A Taste of Gratitude & Joy: Tried and True Comfort Recipes

                          https://bit.ly/GratitudeandJoy

When Amanda McIntyre asked if I'd be interested in doing a cookbook with her a few months ago, I jumped at the chance! It started with discussing recipes our characters baked or prepared in our books. Then we started talking about recipes we loved, which one of our relatives handed the recipe down to us, traditions, etc.

But we were both immersed in other writing projects and had to put the cookbook collaboration on the back burner.

Then the unthinkable happened, and the COVID-19 became a pandemic. I was not as aware of it at the time because of my husband's health crisis going on at the same time. But I was quickly brought up to speed when I was able to bring him home from the hospital.

Amanda and I started chatting about the changes in our lives during the pandemic, sheltering in place and the differences between what my family was doing here on the East Coast, and what her family was doing in the Heartland. 

One thing was clear to the both of us, the need to draw our families as close as possible, protect them, provide for them...and for us...it all started in the kitchen. My favorite room in the house!

We both knew we had something to offer our Readers...recipes from our hearts, with memories of the strong women who taught us to bake, to cook, and to handle whatever life had in store of us. Because life is not for the faint of heart!

This collection of recipes is our way of thanking our great grandmothers, grandmothers, and our mothers for their lessons in the kitchen and in life. 

https://bit.ly/GratitudeandJoy

They not only passed down traditions and their culinary expertise, but how to survive their generation's crises. For our great grandmothers it was the 1918 Influenza epidemic and The Great War. For our grandmothers, it was World War II, Polio and Small Pox. For our mothers it was the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Measles and German measles epidemic. For Amanda and myself it has been 9/ll and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We encourage everyone to...

Keep the Faith!

Wash your hands!                          Practice Social Distancing

Keep 6' between yourself and others when shopping for essentials at the grocery store, the pharmacy, and running essential errands.

Be Safe!

Be Well!

Be Happy!

And know you are not in this alone!!!

Amanda and I are praying for you and your families!

A Taste of Gratitude & Joy: Tried and True Comfort Recipes is available today at Amazon in print and e-book, and coming soon in hardback!

Get your copy here:

https://bit.ly/GratitudeandJoy

A PORTION OF SALES GO TO
FEEDING AMERICA.ORG

About Amanda

Published internationally in print, eBook, and Audio, bestselling author Amanda McIntyre finds inspiration from the American Heartland that she calls home. Best known for her Kinnison Legacy cowboys and Last Hope Ranch series, her passion is writing emotional, character-driven small town contemporary western, historical, women’s fiction, and Celtic fantasy. Amanda truly believes that no matter what, love will always find a way.

Connect:

Website: http://www.amandamcintyresbooks.com   

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/AtHeartNewsletter

Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AmandasAuthorPage

Book Bub: http://bit.ly/AmandasBookbubPage

Facebook:  http://bit.ly/AmandasFacebookPage

Amazon UK http://bit.ly/AmandasUKAuthorPage

GoodReads http://bit.ly/AmandasGoodreadspage

 About C. H.

C.H. writes about the things she loves most: Family, her Irish and English Ancestry, Baking and Gardening. Take a trip back in time to Regency England for her new series: The Lords of Vice, coming from Dragonblade Publishing in 2020! Venture back to the Old West with her bestselling Irish Western Series. Fast-forward to the present, stopping at the Circle G Ranch in Pleasure, Texas, before finally landing in Apple Grove, Ohio–Small Town USA–for a slice of Peggy McCormack’s Buttermilk Pie!

Connect:
Website: http://www.chadmirand.com

Newsletter:  C.H.s Newsletter

Amazon Author Page:  C.H.s Amazon Author Page

Book Bub: C.H.s BookBub Page
Facebook: C.H.'s Facebook Author Page
Amazon UK: C.H.s Amazon UK Author Page

Goodreads: C.H.s Goodreads Author Page

First Fridays with the Crew - Groundhog Day, Stories of Redemption and More

Happy Groundhog Day! 

