. I do love her stories. I think she's becoming another favorite author.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Sold to settle a debt… she never chose this life.

When Willa Portman is taken to a saloon as payment for a debt she didn’t create, fear becomes her constant companion. Alone and desperate on the Texas frontier, her future seems sealed—until one man steps in and changes everything.

Justin O'Connor is a rugged cowboy determined to build a life in the growing settlement of Everheart Ridge. He never intended to interfere, but when he sees a frightened young woman being forced into a life she doesn’t deserve, he can’t walk away. In a land where survival is never guaranteed, doing the right thing may cost him everything.

Brought to Everheart Ridge, Willa is given something she hasn’t known in far too long—safety. As the small western town struggles to take root, she finds herself drawn into a world of hard work, quiet kindness, and the possibility of a new beginning.

But healing takes time… and trusting a man—no matter how gentle—may be the greatest risk of all. 

In this sweet historical western romance, love grows where it’s least expected, and two wounded hearts must learn that second chances are worth fighting for.

Kathleen Ball knows how to not just tell you a story, but put you there. 

Justin is a remarkeable human being. Atrue gentleman. Personally, I thought the author gave him too much patience with Corrine. So did Willa, for that matter. I'm pretty sure that Miss Priss would have been subjected to a bit of water just to see if she'd melt into the background. Even when presented with the facts she would never be head of Justin's household, she still kept living in her dream world. 

Willa came from a hard life. She was good at finding metals in the tunnels but she was a quick study in manners and propriety in Justin's home. That said, my only issue with this story was how she seemed to change from the Willa that Jusin and Tessa kept telling her to 'just be yourself' to sounding like she wasn't much below Miss Priss with a more refined speech. This gave me the impression of she grew up overnight. I know the author wanted us to understand that Willa was the perfect mate for Justin, I just felt as if the mannerisms were a bit rushed. I would liked to have seen that come in a bit earlier in the story or possibly an epilogue - A year later when Justin and/ or Tessa remark how much she's changed since becoming the lady of the house.

Of all my favorite parts of the story, I'm in love with Mr. Ornery. I'm not giving anything away, but you'll see. 

I'm giving Where Hearts Heal...

.8

Remember to check out the links to Kathleen Ball's pages:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS   

AUDIO    BOOKBUB

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE   

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Kathleen Ball

Good morning, friends!

We have another returning author this week. 

When I'm looking for books, I seldom pay attention to the author. If the book fits the parameters, I put it in my Kindle and off we go. So was the case with Kathleen Ball this week.

Let's learn more about Kathleen Ball.

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.

Her website lists seventy-nine books to her credit. Tomorrow, I'll be sharing one of the stories from her three-book box set - Mail Order Brides of Pine Crossing.  In the mean time, click on any of the links below to learn more about this week's author.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS   

AUDIO    BOOKBUB

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE   

All my best!

~ Angela

 

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning!

Courtesy of Pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

WRITING MY WAY - Part 1

 Good morning, friends!

I'm trying to get back into sharing my process. In return, I'd love to hear yours in the comments.

I've always been a writer. When I first wrote An Ozarks Christmas, (almost 30 years ago), I raised our daughter, had an in-home daycare, was a leader to multiple Girl Scout troups, and managed our home. After closing the daycare I worked at our local Girl Scout council, helping to design the Talking With TJ (an anti-violence educational program) for National. For a side-hustle, I would enter up to one hundred categories in each of five county fairs. I also led a weekly writing group on AOL called The Writer's Zone. I networked with some amazing and talented authors. I kept busy. Maybe that's why I needed all of those years to write Book 1 in the Planned to Perfection series.

After we moved to south east Missouri, I found a yahoo group using writing sprints as our medium. The core group of six, met every day. I did okay with the on again, off again, sprint times as I was reworking the then titled Ozarks Angel. Then I found Sara Cannon and my whole writing process changed.

Through her series about the Pomodoro method and how to find your best writing time was a lightbulb moment for me. Here are links to the 5-part series in order.

DAY 1 - Pep Talk

DAY 2 -  Live Writing Sprints

DAY 3 - Night Owl Sprints with Sarra

DAY 4 - Your Choice

DAY 5 - Sprint Boss!

The idea is to take each day's challenge. By the end of Day 5 you should have a feel of when the words flow best for you.

Prior to taking Sarra's challenge, I dedicated an entire day to sprint with my group. What I discovered is that for long pieces, such as my novel, the word counts escalated after about 4 p.m. My word counts were much higher in the time frame of between 4-6 p.m I've sinced backed that up to begin writing around 3 p.m. That gives me a chance to settle in and the word count climbs from there.

So why, is this time frame best for me? We'll talk about that more next week. In the mean time, I suggest you check out Sarra's challenge. The workbook is available in her Google Docs. Signing up for her newsletter will give you access to everything including the workbook and so much more.

