FRIDAY PHOTO

 Good morning, friends!

June is fast approaching and I'm seeing a lot of the wild chamomile flowers in my yard. I look forward to reading something you've written. Remember to tag me or share a link in the comments below.

All my best!

~ Angela

CONFERENCE INFORMATION! - Ozark Creative Writers

 Good morning, friends.

OZARK CREATIVE WRITERS

Today's conference is near and dear to my heart. This will be my twenty-nineth year attending - minus 2 years. 1) the year my youngest granddaughter was born and 2) the year we all missed. 

Over the years I met and made friends with some amazing people. Folks like Western writer, the late Dusty Richards and his wife Pat. Romance author, the late Velda Brotherton as well as other talented authors like Linda Apple, Chrissy Willis, western author and musician Mike Blakely and W. C. Jameson.

The list could go on. I've learned so much from this conference and these people. One of my most precious memories occurred at my very first one. I won the top contest that year for a story I'd written about my 'step' mom. I also won with two poems I'd written in high school when my guidance counselor told me that writers didn't make money. That I needed to focus on a career. (at the time I wanted to be like Barbara Walters, focusing on entertainment) I thought she was doing fine for herself but guidance counselors are supposed to know, right? 

Thanks to the Ozark Creative Writers conference I've been making money with my writing for the bast twenty-nine years. Those first wins gave me the confidence to do what I loved, and I still am. 

INN OF THE OZARKS

(479) 253-9768

There is a block of rooms for the Ozark Creative Writers but they fill up fast. If you want to go, book now! However, there are several other great hotels a short drive in Eureka Springs, even two or three that are haunted ;-).

Please join us for this fabulous conference in the beautiful Victorian town of Eureka Springs AR. We've been meeting in the same hotel for fifty-seven years, minus the year we held the conference off-site since the conference hall at Inn of the Ozarks burnt down and was just beginning their rebuild. The hotel took care of us that year as well, shuttling the attendees (around 200+) back and forth from the hotel to the venue and back. Great people at Inn of the Ozarks. Tell the folks at the front desk Angela Drake sent you. They're my besties. 

If you register before August 31, 2025 you'll be eligible to enter any and all of the contests (On the Spot is available for attendees only) for a chance at prize money! We could all use that, right?

Ozark Creative Writers takes place October 9th - 11th. There is a welcome event the evening of the 9th, usually entertainment on Friday night then the Awards Banquet on Saturday night. You'll also find some down time Saturday afternoon to explore the shops downtown. I suggest taking the trolly for that as parking is scarce downtown during the 'in' season. 

Click the conference and hotel links (below their respective pictures for more info and I hope to see you there!

All my best!

~Angela

  

WEDNESDAY REVIEW - Wrangling A Texas Sweetheart

 Happy Wednesday, my friends!

I've been busy setting up as much as I can since Bob will probably be home today. I won't do anything but listen him talk about his trip for the rest of the week. That's okay. He listens to me, too. Large part of why we've been married forty-one years in August. You have to communicate - in the right way. I'll loop back to communication in the actual review. But first....

AMAZON

BLURB:

Watch out, Wilder, Texas! Sweetie's back in town!

 Sweetheart Mae Holiday is the oldest of the six Holiday sisters—the one who carries the burden of continuing the family's ranching tradition. Except Sweetie doesn't want to be a rancher. She wants to be the next Dolly Parton. And she's going to achieve her dream come hell or high water...or the inability to sing her songs in front of a crowd. When her daddy suffers a heart attack, she heads home to Wilder. Before she even reaches the edge of town, she's pulled over by a sexy-but-grumpy sheriff who makes it clear she's not welcome. Since before she headed off to Nashville she broke his cousin's heart, she understands why Sheriff Decker Carson has a bone to pick. But no one tells Sweetie what she can and can't do. When she finds out her mama and daddy are losing the ranch, Sweetie decides to put her country music dreams on hold and stay to help save her beloved home—even if she has to take on a stubborn Texas lawman whose sizzling kisses make her start to wonder if she’s been following the wrong dream all along.

 Decker Carson has had a thing for Sweetie since first seeing her strut around the Holiday Ranch with her golden ponytail swinging and her eyes sparkling like a dew-drenched meadow. But he flat refuses to let his feelings show. Everyone in Wilder knows Sweetie has always been Jace’s girl. Jace is not only Decker’s cousin, but also the one who helped him get through the loss of both his parents. Decker is not about to break the no-kissing-cousin’s-girlfriends rule—even if Sweetie and Jace have been broken up for years. Unfortunately, when a scintillating rumor spreads through town and every cowboy in the county starts showing up on the Holiday’s front porch with flowers and marriage proposals, it’s Decker’s job as sheriff to untangle the mess. Which means spending a lot more time with the one woman he can’t resist . . . and the one girl he wants to make his own.

First off, it's kind of hard to read the last quarter of the book when you can't see through your tears. Katie Lane pulled out all the stops on this one. She also brought in the communication aspect between the characters in a way I've never seen before. Sure, lots of authors write about how the hero and heroine have trouble getting on the same page because they 'think' they know what the other is thinking. But, Katie Lane really brought it home. I knew Decker and Katie were right for one another when he was not swayed by her sweet voice and batting eyelashes in the opening. Not because he didn't want to be, but because he knew if he gave in, there'd be no turning back. He'd been gone for her since he was fourteen. Those first crushes really can lead to the real deal. Like Mimi suggested, things take time to grow.

