Author Verna Clay
  • HOME
  • SERIES BOOKS
    • BOUNTIFUL
    • FINDING HOME
    • JOURNEYS OF THE HEART
    • Finding SOMEWHERE
    • OASIS
    • ROMANCE ON THE RANCH
    • RED ROCKS TRILOGY (Past, Present, Future)
    • SHAPELING TRILOGY
    • UNCONVENTIONAL
    • ZOE'S SONG (From Shapeling Trilogy)
  • FRAGILE HEARTS
  • BIO / BOOKS LIST
  • MAILING LIST
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • JAZMINE
  • RESTORING 'TWEEN TIME (Middlegrade Novella)
  • PHOTOS


Crashed in Oasis receives 5 star review from
Readers Favorite Book Reviews!

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UPDATE
Abby: Mail Order Bride is the Historical Romance Gold Medal Winner in the 2014 Readers' Favorite Book Contest!

I'm amazed, thrilled, ecstatic, overjoyed! And all those other descriptive words I can never think of when I need them.


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Abby: Mail Order Bride is a finalist in the 2014 Readers' Favorite Book Contest in the category of Historical Romance. The winners will be announced on September 1, 2014 and the awards ceremony will take place in Miami, Florida. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Link to the list of finalists: Reader's Favorite Book Contest finalists.

Buy links to Abby: Mail Order Bride: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple



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Joy's Return (Unconventional Series #4)
NOW AVAILABLE

--A widowed doctor, a brokenhearted mute little girl, and a compassionate woman--

At the age of of twenty-three Joy Ryder is unmarried and her heart burns with desire. Her desire is not to marry, but to experience the world as her father did by painting the Wild West. Of course, being the year 1920, the world has changed much from the 1800s. Even so, Joy dreams of painting mountains and valleys, forests and deserts unspoiled by railroad tracks and the many roads now crisscrossing the country to make way for the horseless carriage. However, an unchaperoned woman traipsing the West is simply unheard of and she quite despairs of ever fulfilling her dream. That is, until an advocate proclaims she must, and that advocate is her Grandmother Abby!"

But in Oregon will a greater desire surface, a desire to help a mute little girl and her father, the town's doctor? Perhaps Joy is just what the doctor ordered...Doctor Walker Fleming, that is.

Amazon
Amazon UK

Excerpt


Now Available: "Crashed in Oasis"

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 It was while writing book two in the Oasis series, that I received inspiration for book three. Because my imaginary town of Oasis was founded as a mining camp in the early 1900s, I decided to spice the series up with a gold heist to be solved a hundred years later. Of course, I needed a "spicy" guy as my hero. Enter now, Collin Banks, a man who has made treasure hunting his career.

As for my heroine, I wanted a woman Collin would overlook in a crowd…someone he'd have to spend time with in order to recognize a treasure of the heart. For that starring role, I selected Dottie Arnez, introduced in book one, to be the perfect woman for Collin.

Although all the books can be read as standalones, I did give a teaser in book two, Branded in Oasis, when Desi (one of the trailer park residents) disclosed a tantalizing tale regarding a stolen gold shipment. He also revealed that he was given a treasure map. Just when I thought my tale couldn't get better, I suddenly envisioned a plane crash outside the town, and voila, that's how Connor and Dottie meet. She saves his life by pulling him from the wreckage at great peril to her own life.

 Excerpt


"Stranded in Oasis" receives 5 star, Top Pick from The Romance Reviews!

The Romance Review
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click book to go to Amazon
Review by "Angie Just Read" at TRR:
I can say with all honesty that Verna Clay has become a favorite author of mine...If you've never read a Verna Clay novel, now is the perfect time to embrace a new addiction. Side effects are chuckles, mild euphoria, and the production of good mood enhancing chemicals in the brain.


