Rewrites, rewrites, rewrites!

 

        Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

        As you may know from my last post, I finished The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan and sent it off to my beta readers….and well, now I’m fixing it based on their comments. That is to say, I’ve ripped out the last two chapters (oh my, it was a lot of words, too!) and I’m rewriting them. 

        Quite frankly, I was not happy with those chapters anyway (and I knew it when I sent it off...perhaps, I was just anxious to finish on my own personal timeline and didn't give it my best). It went in the wrong direction. Completely. And my beta readers, who are the absolute best, called me out on it. 

        Tresia, my heroine, is no shrinking violet. She’s a kind woman, but—what is that saying? Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness. Yeah, that’s Tresia so I’m rewriting…and it’s going well (I think)!

        Also, my friend, D.H. Thompson, who runs Bella Media Management is working on my cover for Wife by Surprise. I love it. She does such good work but I’d like to know how she can read my mind! I gave her the bare essentials of what I’d like to see and boom, she gets it! There is some tweaking (very little, mind you because she’s that good) that needs to be done so I’m not quite ready for a cover reveal but it’s coming.

        What else? I’ve had to put The Madam and Mr. MacLean on the back burner for a bit while I do the rewrites for The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan, but that’s to be expected. Still, the story is in my head (I love when that happens) and I’m looking forward to getting back to it. 

        And that’s all from beautiful Arizona! Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

Happy For You by Luci Beach

 When it comes to love and romance, it doesn't matter what part of the world (London here) or what age the occurrence happens.  

Ciara and Max met when they were seven.  They didn't live near one another or share a school.  They were in a psychological study that met every seven years.  They started with friendship, then a crush, and moved on to a short relationship which ended in flames.  

Ciara has many emotional issues about wanting everyone to like her, sometimes at her own expense.  A few months before the twenty-eight year study, she planned on attracting her boss.  She wanted to write off any feelings for Max, and this might do the trick. 

Max has been wandering Europe while playing with a band, which is partly fun and partly lonely.  He contacts Ciara several months prior to the study, needing a place to stay.  I know what you're thinking. This is where the ingredients to the love potion begins to bubble.

Not quite.  

A lot of misconceptions and life predicaments need to be voiced and sorted out.  Do they take the time, and can they understand the difficulties each face?  I hope so because they could love each other and create a beautiful life if they open their ears and their hearts. 

Happy reading,

Dawn

ROCK-A-BYE COWBOY by Lexi Post now available for Preorder!

Rock-A-Bye Cowboy 

by Lexi Post 

is now available for preorder.

Releasing March 18th

Jackson Dunn has come home from his deployment with a baby he didn’t know he had, only to find the family cattle ranch is becoming a dude ranch, his oldest brother has married their enemy’s daughter, and his robust father is now in a wheelchair. That’s far more change than he’s willing to handle. He’s not even sure how his brothers think he can work when he has a tiny, pooping machine to take care of and his mind keeps jumping back to the war zone. To make matters worse, the first “guests” arrive and the last thing he has time for is a woman who keeps wandering away from the activities she’s supposed to be at.

Danielle “Dani” Hubbard has burned up her Mr. Right checklist and plans to enjoy two weeks at home watching movies, eating ice cream, and sleeping. Unfortunately, her friend whisks her away on a two-week vacation she won to a dude ranch, and Dani finds herself sleeping in bunkbeds, getting up before dawn, and chowing down with dozens of others. Intrigued that one of the Dunn brothers, who own the ranch, appears about as happy to be there as she is, she makes her vacation more interesting by investigating the sullen cowboy. The more she discovers about him, the more she’s convinced he’s the perfect Mr. Wrong.

As much as Jackson doesn’t want to admit it, Dani is actually helpful, from her advice on taking care of his daughter to putting in fence posts. That their physical attraction is off the charts, just makes their time together more enjoyable. She’s also much easier to talk to than his family, and only she has witnessed his flashbacks. Unfortunately, she’s a guest and has to go back to her life three hours away. Now, he has to decide if he’s opened up to her because she’ll be leaving and he won’t have to face her, or if it’s something else…something more.

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon DE 

There's time to catch up at the Rocky Road Ranch!

The Dunns and Haydens have been fighting for the last twenty years. So when Amanda Hayden shows up on the Rocky Road Ranch as his father’s new therapist, Tanner Dunn has something to say about it…and none of it’s good.

Amazon | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Amazon DE

Brody Dunn just has to convince a city girl to sell her land to his family and he’s off to a new career. How hard can that be?

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The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan (and so much more)

 

        Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

        So, what’s been on my agenda for the past couple days? Just the usual business (I’m not one to sit still for very long). No wonder, when I go to bed, I sleep like a rock (for which I’m thankful. The DH suffers from insomnia. I used to but like with everything else in my life, I put myself on a sleep schedule and that helps tremendously).   