In the United States and Canada, Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2. It all started with a Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog came out of its burrow and saw its shadow, it would retreat to its den and winter would continue for six more weeks. If no shadow and no retreat, then spring would arrive early.

In 1993, the Groundhog Day movie (starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell) put a great spin on the superstition and created a timeless story with classic themes such as redemption, selflessness, self-improvement or rebirth (breaking through to your true self), and more. It's one of my favorite movies. I've heard many say the same.

So I thought I'd ask the Get Lost in a Story Crew to SHARE a favorite story they've written with a THEME or SCENE of redemption, selflessness, self-improvement or rebirth...  




Jacqui Nelson

In Between Love & Lies (book 1 in my Gambling Hearts series) on the trail from Texas to Dodge City, my hero, Noah Ballantyne’s longhorn cattle herd trample and destroy my heroine, Sadie Sullivan’s farm and livelihood. He tries to compensate her with money, but due to her unredeemable father, Sadie ends up homeless and penniless in Dodge City.

A year later, when Noah comes back to Dodge with a second herd, he looks for Sadie - and finds her in the employment of the pitiless madam of the Northern Star Saloon.

When he realizes he's responsible for Sadie's downfall, he chooses to stay in Dodge City and make amends, at all costs, rather than return home to Texas. Here's his redemption vow: Noah made a promise—to God, to himself and the whole forsaken town of Dodge. He wasn’t leaving until he fixed the wrong he’d done.

Amanda McIntyre

In Rugged Hearts, the first book in the Kinnison Legacy trilogy, my hero , Wyatt Kinnison-oldest brother of three--is attempting to be the patriarch of the family. To be the man his deceased step-father trusted to carry on his ranch legacy.  He's been burnt by every woman in his life, starting with a mother who abandons him and his younger brother. His fiancee betrayed him and Wyatt retreats into his world at the ranch, determined not to fall in love, determined not to rely on anyone or anything, but himself. Until he meets Aimee Worth , a hard-headed, optimist who recently moved to End of the Line as the new third grade teacher. Both have baggage in their past. Both need to trust again. They need each other, they just don't know it yet.
With a little Christmas magic and the guidance of family and friends, these two will discover that no matter what, love can find a way.

Avril Tremayne

2014 novel Turning the Good Girl Bad, personal assistant Catherine North has been hiding her real self from her new boss Max Rutherford – scraping her hair into a tight bun, dressing dowdily, and adopting a prim and proper persona. Why? Because Catherine’s learned the hard way what happens when your boss puts his hands where they don’t belong, and it’s well known that gorgeous Max, whose PAs almost always fall for him, isn’t the type to resist an office affair. But despite her best efforts, Catherine can't help being attracted to Max, and as though reading her silent signals, he's growing increasingly intrigued by her. In desperation, she tries to work her Max-fantasies out of her system by writing them into a steamy novel, but when he inevitably discovers her secret… Well, I won’t say any more because spoilers! All I'll say is that as they learn each other's secrets, they go through a kind of rebirth – sometimes the path to get there is funny, sometimes it’s painful, but they tread it determinedly and emerge at the end better and stronger. Today, I personally find boss/assistant romances troubling; I seriously don’t know if, in 2019, I’d write this same story with its flawed hero needing redemption and its hesitant heroine finally coming to see that she wasn't to blame for the harassment she experienced in the past – but I can’t in all honesty regret having brought Max and Catherine together, because they needed each other to tread that path.

