Deadwood

In June of 2023, my husband and I drove to Deadwood, South Dakota, to attend an author/book festival that was part of their Wild West Days and do research for an upcoming book of mine. I wrote and published an introductory blog on the trip in July of that year (see here). 

At the end of that post, I said I would be blogging more about the trip, and I have. I've been telling about stops along the way, what I learned, and how I plan to use that knowledge in my writing. Today, I'm starting the series on Deadwood itself because my next book to be published is the one set in Deadwood.

Beckett's Brides is part of the Double Trouble multiple-author project. In the collection, the potential groom, through differing circumstances, ends up with two women to choose from, and he must make a decision. In Beckett's Brides, Dr. Beckett Steele gets a letter from his aunt that she's sending him twins to choose from. He had mentioned that he'd like to marry and start a family someday. He didn't mean now, and Deadwood was no place for two young, single ladies. What was he to do?

Beckett's Brides required a lot of research, not only what I did in Deadwood, but follow-up as well. Besides online research, I ordered two books which were immensely helpful. I kept my novel as true to the history as I could. It's on preorder now and publishes on June 1. LB Neibaur is more than halfway through producing the Audible version, and we plan to have it ready by the time the other editions are released. I think this is a book readers won't want to miss, especially if they like historical fiction. Check it out today.

Link to Beckett's Brides

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Getting to Know God

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw night to you (James 4:8a).

God created us for an intimate relationship with Him. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they broke that relationship. God is holy, and He can't be with sin. However, Jesus' sacrifice on the cross made it possible to restore that close relationship, but we can't be emotionally close with someone unless we get to know them. 

And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent (John 17:3).

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).

How do we get to know God? Mainly by studying His Word because He reveals Himself to us throughout the Bible. Prayer helps, too, as does worship. We can't get to know Him well unless we spend time with Him. Putting other things first, or ignoring someone doesn't build a relationship.

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

God is independent and doesn't need us, but He chooses to be with us. On the other hand, we need Him more than we'll ever know in this life. Yet, when we love Him, follow Him, and want to please Him, He delights in us. How much do you delight the Lord? Wouldn't you like to? Turn to Him, making Him your first priority and truly the Lord of your life.

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 Zoe

The sixth annual edition of the Prairie Roses Collection for Mother's Day has just started to publish, and my book, Zoe, is the first to be released. This is the first year my schedule has allowed me to participate, and I've been looking forward to it. All the books in the multiple-author project include a wagon train journey, so Zoe is set on the Santa Fe Trail.

Zoe on Amazon 

Although the Santa Fe Trail was a commercial trade route, a few people traveled it to settle in the Mexican territory, and that's true for Zoe. She goes along to tutor the store owner's children in the hopes of finding a teaching position in Santa Fe. A small contingent of soldiers join them, and Zoe takes exception to the bossy lieutenant at first. However, after a while, he starts to grow on her when he offers her the protection she needs. Adventure abounds, and Zoe begins to question if she'll even make it to Santa Fe.

The book just released on Saturday, and it's available on Kindle, KU, and in print. The Audible edition is coming, but I decided to wait for the right narrators to become available, and that's not going to be for a few weeks. 

I've worked with Adam Skousen before and love his talent and professionalism. This time, because of the many characters and variety of voices, he will be joined by his wife, Emma Faye, in a dual narration. I can't wait.

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Living Forever

My husband and I recently traveled to St. Augustine, Florida, to celebrate our twentieth anniversary. Visiting the Fountain of Youth delivered a Christian message. People, like Ponce de Leon hoped to find water that would restore youth, and others have looked for ways to live forever. But Christians know the truth; we will all live forever. The question is where will it be -- in a place of torment or a place of bliss with restored bodies.

And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal (Matthew 25:46).

Too often we look to the world to give us what we desire, but worldly answers can lead to trouble. God has the answers we need, and they're found in His Word. Make daily Bible study and prayer part of your routine. Rely on God to direct your path. He has promised to supply all your needs.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

You don't need to go looking for a fountain of youth, magic potions, genies to bestow wishes, or a fairy godmother. All you need is Jesus. He is Living Water that satisfies as nothing else can. By accepting Him into your life, you'll live with Him forevermore. If you don't, you'll spend eternity with Satan. Where do you want to live forever?

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:26).

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The Santa Fe Trail 

Unlike most other routes west, the Santa Fe Trail wasn't designed to be used by settlers. It was a commercial trail. It opened up in 1821 after Mexico won its independence from Spain. Spain tried to keep closed borders in its colonies, but Mexico was open to trade and even welcomed it. American entrepreneurs saw the potential, and the trail became well-used.

