Tag: Holidays in the Heartland

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – News, some bruises, and a whole lot of biscuit love to share

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    October 2025

    Howdy Friend,

    Pull up a chair — I’ve got news, some bruises, and a whole lot of biscuit love to share.

    🖥️ New Website, Same Homestead

    I’ve launched a fresh version of my site — same URL, new look. Mosey on over and take a gander. Holler back with what you like (and what you don’t).

    https://chrissyhartmann.com

    🍪 Dog Biscuit Cookbook Almost Ridin’ Out

    That cookbook you’ve been wondering about? It’s nearly ready to hit the trail. The Grub Wrangler (that’d be me) decided to finally saddle it up for publication.

    Funny twist: I hadn’t planned to release it this year, but a new kennel, The HartFelt Boarding Kennel, came calling. They’re launching their place Saturday, October 18, from 12 to 5 and they want the book there. We won’t have printed copies just yet, but you can preorder your own. The cover reveal is happening now — take a peek if you dare.

    🎄 Christmas Anthology & Short Story Showdown

    The Wayne Novelist Guild’s Christmas anthology, Holidays in the Heartland: Ohio Christmas Tales, is out of the corral. Preorders open now, and it hits bookstore shelves November 1st.

    I’m Sheriff of the Guild, of course — and slipped in a Whiskey Salvation short story. Now here’s a question for you, straight-shooting:

    Do y’all prefer reading the shorts one at a time?

    Or would you rather have them all bundled in a collection?

    Heck, maybe both? (Makes mighty fine gifts, by the way.)

    Also, the anthology is selling well at local festivals like Woosterfest and the Canal Town Book Festival. My next stop? Winter Wonderland Days in downtown Wooster on November 21st.

    🧙‍♀️ Planning More Holiday Magic

    I’m scheming a new series of holiday short stories with a fantasy bent. Looking to release the first one by next Easter under the “Make the Holidays Great Again” banner.

    🎬 Treasuring, Vlogs & New Story Tools

    Writing Treasuring Whiskey’s Salvation is takin’ longer than expected. I’m learning screenplay-style transitions and weaving in vlog-style chapters. In Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation, I used journal pages. In Cherishing, I used texts. Now? Vlogs in the middle scenes. Wild, huh?

    🦶 The Fall, the Foot, and the Loss of a Piggy

    Here’s the messy part. I’ve been under the weather, and then I fell down the stairs. Broke my foot. Hurt my back and hip. After some stubborn home remedies, I finally went to the ER — and got hit with the news: big toe infected, osteomyelitis from the fall, and… I lost a piggy. Yes, one toe had to go.

    I’m told balance shouldn’t be too badly affected, but I’d sure welcome a prayer or two just in case. I’ll be in the CAM boot for another six weeks (after stitches come out). Then we’ll see if I can boot-scoot again — minus the boot tiptoeing through tulips, of course.

    🥄 Signing Off (for Now)

    I’m off to whip up biscuits for the weekend’s shindig. Just wanted to make sure y’all know — I’m alive, I’m kicking (sort of), and there’s a lot more adventure ahead.

    Until next roundup,

    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

    P.S.

    • Check out the new site

    • Preorder that biscuit cookbook

    • Tell me: bundle the shorts or release ’em solo?

    • And yes — send prayers for balance 🙏

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles – August 2025 – Bees, Book Festivals, and BBQs, Oh my!

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    August 2025

    Howdy Prickles,

    Well, partner, if you were wondering why your July issue never hit the trail… so was I. I think I wrote it. Pretty sure. Maybe. Trouble is, I can’t find the master copy, so it’s probably hanging out somewhere with that missing left sock from my dryer.

    ***

    Truth is, I’ve been running around like a prairie chicken with its tail feathers on fire trying to wrangle an Ohio anthology of Christmas tales. Folks are depending on me to get this baby into the corral. If the final proof rides in before week’s end, I can finally mash the old publish button.

    Official release date is November 1st, but I’m taking autographed preorders now. Just holler.

    My short story is Mistletoe Kisses.

    Meanwhile, I done roped in my own book of short stories. We’re looking at the proof, and just a few typos are still trying to buck me off. I was supposed to stick to contemporary western romances… but somewhere along the trail it took a sharp turn into the dark canyon. So if you like dark humor, witty suspense, and twisted endings — the kind that makes you grin and shiver at the same time — this one’s for you. And hey, ask your library to carry it so you can share the shivers.