Lizbeth Selvig
My novel The Bride Wore Starlight is the third book in my "Seven Brides for Seven Cowboys" series, and even though you're not supposed to pick a favorite child, I have to admit that is my favorite book in the series. It centers around Joely Crockett, the third of six Crockett sisters who inherit their family home Paradise Ranch. Joely has spent her life as the family beauty--from being crowned Jr. Rodeo Queen, to Rodeo and Homecoming Queens to Miss Wyoming, she's always been able to rely on her looks to get her from scholarships to marriage. Although she's never been a diva, she is a little spoiled by her easy path in life. When, after a painful divorce, she is in a horrific car accident, her life is forever altered by permanent injuries. A scarred face and a limp she'll have forever force her to face the realities of what beauty really means. When she meets Alec Morrissey, a former rodeo champion, she believes she's found a man as perfect as she used to be. The truth is, Alec is an amputee who has merely learned to put a perfect face on an imperfect life. Together Joely and Alec have to learn not only to face their pasts, but to embrace the accidents that have made them who they are today. And only if they can find peace and beauty in their "imperfections" do they find real love and rebirth.

E.E. Burke

Purchase today

Jolie LaFemme has been a working girl at La Maison for four long years...ever since being betrayed and left penniless. She’s jaded, distrustful and blind to the possibility of love. As far as she's concerned, being the madam of a popular parlor house is the best she can hope for, and nothing will convince her to give up the coveted and lucrative position.

Hank Donavan arrives in Noelle with a plan to ensure his sister's financial security and regain his pride. He’s a man in his prime, handsome by any measure, but an accident ruined his vision, and his future. Now, he travels with his dog Bear, and sells beautiful handmade Valentine cards. His big opportunity comes when he's offered a chance to invest in the richest silver mine in the state. There’s only one catch: he has to be married first. Who would marry a blind man with little to recommend him when there are plenty of hale and hearty men to go around?

Angi Morgan

Purchase

I love Groundhog Day the movie and I love true redemption stories. SHOTGUN JUSTICE is a favorite of  my second chances stories--I seem to have quite a few of them. My very first book was a second chance story. SJ was a best seller and top pick from RT. I'm especially proud that my fans helped develop the serial killer.

Jesse in Shotgun Justice messed up horribly. No one thinks he's going to get a second chance or will even be given time to explain himself In the story, he's sent to guard Avery from the serial killer. The hitch is that ONE...she doesn't need his help (she's a deputy). TWO..why would she want an ex who threw her under the bus. And THREE... she especially doesn't need her big brother's best friend who threw her in jail. 

What's your favorite redemption story? 

New Release! WORTH THE WAIT

Hank is ready to set the date. Julie likes the way things are. Can love overcome the pain of the past and prove that it’s all been…worth the wait?

ORDER FROM AMAZON

Julie and her sons moved to End of the Line after a dangerous encounter with her abusive husband led to a rescue by her brother, Clay and an old friend, Hank. Over time, her relationship with Hank takes a turn and when he unexpectedly proposes, she is forced to face the battle between her heart and her newfound freedom.

Hank hadn’t seen the woman he held a secret crush on in years, but when her brother asks his help in a dangerous hostage stand-off, he is there in a heartbeat, even taking a bullet to protect Julie and her kids. But will these rekindled feelings Hank has be enough to hold against the time that Julie needs to adjust to her new life and, will Hank decide that it’s worth the wait?

~Read an Excerpt from Worth the Wait

Hank’s body was drenched in sweat, his skin covered with soot. Fear, but a greater determination to survive—to see Julie and the boys again—drove him.

The nose dipped slightly, offering a clear, panoramic view of the lake of fire below. He pulled up, fighting the heat and the crosswind caused by the fire. The plane jerked from right to left. His arms ached from gripping the controls. His jaw muscles twitched as he fought to get more altitude.

“How are we doing, Jack?” he asked, his back teeth grinding from the force of his determination.

“Good, just a minor complication,” Jack answered, as he glanced out his window. “We’ve got a fiery branch sucked into one of the engines.” Just then the propeller slowed to a complete stop.

The sputtering started, and it rattled the plane. “We need to set her down. Any ideas?” Hank asked, his heart dwindling as he looked over the glowing sea of red.

Jack took out the map. “There’s a lake not far from here. It might be our only chance.”

“Sounds like a deal,” Hank said. “Anything is better than blowing up in the sky, right?”

