PrickleForrestChronicles By Chrissy Hartmann

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  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – December 2024 – here’s to the highs, the lows, and everything in between…end of the year wrap up.

    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!

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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!

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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!

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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?

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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!

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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!

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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.

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    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!”

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Stay prickly my friends, Happy New Year, and go Buckeyes!

    Chrissy Hartmann

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    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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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!

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Books LLC Copyright ©2021-2025 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles December 2024 Newsletter: Saddle Up f or a Rootin’-Tootin’ Holiday Extravaganza! 🎅🤠

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    December 2024

    Dear Pricklers,

    Grab your cowboy hat and sleigh bells because we’ve got more holiday cheer than a herd of reindeer at a rodeo! Here’s the lowdown on everything happening in my neck of the woods.

    🎁Author Giveaway: Join the Dangerously Dark Darlings on Facebook!

    You all don’t want to miss this! Over 300 authors are saddling up for the 8th Annual Secret Santa Giveaway. I’ll be handing out goodies faster than an outlaw flees a posse… along with the other authors. Books, swag, and who knows what else could find their way into your stocking—get your keister over to Facebook and join the fun! Starts Friday December 6th. Winners announced Sunday, December 8th. www.facebook.com/groups/dangerouslydarkdarlings

    🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation Earns 5-Star Readers’ Favorite Rating!

    Yeehaw! Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation wrangled itself a shiny 5-star rating from Readers’ Favorite! If you’ve already snagged a copy, contact the publisher, Prickle Forrest Books to claim your Readers’ Favorite medallion for your book. Just holler at them—they’ll make sure you get your badge of honor. Contact Prickle Forrest Books here!

    Here’s more good news: the regular paperback and large print editions are getting a glow-up! The medallion’s fixing to grace those covers real soon. Order now to get the prettied-up version once the updates are finished. Might be a 3-day wait, as the publisher’s working on the upgrades today, but do order it. Find Chrissy’s books here.

    📚 Coming Soon…

    Hold onto your hats, because my Christmas short story, Make Christmas Great Again, and my cookbook, The Grub Wrangler: Heartfelt Grapeseed Oil Recipes with Benefits, are nearly ready to ride out! The books are in their final stages, and it won’t be long now, In just a matter of days, you all will be feasting on my words and recipes. I’ll holler when they’re ready to wrangle, so keep your eyes peeled! In the meantime, take a gander at their covers. Woohoo!

    Make Christmas Great Again Front Back Cover 2024

    🎄 Join Me at the Red Kettle on December 5th!

    It’s that time of year again!

    On Thursday, December 5th, I’ll be doing my annual stint with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign at Lehman’s Hardware from 10 AM to 12 PM.

    I’ll have all three of my books with me, ready to be autographed, while supplies last, and here’s the kicker—if you’d like a copy, you can snag one for a donation of $15, with all proceeds going straight to the Red Kettle Campaign. So swing by, say hi, and help make a difference this holiday season!

    What about you all? What traditions do you and your family or friends do at Christmastime to help out the community? I’d love to hear your ideas—drop me a note and let’s share some inspiration!

    🤠Cowboy Christmas Lore: A Festive Flashback…

    Did you know cowboys celebrated Christmas on the trail with whatever they could rustle up? They’d string popcorn on the nearest sagebrush, sing carols by the campfire, and whip up flapjacks as Christmas “cake.” Gifts? A new pair of boots or a hand-carved trinket was worth more than gold to those rugged ranch hands.

    So, whether you’re kicking up your heels at a holiday hoedown or sipping cider in front of the fire, remember, Christmas is all about simple joys, just like it was for those dusty trail riders.

    I hope you all enjoyed this update. Remember, kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance!”

    That’s all for now, partner! Don’t forget to check out the giveaways, claim your medallion, and swing by the Red Kettle for some holiday cheer. Keep your spurs jingling as we ride into the season of giving.

    Happy Trails and Merry Christmas,

    And remember… “Stay prickly my friends…”

    Chrissy Hartmann 🎄🤠

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles – November 2024 – Still whirling in November… and no not the rope!

    [Tags Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Romance, publishing, Buckeye Book Fair, Love on the Lakefront,

    Great Lakes, western romances, Thanksgiving, Jin Stearns, Lost Seoul]

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    November 2024

    Dear Pricklers,

    November’s shaping up to be another whirlwind of a month, and I’m thrilled to share some updates before it kicks into high gear.

