Cover Reveal — Jean C. Gordon

See it here first. I haven't even put it on my website yet. The cover for my January 2018 Love Inspired Romance, A Mom for His Daughter. Love it1 It's the scene I had my fingers crossed the Harlequin art group would choose. What do you think?

A Dad’s Second Chance
Widowed single dad Marc Delacroix doesn’t have time for surprises—especially one like Fiona Bryce. Finding out that she’s the biological aunt of his adopted daughter, Stella, is a big shock. While Fiona’s commitment to the little girl appears to be genuine, Marc wonders if he can truly trust her—or his own heart, which he vowed never to risk again. Fiona’s eager to connect with the sweet young niece she never knew she had, but Marc seems determined to keep her at arm’s length. Could Marc and Fiona’s shared love of Stella be the bond that transforms their fragile connection into a real family? 

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Changes, changes....

A few weeks ago, we got to attend our granddaughter's pre-school graduation ceremony.  What fun!  Each child wore a bedazzled paper crown, with "what they want to be when they grow up" printed on it in bold letters. It was so sweet to see how many want to be teachers, or police officers, or airplane pilots...goals that may change many times in the future.

Now that the high school graduation season is behind us--and the ceremonies and celebrations over for another year, I've been thinking about the students who will soon be embarking on their college experiences. Many, at the tender age of eighteen or so, are completely sure of what they want to be. Indeed, some of them are.  Maybe they've been planning and dreaming all their lives about this very future, and will pursue it until they regretfully retire.  But not all.

I remember sitting on the steps of a building on the University of Minnesota campus at the tender age of twenty, debating about my future. There seemed to be two, widely divergent roads ahead, which would lead to totally different lives. The opportunities, the people I met in the future, the part of the country I ended up in, all seemed to hinge on this one choice.

The decision seemed monumental, with all of the grave importance of choosing whether or not to take a rocket ship to Mars.  Should I stay in college, where I'd been given an all-expenses paid grant to finish my education in my chosen field...or accept a job working with a nationally known horse trainer who conducted training clinics for people all around the country?  Adventure, or responsibility?

To my parents dismay, I chose adventure.  And what an adventure it was!  The travel, the people I met, the experiences, were all a real treasure.  But in the end, I learned that a single "monumental" decision doesn't always have to be permanent.  I eventually came back to Minnesota and went back to college...and continued on the path I'd set out to follow in the first place, sure that I knew exactly where I was going.  Except....soon, that seemed rather boring. And so, I changed paths yet again: chose a new major, went back to grad school, became a registered dietitian, and enjoyed a variety of roles in that field, thinking "this was it."

And then, a friend  (waving to Judy!) introduced me to books by a stellar author and I was instantly hooked....which led to writing. Some thirty-five books later, I realize that it had taken a lot of twists and turns to find what I really wanted to do, and it just took a while to get there.  :)

How about you?  Did you follow a straight path to what you wanted to be as an adult?  Or did it take you a while, too?  Do any of your original goals make you chuckle now? Or make you feel a twinge of regret if they didn't come to pass?

Best wishes to you all for a wonderful summer!

Roxanne Rustand

A Single Dad's Redemption

Aspen Creek Crossroads

Love Inspired

July, 2016

USA Today Bestselling Author

The Single Dad's Redemption, 
Love Inspired 7/2016

An Aspen Creek Christmas,     
Love Inspired 11/16

www.roxannerustand.com 

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Research: A Writer's Rodeo by Karen Rock

One of the best aspects of writing novels is the chance to research. I love learning about new places and people and I recently had that opportunity while penning my March 2016 Harlequin Heartwarming release HIS KIND OF COWGIRL.

Since I decided to set the story in Texas (where I've only been to once before), and create a heroine that lived on a prize bull ranch (my uncle's a dairy farmer... so not the same thing at all) and a hero who is a professional bull-rider (I've only seen rodeo on TV), I knew I had my work cut out for me! What would I have done without the kindness of strangers- who became friends?

I always begin with an internet search and by typing in key words. For HIS KIND OF COWGIRL, I searched with the terms "Prize Bull Ranch" and "Texas" and found the V8 ranch in Wharton, Texas. I used the "contact us" link on the website to reach out to the owners, Rachel and Brandon Cutrer who are the latest trustees of an operation that's been in their family for generations. 