About STRANDED IN OASIS:

Pilar Armstrong loves her home in the small town of Oasis, located in beautiful Arizona.  Sunrises and sunsets make for the beginnings and endings of perfect days. Her divorce from a workaholic attorney was just about the best thing that ever happened to her, second only to her eight year old son, Willie. So, when the new park manager arrives, Pilar recognizes in him the same ambition as her former husband and determines to steer clear at all costs. Her resolve fails, however, when he makes changes that affect her beloved neighbors. Maybe it's time for her to set "Ruthless Rutherford" straight.

Can Max and Pilar, opposite in every way, fall into that "forever" kind of love? The journey to that answer is endearing, funny, and surprising for both of them.


Amazon Kindle
Amazon UK Kindle

Now Available: "Branded in Oasis"

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click book to go to Amazon
I'm super excited about the release of the second book in the Oasis Series. For those of you who are new to the series, Oasis is a desert town in Arizona that is home to some very quirky characters. It's also a place where unexpected romance happens between the most unlikely candidates. First, there was Max Rutherford, a high-powered CEO who got stranded in the town and met Pilar Armstrong, a self-proclaimed desert rat, and now in book two, Kade Blackwell has met his match in Skylar (Skye) Rutherford. Skye is a successful photographer and Kade is...well, he could be the next supermodel if Skye has her way. Kade owns the local garage and his passion is customizing motorcycles. He has no inclination to become a supermodel, until he suddenly finds himself in need of funds for something very, very important. Go to Excerpts Page to read CHAPTER ONE.

But here is a mini excerpt:

Skye answered her cell phone. "Hello, this is Skye. Whoever you are, you better not try to sell me anything."

"Ms. Rutherford, this is Kade Blackwell."

The response to her greeting was so shocking, she was momentarily speechless. When she recovered her wits, she said, "Ah, hello. Give me a minute to pick myself up off the floor."

Kade didn't respond.

"Okay, I'm back on my feet. So…to what do I owe this unexpected call from cranky man?"

This time he did answer. "If you going to start in with your smart mouth, maybe I'll call back later."

"Fragile Hearts" released!


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of upcoming releases

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My debut novel in the Young Adult genre has just been released. It's a story I worked on periodically over many months while at the same time completing other projects. Part of the book is written from the heroine's point of view and then the same story is told from the hero's perspective. It seemed like an interesting way to write the romance. It's also written in first person, present tense. Again, it seemed interesting to take that route of storytelling. I wasn't sure I would even publish Fragile Hearts until I woke up one morning with a driving ambition to finish it.  I am writing as Colleen Clay because I want that name associated with any Young Adult books I may write.

So, in saying all that, I think an excerpt is in order. Just click this link.

Amazon Kindle
Amazon UK Kindle


PAPERBACKS
click on the book to go to Amazon; also available at Barnes & Noble

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AUDIO BOOKS
click on book to go to Amazon

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Contact me with comments


Current Special Pricing

Dream Kisses
free at most online retailers

Pixel of Ink


LISTING OF All MY BOOKS

CHRISTMAS KISSES!
Fifth Book in the Romance on the Ranch Series
(can be read as a standalone)

The Romance Review
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5 star review/Top Pick at TRR (The Romance Reviews) AND 5 star/Top Pick at Night Owl Reviews (NOR)
Reviewed by "Angie Just Read" at
The Romance Reviews
...The very talented Verna Clay simply leaves me in awe. Her ability to capture on the page the deeply emotional subjects that drive the everyman is done in a series of warm and tender moments that mean her craft for writing just gets better and better with every story told." CHRISTMAS KISSES hero Mac MacKenzie is one of her most complex characters to date, but Ms Clay easily counters this gruff introvert with the warm and understanding Cecelia, a woman who has also lived a life of unfulfilled dreams. Cecelia fits right in to life in Paxtonville and is light to Mac's darkness.
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Reviewed by Arlena Dean at
Night Owl Reviews


...You will find this novel very inspiring with characters that are well portrayed, colorful, believable and likable. This is a fast pace read. The author has written such a beautiful story of two lonely people coming together.

"Christmas Kisses" will definitely touch your heart and I recommend this novel to you as an excellent read along with the series: Dream Kisses, Honey Kisses, Baby Kisses and Candy Kisses.