        I finished my read through of The Marshal & Mrs. Morgan, which is due to my publisher at the end of April. It’s now with my beta readers. I did it a little different this time. Normally, I print out the manuscript, set myself up at my dining room table with all my ‘help’ books and read the entire thing out loud. Well, my printer is down and even though I’ve tried to fix it, I just can’t get it to work. Might be time for a new one though I hesitate…I’ll try one more time to fix it and see if I have the magic this time. 

         I’m also working on getting Wife By Surprise ready to release. That’s the third book in The Wives of Bravado County series. There could be a fourth story…if I can find the time to write it. 

        Oh, and I finished my taxes…that’s a major accomplishment! 

        I will admit that I took some time for myself yesterday. I recently got rid of cable and got Netflix, which I’m loving even though I don’t have much time to sit and watch television. I did yesterday though. Took a break from the writing (and everything else) to watch Zero Day, which was excellent. Great writing, I thought. Great acting, too. Robert DeNiro was wonderful. The supporting cast was, too! 

        And that’s about all for me…The Madam and Mr. MacLean is not going to write itself so I should get back to it. So far, I’m enjoying it. 

        Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

The Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley

 A decent vacation is exactly what Emily Braden needs.  We may consider living in England vacation enough, but anywhere away from the norm is a better description of a vacation.

Emily is encouraged by her cousin, Harry, to meet him in Chinon, France.  A beautiful and historic site where Queen Isabelle once spent her days.  

With a small amount of family prodding, Emily set out for the luxury accommodations near a crumbling castle.  True to nature, Harry didn't show up on time while Emily met a charming local who gave her a ride.  Carrying on with the "new-friend-making" day, she stepped into the attached pub and garden terrace.  A few young men her age immediately took up with her.

In addition to friend Simon, a classical musician, a vineyard owner, and a friendly staff kept Emily busy with sightseeing and exploring.  

During an excursion, a death happened at the hotel.  Possibly a murder.  

Several men in her new surroundings had an affection for Emily, yet can she trust any of them?  

The handsome man who'd given her a ride, owned the vineyard and offered her a tour and dinner.  The musician is quiet and reserved, although he makes time for her.  The college man repeatedly tours the castle and finds historical stories with her.  

The men are all charming, but there's been a murder, and it can be one of the men she spends time with.  In addition, where has her cousin been?  The romantic atmosphere of Chinon, France and the close contact with the inhabitants is quite the mystery of love and murder.

It's a perilous vacation unless Emily chooses the right path and the right man to hold hands with.

Happy reading,

Dawn

Update for February 2025

  

          Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

        Well, shame on me….looks like I missed posting! Not sure how that happened. Could it be that I’ve been a little busy? Well, the short answer is yes. 

        The day job is crazy busy (but really, when isn’t it?) and I’ve been writing. A lot. This is a good thing. I finished The Marshal and Mrs. Morgan (it’s going through critique as I write this) and I’m happy with it. Hope my editor is, too. I’ve started The Madam and Mr. MacLean, the third book in the Matchmaker Mischief series. I’m happy with that, too (so far! I will admit to ripping out the POV switch in the first chapter because it wasn’t quite working, but that’s okay…it’s already better).  

        I’ve never been a pantster. I’ve always had some kind of outline—plot points that I want to cover--but for both of these books, I’m just flying (no guardrails! Oh my!). It helps that I like my characters and they’ve been talking to me, so this is a good thing.

        Of course, it also helps to have a fantastic critique partner and we frequently talk about our stories. I take copious notes so I don’t forget because, you know, the brain isn’t what it used to be.

        Neither is the body. I think I’m getting too old to get down on my hands and knees and scrub the floors. I did that yesterday and I tell you, I’m one hurtin’ puppy today! Going up and down the step stool is no picnic either!

        Speaking of busy, I should get back to it!

        Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

 Highly musical, Hannah is far from reserved as a vocalist during her practice and presentations on campus.  She's in love with music.  Waitressing part-time helps with the bills, but she needs a lot more help with attracting a boyfriend.

Garrett's devotion to being a professional hockey player takes a lot of his time.  He takes his studies seriously also, but Ethics is a never-ending battle.  He needs the grade to stay on the team and advance.  

Hannah excels at philosophy and Garrett needs her for tutoring after an 'F' grade.  They've never hung out together, but Garrett has a plan.  It's a sneaky plan.  If Hannah helps him pass the class, he'll get her a date with her secret crush, Justin.

Sounds simple enough.  The story dives a lot deeper.

In the mix, Hannah and Garrett have a chance to get to know and respect one another.  Again, it's not as easy as it sounds when you add Hannah's insecurity with getting near any man physically and Garrett's overpowering father and their different lifestyles.

Love, friendship, trust, education, bribery, and great hearts collide in one semester.  I know which people and variables I'm rooting for, and I couldn't flip the pages fast enough to find out where the multi-layer drama finishes its maze.  Are hearts broken, mended, or made stronger?  

I vote for stronger hearts!

Happy reading,

Dawn