Well, howdy, y’all!
September sure has been one heck of a ride around here. Between festivals, book stuff, marketing, fall weather, and a whole passel of cowboys running off to Tampa, I’m about ready to hitch my britches to the nearest fence post and take a nap!
Speaking of those cowboys…
Apparently, One Football Game Takes a Week
My cowboys hit the trail for Tampa to see the Browns play. And naturally, they didn’t go alone. Nope. A whole group of cowboys went along for what was, according to them, a perfectly innocent guy thing.
Now, I knew they were going to see one football game on Sunday.
What I didn’t realize was that ONE football game apparently meant they’d be staying in Tampa for an entire week.
Hmm.
Sounds a little fishy to me.
Hahaha!
I suppose I’ll have to hear the whole story when they finally mosey back home. Assuming I get the real story, that is.
In the meantime, Puppers and Punkin seem a little lost without the cowboys around. They’re used to having somebody checking up on them and demanding a cuddle or two. I know how they feel. The evenings have been awfully quiet around here.
And a little lonely, too.
In the meantime, to keep me from thinking on how quiet the homestead is its been crazy busy around here.
I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off this month with festivals—attending some, helping market others, and trying to keep up with everything else going on.
Good thing September is almost over!
I do wish I could make it to the ACB-OH BVI Lions Club Fall Fest this coming weekend, though. It’s happening September 26th and 27th, and they’ve got all kinds of fun planned, including a downtown scavenger hunt, fishing, archery, a picnic, and a walk benefiting the Children’s Cancer Society.
Puppers would absolutely LOVE that walk!
Unfortunately, I’ll be busy at another festival that weekend, and if you’re looking for something fun to do, check it out.
And fall festivals are just about my favorite kind of trouble.
Bring on the Fall Weather! Perfect for our new BVI merch, just ask the scarecrow. He loves the stuff!
We’ve had rain and drizzle this week, but the forecast says things should clear up by Saturday.
Clear up, yes.
Warm up?
Not so much.
And that’s perfectly fine with me!
Give me a pair of jeans, my down vest, and my shit kickers, and I’m a happy cowgirl.
Fall is actually my favorite time of year. I love the cooler temperatures, the smell in the air, and especially those gorgeous fall colors. There’s just something about watching the leaves turn that makes everything feel a little more magical. And yes, I know I don’t see those colors any more, but I got them stored in my noggin and they’re still beautiful as ever.
September hasn’t been all fun and pumpkin spice, though.
I was bummed to hear that my sweet author friend, Mary Ellis Zelensky, passed away on the 15th. I hadn’t talked with Mary in quite a while, but we’d stayed connected through social media. She was such a sweetheart and a wonderful author. She was our writing group’s unofficial author in residence. She showed up for all our focus groups and handed out knowledge when it came to the craft of writing, that I don’t think I’d be as far as I am today if I hadn’t met her at the Wayne County Library one evening and asked her to come speak to our group. Going to miss her laughter and the fun she put into writing.
Unfortunately, with the cowboys out of town, I’ll miss her funeral.
I’m also going to miss another funeral this week for a good friend of mine and my cowboy’s. He’s actually the man who gave me my nickname, “Boots.”
I’ve always loved Larry for that.
Although…
I’ve never quite figured out why he chose Boots.
Hmm?
Hahaha!
I’ll always be grateful… Some people leave behind more than memories. Sometimes they leave you with a nickname that sticks around for years. Thanks, Larry! 😘
Now for some happier book news!
I’ll have copies of all my books with me at the Indie Author and Artisan Festival at the Kister Watermill on September 26th and 27th.
And let me tell you, getting those author copies was an adventure.
I had a problem with the order at first, and I was beginning to wonder if those books were ever going to show up.
Then I complained about it on X.
And wouldn’t you know it?
The books showed up the very next day.
Hmm.
Coincidence?
I’m sure it was.
Hahaha!
So if you’re coming to the festival, come find me. I’ll have plenty of books along with me, and I’d love to see your smiling faces!
And my cowboys want to meet you too!
And there’s more happening on the Whiskey front.
Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation is all formatted and coming along nicely. I’m doing some final edits now, and so far, my beta readers and editors are liking what they’re seeing.
Woohoo!
If you’d like to become a beta reader, just reply to this newsletter and I’ll send you some information about it.
I always appreciate another set of eyes—and I’m especially grateful for readers willing to help me make sure those Whiskey folks are behaving themselves.
Well…
As much as Whiskey folks ever behave themselves.
On a completely different note, I’ve been busy learning how to use PowerPoint to make reels and add text overlays to pictures.
And you know what?
I’m having a blast with it!
If I had my old eyesight back, I’d probably be doing marketing instead of writing. There’s something I really enjoy about putting pictures and words together and watching an idea come to life.
It’s definitely been a learning curve, but I’m figuring it out one slide at a time.
Who says an old cowgirl can’t learn a few new tricks?
Before I mosey off, I need a favor.
I need a good book to listen to!
So if you’ve listened to something lately that you absolutely loved, drop the title in the comments or reply to this newsletter and tell me about it.
I’m always looking for my next audiobook—and I’m betting my readers have some mighty fine suggestions.
Well, the pumpkin espresso is calling, and I’ve got a pumpkin muffin waiting to keep it company.
That’s my cue to head out for now.
Hope to see some of you at the Kister Watermill Indie Author and Artisan Festival this weekend!
Until next time, keep your boots dusty, your coffee hot, and your heart happy.
From tip to tail, sending cowboy kisses,
Chrissy Hartmann
• Contemporary Western Romance Author
• Award-Winning Short Story Writer
• Book Reviewer
• Blogger
Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy
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Where you’ll find cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle filled with hope… So kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance … and more!
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