Writer's Block ~ Julie Lence

Every year, I schedule time in November and December to write next year’s blogs, and every year, I get down to the last blog and either can’t decide on a topic or just don’t have the ‘umph’ to get it written. As I’m writing this, it’s December 12th and I’ve fallen into the same ho-hum doldrums. I have 2 topics simmering in the back of my mind, but neither interest me. The same with the research. Maybe it’s the rush of the Christmas season to get everything done; gifts bought and wrapped, the tree trimmed, meals planned and cooked, and of course, walking Harley on the days when the temps are above 40 that has my muse longing for a stretch of time off. But then, this morning, it hit me. Writing a last blog is akin to writer’s block.

There are a handful of memes centering around what people think a day in the life of an author is like vs. what a day in the life of an author is actually like. Most authors can attest to days of staring at the computer screen and thinking, ‘what happens next?’ That question can bring on vague ideas of which direction to take the story, the ‘what if I did this, or what if I did that?’ Most of those ideas will be discarded, because just like my final blog, the author either isn’t crazy about them or something—instinct, perhaps—is suggesting none of said ideas is the way to go.

Or, numbingly staring at the computer screen could just be plain ole fashion brain fog.

I really hate when brain fog hits. Mostly because I hate being idle and feel as though I’ve wasted an entire day. Other times, it’s frustrating thinking how on earth could I have been focused and on track yesterday and today I have nothing? So, what do I do to ease the anxiety? First and foremost, I have learned to Not edit what I’ve previously written. I’ve made a mess out of perfectly well-written scenes and chapters by doing that. Second, I’ve learned to not beat myself up for having a non-productive day. For whatever reason, the muse needs a break and it’s in my best interest to honor that. Third, I have found cleaning helps restore the muse. I think it’s the physical activity that releases whatever is blocking the muse and puts her and me back on track. With hands dirty, scenes and conversations vividly come to me and I’m running for paper and pen to write it all down before I forget. Later, when I return to the computer, most of what I’ve jotted down finds its way into the story. It may not be exact, but it does get me going again. And the same can be said today. I feel energized and at peace. I pushed through the fog and disinterest and wrote this last blog for 2025!                             

In The Market For Love

 

 I'm excited about my new book releasing this week. 

I would never have written story if it wasn't for my amazing readers.

Of all the books I’ve written, and all the characters I’ve created, the one request I received the most often has been for Ransom Kressley’s story.

Years ago, I wrote Capturing Christmas - a story where the hero, Kash, has an evil twin named Ransom. At the very end of the story, a glimmer of hope surfaces for Ransom turning his life around.

Apparently, that glimmer shined brightly enough, my readers wanted to know more.

I never planned to write this story of redemption for Ransom, but I'm so glad I did. I’ll admit, it was a bit of a challenge to wrap my head around how “new” Ransom would act versus “old” Ransom. But Kelly is a sweetheart, so if she loved him, he had to turn into one of the good guys.

He’s never opened his heart to anyone.

She wears her emotions on her sleeve.

When romance blooms, will they realize love is what they both need?

Ransom Kressley possesses the gift of gab, striking good looks, and a blistering disdain for his family’s Idaho ranch where he resides with his father and identical twin brother. His genuine passion is football, but a knee injury shattered his dreams of an NFL career. After years of channeling his frustration and anger toward those who care about him most, Ransom resolves to change. He accepts a job in Portland as a promotions manager for an arena football team and eagerly steps into his new life. As he makes a fresh start, his past continues to plague him, interfering with his chance to get to know the woman who lingers in his thoughts.

Despite her sunny smile and tender spirit, Kelly Truman isn’t in the market for love or even a relationship when she agrees to have lunch with her best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Familiar only with Ransom Kressley’s notorious reputation, Kelly is determined to keep her guard up around him. However, Ransom proves to be nothing like she expected. Soon, she realizes she cherishes time spent with the man, but fears trusting him with her heart.

When their friendship evolves into something more, will Ransom’s charm and silver tongue split them apart or bind them together?

A sweet romance full of warmth and humor, In the Market for Love is a story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption.

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.

When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

Shanna is a member of Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West.

The Choctaw Nation and Irish History

By Kristy McCaffrey

In 1847, the Choctaw Nation sent a donation of $170 (equivalent to $5,000 today) to the town of Midleton, Ireland, located south of Dublin to support the Irish during the Potato Famine, which ravaged Ireland in the 1840’s.