    Its called Tales from the Prickle Forrest and if yu’re wondering, there is a contemporary western romance short story in there called, For the Love of Roses,with a bit of dark humor. Sorry, folks, but this is the only place you’ll be able to lay your eyes on it. So order a copy now.

    Life on the Homestead

    Got run off my own deck by a gang of yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps while trying to type. Picture me stomping around like a rodeo clown with no makeup, swatting the air and muttering about tomato plants (which I suspect are running an underground bug bar). Not a pretty sight, folks.

    Next Stop – Stars Hollow Fest

    This weekend in Medina, I’ll be setting up camp in a red tent near the gazebo. This fair’s all about cozy mysteries and small-town romances. Waving hand — that’s me! Swing by and say hi before I get swept up in the chili cook-off (if there is one… and if not, there should be) cause I got a mighty tasty chili recipe in my cookbook, The Grub Wrangler: Heartfelt Grapeseed Oil Recipes with Benefits.

    Family Feud, BBQ Edition

    End of the month, my twin and my mama are coming back to Ohio. I had the bright idea to host a BBQ… but somehow my siblings done hog-tied that plan and are now “co-hosting” — taking over. Storm clouds brewing — stay tuned.

    ***

    November Giveaway

    Don’t forget — I’m giving away a basket of books in November. Perfect for holiday gifting or keeping for yourself with a blanket and hot cocoa. To enter: sign up for my newsletter, follow me on social media, and rope a friend into signing up too.

    Reply here to let me know you took the plunge. Thanks kindly!

    Until next time, keep your boots dry and your coffee strong.

    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

    Chief Cook, Book Wrangler, and Occasional Insect Boot Stomper

    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 – May 2025 – Mother’s Day and a fond farewell…

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    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    May 2025

    Howdy, Pricklers,

    I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day! Whether you were pampered or doing the pampering, you deserve all the love and celebration. 💐

    Here’s a photo of me and my son.

    I wanted to pop in with a quick update (and apologies for the lateness — life’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately).

    🎄 **Christmas Anthology News!**

    I’m thrilled to share that I’m helping with a Christmas anthology called

    Holidays in the Heartland

    It will be available for preorder in July! I’ll be contributing a short story from my Whiskey Salvation series called Mistletoe Kisses You’re going to love it — it’s heartfelt, festive, and full of that western charm you adore. In fact, check out the blurb…

    Mistletoe Kisses…

    Kash Tyler’s determined to win back the woman who’s still got his heart tied up tighter than a steer at a rodeo. Between dilapidated gingerbread houses, frosting fights, and some strategic mistletoe placement with help from his dog, he’s ready to prove that loving Rose shanklin isn’t a burden — it’s the best kind of trouble. Get ready for a holiday tale located in Wooster, Ohio that’s full of sass, second chances, and enough sugar to give a bull diabetes.

    📖 More Whiskey Salvation Goodness Coming Soon

    I’m also working on finishing my own collection of short stories, Tales from the Prickle Forrest, which will include another tale from the Whiskey Salvation series. I don’t have a title for it yet, but it’s definitely a romance… or maybe more like sweet revenge with a side of swoon. Trust me, you’ll love it! I’ll have more facts next month, at least I hope so, because I plan to publish it by the end of June.

    Some exciting news! I’ve just updated my 5-star Readers’ Favorite debut novel Rescuing Whiskey’s Salvation and officially brought it into the Whiskey Salvation series — now part of the collection! If you loved it the first time, I think you’re really going to enjoy the fresh polish and how it now fits seamlessly into the series world you know and love. I hope it captures your heart all over again. Let me know what you think — I love hearing from you!

    If you already have the old version, and you’d like one of these newer copies, let me know and I can send you an autographed copy for the shipping and handling cost.

    📚 Book Fair Fun Ahead

    Later in June I’m planning to attend a couple of book fairs! I wish I could tell you exactly where and when, but my brain is still playing catch-up after the recent loss of my father-in-law, a hubby, father, and grandfather beloved and will sorely be missed. It’s been a chaotic and emotional time for our family, and I truly appreciate your patience and support.

    I know this letter is shorter than usual, but I promise to have more exciting updates (with all the juicy details!) in June, when things hopefully calm down a bit on the home front.

    Until next time, thank you for being here and sticking with me. Your love for these stories — and your kindness — means the world.

    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!

    With love & cowboy kisses,

    Chrissy Hartmann

    P.S. Quick shoutout for the holiday giveaway in November… If you and a friend sign up for my newsletter you’ll have the chance to win a bundle package just in time for the Christmas season. SO sign up and let me know. Thanks!