    Hootin’ It Up at the Buckeye Book Fair:

    First off, I’ll be at the Buckeye Book Fair on Saturday, November 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re coming, swing by and catch me on a panel with some mighty fine authors, including Julie Hatcher, Amanda Flower, and Shelley Costa. We’re talking all about the writer’s life and our process, so it’s bound to be a good time for any book lover. Plus I’ll be featuring the short story anthology the Great Lakes Fiction Writers publish, Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes and by luck, Cyndi Brec and Patricia Miller will be helping out to sign autographs too. Lots of great short stories that I’ve been told each would make a five star Hallmark movie classic. Woohoo! Woohoo!

    And if that’s not exciting enough…

    Save the date for the Willoughby Public Library Romance Author Book Fair on November 9!

    I’ll be there alongside authors Cary Harter and Cyndi Brec, ready to share our tales and mingle with fellow book lovers. Cary will have her debut novel, “The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story and Cyndi will be promoting her short story to her series in the anthology, Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes, which my short story Tacking of Hearts is in there too. Yeehaw!

    Some spicy news from the chuckwagon :

    The Grub Wrangler informs me the Whiskey Salvation Cookbook is basically done! Well, mostly done—I just need two more pictures and a cover. They’re putting the finishing touches on it as we speak, and if everything goes right, it’ll be out on November 17th! If cooking’s your love language (or you’re aiming to impress at Thanksgiving), you’ll want a copy of this. Just imagine those recipes with a side of Western flair!

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    Halloween Festivities:

    This Halloween was quieter than I’d hoped. I didn’t make it to any euchre tournaments, but I had the fun of passing out candy to trick-or-treaters as the Cat in the Hat. I’d hoped to snag some pictures, but time slipped away from me. For a trip down memory lane, you can check out last year’s Halloween snapshots—it’s the same costume, though this year’s edition comes with a few less pounds! Find my social media links below.

    More Books for the General Store:

    As for my large print editions of Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation and Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation , I’m hustling to get those published for November 17th, too. But with the Book Fair this weekend and Election Day right around the corner, it might be a tall order. Speaking of Election Day, I’ll be working at the election office this year. If you’re in Wayne County and need help figuring out where to vote, there’s a good chance you’ll be chatting with me! So remember, folks— Vote, vote, vote!

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    Hollers for the Author:

    At last month’s library book signing I had the privillage to meet Author Jin Sterns. Yep, that’s right. He’s a mighty fine author. His book Lost Seoul is an autobiography he wrote about himself being adopted from Seoul Korea. See hear, my sister-in-law and niece come from the same orphanage over there in South Korea as Jin did. He’s a fabulous guy and has wonderful stories he’s told in his book. And just to let you in on a little secret… Their fixin’ to make a movie regarding this book. And I did get the inside scoop on who might play the roles in his book. Yeehaw!

    Heading for the Horizon:

    Looking ahead, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited. It’s my favorite holiday—no pressure to buy presents or juggle family schedules, just a big old feast with the ones I love. And, well, I do enjoy eating. I’m even stepping up the workouts so I can enjoy my Thanksgiving plate guilt-free. Solid plan, right?

    And while discussing food for turkey day, which dish is your favorite? Mine… do love the green bean casserole and the cheesy taters… and not to forget dessert, anything pumpkin. How about you?

    And don’t forget…I’ll be at the Willowby Romance Author Event on November 9th! I’ll have all my books on sale at 25% off for the holidays, with autographs and smiles to boot. Can’t make it? Just send me a smoke signal, and I’ll have a signed copy on the next Pony Express straight to you. Plus, if you buy one book, the second is just $10—a steal of a deal!

    Thanksgiving: Cowboys and Tradition

    Thanksgiving’s been celebrated in the United States since 1621, but it wasn’t until cowboys drove cattle out West that it became the holiday we know today. Cowboys didn’t always have a full spread, but they’d get together with what they had and celebrate their hard-earned friendships under the big sky. That spirit of camaraderie and gratitude for simple things is what makes Thanksgiving feel just right, even all these years later.

    Until next time, stay prickly, my friends.

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – October 2024 – “Boooo”t Hill is still kicking! Double dog dare you to check it out!