Irish President Mary Robinson visited the Choctaw Nation in 1995 to thank them for their aid to Midleton. In 2017 a large stainless steel outdoor sculpture known as “Kindred Spirits” was dedicated in Bailick Park in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland, to commemorate the Choctaw gift. The shape of the feathers represents a bowl of food.

Kindred Spirits

In 2018, Ireland’s prime minister visited Choctaw Nation headquarters in Oklahoma to thank the Choctaws and initiate the first of a continuing series of yearly scholarships for Choctaw students to study in Ireland.

In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck worldwide, the Irish took up a sizeable donation to aid and assist the Navajo and Hopi who suffered from a particularly high death toll. The people of Midleton stated they were “paying it forward” with the Choctaws in mind.

  * * * * *

Pre-Order THE SWAN

Amazon | Apple Books | Nook | Google Play

(it will also be available at Kobo and in paperback on release day)

Oklahoma Territory
November 1899 

Dr. Anna Ryan has been spurned by the Dallas medical community for the simple reason of being a woman. Wanting more than a rural practice alongside her mother, also a doctor, Anna accepts an invitation from a mentor to join a private hospital for disabled children in Oklahoma City. But when she falls in with a band of women attempting to liberate a town of innocents, she’ll need more than her medical training to survive.

Malcolm Hardy has skirted the line between lawlessness and justice since escaping the mean streak of his father and his no-good half-siblings a decade ago. In Oklahoma Territory he created enough distance from his family name to find a quiet purpose to his days. But then Anna Ryan walks back into his life, and his hard-won peace is in jeopardy.

The last time Malcolm saw Anna, she had been a determined girl he couldn’t help but admire. Now she was a compelling woman who needed his help to find The Swan, a mysterious figure with a questionable reputation. But one thing was clear—Anna’s life path was on a trajectory for the remarkable while Malcolm’s was not. Surrendering to temptation would only end in heartbreak.

Anna is the eldest daughter of Logan and Claire from THE DOVE. 

The Wings of the West Series Reading Order
Book One: The Wren
Book Two: The Dove
Book Three: The Sparrow
Book Four: The Blackbird
Book Five: The Bluebird
Book Six: The Songbird (Novella)
Book Seven: Echo of the Plains (Short Story)
Book Eight: The Starling
Book Nine: The Canary
Book Ten: The Nighthawk
Book Eleven: The Swan (Coming Soon) 

Connect with Kristy

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Gold on Centennial Ridge by Zina Abbott

 

Centennial is a small town in Centennial Valley located between Sheep Mountain and the Snowy Range, which is part of the Medicine Bow Range. 

Centennial abt 1903

The Little Laramie River flows through the valley, which provided water to the town and surrounding settlers and helped keep miles of open prairie green. Centennial is located about forty-five miles west of Laramie City, Wyoming.

Centennial about 1920

Before there was a Centennial, crews of men had gone into the Snowy Mountains in 1868 to cut railroad ties for the Union Pacific Railroad that was laying track in Wyoming Territory. Problems with the local Native Americans eventually drove the tie camps, as they were called, out.

Laramie Plains near Centennial

Not long after the passage of the Pacific Railways Act and the Homestead Act in 1862, and the coming of the railroad, the Centennial Valley began to experience an increase in settlement. The first homestead in the area was filed in 1869. The original settlers were mainly homesteaders and ranchers.

Snippet from 1883 G.L. Holt map

Gold on Centennial Ridge, which ran across the tops of the Snowy Mountains above Centennial, was discovered in 1874.

Mine Tailings, Cliff Mine

In 1875, men who worked for I.P. Lambing, a mine supervisor from Golden, Colorado, plus Stephen W. Downey, who was a Laramie City Lawyer, established the Centennial Mine. Mr. Downey became the president of the mine, which was named to honor the coming anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. A post office was established. The Centennial Mining District was established, and still shows on a G.L. Holt map in 1883. 

Centennial received national attention with a gold nugget from the Centennial Mine was on exhibit at the 1776-1876 Philadelphia Exposition.

Queen Mine and tailings

In 1877, the vein of gold ended in a fault, but the continuation of that vein on the other side of the fault has never been found.  There were mining rushes in 1876, 1902, and 1923-1924. In spite of the excitement generated by each new find, none were long-lasting enough be considered noteworthy. However, Centennial had become an established town. The merchants who once served the miners continued to serve the nearby ranches.

After several efforts at finding additional gold failed, loggers returned to the area in 1905.

Also, the town of Centennial became known as an adventurous excursion destination. Hotels, restaurants, and a train line were built to transport the citizens of Laramie City and other nearby cities to visit and explore. Camping trips to the town and surrounding area became popular. 

