Pendleton Petticoats Makeover

A while back, I concluded my P Pendleton Petticoats series (all 11 books) needed a makeover.

Putting new covers on that many books all at once felt like a daunting task, but it was definitely worth it!

I thought you might like to see the evolution of the first book, Aundy.

Back when I first published the book in 2013, I was working with zero budget for buying nice book covers. So I made my own despite my lack of experience with them.

The woman who appears to be running off the cover was me, wearing an outfit my mom had made for me years ago. I photoshopped in the background and the lamb.

That finished the book. And I wrote a few others in the series.

Then I decided Aundy and the other books REALLY needed an upgrade.

By then, I could afford to spend a little on book covers and used images I found on a stock photo website I subscribed to.

I’m not sure if this cover is better or worse!

The next cover was much, much better (my skills had improved and I had access to better images).

Yet, it was still time for an update.

I am so, so pleased with the way Aundy turned out. And I love that Garrett is now on the cover as well!

If you are unfamiliar with the series, Aundy is the first book.

A widowed mail-order bride.

A stubborn rancher.

An unexpected second chance.

Aundy Thorsen crossed the country to become a mail-order bride … only to find herself a widow days later. With nowhere to turn and no intention of going back to Chicago, Aundy sets out to build a life for herself in Eastern Oregon. But forging a future on a rustic homestead is harder than she imagined, especially when it means wrangling unruly chickens, tending sheep, and proving she can manage on her own. The last thing she wants is help from her infuriatingly handsome neighbor.

Garrett Nash has spent his life working the family ranch and understands just how unforgiving the frontier can be. When tragedy leaves Aundy alone, the steady, protective cowboy offers his help out of obligation. Admiration for the brave, determined woman soon turns into something far deeper and richer.

However, Aundy has already risked her heart once and paid the price. She refuses to make that mistake again. But Garrett isn’t offering to rescue her. He’s proposing a true partnership.

In this sweet and wholesome historical western romance, a slow-burn love story unfolds between a strong heroine and the rugged rancher next door. Filled with warmth, gentle humor, and hard-won hope, Aundy is a moving story of second chances, found family, and a love powerful enough to take root in the wild, untamed West.

Welcome to Pendleton, Oregon, where courageous women, steadfast cowboys, and a close-knit community build lives filled with hope, humor, and lasting love. Each story in the Pendleton Petticoats series delivers a heartfelt romance, rich western charm, and a deeply satisfying happily-ever-after.

Start the journey today—and discover the story that began it all.

Aren't they pretty!

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.

Connect with her at her website at shannahatfield.com

Lockets and Lace Is Having a Party!

We're having a party and

YOU are invited!

Officially, it is a 

Lockets and Lace Cover Reveal Celebration

Seven authors who blog for Sweet Americana Sweethearts will be publishing books for the third round of the Lockets and Lace series. They will be sharing their beautiful covers and the preorder purchase links on Facebook.

Here is how it will work:

We first ask you to sign up for the Facebook

Lockets & Lace Cover Reveal Celebration .

This will help you with reminders of when our event will take place, and, on Monday, when it is starting. Please click on the image:

If you have not already done so, we next ask you to join the Facebook reader group,

Sweet Americana Book Club

The cover reveal celebration will be held in the Sweet Americana Book Club reader group on

Monday, February 24, 2020

10:00am-1:30pm CST

(8:00-11:30am PST, 9:00am-12:30pm MST, 11:00am-2:30pm EST)

So, why are we holding the event on the Sweet Americana Book Club reader group instead of in the event?

Our group, along with several others to which our authors belong, have encountered problems with our readers (and sometimes our authors!) being put into 

"Facebook jail"

during an event.

Facebook, in their infinite wisdom, claims said participants are making too many comments, too fast. Facebook locks them out of the event, leaving them unable to post or respond to posts. 

We find there is less chance that our readers will be put into "Facebook jail" in a group. Is it foolproof? We Lockets and Lace authors don't know. However, we are going to give it a try. We want all our readers to be able to participate and have a chance to win the prizes that will be offered by us.

Please join us on Monday, February 24th and celebrate the upcoming releases with the 

2020 Lockets and Lace authors.

New Release: THE BAVARIAN JEWELER

Today I am not just featuring the prequel,  

The Bavarian Jeweler, 

but the new 

Lockets & Lace 

series being brought to you by nine authors who blog monthly on 

Sweet Americana Sweethearts.

CLICK HERE to keep up with excerpts and all the events for this series by following the Lockets & Lace page on Facebook.

This is only one book cover. There are nine yet to be revealed.

To get in on the fun and prizes,   

CLICK HERE  to join us on Facebook for the

COVER REVEAL EXTRAVAGANZA

this Thursday, January 4th. 

Now for a little more about The Bavarian Jeweler:

Book Description: 

          Sent to America in 1849 to avoid inscription into the Bavarian army preparing for war against Prussia, Wilhelm Mueller, a master jeweler and watchmaker, goes with his father’s promise that he will always have a little touch of Bavaria with him. His British cabin-mate on the ship who knows German helps him learn English. He meets some of his fellow passengers, including a group of Irish refugees escaping the potato famine. The lace made by a certain young woman captures Wilhelm’s attention as much as her pretty face and curly hair.

          Upon landing in New Orleans, he finds everything is new in his adopted country, including his name. After sailing by steamboat up the Mississippi River, he stops at what was in 1850 the crossroads of America. It is there he holds to a touch of his homeland by opening his Bavarian Jewelry and Watch Repair shop. Over the decades, as he becomes known for a particular kind of jewelry, he realizes he has gained more by coming to America than what he left behind.