    [Tags Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Romance, publishing, Buckeye Book Fair, Love on the Lakefront,

    Great Lakes, western romances, Halloween, Boot Hill, cowboys ]

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    October 2024

    Dear Pricklers,

    October has roped me in with a whirlwind of activities! Between book signings, editing sessions, and preparing for a spooktacular Halloween card night, I’m downright scared-busy! But fear not, there’s plenty of excitement to go around, especially with the Canal Town Book Fest just around the bend! I hope you all enjoy this update. Remember, “kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance!”

    Canal Town Book Fest – October 5th

    Saddle up and join me at the Canal Town Book Fest today from 10 am to 3 pm at Dover High School in Dover, OH. It’s like a mini Buckeye Book Fair for Indie Authors! I’ll be there with my beloved Whiskey Salvation Books and signing copies of "Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes," which features my latest short story, “Tacking of Hearts.” Even better, proceeds from my sales will go to support the victims of hurricane Helena. Don’t miss out—I’ll also be on a panel discussing savvy book marketing strategies at 3 pm!

    And if you aren’t able to hitch your wagon to get to the ho-down, don’t fret, you can always order a book to help out the cause. Just two-step on over to my bookshop and order from there. Paperbacks and digitals are all available. Thanks bunches!

    Author Shout Out

    It might be a surprise to some of you, but yes, I do love reading other genres, not often, but I do. And it just happens that Sci-Fi’s are one of my favorites. And this month, I’m tipping my hat to John Newton, a master of sci-fi storytelling. His short stories "A Taste of Earth" and "Death has no Shadow" are must-reads! And boy howdy, if his novels don’t hit the silver screen soon, I might just have to eat my hat in protest! And hey all, don’t forget to check out his YouTube channel. Now I love a good rodeo, but John Newton’s wrangling of the sci-fi book world just might knock your boots off in less than 8 seconds. And I’m not joshing you either, I love the rodeo and them there clowns, but John’s show is definitely one to check out if you’re not out there on the dusty trail.

    Website NewtonSciFi.com

    YouTube @NewtonSciFi

    Amazon

    And don’t forget to rope in the reviews on the Prickle Forest Books review blog

    Upcoming Events

    Save the date for the Massillon Public Library Book Fair on October 12th!

    I’ll be there alongside authors Cary Harter and Cyndi Brec, ready to share our tales and mingle with fellow book lovers. Cary will have her debut novel, “The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story and Cyndi will be promoting her short story to her series in the anthology, “Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes. Yeehaw!

    Cowboy History Corner: Ghost Towns

    Some folks, like them there on Boot Hill don’t get to kick off there boots any more. And on that note, October brings to mind the haunting beauty of ghost towns scattered across the Western frontier. Once bustling with life during the gold rush and cattle drives, these eerie remnants now stand as silent witnesses to a bygone era. From Bodie, California, to Tombstone, Arizona, each ghost town whispers tales of saloons, cowboys, and the rugged spirit of the Old West. And just to let you all in on a little secret, my house has a ghost. His name is Zeke. He’s a nice guy until he hides my jewelry on me. He thinks he’s funny. Ha! Not! He’s not done much lately, but with the Halloween scene ramping up, I just might have to expect anything.

    I’m off now, got to hit the trail. Need to wrangle up my costume for the card party later this month. We’ll be playing progressive euchre for the night. I want to make sure my duds fit for the event, so it’s exercise and plenty of protein. Moo! Veggies will be a staple for the next few weeks. So if I manage to squeeze into my costume, it will all be due to ranchers and farmers. If you see one, hug them for me and send a picture, I’d love to post it to my social media. Thanks!

    That’s all for now, pardners! Stay tuned for more adventures in the world of Western romance and literary escapades. Until next time…

    Stay prickly my friends,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – September 2024 – Fall into a…

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

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    September 2024

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    Dear Pricklers,

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    Hope you’re all kicking up your boots and enjoying the last bit of summer as we roll into fall. I’ve got some exciting things coming up in September, October, and November, so grab a pumpkin spice latte (or maybe a pumpkin funnel cake, more on that later!), and let’s dive into the latest news.

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    Book Event Round-Up!

    Fall is packed with fantastic book events, and I can’t wait to meet more of you all in person! Here’s what’s on the horizon:

    Kicking it off with…

    – September 28th– Join me at Bellevue Public Library for an author meet-and-greet! I’ll be chatting about all things books, romance, and cowboys, of course from 1-3 pm You’ll be able to get a copy of my latest short story, “TACKING OF HEARTS: A WHISKEY SALVATION SHORT STORY found in the Great Lakes Fiction Writer’s anthology “LOVE ON THE LAKEFRONT: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes .

