Prickle Forrest Chronicles – Chrissy Hartmann- February 2026 – Heartfelt Apologies! – PrickleForrestChronicles By Chrissy Hartmann

Prickle Forrest Chronicles

Chrissy Hartmann

February 2026

Howdy Prickles,

So I wanted to start this newsletter with a heartfelt apology for skipping January’s update. Between some serious computer problems (which ended with me having to get a brand-new machine) and my own head spinning, I’m pretty sure I even sent out two different newsletters in December thinking I’d already done January — turns out I hadn’t sent it out! It’s out now and I apologize for this here duplicate newsletter. No excuses, just a whole lot of digital chaos and a whole lot of gratitude for your patience. I’ve got my new computer now, and hopefully a better handle on keeping all these stories and updates on track from here on out.

I ended up taking most of January to dive back into Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation, the third novel in the Whiskey Salvation series. I managed to rope another 30,000 words into that manuscript for January , and now I’m down to roughly 20,000 more to go — maybe even less since I’m still rustling up words for it here in February. And let me say,writing a story based in Bermuda is helping get through these freezing days of February here in Ohio.

Cowboys, beaches, sun. Yeehaw!

This book is shaping up to be something mighty special. It’s got those cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle you all love, and I’m so excited for you to meet the folks who’ve come alive on these pages.

Just a little teaser…

In Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation, two travelers ride into Bermuda for a mission neither planned on — tracking down a wandering band of clowns. They start out as strangers, become besties by sunset, and by sunrise find themselves tangled up in each other’s stories whether they like it or not. Neither came looking for love. They’ve both got scars deeper than a cattle trail after rain. Still, there’s a connection between them — quiet as a Caribbean breeze yet strong as a stallion tugging at their hearts in ways they never saw coming. Full of tropical sunsets, wisecracks, and that small-town warmth even on an island shore, this romantic comedy proves that sometimes the best kind of treasure isn’t gold… it’s the one you least expect.

When I first saddled up to start Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation , the third book in my Whiskey Salvation series almost two years ago, for one reason or another that story didn’t get finished, but along the way I managed to write something completely different—The Grub Wrangler and Gruff: Dog Biscuit Almanac I never planned on writing in the first place. Then, finally wrangled into submission by the Muses, I dusted off that old manuscript and rode back into the novel this past month. As I laid down fresh pages, a part opened up in the story where that very dog biscuit almanac fit — like it had been sitting in the corral just waiting for the right trail. Never planned on this twist, not in a hundred cattle drives. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Muses, it’s that they’ve always got their own ideas… especially loaded up on coffee and Oreos.

And boy howdy, does that almanac fit in beautifully.

I can’t wait for you all to read it.

And if you’re curious to find out more about healthy all-natural treats for your pup, head on over to my website. And if you’d like to help a wandering author out, you can pick up a copy of the Grub Wrangler and Gruff: dog biscuit almanac—it’s on sale there under the link that says “Gruff’s Biscuit Sale.” Your purchase will help me raise the money for my new guide dog. Thanks!

If you get a copy, send me a photo of your pup chomping down on one or two of them there biscuits. I’d love to share it with the rest of the Pricklers.

Finally, here on the home front, this old cowgirl’s foot is finally on the mend — physical therapy’s wrangling that peroneal tendonitis after three long months in a CAM boot, and I’m feeling lighter on my feet every day! My dog guide application is squared away, and now I’m just waiting on the perfect four-legged sidekick to mosey into my life. And The first book event at the Belaire Public Library Author Fest turned out great, even if Mother Nature tried to turn it into an ice fishing expedition! And now … I’m back at the old keyboard, chasing down those last 20,000 words — fingers crossed I can hitch Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation to the finish line before St. Patrick’s Day. Missed the Valentine’s Day mark, but hey… there’s plenty of luck left in these boots to get her done!

Thanks for riding this here trail with me!

Next time, I hope to update you on my dog guide plans, Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation status, the treadmill with physical therapy, and more …

I hope you all enjoyed this update. Remember, kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romantic cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle!

Stay prickly my friend,

Chrissy Hartmann