Mountain View Hotel about 1914

Excursions were organized by Gustav Sundby of the Mountain View Hotel. Once automobiles came into wide use, car trips to Centennial and the Snowy Mountains became popular.

In the process of setting up a timeline for my recent release, The Bride Who Invades Saloons, I set my heroine’s home city as Chicago. She and her family lived in the section that was burned in the 1871 Great Chicago Fire. I wrote a post on a different blog about that fire, which you may find by clicking HERE.

Centennial Mining District-Centennial Ridge

However, when poverty and desperation sends her seeking a husband through the mail, my hero, a rancher in the Laramie Basin region, needed a compelling enough reason to explain why be became so distracted that he missed being at the Laramie City train depot on time to meet his future bride. It was learning of the discovery of gold on Centennial Ridge in 1874 that gave me the inspiration to set up those scenes.

 

 

My recent release, The Bride Who Invades Saloons, set in 1874 primarily in Laramie City, Wyoming Territory,  To find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE

 

 

Sources:

https://www.visitlaramie.org/blog/post/the-fascinating-history-of-centennial-wyoming/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial,_Wyoming#Geography

https://www.wyoachs.com/places/2018/1/9/centennial-wyoming-its-still-an-adventure

http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/ghost2.html

Victorian Hair Jewelry

 Not the kind you wear in your hair, the kind made from hair. 

   Although treasuring hair from deceased loved ones goes back to medieval times, it is more noted later starting in the 1700's. Human hair does not readily decay with the passing of time, and has qualities allowing it to last for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years. 

                        

 English knights and other men, might receive lockets containing wreaths or hearts woven from their fair lady's hair. 

    The custom using head hair truly flourished during the Victorian era. Buyers of human hair traveled the countryside, purchasing locks often in exchange for scarves, ribbons or other small luxury objects. This hair was used by craftsmen and goldsmiths. 

                                                                              

Below is a band of lace from human (head) hair, made as a love token and likely worn as a bracelet, ca. 1640-1680, from the collection at the Victoria & Albert museum.

                  

                        

But, hairwork, as it was known, was not just for the wealthy; it was a way for people from various social classes to express their grief and sentimental feelings. Eventually women of the 19th century began crafting their own hairwork at home. In America, popular magazines of the period, such as this one, and others like Godey's Lady's Book, offered printed patterns and the sale of starter kits with the necessary tools for success. 

                  

    The practice is also mentioned in literature. Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights (1847) finds Heathcliff switching the hair from his rival Linton with his own in the locket around deceased Catherine’s neck. Now a fragment of his body will go to the grave with Catherine, to intermingle with her for all times. Of course, Heathcliff’s plan is foiled by Nelly Dean, who comes along and twines rival Linton’s lock around Heathcliff’s perpetuating the lifelong feud.  

The practice to create a keepsake from your loved one's hair continues today with many websites available And you can visit Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri. https://leilashairmuseum.net/

But take care. Hair is often used when casting spells! 

                               

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Polar Vortex. Have You Ever Gone to Bed Wearing Your Coat Because it was So Cold? by Reggi Allder

 

   To say it has been cold this winter, is an understatement.

   Arctic outflow is a weather event that occurs when cold air from the Arctic flows into other communities. This can lead to strong winds and dangerously low temperatures.

   According to the National Weather Service, the polar vortex is a large area of low-pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s poles. It exists near the poles but weakens in summer and strengthens in winter. The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles. During winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream. This occurs somewhat regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large occurrences of Arctic air in Canada and the United States. 

   Those not used to this kind of weather may not be ready or have the needed supplies to manage in this type of a disaster. As a writer of contemporary westerns, I think back to the Midwest and Western states and wonder how people in one-room log cabins survived in that weather, not to mention the domestic animals struggling in the freezing wind and snow. 

    Sometimes under life-threatening circumstances, the cowboys in the Old West did what they could to prevent the loss of cattle, and other livestock, and still take care of themselves. 

 

     However. I bet cowboys, back then, would have appreciated a big bowl of soup. 

For all who would like to have a veggie and chicken soup recipe with interesting vegetables, read below.

Vegetable Soup with Chicken or not.

Vegetable soup with chicken and fresh vegetables. Enjoy any day you want fresh veggie soup.

Prep Time: about 10 minutes

Cook Time: about 20 minutes or until vegetables are ready

Total Time: about 30 minutes

Servings: about 4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 cups chicken or vegan broth
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or butter, dairy, or vegan
• 3 medium carrots thinly sliced
• 2 celery stocks, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced or garlic powder to your taste
• 8 ounces green beans, ends trimmed, halved
• 1 cup Baby Bok Choy, diced
• 12 ounces cooked chicken, diced or not if you prefer
• Chicken may be left out and a vegetable broth may be used for a vegan soup.

