Prickle Forrest Chronicles

June 2026

Howdy, Prickles!

Well, summer finally moseyed into these parts. Hope the sunshine’s been treating you all kindly.

Me? I was doing just fine until I broke a tooth on a handful of peanuts.

Yep.

Peanuts.

A tiny little snack has managed to bring this cowgirl to her knees. Since then, my menu has consisted mostly of coffee (because giving that up ain’t happening), applesauce, oatmeal cookies soft enough to survive a tornado, and the occasional PB&J if somebody cuts the crusts off first.

Needless to say, I haven’t exactly been the life of the party.

Around here, we’ve been operating under my official pain-management plan: coffee, acetaminophen, an ice pack, and 100% stubbornness. It works for about an hour or two at a time. Truthfully, I’d rather crawl under a pile of blankets with my laptop and spend the day writing, but life’s got other plans, and I wanted to get this newsletter out before I hit the trail on June 22nd.

Saddle Up—Dog Guide School Awaits

For those who haven’t heard the news, I got the smoke signal and a follow-up from the Pony Express.

I’m headed to The Seeing Eye for dog guide school!

I’ll be gone for three weeks. Well… technically eighteen days. Or sixteen if you don’t count travel days. That’s the version I keep telling Punkin’.

She isn’t buying it.

Last fall, when I had foot surgery and spent five days in the hospital, she spent the next week giving me the cold shoulder. This time I’ll be gone even longer, and to make matters more dramatic, I’ll be bringing home a new brother for her.

That’s right.

A boy.

A male German Shepherd.

I’ve been waiting nearly two years for this day. Part of me wants to break out into a boot-scootin’ boogie. The other part wants to light off a bunch of fireworks.

Considering my dancing skills and the fact that I’m blind, neither option seems particularly wise.

Still, I’m mighty excited.

The Fourth of July

Can you believe we’re coming up on America’s 250th birthday?

That’s one thing I’m genuinely sad to miss.

I’ll miss the family reunion, the festivities, and all the celebrating back home. But hopefully my new four-legged partner will keep me entertained while I’m in New Jersey. My cousin has already promised we’ll make up for it once I get back.

I’m holding her to that.

A Book Update Worth Celebrating

Ever have life throw a surprise your way that suddenly moves your entire work schedule forward?

That happened around here.

The Muses and I rounded up the posse and got the final chapters of Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation finished. Didn’t want those chapters hanging over my head while away.

And when I say finished, I mean FINISHED.

Woohoo!

The next full-length novel is officially done.

I’ll let it simmer for a bit and take it with me to dog guide school for an evening read-through. There’ll likely be some edits, but the heavy lifting is complete.

I’ve already chosen a brand-new cover. The old one I had made years ago no longer fit the story, so it’s headed out to pasture. The new one captures the book much better—a sweet moment between a cowboy and the woman he’s fallen for on a beautiful island beach.

My goal is a November release. Just in time for cooler weather.

Hopefully it’ll warm your heart and leave you wishing you spent winter somewhere tropical.

Good gravy, at least that’s the plan.

Books Available Now and Coming Soon

Tacking of Hearts

In the meantime, don’t forget Tacking of Hearts is available now in paperback, ebook, and Kindle Unlimited.

It’s a perfect beach read, especially if you’ve got a fruity drink nearby and no intention of doing anything productive.

Whiskey Kisses

My western novella Whiskey Kisses is completely finished and headed your way August 17.

We’re double-checking the formatting and page count because I’d rather not repeat the adventures we had with the Tacking of Hearts cover.

If you love kittens, cowboys, small-town charm, and plenty of kisses, this one’s for you.

Another Short Story on the Way

As if one August release wasn’t enough, I’ll also have a second short story releasing later that month in paperback, ebook, and Kindle Unlimited.

If second chances, first responders, and cowboy banter make you smile, you’ll want to keep an eye out for Life Flight Kisses too.

Punkin’s Future Brother

Speaking of kittens…

I’m still not entirely convinced Punkin’ is going to appreciate her new brother.

Truthfully, she’ll probably be more upset with me for abandoning her with the cowboys for three weeks and depriving her of proper cuddle time.

The new pup might have to earn his place around here. And as for his name, don’t know it yet. I’ll find out on the 24th. I’ll send out a quick post on social media to introduce you all to him once I get the chance. Probably won’t be until the sun sets, but before the rooster crows. Find me on all social media by@USAWriter355

Fall Events and Festivals

Once we’re back home and settled in, things get busy.

I’ll be attending book events in Maumee and Coshocton before September arrives and turns life into a full gallop.

This fall I’ll also be helping with the Wooster Noon Lions Club and American Council of the Blind of Ohio Fall Retreat. It’ll be my first time participating, and I’m looking forward to trying a little bit of everything:

* Fishing

* Archery

* A scavenger hunt

* Farmers market visits

* Trail walks

* Cookouts

* And hopefully a pizza party or two

Somewhere in there I’ll also be attending a book festival that same weekend.

We’ll see if the new shepherd can keep up.

Personally, I think he’ll do just fine. German Shepherds tend to enjoy having a job to do.

After that, festival season kicks off again on October 3 and keeps rolling all the way through December 14.

Bring On Fall

Now don’t throw tomatoes at me, summer folks.

I enjoy summer.

Mostly.

But fall is my season.

The humidity settles down, my joints stop complaining quite so much, and writing becomes a whole lot easier.

And then there are the boots.

Let’s be honest.

It’s all about the boots.

The boots are the major reason.

If they’d let me train in cowboy boots these next few weeks, I’d probably try it.

Although my hiking boots might be the smarter choice.

Maybe.

We’ll see.

Helping the Pups

I’m putting on the final touches on the details on something mighty special with The Seeing Eye. My hope is to partner with them so they can carry The Grub Wrangler and Gruff: Dog Biscuit Almanac in their gift shop for their dog guide users and trainers, with all proceeds from the digital editions going directly back to help support the school and the pups.

Now I’ve got a favor to ask…

If you’ve tried out the recipes for your pups, I’d love to hear how they liked them. And if you’d be willing to leave a review over on Goodreads, I’d be mighty grateful too.

I’m hoping to gather a few more reviews to help show just how much pups and their humans are enjoying the cookbook. Every review truly helps more than you know.

And don’t hesitate to ask your local library to round up a copy digitally or in paperback, reviews from library copies count too.

Before I Ride Out…

If you’d like updates from dog guide school and introductions to the new pup, be sure to follow along on social media. I’ll try to post whenever I get a little downtime.

Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until the next newsletter to hear all the adventures.

And if any of you all have packing advice for a three-week stay away from home, send it my way. I’d be mighty grateful.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to round up another ice pack and put on a fresh pot of coffee.

Looks like it’s going to be another long night.

Now saddle up, there’s summer romances with cowboy kisses, messy hearts, small-town sparkle, and lots of hope to be read!

From tip to tail, thanks!

Chrissy Hartmann

Contemporary Western Romance Author

• Award-Winning Short Story Writer

• Book Reviewer

• Blogger

ChrissyHartmann.com