I could not find a thing wrong with this book. Not so much as a missing piece or crumb to interfere. I'm going to have to read the rest of the series. Rome has my attention and he's in Book 2.

I'm giving Wrangling A Texas Sweetheart:

You can purchase Wrangling A Texas Sweetheart by clicking the Amazon link below the cover photo above or Katie's Amazon link. Follow her on all of her social media links to see when new books come out.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER-X   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Katie Lane

 Good morning, friends!

I am all set to roll out great books and shine the light on their authors. 

Most of my reads come through Bookbub, for a couple of reasons. 

1) They're inexpensive or even FREE for a short period. A s a new member of the social security plan, saving money is important. Plus, I'm able to share these reads with you in hopes you can grab them at the special price.

2) They're a great way to meet new-to-me authors. Often times, I'll read the rest of the books in their series when time allows. I do have my own books to write, too. 

Today I'm shining the spotlight on Katie Lane

Here's a bit about, Katie:

Katie Lane is a firm believer that love conquers all and laughter is the best medicine. Which is why you'll find plenty of humor and happily-ever-afters in her contemporary and western contemporary romance novels. A USA Today Bestselling Author, she has written numerous series, including Deep in the Heart of Texas, Hunk for the Holidays, Overnight Billionaires, Tender Heart Texas, The Brides of Bliss Texas, Bad Boy Ranch, and Kingman Ranch. Katie lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and when she's not writing, she enjoys reading, eating chocolate (dark, please), and snuggling with her high school sweetheart and Cairn Terrier, Roo. Katie loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted at any of the links at the bottom of this post.

I look forward to reading and reviewing Wrangling A Texas Sweetheart. This is Book 1in the seven-book series, Holiday Ranch.

In the mean time, you can find out more about Katie Lane and her books by clicking any of the following links:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   TWITTER-X   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela

THOUGHTFUL MONDAY

Good morning, friends.

Would you please do me a favor and let everyone know these blog posts are live again. Help me give others something to begin their week with. ~ Thank you!

All my best!

~ Angela

FRIDAY PHOTO

 Hi friends!

I wanted to give you a little something different this week.

In the past, I've given you beautiful photos to work with. This week, with so much devastation in the past few weeks (and a year ago this weekend in my own community), I'd love for you to challenge yourself to look for something positive and beautiful amidst the rubble. Even Dorothy found something she desperately needed.

If you post your story somewhere, please tag me or post a link in the comments. I'd love to read it.

All my best!

~ Angela

WEDNESDAY REVIEW (Thursday) - A Man To Hold On To

 Good morning, friends!

The house is really quiet. Like I've not heard quiet in a really long time since Bob retired. He left to visit friends in Iowa today. He'll be gone for six days. 

One year ago this coming Sunday, his best friend lost his house in the Memorial Weekend tornado, prompting a move to Iowa where he grew up. Until Jack moved, I hadn't thought about how some of us look at our childhood home (house, city, state, friends, etc) as a place to return when life gives us a kick in the pants.  We find strength in lots of places for various reasons. Remember that when we get into the book - A MAN TO HOLD ON TO.

AMAZON

BLURB:

Therese Matheson doesn’t know if she’ll ever get over losing her husband in Afghanistan. Surviving Paul’s death has been hard, but raising his sullen son and his thirteen-going-on-thirty daughter alone has been even harder. All they need is a fresh start, and Tallgrass, Oklahoma, could be the perfect new beginning . . . especially when Therese meets Sergeant Keegan Logan. The sexy combat medic and single dad soon awakens a desire she’d thought long buried.

Keegan always wanted to be a father . . . someday. So when his ex-girlfriend disappears, leaving her daughter in his care, Keegan’s hands are tied. He must find the girl’s father. His search leads him to Tallgrass and to a beautiful brunette widow who has no idea her husband was ever unfaithful. What begins as a friendship soon ignites into something far more and gives him the courage to be the kind of man—and father—he always dreamt he could be. But his secret still stands between them. Can Keegan reveal the truth and convince Therese they share something too special to lose-a love that can bring two families together?

A Man To Hold On To is Book 2 in the Tallgrass series by award-winning author, Marilyn Pappano. 

FREE IN EBOOK AS OF THIS POSTING

I really liked this story and want to read about the rest of the girls (6 books total) all banded together by one tragedy. They are all military, Gold Star widows in their small community. They've been friends before losing their husbands and hold on to each other through everything life throws at them. Some are closer than others. We see a lot of Jessy in this book. She's introduced in Book 2 so she can carry her own story in Book 3. Book 2 is all about Theresa and how she is dealing with the loss of her husband and his two children from a former marriage; a13-going-on-23 year old girl trying to cope with the loss of her dad and a mother her doesn't really want her and a 10-year-old boy who grunts a lot while trying to eat his stepmom out of house and home.  Add in a man that makes Theresa feels something deep in her soul for the first time since her husband's death and a cherub little 3-year-old with blond ringlets, adding hope where Theresa never thought she had any left. 

Marilyn also brought in sex without us having to watch. That's the way to give a little sizzle to a romance without every detail. We know how things work and Marilyn gave us credit!

I'm giving A Man To Hold On To :

You'll find more about Marilyn Pappano by clicking on the following links:

BLOG   FACEBOOK   TWITTER   GOODREADS 

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All My Best!

~ Angela