“Agreed.” Jack pointed to the lake. “There it is.” Surrounded by mountains, it was formed like a giant crater had dropped onto the earth.

“At least the fire is behind us,” Hank said with a wry grin.

“You can do this, sir,” Jack said, flipping switches and checking the view in front of them.

“This isn’t going to be pretty.” Hank slowed his engines in order to coast in and hopefully soften the landing. “You know how to swim?”

“On my college swim team,” Jack said, turning to Hank with a wide grin.

Hovering over the lake, the distance between plane and black water closed in at a rapid pace. 

The plane hit the surface, spraying water into the air with the force akin to hitting a freight train head-on. Hank’s body, pushed forward by the force, slammed into the controls. He felt a quick snap in his side before the front window imploded and knocked him back in the seat. Frigid water rushed over him. 

He only had time to glance over at Jack, who was doubled over, his chin dropped against his chest. I’m sorry, Kyle, was his last thought before his world went black

~*~

This story is about second chances and believing that you are worth being given a second chance. It's a story of miracles--of family & thanksgiving--of the power of faith. It seems entirely appropriate that it should release in the season of gratitude.  

Julie's entire life is changed when there is a risk that she could lose everything. It's a hard lesson to learn, that life is fragile and to be grateful for whats right under your nose! Fortunately, love always finds a way!!

What you are grateful for?

One person will receive an autographed copy of  WORTH THE WAIT eBook (international guests)  or paperback copy (USA continental guests only) 

**SPECIAL BONUS OFFER: ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS (a Kinnison Legacy Holiday novella) 

***FREE 11/19-11/23/2018

Between the Lines w/ Amanda McIntyre

Where do you get your inspiration? 

I can remember the first time I was asked this question. As a writer early in my career, I can remember thinking off the cuff answers like--observing people in airports, hearing snippets of songs on the radio (my first published book, Unfinished Dreams is inspired by the opening of the song "She Said Yes," by Brad Paisley) and maybe standing in line at the grocery store hearing pieces of conversations.

And while I was a "townie" growing up, my community was supported by area ranchers, dairy farms, and corn farmers. We had/have small cafe's where guys in overalls met every morning to share coffee and talk about grain stocks and the planting season. The scent of the local hardware and farm implement stores with the bags of feed stacked high. The excitement of "chick days" at the local farm supply store (yes, I have the T-shirt!) There are plentiful local bars with colorful clientele and a movie theater that is a slice of American nostalgia.

After many years of schooling, work and more schooling, my husband (also a hometown boy) and I wound up back in our hometown, 1) to give our kids a closeness to grandparents, and 2) to give back to the community we so dearly loved

Meet some of the folks from End of the Line!

My current series work began with a trilogy (The Kinnison Legacy) and has now got two interconnected series, (Last Hope Ranch) and End of the Line) All were inspired by my own experience of living in a small Midwestern farm town.

In the historic little Montana town of End of the Line, once a pop-up town of the gold rush of the late 1800's, I have taken the inspiration of my growing up years and tried to integrate them into a place people will want to visit, with people they'd like to get to know.

Betty's Sunrise Cafe': Set on one corner of the town square, and in every story of these related books, Betty's is a mainstay to the town. This is the place if you're looking for the best cup of coffee in town, an array of home-cooked comfort food, or the latest gossip. Run by Betty and Jerry, they have the biggest hearts and the latest scuttle on everything happening in town. Betty's now has a bakery next door with sweet treats and baked goods managed by Rebecca Greyfeather--pie maker extraordinaire and wife of Michael Greyfeather. There's rumor Betty has a cookbook in the works! We'll see how that pans out!!

Nan's Sporting Goods & Repair: Run by widow, Nan Patusky and started with her late husband Andrew, a WWII veteran and high school sweetheart. They married after the war and opened their business and became involved in teaching fly-fishing to kids when it was discovered they couldn't have kids of their own. In my upcoming book, WORTH THE WAIT, Nan will discover an explosive secret that will change her life forever!