    – October 5th– Canal Town Book Fest.

    – October 12th– Massillon Public Library Book Fest

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    – November 2nd– 137th Buckeye Book Fair Woohoo! Woohoo!

    – November 9th– Willouby Romance Writers Book Fair

    But more details on those festivities later. Keep your eyes peeled for updates!

    Football Season’s Kicked Off:

    So football season started Saturday last. Do you follow it or do you become a football widower? Growing up with a dad who coached and played with two brothers who played and now married to a fanatic about it, well, guess I had to join the heard. Yes, I even have my own Fantasy Football team. My team’s name is the Gridiron Geese. They one their first game. Woohoo! I’ll keep you posted on how the season goes. My favorite teams are the Buckeyes and the Browns. Right? After all I am from Ohio. If you follow, who do you think will win this year? If not what do you do to fill the time when your cowboy is tied up with the boob tube?

    Cookbook Update: Almost There!

    The cookbook is taking it’s sweet old time to meander closer to the finish line, but I’m still wrangling those last two recipes. You wouldn’t believe the trouble we’re having getting them just right! The grub wrangler’s been working overtime to fix things, so I’m hopeful we’ll have it done soon! I’ll be sure to post a special update when we do. Thanks for being patient!

    Flu Blues & Fair Foods

    I was all set to take a little break for the county fair and the ELO concert (love me some Electric Light Orchestra!), but then the flu hit hard. I missed out on the fair, and, even worse, I missed my favorite fair food—Pumpkin Funnel Cakes! I’m a little bummed, but hey, maybe I can convince the grub wrangler to make one for me. Hmm? Anyone want the odds on this?

    Boot scooting for ELO is still on the horizon. Posts will be made on social media for updates if you want to take a gander, but not until Saturday night.

    What’s your favorite fair food? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear about it, especially since I’m stuck dreaming about mine this year!

    Almost Set the Kitchen on Fire… Oops!

    Okay, here’s a funny story for you. I almost pulled an Evie Mae Stockton moment and set the kitchen on fire! Well, sort of… I left a soup pot on the burner, and my hubby woke up to smoke filling the kitchen. Luckily, he swooped in and saved the day, preventing any real fire damage. He’s definitely my hero this week! And yes, I’m staying far away from the stove for a bit, HaHa!

    Author Spotlight: Cary Harter’s Regency Romance!

    I’ve been helping out my bestie get her debut novel ready to publish, and you all are gonna love it. It’s a Regency romance called “The Earl’s Angel” (perfect title, right?), and it’s GOOD, real good. Look for more updates soon!

    And just to let you know, The Prickle Forrest Books team are working hard with Cary to get this one ready to shine. It should be out before the month’s end if not sooner.

    Fall Into a Book Giveaway

    If you love free books (who doesn’t?), don’t miss out on the Fall Into a Book Giveaway! It starts on September 19th and ends on the 21st, with winners picked on the last day. Be sure to join the Fall Into A Book Giveaway Facebook Group to enter! You won’t want to miss this.

    Upcoming Releases

    I’ve got some BIG news for y’all! In NovemberI’ll be releasing large print editions of both “Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation” and “Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation,” just in time for cozy fall reading.

    And for fans of Kash Tyler who stars in “Tacking of Hearts” in the Great Lakes Fiction Writers anthology “Love on the Lakefront: Romantic Tales from the Great Lakes”, (Kaleb Tyler’s older brother), I’ve got a brand-new Christmas short story about him. Watch for a Pony Express notice of it’s digital debut on Black Friday. So mark your calendars and look for it then—it’s a fun one!

    A Little Cowboy Wisdom: How Cowboys Handle Sickness on the Range

    Speaking of the flu… ever wonder how cowboys dealt with getting sick while out on the range? They didn’t have the luxury of doctors or a comfy bed! Cowboys relied on natural remedies like sagebrush tea or a shot of whiskey to keep going. When things got really bad, they just rode it out and hoped their buddies could pick up the slack. Tough bunch, right?

    And woah ! Lets not forget huckleberries! Yep, cowboys ate these little berries or brewed them into tea to help with digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and even treat colds and fevers. Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, huckleberries were a cowboy’s secret weapon for staying healthy.