    ChrissyHartmann.com

    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

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    Prickle Forrest Books LLC Copyright ©2025 All Rights Reserved

  • Prickle Forrest Chronicles by Chrissy Hartmann – APRIL 2025 EDIT ION – Dust, Dogs, & Darn Good News… sort of

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    Prickle Forrest Chronicles

    Chrissy Hartmann

    April 2025

    Dear Pricklers,

    🗓️April galloped in with all the grace of a rodeo bull — crazy good, crazy bad, and downright unpredictable. So grab a cuppa and settle in for the latest scoop from my little writing corral.

    📚 AUTHOR EVENTS – On Pause until Fall

    Author appearances are on hold until September, which gives me a smidge more time to write, revise, and breathe. But don’t worry—I’ll be back in the saddle soon enough!

    📍 UPCOMING FESTIVALS

    🎉 Canal Town Book Festival

    📅 October 4, 2025

    📍 Canal Fulton, Ohio

    I’ll be wrangling The Grub Wrangler: Heartfelt Grapeseed Oil Recipes with Benefits along with two other titles — maybe with brand-new covers if my graphic artists work their usual magic. Think Jennie Marts-style pretty!

    🤞 Buckeye Book Fair – Fingers crossed for November!

    📖 TYLER WHISKEY SALVATION SHORT STORIES

    Big news, all — this series is hitting the trail hard!

    ✔️ June 2025 – First Tyler Whiskey Salvation story in standalone paperback with juicy back matter extras

    🍂 Fall 2025– Second story launches

    🎄 December 2025 – Third story appears in Holidays in the Heartland: Ohio Christmas Tales and possibly gets its own release

    🌸 Spring 2026 – Fourth story rides in

    📕 After that: All four gathered into one mighty fine collection, Hearts and Kisses

    🔪 SUSPENSE SHORT STORIES

    The darker side of my brain’s been busy too!

    A bundle of suspense/shocker shorts will (hopefully) release summer or fall. Got thoughts on the cover? Holler at me—I’d love to hear ‘em.

    😤 A LITTLE BAD NEWS

    Well shucks! My fourth Tyler story didn’t make the cut for the Great Lakes Fiction Writers 2025 Anthology. Guess cowboy romance wasn’t their flavor. Pooh on them. We keep riding anyway.

    🤠 RIDING WITH FRIENDS

    Catch me and my bestie Cary Harter (author of the fabulous Regency romance The Earl’s Angel: Caroline’s Story at:

    – 🏞️ Northcoast Indie Author Event

    – 🏘️ Canal Town Book Festival

    – 🤞 Buckeye Book Fair November 2025.

    📝 WRITING & PROJECTS

    📚 Gearing up to release 3–4 more books this year!

    💘 Penning a short story for a Valentine’s Day Anthology (publishing Feb 2026)

    📓 Slowly but surely making progress on Tyler Whiskey Salvation collection itself, called Hearts and Kisses.

    🐾 LIFE ON THE HOMEFRONT

    Between job-hunting (thanks to a tough economy) and daily writing sprints, I’m holding the line. Hubby’s still laid off. It’s rough, but the dream ain’t dead.

    🐱 Punkin, my kitten, has turned into a nervous Nellie with all the neighbor dogs barking up a storm. Little does she know… I might be bringing home a new dog guide later this year. She’s in for a surprise!

    💉 HEALTH CHECK-IN

    Tomorrow I wrangle with my endocrinologist about the settings on my Tandem Mobi insulin pump. Love this thing—it’s working great. Bet the house I’ll win this round. 😉

    🤠 APRIL COWBOY FUN FACT

    Did ya know? The first recorded rodeo took place in Deer Trail, Colorado in 1869. Cowboys from rival ranches battled it out to settle a bet—and the rodeo was born!

    🐎 THANKS FOR RIDING ALONG

    Appreciate each and every one of you for sticking with me on this ride. Your support means more than a fresh pair of boots after a long day on the range. And don’t forget if you stay with the newsletter until November and get another cowpoke to sign up, you’ll both have the chance to win a fabulous gift basket of my books just in time for the holidays. Yeehaw! Just drop me a line that you and your friend are signed up. The list is growing, and I do love sharing my little bit of cowboy life with you all.

    Until next time, 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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    Find my books and other books you will enjoy on:

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    Prickle Forrest Books LLC Copyright ©2025 All Rights Reserved