Prickle Forrest Chronicles
Chrissy Hartmann
December 2024
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Dear Pricklers,
Howdy, all! 🤠
I’m wrangling the Year’s End Like a Wild Steer!
Well, buckle up, cowpokes, because this year was a real rodeo! Some days were a straight-up bronc ride, others felt like herding kittens in a thunderstorm, but we made it to the end of 2024! So, pour yourself a stiff drink (or a strong cup of coffee) and settle in, because I’m dishing out the highlights, the lowlights, and a whole heap of thanks.
Let’s Start With a Big Old Thank You!
You all stuck with me through thick and thin, and for that, I’m downright grateful. Special thanks to everyone who saddled up for the Dangerously Dark Darlings Secret Santa Giveaway and the Tina Hogan Grant holiday Giveaway too. You all really brought the holiday cheer! And guess what? There’s more where that came from—next year, I’ll be tossing more goodies your way, so keep those spurs handy!
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On a side note, my winner from Tina Hogan Grant’s holiday giveaway has not contacted me. You know who you are, so please send me your e-mail so I can send you your digital copy of Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation. Thanks!
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And to my one winner, Lisa J. your copy of Make Christmas Great Again is in the mail. Unfortunately, the printer had shipping delays and we weren’t able to get it out to you before Christmas, so to make up for it, I’ve sent you something extra with it. Hopefully the Pony Express will get it to you soon, they promised you’d receive it by Monday, January 6th, keep watch for it!! Enjoy!
Another big thanks to you all who left me a book review—good, bad, or just plain weird. Every single one is appreciated, even if some made me side-eye my coffee cup, wondering what you all were drinking! Hahaha!
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The Year in Review… Wrangling Life’s thrown horseshoe
Now, let’s not sugarcoat it—2024 came at me like a bronco with a burr under its saddle:
– Hubby got laid off. Yep, the old paycheck train derailed, but we’re hoping to be back on track in 2025.
– The furnace kicked the bucket. Yep, belly up. Ever try cowboying up in the middle of winter with no heat? Fun times Ha!.
– M-I-L had a heart attack. Scared the daylights outta us, but she’s tougher than a cactus in a drought.
– And let’s not even talk about my holiday treat binge. Let’s just say the treadmill and I have a hot date starting now. No waiting for the New Year—this gal needs to outrun the gingerbread men. Any of you all need to do the same?
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Big Wins and Woohoos!
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, though. I’m over here tipping my hat to these wins:
– Large prints of Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation and Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation hit the shelves. They look mighty fine, if I do say so myself.
– Published Make Christmas Great Again short story and even managed to snag a shiny 5-star review for Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation from Readers’ Favorite. Woohoo! Woohoo!
– Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes was a big hit at Buckeye Book Fair. You all really showed up for me there—thank you kindly.
– And let’s not forget—Ohio State University made it to the college football playoffs! Here’s to chasing that championship in January. Go Buckeyes! O! H! I! O! Buckeyes! Buckeyes! Buckeyes!
Holiday Treats and Tales
Yours truly got a bit experimental in the kitchen and whipped up a new Christmas cookie! Y’all will see the recipe in my 2025 Christmas anthology, but trust me—it’s worth the wait.
Here’s a hint… and not to be cheesy, but the mint in this here cookie will hook you all from the first bite!
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On the writing front…
– I penned a Whiskey Salvation Christmas Novella that’s headed your way in 2025. Book cover’s in the works and it’s about as fun as riding a mule backward.
– The WNG Christmas short story I wrote for our 2025 anthology is also wrapped up and ready to go.
– Speaking of short stories, my tale "Tacking of Hearts" is in the GLFW anthology "Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes, but I’ll be releasing it as a standalone soon. Plus, the second story in that series will hit the WNG Christmas anthology in July 2025 as part of the Wayne Novelist Guilds winter holiday collection of Ohio short stories.
Still with me? Good, because I’ve got more:
– Tales from the Prickle Forrest is in the editing corral, aiming for a spring release.
– The Grub Wrangler: Heartfelt Grapeseed Oil Recipes with Benefits, a Whiskey Salvation cookbook is hitting the trail in January (once the LCCN is assigned).
Mark Your Calendars!
Here’s where you can find me in 2025:
– January: The Grub Wrangler launches.
– March: Akron Book Festival on the 3rd and Orrville Book Festival on the 8th.
– July: WNG Christmas Anthology launches.
– October: Canal Town Book Festival.
– Oh, and I’m gonna be doing some author giveaways on Goodreads, so saddle up and join the fun!
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Cowboys and December celebrations… A Little History
Did you all know cowboys have been celebrating Christmas since the days of cattle drives? Back then, a cowboy’s Christmas was simple—think hand-carved trinkets, campfire songs, and a hearty meal if they were lucky. Nowadays, you’ll find cowboys hosting rodeos, lighting up ranch houses with enough lights to rival the North Star, and even swapping secret Santa gifts.
New Year’s Eve? That’s a time for storytelling, music, and maybe a shot of whiskey to toast the year ahead.
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So, here’s to the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Thanks for riding this wild trail with me, and here’s to making 2025 a rootin’-tootin’ good year!
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I hope you all enjoyed this update. Remember, kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance!”
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Stay prickly my friends, Happy New Year, and go Buckeyes!
Chrissy Hartmann
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Don’t miss out on Chrissys 5-star Readers Favorite debut novel now available on digital, paperback, and large print…
RESCUING WHISKEY’S SALVATION
What could possibly bring a cosmetic heiress and a land developing cowboy together, yet at the same time… destroy them?
A “dead” uncle? A closed shelter? Maybe an unruly troupe of clowns? Or all three?
Only one way to find out…
Find Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation here!
And don’t forget Chrissy’s new novella to the Whiskey Salvation Series…
CHERISHING WHISKEY’S SALVATION
After thirty plus years, this retired Army Colonel and cattle rancher realizes there’s only one thing he cherishes the most. And that’s the one person who roped his heart. But stubbornness, duty, coffee, and even an unruly troupe of clowns battle to loosen that hold. What’s it going to take for love to brand him forever?
Only one way to find out.
Find Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation here!
And to those who love short stories…
Out now in the Great Lakes Fiction Writers anthology
Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes
Contains Chrissy’s latest short story…
Tacking of Hearts: A Whiskey Salvation Short Story
Falling for the cowboy of her heart, author Olivia Masters never imagined writing him into her island life. But when a storm hits, she discovers he’s not the cowboy she thought. What tack of the heart will set their sails for a happily ever after?
Find Love on the Lakefront here!
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PrickleForrestChronicles By Chrissy Hartmann 