Love Inspired: A Story for Every Reader

There is was, right there on my calendar. It was my turn to post on the Craftieladies blog. Did I check my calendar? Nope! I was too busy working on my next book, tentatively called The Cowboy’s Homecoming. But right now I’d love to tell you about my upcoming release, A Family for the Rancher.

This is my first time to write a continuity series for Love Inspired Historical. I was delighted to receive an invitation to join the team with Renee Ryan and Regina Scott to write the Lone Star Cowboy League: The Founding Years.

Renee’s book is out right now, July 2016: The Cowboy’s Twin Surprise.

Suddenly a Father 

Rancher CJ Thorn isn't ready to graduate from uncle to brand-new daddy—but he has no choice. After his widowed brother runs off, a pair of adorable twins have no one but CJ…and lovely neighbor Molly Langley. She's helped with the girls for so long that she's almost part of the family. Almost. CJ knows his family isn't good enough for her. Not when his brother's actions have disgraced the Thorn name yet again. 

Watching CJ become a devoted father would soften any woman's heart. Yet Molly must remain immune. CJ deserves more than a woman who can't have children. Held back by fear, it'll take a disaster forcing the community together before they're ready to risk a chance on happiness.

My book, A Family for the Rancher, will be available on August 1.

From Neighbor to Daddy

Rancher Edmund McKay likes his life simple and quiet—everything feisty neighbor Lula May Barlow is not! But with a cattle rustler on the loose, he’s duty-bound to protect the widowed mother, even without her approval. Yet he never expected to enjoy her company. And he certainly never thought her crowded, bustling house would be the first place he’d ever feel at home…

After a harsh childhood, Lula May knows how to stand on her own two feet. She doesn’t need Edmund’s help—but she’s starting to want it, all the same. So are her children, who clearly have matchmaking in mind. And when a threat from the past resurfaces, she realizes all that’s at stake…including her chance for a lifetime of love.

Regina’s book, A Rancher of Convenience, will be available on September 1. Fill-In Father…and Husband 

Sweet mail-order bride Nancy Bennett can't believe it when her husband is exposed as a cattle rustler—and killed. And when the banker holding the ranch's mortgage questions whether she can run the ranch on her own, the pregnant widow has nowhere to turn. Until steady foreman Hank Snowden proposes marriage… 

Racked with grief about his role in Lucas Bennett's death, Hank resolves to do right by the man's wife and child. So it's natural for him to step in as Nancy's newly minted husband. But the marriage of convenience may become more than a mere obligation…if only Hank and his bride can brave the first steps toward elusive true love.

As a bonus feature, also available on September 1, will be our Lone Star Cowboy League Sampler. Not only will readers receive a brief sample of each of our stories, they will receive some of our favorite recipes. For my part, I included a very old recipe of my grandmother’s for mouth-watering chicken and flat dumplings, plus two others. If you love to cook up old-fashioned recipes, you’ll want this sampler as a complement to our series.

In this day of convenience foods and fast foods, sometimes it’s a nice change to go back to the good old days. 


Do you have an old family recipe that your family loves?would like to offer a three-book prize to one of our readers. These are not our continuity series but other books by Renee, Regina, and me. Sorry. Only U. S. residents are eligible. Sadly, postage makes mailing outside the U. S. prohibitive. Just leave a comment (must be more than “I’d like these books” or other such comments) about your favorite recipe, old or new. Please be sure to include your email address so we can contact you if your name is chosen.