Prickle Forrest Chronicles

July 2026 Round-Up from Chrissy Hartmann

Howdy Prickles!

Grab your favorite cold drink, pull up a porch chair, and stay awhile. Here’s what’s been happening around Prickle Forrest Chronicles this month!

🐾 Hayden and Punkin’s Trail Report

Can you believe summer is already halfway over? Seems like just yesterday I was watching the spring flowers bloom, and now we’re already talking county fairs, festivals, and fall around the bend. Time sure has a way of galloping by.

This past month has been one wild ride. When I got the telegram—I mean, phone call—from The Seeing Eye saying they had found my new guide dog, I was plum tickled pink! I was headed to New Jersey at the end of June to meet my new partner, but before I could hit the trail, there was a mountain of work to get done.. and a whole lot of cuddling with Punkin to reassure her I would be back in 18 days… and with a new brother for her too. HaHa!

🐾 Meet Hayden!

Well, I survived the bumpy airplane ride, but that’s about where “normal” ended.

My very first solo route at guide dog school froze my back tighter than an old barn door in January. Then Mother Nature decided to show off. During some of the hottest days of the summer—with temperatures climbing well over 100 degrees—the air conditioning quit working.

Not long after that, an 80-mile-per-hour windstorm rolled through Morristown, knocking out power not only across town but at The Seeing Eye campus itself.

The school moved everyone to the Hyatt Hotel on July 3rd while crews worked to restore the AC and power. Let’s just say… it wasn’t exactly the luxury cattle drive I’d imagined. And celebrating America’s 250th birthday in a hotel room with nothing to do didn’t rank high on this cowgirl’s list.

Because training couldn’t continue as planned, our class was shortened. Eventually all of us retrains were sent home a day early since there wasn’t much our instructors could do while we were scattered around the hotel.

Truth be told, I probably spent as much time wandering the hotel trying to find my room, the elevator, a place to park Hayden, or somewhere to grab a bite to eat as I did actually relaxing. If I head back again in another eight or ten years, I’m hoping Mother Nature gives us a little more cooperation!

But despite all the craziness…

I came home with my new partner, Hayden!

And thankfully, the flight home was smooth as butter. Thank the Good Lord for that. Woohoo!

Little did I know the adventure was only beginning… more next update.

📚 From My Writing Desk…

The writing trail has been just as busy with the bossherd driving their authors to the stockyard A.K.A. the publish button.

Whiskey Kisses

My proof copy finally arrived!

This Sunday my formatter, Alexandra, and I will be giving it one final ride-through. If everything looks good, I’m hoping to have it available for preorder before August 17th.

Life Flight Kisses

Next up is Life Flight Kisses.

The manuscript ended up about sixteen pages longer than expected, which means the cover has to be resized before we can publish. Keep your fingers crossed that my cover designer can get ‘er done in time. If all goes well, we’re still aiming for an August 17th release.

Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation

Just before leaving for guide dog school, I finished writing Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation.

Now that it’s had time to rest, I can finally start editing with fresh eyes… I think!

My goal is to release it this November. now I’m picturing a cowboy, a beach, and one breathtaking sunset. Sounds like the perfect place for a romance to bloom, don’t you think?

The cover is still rolling around in my imagination. Right

🤠 Something New Is Ridin’ Into Town!

I’ve been busy behind the scenes fixing up the ranch, and before long you’ll be able to order autographed books and Prickle Forrest Books merchandise right here on ChrissyHartmann.com—and at prices that’ll be a little kinder to your wallet than buying through the big online retailers.

We’re not quite ready to swing open the barn doors just yet, but we’re getting mighty close!

In the meantime, you can still save a few dollars on my books by visiting each book’s page on my website and clicking the “Sale” link. While those copies won’t be personally autographed, I’d still love to make them a little more special. Just send me a message after you place your order, and I’ll happily mail you a complimentary signed bookplate along with a little personal note. That way, you can add my signature to your book when it arrives.

📅 Events Out on the Trail…

📅 Come See Me on the Trail!

If you’re nearby, I’d sure love for you to stop by and say howdy.

Here’s where you can find me over the next couple months:

July 25 – Coshocton Book Festival

August 14 – Willow & Whiskers

August 15 – Tractor Supply Pet Days

August 22 – Marshallville Historical Days & Farmers Market

September 12 – Tractor Supply Fall Fest

A few of these events will be my first outings with Hayden by my side, so come introduce yourself—and maybe him, too! I’d love nothing more than visiting with fellow readers and cowboy romance lovers.Book events

🤎 Until Next Time…

From tip to tail, thanks all!

Chrissy Hartmann

• Contemporary Western Romance Author

• Award-Winning Short Story Writer

• Book Reviewer

• Blogger

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Don’t miss out on the Whiskey Salvation Series…

Where you’ll find  cowboy kisses, messy hearts, and small-town sparkle with lots of hope… So, kick off your boots, grab a Whiskey, and settle in for some romance … and more!

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