Until next week..

All my best!

~ Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Cowboy's Second Chance

 Good morning!

Another hot day in the Ozarks. May I reinterate, I'm so ready for fall.

This week's novella is The Cowboy's Second chance. The title caught my attention immediately because 'second chance' stories are my favorite to read and what I write.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Will the billionaire philanthropist get a second chance to win the lady of his heart?

He's a billionaire that's supposed to be dead.

She's the woman who chose his best friend over him.

They've forged a strong online friendship over two decades as she's raised her eight kids alone, and he kept the promise he made to her husband.

She doesn't know who he really is - the entire town of Sweet Water attended his memorial service.

When they finally meet, will the friendship they've forged be strong enough to weather the deception and the explosive secrets he's hiding?

I was not a fan of the blurb. Did you notice we aren't introduced to the characters by name? The blurb reads more like a 'will they - won't they' than using basic etiquette to introduce us. I do get this from the point of we don't have the hero's actual name in the beginning... just Oilman. That lends an air of mystery. However, this isn't a mystery. It's a small-town, sweet, contemporary romance between a couple in their possibly mid-to-late fifties forging a path to their forever.

I loved how the couple find their way back to one another. After twenty years of emails, they know one another pretty well, though Oilman knows a lot more about the younger version of Bonnie than he can let on. 

There are other books in this series - the Sweet Water Ranch Western Cowboy Romance-  and I hope one will bring Bonnie's errant son back to the fold. I get the feeling he was young when her husband past and being angry is a valid feeling for someone young who's lost a parent.

You'll find out more about Jessie Gussman and her books by following any of the links below. For a direct link to this story, you'll find that below the cover.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE

GOODREADS   NEWSLETTER

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

I'm giving The Cowboy's Second Chance...

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Jessie Gussman

 Good morning, friends!

Hot weather has returned to the Ozarks. I'm so over the heat. I'm not very productive, even with the AC unless I can crank the temp down to just above frigid. What about you?

This week's author is Jessie Gussman. If the name seems familiar, it is. I featured her back in June.

Jessie is a farm girl. I invite you to check out all of her links below, but especially her YouTube link.

Here's more about Jessie Gussman:

USA Today best-selling author Jessie Gussman writes sweet and inspirational romance from her farm in central Virginia. Having attended, but never graduating from the school of hard knocks, Jessie uses real life on the farm to inspire her cowboy, rural and blue-collar fiction. 

When she’s not chasing kids, cows and the occasional roll-away haybale, Jessie enjoys wading in Naked Creek and not cleaning her house. Most of the time her main goal is to keep from catching herself on fire…again. 

If you enjoy fun stories with vivid characters showcasing strong families with a ribbon of faith tying everything together, you might enjoy Jessie’s books.

As an additon, check out her voice actor.

Listen to Jay Dyess perform Jessie's books - for FREE - on YouTube HERE: https://www.youtube.com/SaywithJay

Subscribe to her newsletter and find out why readers say, "I eagerly look forward to Tuesday mornings" and "Jessie's newsletter is the only author newsletter that I read every word." https://dl.bookfunnel.com/97elto4gwl

You'll find out more about Jessie by clicking any of the links below.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   YOUTUBE

GOODREADS   NEWSLETTER

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 I'll be back tomorrow with a review of The Cowboy's Second Chance.

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning, friends!

You'll see a 'friend' theme in this month's posts. 

All my best!

 ~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

 As we roll towards fall, I thought we still needed a bit of summer inspiration.

Courtesy of Pixabay

All my best!

~ Angela

CONFERENCE INFORMATION- Ozark Creative Writers aka OCW

 Good morning, friends!

OZARK CREATIVE WRITERS - aka OCW

I wanted to remind you about the Ozark Creative Writers Conference coming up in October. We gather in Eureka Springs, Sarkansas the second full weekend of October - October 8-10th this year. Please click on the conference link below the image for a complete list of speakers.

This year marks the 60th consecutive year (except for that one year where no one went any where).

You get A LOT for your money at this intimate, multi-genre conference. Aside from great keynote speakers, breakout sessions, you get the opportunity to network with talented authors like yourself. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. That's just some of the reasons I will be marking my 30th year. 

For the price of your registration fee, you also have the opportunity to enter a myriad of contests - all with cash prices for First, Second, and Third Place. To enter those, you must register before the end of this month. You'll find that list HERE.

Aside from everything else, there is fabulous food provided by Best Western Inn of the Ozarks staff. There is a historic restaurant connected to the hotel. Myrtie May's is featured in all of my Eureak Springs series. 

Bring the family and let them do some shopping, enjoy the last visages of summer in the pool or the enclosed hot tub. There is also an outdoor game pagoda with lots of classic 'yard' games and a pool table. 