As with most early trails west, there were many dangers along the way. The Indians were one of the biggest threats, and the Comanche especially posed a problem to Santa Fe travelers hauling store goods. Nature didn't make it easy either. Storms, insects, snakes, wild animals, prairie fires, raging rivers, mountains, and deserts made it hard. Diseases and sicknesses plagued many. However, most of the muleskinners driving the wagons were a tough, hardy lot.

While many of the wagoneers on the other trails preferred oxen for their strength, fortitude, and tendency to forage on plant growth that horses wouldn't touch, men navigating the Santa Fe Trail preferred mules. They thought they were a little faster, could navigate the mountains better, and came close to the oxen in foraging. There were also some superstitions that caused them to choose mules.

In the war with Mexico, the United States used the Santa Fe Trail to invade New Mexico. After the United States took possession of much of the area in 1846, travel on the trail increased. Throughout its history, some people traveled the trail to settle in the West, but the Santa Fe Trail still remained primarily a trade route. It stayed open until 1880 when the railroad came to the city to bring people and goods.

                     Link to book

I wrote of travel on the Santa Fe Trail in Second Choice Bride, the first book in my Cactus Creek, New Mexico, series, and some of the other books in the series include the trail. I have a new book, Zoe, releasing on April 20, 2024, also set on the trail. If you like good romantic adventures, check them out.

Link to book

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Live as If Christ Was Coming Back Today

"...do not forget this charge to "do business." Beware of an idle, talking, gossiping, sentimental, do-nothing religion. Do not think because your doings cannot justify you, or put away one single sin that therefore it does not matter whether you do anything at all. Away with such a delusion! Cast it behind you as an invention of the devil. ...be a doing Christian."

"...everyone has an open door before him and may, if he will, show forth his Master's praise. Your bodily health and strength, your mental gifts and capacities, your money and your earthly possessions, your rank and position in life, your example and influence with others, your liberty to read the Bible and hear the gospel, your plentiful supply of grace. ... All of these are to be used and employed with a continual reference to the glory of Christ. All these are His gifts. But the Lord Jesus bids you also to do business until He comes back. By that, He means that you are to do His work on earth... ."

"You are to rise and go forth in the morning ready, if need be, to meet Christ at noon. You are to lie down in bed at night ready, if need be, to be awakened by the midnight cry,... You are to keep your spiritual accounts in a state of constant preparation, like one who never knows how soon they may be called for. You are to measure your ways by the measure of Christ's appearing, and to do nothing in which you would not like Jesus to find you doing. This is to be your business until Jesus comes."

"Think, reader, how condemning these words are to thousands of professing Christians! What an utter absence of preparation appears in their daily walk and conversation! How thoroughly unfit they are to meet Christ!"

(The Second Coming of Christ - This section by Dwight L. Moody.)

Are you ready?

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My Book Covers

(To be published.
Design by
Charlene Raddon)

Like most authors and avid readers, I love book covers. I collect them, even some of the ones I don't use for my books right away. I have an idea file of special covers that appeal to me and go with a story idea I have. I don't want to buy too many covers ahead and perhaps never get around to writing them, so I add them to a file I can turn to when needed. But even with that, I have eleven covers right now I have purchased that are waiting for me to write their story and one I've already written. However, all of these are included in my publishing schedule for either 2025 or 2026.

I have also designed some of my own covers, but I only have a very basic design program which is unable to do all the things a professional program can. Writing in multiple-author projects has me using more professional cover designers than I did after I first broke from my traditional publisher and went independent. I love looking at premade covers and using my imagination for a story. I find it inspiring. But buying book covers can become expensive for the small, independent author. I often end up paying from $90 to $140 for the ebook, print, and Audible covers for a book, and this is the low end of the rates. I know having professional covers has increased my sales somewhat, but I don't know if they've made up the additional cost.

I've used many cover designers over the ten years I've been releasing books. Here are most of them and a sample of their work:

                  Hannah Nichols (with traditional publisher) - 

Virginia McKevitt (MAP) -

Nancy Fraser (MAP) -

Marie Higgins (MAP) -

Kim Cunningham (MAP) -

                                       Randi Gammons (MAP) -

Charlene Raddon -

Angela Horning-Archer (MAP) -

Dawn LeGros (to be published) -

JoAnn Durgin (to be published) -

And here are a few of the many I've designed -

(Christian nonfiction) -

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