Excerpt:

          Wilhelm raised an eyebrow. He began to suspect it might be a long two months sharing a cabin with this man. “If you don’t care for the Americans, why do you go there?”

          “In one word—trade. The American blighters are our biggest source of cotton for the mills I manage in Manchester. ’Tis why I’m sailing into New Orleans. ’Tis one of the biggest ports close to the southern states where they grow the fluff.” Edward paused, and eyed Wilhelm with curiosity. “What takes you to a land where you don’t speak the language?”

          “Business. I speak French, the language of many in New Orleans.”

          “Buying trip, eh? What business are you in?”

          “Nein. No. No buying trip. I’m a watchmaker. I’ve come to set up a new branch of the family business.” Inwardly, Wilhelm winced at the truth he had stretched regarding his reason for relocating to America.

          Wilhelm bit back the recurring surge of resentment that during the past two months occasionally resurfaced. His mind went back to that night in Pforzheim in Baden-Württemberg, the German state just west of his native Bavaria, when his father had unexpectedly shown up at his room and started the chain of events that twisted into turmoil Wilhelm’s carefully thought-out plans for his life.

 

The Bavarian Jeweler is available for sale on Amazon, but you may obtain a copy without charge as long as they last by clicking on the book cover image on the right sidebar of this blog and following the Book Funnel links.

Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her historical novels. A member of Women Writing the West, she currently lives with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” When she is not piecing together novel plots, she pieces together quilt blocks.

 

 

New Quilt Series ~ Magic Happens

Quilty by Association -- Yes...That's me. 

I confess...

I have never made a quilt.

My mother, my sister, my aunts--you name it--and several of my friends have quilted. Their lasting heirlooms are things of beauty to behold. I have been dragged...uh...I mean, I have accompanied them at one time or another to quilt shops or fabric stores and to quilt shows. I must admit, seeing all the beautiful patterns and fabric actually makes me a bit euphoric. So many possibilities, so many ideas start rumbling through me.

I have the patterns to make a wall hanging and also a table runner...someday when I am no longer writing stories. Those patterns call to me from under the bed where they are tucked securely in their storage bin.

Someday...

William Morris said this in 1880, at a lecture he was giving titled the Beauty of Life. I think he could have been talking about pioneer women...and me.

Might I also add to Phylicia's quote by saying...we, the authors of Sweet Americana Sweethearts, came together to write a book series (about quilts)
and yes...

Magic happened!

The Grandma’s Wedding Quilt Series is the brainchild of Zina Abbot, the founder of the Sweet Americana Sweethearts Blog. From the start of the blog, she has had a vision for all of the authors to come together on a project. We were all at different levels in knowing about putting together a production of this magnitude, but the ones with more experience have been nothing short of fantastic with those of us, ‘cough, cough’ who have never independently published before. I am in awe of their knowledge and professionalism. Yes, indeed…magic is definitely happening…

And it will soon be here!

Since I have never made a quilt, why would anyone think I could write a story based on a marvelous sampler quilt? Well...that is part of the mystery and you will have to read the book to see if I pulled it off. 

My contribution to the series is Gloria's Song and I am so excited to share here, for the first time, the cover and a short description! 

Cover by Shanna Hatfield

 Gloria Palmer has always done the proper thing expected of her as the daughter of a shipping tycoon. The approval of her family and friends mean everything. And yet, when the perfect suitor offers for her… she hesitates.

Colin McDougal has little use for those living on the fancy side of the trolley tracks. He’s too busy managing the family pub and, in his spare time, writing down the lively tunes in his head. So, when Miss Palmer asks for his help to prepare for a music audition, he is flummoxed. What does he know of highbrow music?

But with each practice session, their feelings for each other grow. When it comes time for Gloria to make a choice between what is proper and what she desires, will she realize that if music can cross class lines, it might also be able to harmonize two hearts.

Check back often this month as the rest of the authors give you a sneak peak of their stories for this series.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Please plan to join us in the new year as we debut our stories! 

Kathryn's:   Website   Amazon Author Page

Turnvereins—German Men’s Social Clubs

I love using different and unique facts I’ve uncovered while doing research and incorporating making them into a story’s plot. I also like seeing the geography of a place that I’m using as a base for a story locale. Well, I hit paydirt with both of these aspects as I flipped through the pages of Images of America: Comfort, Texas book. Right there on the page was a picture of a non-descript building, but the sign stated “Comfort Turnverein” and an accompanying picture showed a group of men labeled with “Turner Picnic May 1896.”

The sign over the walkway says "Established 1860" Photo by Ruth Kiel

Soon I’d lost an hour on the click-through-the-URL trail to learn more about these social clubs founded soon after immigrants settled in Texas (and many other places—look up “Turner Hall” in Google images and see how many cities had these clubs) The gymnastic movement of the early 19^th century is credited to Turnvater (father of gymnastics) Freidrich Ludwig Jahn. The clubs started forming in Germany while the county was occupied by Napoleon’s armies. In addition to advocating fitness, these clubs in America also provided meeting space to discuss politics and the continuation of German ideals.

A peek inside the turner hall in Milwaukee shows equipment that audiences of contemporary gymnastics are familiar with. (what’s missing is the high bar) The men must have dressed up for the picture because I can’t imagine them exercising in dress shirts and bow ties.

In Ione’s Dilemma, (cover reveal below) to be released in January 2017, the hero Morgan is a member of the local club. This location is where he interacts with bachelors in the area, and he uses those contacts to engage in a little bit of matchmaking. More hints in next month's post...