The conference hotel, Best Western Inn of the Ozarks rooms fill up fast. Even though there is a block of rooms for the conference, rooms fill up fast. However, there are several lovely hotels in town as well as possible AB&B on rental cottages. 

Eureka Springs is a quaint Victorian community with lots of history such as the Crescent Hotel and the Basin Park Hotel. 

I hope to see you there!

All  my best!

~Angela

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Her Hidden Falls Bronc Riding Cowboy

 Good morning, friends!

If you like stubborn cowboys or a story with a bit of glitz then you're going to love HER HIDDEN FALLS BRONC RIDING COWBOY.

AMAZON

BLURB:

A small town cowboy. A Billionaire. And the woman who has to choose between them.

Beau Hardman, bronc rider and proud owner of the Hardman Ranch, doesn’t need a woman to make his life complete. Sure, it’s nice for his brothers to settle down and find love but he’s always been the lone cowboy and been just fine with it. Too bad his brother’s best friend is putting the moves on his best friend. Pfft. Beau could care less about the rich billionaire and all of the flowers he’s buying Star. Did you hear that? He doesn’t care a bit.

Star Haven has always been content in Hidden Falls. Content, running the family Inn she was instrumental in restoring. Content, dating here and there and enjoying her small town. Until Richard Chavez shows up and invites her to a ball at his estate. A ball he plans to send a helicopter to pick her up for.

When Beau discovers Star's thinking of leaving Hidden Falls--for good, he has to come clean about his feelings….or is it too late?

Will Beau and Star be able to dig through complicated pain of the past and make a happily ever after together? Or will Beau be left in the dust by the rich billionaire and his helicopter?

I wasn't completely sold on this story at first. The conversation between Star and Charlotte left my mind a bit jumbled as to who the others they mentioned fit in. Then things began to click.

A true friends-to-lovers romance between Beau and Star. Star is more down-to-earth and settled running the Inn she inherited after her parents were killed whereas Beau is still a big kid at heart chasing his dream of winning the PRCA bronc riding trophy. He also lost his parents so seeing the juxtaposition of how he and Star each handle their grief is presented in such a way that we actual see how their lives were shaped differently by their individual loss.

Enter Richard Chavez, the billionaire who wants Star. Not in a 'I'm rich I get what I want kind of way' but truly humbled by seeing the differences between past women in his life and what he could have with Star. I may need to see if he gets his own book as this would have been a great way to kick off another series. 

Her Hidden Falls Bronc Riding Cowboy is Book 4 in a 6-book series. I think they are all worth a read. You will find them by following the link to Taylor Hart's Amazon Page, as well a long list of other books with promise from this USA Today Bestselling Author. 

I did see one small slip in a scene between Beau and one of his brothers but I'll see if you can spot it. Definitly not worth knocking points off. 

I'm giving, HER HIDDEN FALLS BRONC RIDING COWBOY ...

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Taylor Hart

 Good morning, readers!

We'll be reading some summer romances this month.

This week, we're getting to know, Taylor Hart.

The sticker in the corner of her hedshot speaks volumes but let's check in with her.

BIO:

★ USA TODAY BESTSELLER, AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR, and TOP KINDLE ALL STAR! ★

Taylor Hart writes inspirational and Christian romance and is a best-selling author of over eighty-five books with fans in the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and all over the world.

I wanted to tell something meaningful about myself, but let's start with the important stuff--I love swoon-worthy heroes. The kind of heroes that are strong and would take a bullet for you, but also want to open your door and listen to you pour out your heart.

What else? I grew up moving. If you’ve read my books, you won’t be surprised by this. I have a lot of moving themes through my books centered around characters experiencing pain from someone moving.

It was hard. But, I believe there’s always a seed of good that comes out of everything hard, so I think the best thing that came from it was that I learned to love books.

 And I had to learn a lot of mad skills on friend making. It gave me a love of people…good people, compassionate people. Interesting people of all kinds.

What else about me? I am a mother and wife! I have four amazing boys that are like little ninjas running around. I love them so much and I’m so grateful for my amazing husband who doesn’t get intimidated by all the billionaire men in my life.

I have a fierce love of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for Him and for the healing and forgiveness I’ve gotten to experience in my life. This is a theme in many of my books.

I love being an American. I am so proud of the men and women that support and preserve our freedom. This is another theme you will find in my books.

I am so grateful for my fans and for the support and love you all show me! Don’t stop reading!

That's quite a bio but I wanted Taylor to speak for herself, from the heart. I'm looking forward to reading one of her eighty-plus books.

You'll find more about Taylor Hart by following any of the links below.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   IG 

GOODREADS   BOOK BUB   YOUTUBE

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

I'll be back tomorrow for my review of Her Hidden Falls Bronc Riding Cowboy

All my best!

~Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

 Good morning! 

Welcome to a new month full of inspiration.

All my best!

~ Angela