**SEE SPECIAL BELOW**

Dusty's Bar & Grill: Run by Dusty, he employs Dixie, his only waitress who does NOT believe in skimpy denim shorts and Stan (grill cook) The hub of social life, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights for locals and area residents. Dusty's boasts Karaoke fundraisers, great burgers, and is not without the occasional brawl as you can read about in RUGGED HEARTS, with Wyatt Kinnison going toe-to-toe when someone makes a move on second grade school teacher,  Aimee Worth. A woman who set his world topsy-turvy in more ways than one!



Tanners Meat Market: Just across from the Got-n-Go gas station and grocery,
it's run by Sam Tanner. Confirmed bachelor who has the swoon-worthy looks of Sam Elliot and about the same disposition is your guy to go to for the best cuts of local beef, deer jerky, and your Thanksgiving turkey. He also carries homemade frozen soups and seafood. Sam has a few skeletons of his own which come out in the book, LOST AND FOUND. More on Sam to come!

Last Hope Ranch Cabin rentals: On the property of the Kinnison's sprawling ranch, Rein MacKenzie and his wife, Liberty (Wyatt and Dalton's step-sister) have built a row of modern cabins designed and built by Rein in accordance to the wishes of his Uncle Jed Kinnison's diary. Once a successful cattle ranch, time and Jed's passing made it necessary to sell off most of the herds. With the help of a Crow horse whisperer, Michael Greyfeather, old friend of Uncle Jed, the ranch became an overflow to an equine rescue ranch which led to the cabins. Together they provide the beauty of the country and working with the horses on the ranch to provide healing to those in need. Clay Saunders (NO STRINGS ATTACHED)  and Liberty Belle Vaughn (RUSTLER'S HEART) are just two of the folks that 
discover the healing power of the ranch and the small town support in End of the Line.

In the weeks to come, I'll be highlighting more from this quaint community and sharing some of its history yet to be told! There's more to come from End of the Line, Montana!!

Meantime here is my special gift to you!

October 18-October 22, 2018 

Snag the book that started it all!

RUGGED HEARTS IS YOURS--FREE !!

KINDLE EDITION 

LIMITED TIME ONLY!

To celebrate my upcoming next book in this beloved series, watch for more special giveaways n the weeks to come!

Be inspired. Be kind.Be grateful.

Are you a Cowgirl at Heart?

When I wrote the Kinnison Legacy, it was followed by Jed Kinnison’s dream for his ranch to become a place of healing and second chances, thus was born the Last Hope Ranch series. 

As I wrote, new characters found their way to town, readers wanted to know more about my secondary characters. What were their stories? I realized then that the small, historic mining town had taken on a life of its own and so began the End of the Line series...End of the Line…where romance finds its happily ever after.

I have since drawn up a "bible" of sorts for each family to included children and extended family as well as a map of End of the Line and all its businesses. I can see it perfectly in my mind as I grew up in a similar small town rural setting! It's been great fun to build this world and I hope you'll enjoy visiting End of the Line often!

Today and tomorrow I’ll be sharing a bit about these related stories and how ONCE UPON A DEADWOOD DREAM (included in the Wild Deadwood Tales anthology)  fits into them!!

It all began with the Kinnison brothers, three young teens –two adopted through marriage and one a nephew, taken in after a tragic accident. When Jed Kinnison finds himself alone to raise three teenage boys whose lives have been turned upside down, it’s the hard work and discipline of the ranch that turn them into the dedicated, exceptional men they become—and when he dies, they are left to continue his legacy both in town, and the dreams he had for the ranch.

AMAZON

Rugged Hearts (Book 1, Kinnison Trilogy) features Wyatt Kinnison and Aimee Worth.

Left scarred by betrayal, rugged Wyatt’s focus is only as head of the ranch and his family. Love is NOT in the forecast. But a determined teacher blows in with an unexpected storm and threatens to thaw his frozen heart.

