July 2026

Welcome to my monthly newsletter.

In this issue:

• Book & Writing News
• Series Order
• Book Promotions
• Behind the Scenes Corner - Bert
• Newsletter Sticker Giveaway (and winner from June)

Book & Writing News

• I'm in the final steps for my free novelette An Unplanned Marriage Proposal. Working on the cover now and I can't wait for you to see it next month. All my newsletter subscribers will be able to read this story for free!

• I'm also currently writing a Christmas Novella, set to be released in October 2027. It takes place after When Plans Go Awry. Take a guess who might be the hero and heroine? Can't wait to share more.

• My July history-oriented blog post on the Heroes, Heroines, & History blog is titled Rogue's Gallery, The Next Round of the Wanted Poster. It does tie in to A Whole New Plan and it was fun to share this research.

• How many of you saw the FREE BONUS CHAPTER at the end of A Whole New Plan? If you read the back inner parts, there's a page with a link to access this chapter. (type in or click). This is a gift to my newsletter subscribers - if you missed it - here's the link - https://BookHip.com/FNWLCLN. It will be available this way for a limited time. Also - I'd love to know if you like this sort of thing or not. Email me back and let me know.

• Speaking of A Whole New Plan, I'm so thankful for all the book reviews you've been posting. The number of written book reviews authors receive, matter, so even writing a one sentence review helps us authors out. If you haven't left a review yet, please consider. Thank you in advance for your support!

• I attended a book signing at In Bloom Bookery Book Store In Temecula, CA, on Saturday June 27. This is a dedicated romance book store. It's a beautiful store! Lots of books and people perusing the shelves all throughout the day. I enjoyed meeting readers, handing out bookmarks and stickers, and signing books.

Best-laid Plans Reading Order

Many have asked (and gotten a bit confused) over the book numbers within the series. Amazon numbers them as they launch, and so No Plan at All is listed there as #3, but really it is a prequel set two years earlier than When Plans Go Awry. It's also the only book that is not about one of the teachers who travel west. And why A Whole New Plan has "Book 3" on the cover.

I created this handy chart to show two options for reading order, although each book can be read as a standalone. I hope you find it useful.

Book Promotions

From colonial settlements to WWII homefronts, this collection of Christian historical romance brings you stories of faith, courage, and love set against the backdrop of history.

Behind the Scenes Corner

Let’s talk about Bert

Bert is everyone’s favorite rooster. But did you know where his name came from?

At one point while writing When Plans Go Awry (it was over a 12 year period) my mom passed. Her name was Beverly and I wanted to find a name for the rooster that started with a B. The short list of names I had come up with had Bert at the top. That name came from the movie Mary Poppins and the character Dick Van Dyke played. Bert is one of my favorite characters (the movie is too) and I'm a big fan of Dick Van Dyke. So I decided to name my rooster Bert.

I never imagined this crazy fun rooster becoming such a beloved character, but it makes my heart happy knowing he is a favorite.

So that is how the rooster in my story was named Bert.

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As I’ve mentioned before, my son and I came up with this image of Bert. Its one of his many poses I describe him doing in my stories. Didn’t my son do a great job? I’ve been able to make buttons, stickers, and other fun things with it. And now ... I have a t-shirt.

I thought it would be fun to wear him out and about. There’s no branding on it. Just Bert and his tree stump.

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Oh! Speaking of tree stumps. I think I found his in Kentucky while on our trip. It has to be Bert’s? Don’t you think?

So now I have a question for you ...

Would you wear a tee with Bert on it?

And also do you like the free bonus chapter idea from above!

Newsletter Sticker Giveaway

From the June 2026 newsletter, I have one winner. Look for an email from me so you can send me your address. Congratulations to:

Rita!

This Month's Question:

Located in the behind the scenes section, answer by emailing me back. I will award at least one person from those who respond (I'll add more winners based on number of responses.)

For this month, it will be a Bert sticker along with my brand new Fido sticker. Aren't they cute together! I can't wait to write them in the next book.

Sorry, that only US residents are eligible since I'm mailing it through the USPS system.

I'm looking forward to all your responses.

Many Blessings & Happy Reading,