Excerpt:

With a flourish, Charles swept the drape away.

Cecelia gasped and covered her mouth with her palm. She was speechless. Never had she seen a more beautiful painting. The artist, renowned for mystical renderings, had created a scene straight out of a magical forest. Known for his muted colors and lighting, the gray mist blended so perfectly with the green pines that the viewer could not distinguish where one ended and the other began. Filtered light penetrated the mist to barely reveal several deer beside a stream. The canvas was about four feet high and five feet in length and the pines stretched all the way to the top while the stream ran the width.

Such was the beauty of the artistry that Cecelia felt tears welling up. She stepped closer and looked for the painter's trademark. She scanned for a long time.

Charles said, "It took me awhile, but I finally located them."

Moving until she was close enough to touch the painting, she eyed it inch by inch. Her eyes lit and she lifted her gaze to Charles.

He grinned. "Ah-hah, you've found them. Tell me what you see?"

"I see the man and the woman in the far left corner. Hmm, something seems odd." She gave Charles a startled look.

He responded, "Exactly. This painting is going to sell for tens of thousands. As far as I know, it's the first one he's done with a third person painted."

With wonder, Cecelia said, "And it's a child. There's a child between the man and woman holding their hands. How perfect for the charity it's going to benefit." The tears Cecelia had been sniffing back, now dripped down her cheeks.

Charles said, "Aw, honey. I think you need to come to dinner with me and Betty Sue and my gang tonight. You've been way too sad lately. My wife and kids will have you rolling on the floor laughing."

The Romance Reviews' Review

Woohoo! I just found out ABBY: MAIL ORDER BRIDE is a five-star, Top Pick, at The Romance Reviews' (TRR) website! Thank you Steffi for such an in-depth review. You said everything I had only dreamed of hearing in a review.

Highlights of the Review:
If you are a fan of mail-order bride stories, American historical romance or historical romance in general, ABBY: MAIL ORDER BRIDE by Verna Clay is a must read!...Verna Clay's writing is a new discovery for me. She enthralled me from the first word to the last page. All I want now is to read another book of hers....Brant and Abby have a charming and magical atmosphere around them that is very rare...It is the uniqueness and individuality with which this author connects plot, characters and storytelling...Once you start reading, you will not be able to put it down!
The Romance Review
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Click on the book cover to see entire review.

NOW AVAILABLE
Missouri Challenge: Daisy (Finding Home Series #3)

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Daisy Smithson and Tim Wells met in Missouri when they were both eight years old and became fast friends. However, the night before Tim departed for Oregon with his recently widowed mother, Daisy dreamed they would one day marry. After she told him her dream, he couldn't get away fast enough. Now, seventeen years later, he is returning to Missouri to appease the constant tug in is spirit. His intent is to visit the farm he was raised on to try and put to rest the ghosts of his past. Little does he realize he's about to discover a love that most people only dream of.

Trent Garrett reconciled with his brother, Rush Garrett, five years earlier for sins he committed with his brother's first wife, but the past still haunts him. Although attracted to Arizona Cayson, a squatter on his land, he makes no effort to deepen their relationship. The arrival of Tim and Daisy Wells only serves to enhance the loneliness he always feels. Fate is about to come knocking on his door with a wake-up call.

Click here to read excerpt.
Click here to go to Amazon.


Candy Kisses is Top Pick at "The Romance Reviews" and receives 5 Star Review from "Readers Favorites"

The Romance Review
...Verna Clay's matter-of-fact, down-home style of storytelling yanked me into the household shared by Dirk, Monica, and Tessa... Readers will find themselves experiencing a gamut of tender emotions before CANDY KISSES culminates in a pleasing, satisfying end..."
--Angie Just Read
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click book to go to excerpt
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..."I was so excited to see that Verna Clay has written another book in this series! I have loved the first three books and it was great to become immersed in the characters’ lives again..." --Kristie Ingerto

NOW AVAILABLE at Amazon!