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    Now, here’s a fun question for you all—do you think this is what Doc Holliday meant when he said, “I’ll be your huckleberry?” 😉 Hahaha!

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    That’s all for now, folks! Don’t forget to send me your favorite fair food—I’m excited to hear about them. Until next time, keep it cowboy, and take care of yourselves!

    ·

    Stay prickly my friends,

    ·

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Prickle Forrest LLC

    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – August 2024 A fist full of…

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    August 2024

    🌲🌲🌲

    Howdy Pricklers,

    Things are heating up! We’ve got a fist full of…prizes to send via the Prickle Forrest Express. Yeehaw!

    So, welcome to the August edition of my newsletter! I’m thrilled to have you here as I journey through the latest updates, exciting events, and exclusive opportunities in the world of contemporary western romance. So, grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s read on!

    🌲🌲🌲

    🏠 Housekeeping

    I understand some of you might have trouble unsubscribing from my newsletter. If you find yourself unable to unsubscribe using the link below, please e-mail me via my website to privately submit your e-mail for the removal request. It seems that those of you who joined through a promo and were manually added are sorted into a different category, which is causing this issue. I appreciate your help in resolving this matter and apologize for any inconvenience. 🙏

    🌲🌲🌲

    🌊 Great Lakes Fiction Writers Conference Recap

    Boy howdy! What a turnout!!! Would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the readers who stopped by my table at the Great Lakes Fiction Writers conference on Saturday, August 10th. It was wonderful to meet so many of you in person! If you missed out, don’t worry—you can still get an autographed copy of my book by contacting me through my website. 📚✨

    🌲🌲🌲

    📸 Fan Shoutout Contest

    I love seeing my readers with my books! Tag me on social media holding my book, and one lucky fan will get a shoutout in my September newsletter. We’ll be running this contest through November, and one grand prize winner will be drawn in December for a special prize. Authors, if you participate, I’ll give your next book a shoutout too! Use the tags #ChrissyHartmann #WhiskeyLover . 🤩📖

    Find me here on:

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    🌲🌲🌲

    🎁 King Sumo Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

    Saddle Up folks, time for the giveaway!

    Yeehaw!🤠 I’m excited to announce the King Sumo Amazon gift card giveaway! Follow one, two, three, or all of the 25 participating authors for your chance to win. Winners will be announced on August 19th. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover new authors and win a fantastic prize! 🎉📦

    King Sumo Giveaway Link

    🌲🌲🌲

    🐴 Cowboy History for August

    Did you know? August 1878 marked the famous Lincoln County War’s end in New Mexico, where legendary figures like Billy the Kid became notorious. This range war was one of the many conflicts that shaped the Old West, highlighting the fierce independence and rugged lifestyle of the cowboys we love to write and read about. Who’s your favorite cowboy? Mine? He likes to be your huckleberry! HaHaHa! 🌵📜

    🌲🌲🌲

    💌 Stay Connected

    Let’s keep the conversation going! Follow me on social media for daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more:

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    🌲🌲🌲

    Thanks for riding these trails with me.

    Until next time, 🐎💖

    Now kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance!

    Stay prickly my friends,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Prickle Forrest LLC Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrrest Chronicles – July 2024 Newsletter – Cowboy Up! Time to head out, there’s books to be had! Yeehaw!

    [Tags Prickle Forrest Chronicles, Romance, publishing, Buckeye Book Fair, Love on the Lakefront,

    Great Lakes, cookbook, western romances]

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    July 2024

    Dear Pricklers,

    Howdy All! I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates and upcoming events from my writing journey here in July. Let’s saddle up and ride on!

    •Recent Publications

    I’m over the moon to announce that my short story for the GLFW anthology has been published and is now available worldwide. In with 11 other romantic short stories is mine called, Tacking of Hearts: A Whiskey Salvation Short story. So, Grab your copy and dive into the romantic tales from the Great Lakes!

    •New Works in Progress

    I’m currently working on a second short story featuring another Tyler brother from Whiskey, Texas. This story is set to be part of a winter holiday anthology, hopefully coming out this winter. And if I didn’t tell ya, this here story is about Kaleb’s older brother Kash. Stay tuned for more updates!