When an accident claims her twin sister, Aimee chooses to live out her sister’s dream of teaching. Unprepared to find Mr. Right--much less in the form of the Grinch--she sets out to melt his heart with the magic that is Christmas.

AMAZON

Rustler’s Heart (Book 2, Kinnison Trilogy) features Rein MacKenzie (Jed’s only nephew) and Liberty Belle Stenapoulas (unknown half-sister to Dalton & Wyatt).

Rein Mackenzie knows pain, but being raised by a benevolent Uncle, he is determined to bring to fruition his goal of making the ranch a haven for the lost. But when Liberty, half-sister to the men he calls his brothers, arrives unexpectedly, she brings with her danger—not only to his heart, but to his family as well!

AMAZON

Renegade Hearts (Book 3, Kinnison trilogy) features Dalton Kinnison and Angelique Greyfeather-Juarez (niece of Michael and Rebecca Greyfeather)

Dalton Kinnison takes pride in his bachelorhood, but his good timin’ ways are about to be challenged when his past waltzes into town, looking more beautiful and less interested than when last they met. Fate offers Angelique a second chance after a horrific experience, but when sparks fly between her and Dalton, they threaten to reveal secrets that could change their lives forever.

 ***Now, as in any small town it has its struggles, its secrets and scandals—some unexpected, some of the characters own making, like when End of the Line’s elementary music teacher decides after a long bout of putting her life on hold, she’d like to have a child. With no prospect of a groom, heck, even a boyfriend and unable to afford traditional means—she decides to scope out a candidate perfect for her purposes and finds it in Clay Saunders, a guest of the Last Hope Ranch, and friend of the Kinnison brothers.***

AMAZON

No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch series) features Sally Andersen and Clay Saunders

With friends married and starting families, Sally Anderson’s biological clock is ticking. She wants a family…just not in the conventional way. Recuperating at the Last Hope Ranch from his tour of duty, Clay Saunders is the perfect match for her plan. She wants a baby. No rules. No commitments. NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

COMING 2018

Worth the Wait (Last Hope Ranch series) features Hank Richardson and Julie Saunders-Williams (two sons from previous marriage, Chris & Kyle) Coming 2018

Starting a new life in End of the Line after her brother and his friend, Hank rescue Julie and her sons from a dangerous standoff with her ex-husband, she’s closer to family and so, too, Hank-a hero in her eyes. But does a knight in shining armor have a chance against the new freedom she’s found after an abusive marriage?

Hank hadn’t seen the woman he held a secret crush on in years, but when her brother asked his help, he was there in a heartbeat, even taking bullet to protect Julie and her kids. But will these feelings rekindled be enough to stand the test of time that Julie needs to adjust to her new life and…will Hank decide that it’s worth the wait?

There are more stories to be told in the Last Hope Ranch series with a focus on visitors to the Last Hope Ranch--what they are running away from, what they're hoping to recapture, maybe hoping to start over. 

Once a successful cattle ranch, the Kinnison Last Hope Ranch is an equine rescue and human sanctuary where acceptance, hope, and love is found through hard work and nature, and where second chances are come true.

Tomorrow, we'll visit END OF THE LINE, next in the continuing series where romance finds its happily ever afters.

 In a few weeks I'll be visiting Deadwood, South Dakota to attend my second Wild Deadwood Reads conference!! While there, the 17 authors of the Wild Deadwood Tales anthology will be signing at both the PBR rodeo (Friday June 8 and Saturday June 9) as well as at the WDR book fair on Saturday June 9 (10 am-2 pm)

HERE'S A CHANCE TO WIN A VERY SPECIAL PRIZE! 

TELL ME WHY YOU THINK YOU'RE A "COWGIRL at HEART"

LEAVE YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS AND ONE WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN ON MAY 12!! 

 (*signed book will be delivered after June 10)  

*Intercontinental entrants only this time, please.