Rach wrote back the same day and agreed to chat with me. I learned so much, from the breed of bulls and cattle they raise: Brahman, to the daily tasks of running a professional bull ranch, information that informed my story-telling and lent the novel authenticity. One particular scene, in which my heroine goes to the Houston Livestock Show to compete with her three-year-old bull, Guardian, is one of my favorites in the story and couldn't have been possible if not for Rach's help. 

Her only request? Would I send her grandma a copy of HIS KIND OF COWGIRL when it came out. Happy to say that copies are in the mail as I type!

As for the bull-riding aspect of the book, I google-searched "Bull-riding" "PBR" and found Sheri Smith, agent to Mike Lee, a national bull-riding champion. Sheri graciously worked with me a great deal to ensure my characterization of Tanner Hayes, a champion who overcomes obstacles to achieve his dreams, was grounded in reality. She also put me in touch with Brandon Bates, a former bull-rider and now an announcer for the Elite PBR tour. He was so helpful that, in addition to phone chats and email exchanges, he offered to read scenes in which Tanner rode a bull. His first comment about one scene was: This gal's from the north, isn't she? Yep...LOL. The hard work paid off, though, and I'm proud how Tanner's scenes turned out because of Brandon and Sheri's stamp of approval.

Through the course of our discussions, I learned about a wonderful charity that Sheri, a Navy veteran has founded: Warriors And Rodeo. WAR provides rodeo gear, via donations and sponsorship to military, EMS, firefighters, law enforcement and other professionals that protect and serve our country who are interested in the rodeo/western lifestyle. Whether it be vests, helmets, chaps, boots, spurs, hats, ropes, clothing or other items--WAR gives back to those who are willing to give it all. I'm proud to have become a sponsor and hope you'll check out this very worthy cause at http://www.warriorsandrodeo.org/ . Thanks!
*Read HIS KIND OF GIRL'S Prologue and Chapter One on Wattpad- click HERE

The Lost Art of Letter Writing by Kate Hewitt

Recently I cleaned out my desk (in preparation for moving to my first own study, but that’s a whole other topic!) and discovered letters my husband wrote me when we were dating. Lots of letters, with lots of pages, because (and I am revealing my age here, I know) this was before texting, emailing, or any online communication or presence at all. 

Rereading my husband’s letters reminded me of how I used to write letters too. Not just to my husband, but to friends during summer breaks from college, my parents when I was in school, and friends I made when I traveled through Europe. So many letters, but back then there simply wasn’t any other way of keeping in touch.

I lamented to my emailing and texting children that we have lost the ability to write letters, and how sad I think that is, and got the expected eye-roll in response. But upon reflection, we’ve been losing the art of letter writing for centuries. Read a letter written a generation or two ago, and they are far more eloquent than the bits of news and trivia I wrote in my letters!

My historical romance, Far Horizons, is based on letters my ancestors wrote in the early 1800s, which have been passed down through my family. My great-great-great Uncle Allan emigrated from Scotland to Canada in 1819, and wrote to his fiancée Harriet for seven years before he was able to return for her. The language and emotion expressed in these letters is, I think, both heart-wrenching and lovely. This is from Allan to Harriet:

How can I express the consternation of my heart, or account for the long and cruel silence on your part? This is the fifteenth letter I have written you since, but I am afraid they never got your length, or you would not be so long in writing me. I know you too well to imagine you capable of any change or caprice towards me, and I hope you know me too well to expect any change on my side...

The imagined reason for Harriet’s silence is what inspired Far Horizons, and I loved incorporating the letters that have been passed down through my family into the story.

Rereading my husband’s letters to me made me resolve to write more real (ie, on paper!) letters, although I’m afraid I’ve only managed one so far. My hand cramps from writing now, because I’m not used to it! How sad is that?!

Letters aside, there are many benefits to the new, technological ways we have to communicate. Having moved to England from America, I am thrilled to use email, Skype, Facebook, and other social media to keep in touch with family--but I think I will always miss the poignant beauty of a handwritten letter! What about you? Is there anything you miss in this brave, new digital age?

 Kate Hewitt is the USA Today bestselling author of over 30 novels for Harlequin, Carina Press, and Lion Fiction, as well as several titles she has published independently. She lives in the Lake District in England with her husband, children, and a Golden Retriever. You can find more about her and her books at kate-hewitt.com

Far Horizons is available FREE as an ebook through all retailers:

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