    •Cookbook Challenges

    Gathering pictures for my cookbook has been a bit of a rodeo, especially while trying to lose weight. But I’m wrangling up some delicious recipes and heart-healthy tips featuring grapeseed oil. Unfortunately Doc tells me I need to lay off the taste testing. He says the recipes are mighty fine and the cookbook doesn’t need any more of the grub wrangler’s stuff in it. He’s even threatening to exchange my boots for running shoes and a treadmill. HaHaHa! Now’s he’s real funny!

    •Current Projects

    "Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation": This project is temporarily on the backburner until I finish my latest short story.

    Suspense Anthology: Getting closer to publishing my collection of suspenseful short stories. Proof reading and back cover need finished.

    Grub Wrangler’s Cookbook: Just need the last of the pictures.

    •Hold onto your hats!

    New Service for PFB: Hoping to launch a new service next year offering anthology bundles. Romance Writers interested in participating, reach out to me at Prickle Forrest Books!

    •Fall Events and Conferences

    Rock-N-Roll Writers Conference: Catch me in Cleveland on August 10 for some rockin’ writing inspiration.

    Canal Town Book Festival: I’ll be there, October 5th so come say howdy!

    Buckeye Book Fair: I’ve applied to get the anthology in for November 2024. Fingers crossed!

    •Giveaways and Promotions

    Get ready for the 5th annual “Fall Into A book giveaway ” hosted by the Facebook group “Isn’t It Romantic Book Club” September 20th! I’ll be giving away one anthology and digital copies of "Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation" and "Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation ". Watch for my posts on Facebook, X, and Instagram for more details. Starts September 20th, winner announced September 22nd! Last year over 300 authors participated in the giveaway. Woohoo! Woohoo!

    •Personal Notes

    On a personal note, I’ve got some new curly Q’s in my hair and my stylist at Studio 1225 says no gray’s have stampeded on to this pasture of hair… Yet!

    And my little fluffball, Punkin is doing well. She keeps trying to corral me out onto the deck to write, but those pesky barky dogs next door make it a challenge. Also, I’ve lost my Bluetooth keyboard, so If anyone out there has a suggestions for a new one, then please let’s hear them.

    •Summer Fun

    I’ve been enjoying the summer with some fantastic Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute bands. Nothing like good music to inspire creativity!

    Just got my ears on John Rich’s song “Revelation” and Wow! Did I say wow? If not, here’s one for you, “Wow! Wow! Wow!

    •Shoutout to GLFW Anthology

    A big shoutout to the Great Lakes Fiction Writers and their anthology! Be sure to check it out for some heartwarming and thrilling stories. You can find it worldwide, but let me make it easy for you, go to https://Books2read.com/LoveOnTheLakefront to get your copy now!

    Our sales rankings say the readers are loving it. Woohoo! Woohoo! Don’t miss out, order your copy today, as the Pony Express delivers quick!

    •Fun Fact

    Did you know that cowboy cooking on the range often involved using a cast iron Dutch oven to make everything from stews to biscuits? It’s a versatile piece of cookware that no cowboy would be without. I personally have 3 cast iron skillets of all sizes and hope to find myself one of these here dutch ovens under my Christmas Tree this year. Hmm? This gives me an interesting idea for my next short story.

    I hope you all enjoyed this update. Remember, kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance!”

    Stay prickly my friends,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartman June 2024 – Hang on to your hats, we’re spilling the beans!

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    June 2024

    Howdy Pricklers,

    Grab your favorite saddle and sit a spell, because we’ve got some rip-roaring news to share. It’s been a busy month around these parts, and I’m ready to spill the beans on the latest news!

    *****

    Wrangling Plots at the Writers Conference

    Early this month, I moseyed back from the WriteHive 2024 writers conference where I dished out some knowledge on plot editing. Let me tell ya, the pen sure feels mightier after a good old brainstorming session with fellow scribblers.

    *****

    New Short Story on the Horizon

    Hold onto your hats, romance readers! A fresh tale from the Whiskey Salvation series gallops into the scene on July 9th. It’s a story that’ll sweep you off your feet faster than a wild stallion on a moonlit night.

    Once you get your hands on this book of shorts, you’ll travel down the trail of an anthology of romances by the Great Lakes Fiction Writers. Look for “Tacking of Hearts: A Whiskey Salvation Short Story” which will be found with 11 other wonderful short romances in

    “Love on the Lakefront: Romance on the Great Lakes”

    by the Great Lakes Fiction Writers. Don’t hesitate to add Love on the Lakefront: Romance on the Great Lakes to your roundup.

