Happy Wednesday!

Hello there,

It was quite chilly here this morning. I had my fluffy sweatshirt on when we went out to the barn for morning chores.

How’s the weather in your locale? The approach of autumn usually saddens me as summer winds down, but I’m a little more upbeat this year. Maybe it’s because I’m looking forward to next week’s ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference. If you live in or around Springfield, MO, I hope you’ll come out for the event. I’d love to meet you in person.

I was happy to hear the font change helped so many of you read the newsletter more easily.

As always, please reply with your prayer requests and updates.

FARM NEWS

We've had a bit of rain, which is good for the goats. It means fresh green grass is growing once more instead of turning brown and baking in the sun.

Our church had an AWANA Family Fun Day, so I brought Vicky Van Goat and Shirley to the event.

Shirley was too stressed out, so she had to go home early.

Vicky, however, soaked up the attention. She had a real affinity for Deacon Tom. I think she'd have gone home with him if she'd been invited.

FROM MY WRITING DESK

I realized this week that I have five books I’m supposed to be working on and four of them are already scheduled for release. In other words, it’s time to get serious. Any prayers you can spare for inspiration to bring these storylines to life would mean the world.

Also, don’t forget: I’ll be in Springfield, Missouri, for the ACFW conference! If you’re in the area, come say hi on Saturday, September 6th—there will be a book signing (details in the image below). Can’t wait to meet you!

Excerpt from
The Billionaire's Reluctant Bride

Addison’s nervousness grew as she climbed onto the ATV behind Zach and held onto his waist. She could feel her face warm with embarrassment again as she felt his muscles tighten at her touch. It was bizarre being so close to him after so many years apart. Even so, it felt strangely fitting.

“Where are we going?” She raised her voice to be heard over the roar of the engine.

“Don’t worry the island isn’t large, I won’t get you lost.”

“I wasn’t worried.” A smile formed when he took off, and the wind whipped her hair around her face. She let herself enjoy the moment.

A steady mist covered them, as he drove into the rain forest before veering off the trail and following a barely visible rocky path. He came to a stop at the bottom of an enormous tree. “You ready?”

“Ready for what?” It was then that she noticed the rope ladder. “I’m not going up that thing.”

“It’s a tree house.” He grinned. “You’ll love it. It’ll be like we’re kids again.”

“I feel like a kid when I’m with you.”

“Trust me.” He climbed a few steps up and jumped back down. “You go first. I’ll climb up after you, so I can catch you if you fall.”

“You’re not making your case by reminding me that I might fall.”

“Chicken.”

The taunt worked. “Fine.” She grabbed onto the rope and climbed, one step at a time, not looking down. She knew he was standing below watching to be sure she was safe, but her stomach twisted in knots.

When she reached the top, she pulled herself up and looked around. The views of the island from the top were breathtaking.

He joined her less than a minute later. “What do you think?”

“The views are spectacular.” She turned to admire the house. “I can’t believe you have an entire house in the tops of the trees.” She shook her head while she looked around his open-air home. “This is ludicrous. Your tree house is better equipped than my everyday house.”

Can Addison trust her heart to Zach in his island paradise, or is danger lurking in the shadows?

Final chance to enter       
if you haven't already. ⬇️

TARA GRACE ERICSON

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CLEAN ROMANCE READS⬇️