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Rescue on the Rio is now available at Amazon. Clicking on the picture will take you there.

For this story, I wrote lots of Old West action, some history of the Rio Grande and the transcontinental railroad, and tidbits of other historic interest.

Of course, the main focus is the blossoming relationship between Lilah Parker and Rush Garrett, with secrets revealed along the way. If you're looking to escape into the Wild West for a few hours, this is the story to take you there!

Click to read an excerpt from Rescue on the Rio: Lilah


Released 1/4/13!
Cry Of The West: "Hallie" (Finding Home Series Historical Romance)

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click on picture to go to Amazon
Writing Hallie's story has been a labor of love. For a long time I had contemplated writing a book encompassing the Oregon Trail, and the more research I did as the story unfolded, the more I fell in love with the pioneers who gave up everything to follow their dreams and the Native Americans adversely affected by westward migration. The hardships endured by both groups are unimaginable.

In writing this story, I am in no way attempting to typify the lives of those who braved the Oregon Trail or the Native Americans affected. My story has been written solely as romantic entertainment, but with the added aspect of research.

I have entitled this series Finding Home because that's a wonderful place to end each story. Since many of the reviews I receive on my other books request longer stories, I made sure to give these characters lots of adventure, romance, and challenges to lengthen their tale. As far as a rating, this story is considered a sweet romance with some language.

With that being said, I hope you enjoy your journey from Westport Landing in Missouri to the Willamette Valley in Oregon.

Excerpt:

"Mr. Jerome, would you be interested in driving my wagon to Oregon? I would pay you well."

Cooper blinked, forcing himself to look away from the pleading in her eyes. "Uh, well, ma'am…" He glanced back. She looked like she was about to cry. "Uh, ma'am, now that would take me away from my place through planting season and harvest, and longer." He dreaded her expression if he flat out refused.

"I would pay you whatever you would make during harvest and more." She blinked and brushed at a tear that kept welling up in one eye. "Mr. Jerome, I'm desperate. I have no home. I have no husband. I have no family to turn to. I have a young son to care for. And I have very little time to prepare before departure. The wagon train leaves the end of April. Believe me, if I were capable of driving the oxen myself, I would do so. But, as you can see, I am neither large, nor strong. I fear I would kill myself and my child. Besides, I doubt the train master would even allow me near the team after he saw me crack a whip." She gave a pathetic smile at her attempt at a joke.

Cooper forced his eyes away from hers and glanced down the street at the big SALOON sign. He wanted that drink. Stalling for time, he removed his Stetson, slapped it against his thigh, replaced it, scratched his neck, and finally met her gaze again. "Give me some time to think about it."

The Prologue and Chapter One can be read by clicking here or on the "Excerpts" tab above.


Ryder's Salvation (Unconventional Series #3) Released!

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The third book in this series has been released. I love this story! For those of you who haven't read book one (Abby: Mail Order Bride) or book two (Broken Angel), Jenny Samson is ten years old in book one and twenty-one in book two. Book one is her father and stepmother's story and book two is her brother and sister-in-law's story. The time lapse between book two and Jenny's story is only a few months, so she is still twenty-one.

Jenny lives for her art and it is while she is attending Jake Ryder's Academy of Art in New York that she meets the great painter. Unfortunately, their first encounter does not go well. (Unfortunate for them, but fortunate for us because it creates lots of romantic tension.) Click here to read!


Abby: Mail Order Bride receives 5 stars from Readers Favorite Book Reviews

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Here is a portion of the review by Joy H.:

...Author Verna Clay has written an interesting and intriguing story about Brant and Abby. With unique, believable characters who develop so well, I couldn’t put this book down until the last word. I loved everything about them including the meeting of Brant and Abby, the family and Abby getting to know each other, and both the happy and difficult times. If you enjoy a good historical romance, this story of true unconditional love is the one for you. With the twists and turns in the story to keep your interest, you will not be disappointed. Just have a tissue ready because you will definitely need it as you go forward!