    *****

    Nearing the Finish Line

    My short story book, Tales From The Prickle Forrest, is almost ready for the big rodeo. Just one more story to rope in, and it’ll be set for the roundup. Stay tuned, folks—this one’s gonna be a suspenseful page-turner.

    *****

    Lending a Hand to Young Buckaroos

    Spent some time helping a teen writing group spin their own fantasy yarns with Romantasy author Cyndi Brec. These young buckaroos sure know how to dream big, and it’s a thrill riding alongside them on their creative journeys. Loved it so much going back in October to help them pen some horror and suspense short stories.

    *****

    Looking Ahead

    Got my sights set on a few big things:

    GLFW Writers Conference on August10th: Can’t wait to saddle up for another round of learning and sharing.

    Short Story Anthology: This collection will be packed tighter than a rodeo clown’s car.

    Cookbook: Yeehaw! Gonna dish out some of my favorite recipes real soon.

    Coming Soon: In LARGE PRINT look for the Whiskey Salvation series and the GLFW anthology Love on the Lakefront. Woohoo!

    Book Festival: Canal Town Book Fest hosting 50 Indie Authors on October 5th.

    *****

    A Little Favor

    If you’ve enjoyed my tales, I’d sure appreciate it if you’d mosey on over to Amazon and Goodreads to leave a review for my two books, rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation and Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation. Your words mean the world to this humble storyteller.

    Amazon Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation by Chrissy Hartmann

    Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation by Chrissy Hartmann | Goodreads

    Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation by Chrissy Hartmann | Goodreads

    Amazon Cherishing Whiskey’s Salvation by Chrissy Hartmann

    *****

    A fun cowboy history fact

    In June 1882, cowboy and lawman Wyatt Earp began his famous friendship with Doc Holliday in Dodge City, Kansas. Their bond would later become legendary in the Wild West, symbolizing the camaraderie and adventure of cowboy life. And we here at the Prickle Forrest Chronicles highly suggest you watch “Tombstone” with Val Kilmer and Kurt Russell. Lots of action and the cowboys will make you swoon!

    *****

    That’s all for now, folks. Keep your boots dusty, your hearts light, and your pens ready for the next adventure.

    Stay prickly my friends,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Newsletter Sign-Up

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann May 2024 WriteHive Rodeo Roundup

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    May 2024

    🤠Howdy Pricklers,

    Grab your hats and saddle up, because there’s a whole lot of exciting updates to share. It’s been quite a ride since the last update. But first, let me tip my hat to each and every one of you all for sticking with me through thick and thin. As my grub wrangler likes to say, Your support is the gravy on my taters and it just wouldn’t be the same without you.

    So, big-big thanks to you, partner!

    And speaking of grub, the cookbook is plodding along nicely with only needing three pictures yet. and then publishing it. Still up in the air on whether or not to go traditional or Indie publish. But am swaying towards the Indie route because there’s been too many horror stories about changes to title, book design, and book cover for cookbooks. As for book cover, at the present moment, the name is still under wraps until the book cover is completed. The graphic artist who is designing it assures me it will be done soon, real soon. Woohoo! Woohoo! 📖 🥳🍇

    But here is a clue as to what it’s all about

    I’ll be hitching up my wagon and traveling up to the Rock-N-Roll Great Lakes Fiction Writers free writing conference on August 10th. From shooting the breeze with a number of authors, there’s lots who are planning to attend. I’ll be there with my books and maybe with spurs on too. And as for two-stepping with the spurs, had to use them to get the giddy up going on the short story I wrote for the Great Lakes Fiction Writers Anthology we are putting out in June and July. We’ve not decided on the title yet. I’ll post when the book will be available. Do plan to give a copy away or two, so keep watching. Lots of great writers who are participating. Our only requirements were that it had to have something about the great lakes and romance in it. To be honest, not my typical suspense short stories I write, but more like my Whiskey Salvation romances. So, yes, it does have a cowboy in it. And hint, hint, it will be on Amazon as a short story with the Whiskey Salvation Series. Just need a book cover for it. Let’s just say in this short, the romance is quite stormy. Haha! No seriously it is. Can’t wait for you to read it. ✍️🌩️ 🤠⛵️❤️

    Coming soon will be a rodeo roundup of a lot of fantastic and informative information in the form of the WriteHive Writers Conference. It’s all online. For more information check out WriteHive Writer’s Conference website. I had my hand in it with regards to plot editing. Great resource for aspiring authors. Lots of fun! And the giveaways, you won’t want to miss.