Instructions

1.              Heat oil or butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onions to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are lightly browned, and onions begin to become translucent.

2.              Add green beans, diced Baby Bok Choy, and chicken broth, or vegan broth. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 minutes, or until veggies are soft.

3.              If you are using chicken, add chicken to the pot, and stir. Remove from heat and serve.

     Many of my books have food as part of the plot. A caterer and a woman who owns a organic apple farm are heroines in a suspense book. Dangerous Money and  a Western contemporary, the start of the small town romance series, book one of four. Her Country Heart, Sierra Creek Series  

Excerpt: Dangerous Money Book Three of 4 in the Dangerous Series by Reggi Allder.

In the midnight gloom of a residential street in Carmel, California, business owner Kathryn Carlyle watched the city’s dim lights from the back seat of a speeding police car. She gasped for air as dread tightened her throat. This can’t be happening to me.

The catering van driven to billionaire software developer Conner Harrison’s birthday party had been impounded by the police as evidence. She rubbed her throbbing temples to release the pain accumulated there.

Two blocks from her beachfront condo, she snatched a breath of air. “Please stop. I have to get out.”

The middle-aged officer guided the patrol car to the curb. “We’re not finished with you. Go, but don’t leave town.”

He’d probably been waiting all night to use that cliché. Don’t leave town. She almost laughed, except nothing funny had happened tonight.

She exited the car and inhaled the sea breeze as it rustled her hair. It was a welcome change from the stifling atmosphere that contaminated the police station where she’d spent the last few hours. How long before the officer came back to arrest her?

Relieved to return to her safe neighborhood, she took a deeper breath, kicked off her black leather pumps, and sat on a driftwood log overlooking the serene bay.

She swallowed as nausea swirled in her stomach. The fact that she hadn't eaten since breakfast didn’t help. Because she was always nervous before an event, she’d planned to eat after Mr. Harrison’s party. Now he hovered near death. The thought of eating brought bile to the back of her throat. Why did the authorities think she’d poisoned a man she’d only met once?

A nightmare had snared her and was holding her in its grip. When Mr. Harrison died, the charge against her would be murder in the first degree.

As the realization crept through her, she tensed. Two deep breaths calmed her but didn’t stop the headache from forming over her right eye.

True, she’d had the opportunity to poison him, but no motive. She only met him because he’d asked her to cater his birthday party. With his death, there was nothing to gain and a lot to lose; her reputation, her business, her life.

In the morning, the police would sort out the truth of her innocence. Still, adrenaline caused her heart to race. She rubbed her temples and tried not to think anymore.

A gust of wind circled her. She shivered and folded her arms in front of her. Damn. Her suit jacket was still in the patrol car.

Kathryn stood, brushed the sand from the back of her skirt, and picked up her high heels and shoulder bag. Time to go home. Sleep was doubtful, but at least she’d put up her sore feet.

Leaves crunched somewhere in the shadows of the nearby trees, she squinted into the darkness but didn’t see anyone. Even so, fear gripped her.

She forced her swollen feet back into her pumps and walked quickly up the dimly lit street. The click of her heels echoed in the quiet night air. The desire to flee from an unknown danger increased the speed of her footsteps.

The street was empty, except for a black truck parked at the curb. The pickup’s engine revved. The cab light was on and cast an eerie glow on the driver’s face. He smiled at her.

As she thought about waving to let him know the headlights were off, the vehicle drove straight at her. It jumped the curb, sideswiped her, and sent her flying.

With a thud, she landed on the muddy front lawn of a neighboring condominium. The sound of the engine faded as the vehicle disappeared.

She lay motionless on the ground. Cold mud oozed into the fabric of her skirt. A twinge jabbed her and terror banged against her rib cage.

Overriding the sense of shock was her need to go home where she’d be safe. She grabbed the strap of her purse and attempted to stand. Pain shot through her hip and down her leg. She fell back into the mud.

A man dressed in black came out of the darkness and stood over her. Before she could cry out, he bent down and covered her mouth with his huge hand.

 “Don’t scream. You’ll wake the whole damn neighborhood." Buy link Dangerous Money 

 “…This book has it all. Fast-paced, plot-driven conflicts and characters that you can’t tear yourself away from lift it from an ordinary story to a darn good read.”—Mimi Barbour New York Times Best-selling author.

 

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