    Memorial Day is about here. Remember it’s not about BBQs and beach trips. It’s a day of remembrance for those who gave their all. In fact, did you know cowboys and Memorial Day have something in common?🫡🇺🇸

    Back in the late 1800s, cowboys roamed the vast plains of the American West. These rugged fellas weren’t just wranglers; many were veterans of the Civil War. After the war, they took to the trails, driving cattle from Texas to railheads in Kansas. Among these cowboys were heroes who’d fought in battles like Gettysburg and Shiloh. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, was established after the Civil War to honor fallen soldiers. Cowboys, despite their rough and tumble ways, held a deep respect for their comrades who didn’t make it home. On this day, they would often gather ’round, share stories of their fallen brothers, and pay their respects in their own way – sometimes even marking graves with makeshift crosses on the trail. So as you spend Memorial Day at what ever festivities you partake in—for me, a family Luau surrounded by laughter and love—remember to think of those brave cowboys and soldiers. Memorial Day is a powerful reminder that our freedoms were hard-won, and it’s up to us to remember and honor those sacrifices.

    And don’t forget, if you want more up-to-date info on this gal, check out my social media sites below. Pictures will be forthcoming for the long weekend!!!

    Stay prickly my friends,🤠

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved

  • 🌲🌲🌲Prickle Forrest Chronicles – April 2024 – Special Newslett er Update – Lucky-In-Love -“Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner! Well , sort of.”🐔🍽️🎉

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    April 2024

    Howdy Pricklers Old and New!

    🤠 A mighty fine day to all you newcomers and our seasoned trail riders! Welcome to the Prickle Forrest Chronicles written by Me, Chrissy Hartmann! ✍️

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Here we’ll tell some tales, rustle up good reads, and tip our hats to the fine folks who keep this newsletter a-rolling.

    Hmm? Now wait a minute, that’s me. How about instead I tip my hat to you all? Sounds much better. Right? 🤠🐄

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    First things first, let’s give a hearty welcome to all our new subscribers! We’re tickled pink to have you joining our posse. And to our tried and true riders, it’s always a pleasure to have you along for the ride.

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    🤠 🐔🏆Now, onto the roundup! Here in these parts when you win something, we holler out “Winner! Winner! Chicken dinner!” Why? Hmm? Good question. I’ll have to check into it. But And if you haven’t heard already… We lassoed up the winners for our Lucky-In-Love gift card giveaway provided by Romance Book Lovers, and let me tell ya, we’ve got some real cowpokes with lady luck on their side! To all the winners and everyone who joined in the fun, we authors who took part in this hoedown, tip our hats to ya! And if you’re thinking of hitching your wagon elsewhere, well, we reckon we’ll miss ya, but we understand. You can mosey on out with the unsubscribe link down below. 👇 👇 👇

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Now, here’s a little tale for you: one of our readers was mighty keen on snagging my old cowboy hat, signed and all, at the Stark Library book signing! Seems like they got a hankering for a true cowboy relic, bless their hearts. Needless to say, I kept my hat, but did give out a few extra kisses, chocolate kisses that is. Had a whole dish of them before the hat wrangling business, not so many now; however, might find some little signable ones to give away too. 💋🤠 👉✍️ 📚

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Calling all wordsmiths and wranglers! If you’re a writer too, I’ll be rustling up some reviews over at NetGalley. If you’ve got a book that needs wranglin’g let me know! You’ll find me under my alias, Christina H. for Prickle Forrest Books and I’m fixing to throw my hat in the ring over at Readers’ Favorite too. 🤠📖❤️👉✍️📄

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Before we ride off into the sunset, watch for the Prickle Forrest Chronicles later this month’s updates! We’ll be dishing out the latest on the cookbook, anthology of suspenseful short stories, and more.

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    And for those of you new to our posse, you can find out more about this here author at ChrissyHartmann.com or follow me with the social media links below. I’d love to see you there. And hey, don’t hesitate to send up any smoke signals if you want to chat.

    🌲🌲🌲🌲🌲

    Once again, a warm welcome to all our new subscribers! I’m mighty glad to have you aboard.

    🌲🤠Stay prickly my friends,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Newsletter Sign-Up

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    Copyright ©2024 All Rights Reserved