Click here to read entire review.


Collection now available in paperback for the Romance on the Ranch Series

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The Romance on the Ranch Collection of three stories: Dream Kisses, Honey Kisses, and Baby Kisses is now available in paperback at Amazon and other retailers. The book size is 6 x 9 and 370 pages. I'm very happy with the way the book turned out and thrilled to have it in a tangible form. Eventually, I hope to have all of my series in paperback collections.

Click here to go to the Amazon page.


Broken Angel (Unconventional Series) -- Now Available at Amazon!

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I'm happy to announce that Broken Angel has been released.

In this second book in the series, Luke is baffled and amused by Mrs. Angel St. Clair's classified advertisement in the Dallas Morning News. However, after meeting her, his heart will let him do nothing less than help her.

"Mrs. Angel St. Clair, a widow, is seeking a husband to accompany her to California. Said husband will be paid handsomely for the escort and then released from matrimony after safely depositing Mrs. St. Clair at her destination."

Click here to read the first chapter or click the "Excerpts" tab above.


Abby: Mail Order Bride (Unconventional Series)

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The first book in my latest series is now released. I'm calling it the Unconventional Series because the romance themes are not typical.

To read the first chapter, go to the Books tab, or click here.

As for the next book in the series, Broken Angel, it's another unconventional romance. Luke, the son of Brant Samson is all grown up in this story and has no intention of marrying any time soon. That is, until he meets Angel St. Clair, a woman seeking a mail order groom for the sole purpose of offering his protection in accompanying her to California. After that, she wants them to part ways. Angel's difficult life has hardened her heart. Can Luke's love heal a broken angel?


Dream Kisses, Honey Kisses, and Baby Kisses each receive 5 Stars from Readers Favorite Book Reviews

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I'm thrilled that each book in the series received 5 stars from Readers Favorite Book Reviews. Dream Kisses was reviewed by Lisa McCombs and here is my favorite part of her review:

..."Dream Kisses" is a pleasant piece of pastry on a rainy day. It is that forbidden square of chocolate that gives hope to the hopeful romantic. Verna Clay has woven the perfect amount of words into the perfect start to her new series.

Honey Kisses and Baby Kisses were both reviewed by Kristie I. Here are excerpts from her review:

Honey Kisses: This book is a wonderful continuation of the series! Annie and Jackson are both lovable characters from book one, "Dream Kisses". ...This is a wonderful romance series that will have you loving the characters, and wishing to join their lives on the ranch!

Baby Kisses: ...This is a series that any romance reader is not going to want to miss out on as it is filled with lovable characters who are so realistic. They experience love and heartache and are trying to move on from past hurts to rediscover the joy of everyday life.

To read the entire reviews at the Readers Favorite site, just click on the titles.


Baby Kisses (Romance on the Ranch #3) - Now Available

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Elaina Lee has done it again with a fabulous cover for Baby Kisses!

This is the love story between jaded single mom, Tooty Townsend, and successful, but bitter and wheelchair bound, Miles Brightman. There are lots of overcoming challenges in this one and a few surprises.

I've posted the first chapter under my blog Sample Sunday for 3/18/12.


HONEY KISSES (Romance on the Ranch #2) is launched

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I love love LOVE this cover! Yep, that's Jackson Martinez' ranch, The Triple T, and that's him dancing with Ann Hackstetter. I adored writing Jackson's and Annie's story and, best of all, Annie has a secret. Of course, I also had to bring everyone up to speed on Sage and Sarah from book one.

There's a lot or work involved in getting an ebook launched, but now that it's done, I can take a short break and then get started on Baby Kisses. I'm aiming to have it completed by early summer. I can't wait to tell Miles Brightman's and Tooty Townsend's love story.


Zoe's Song

The Shapeling Trilogy is complete! The ebooks/books can be purchased separately, or as a Collection. The ebook Collection is available at Amazon and the paperback will soon follow. Originally, I created a hidden page on my website that was revealed at the end of book three. However, I had so much fun designing the page, I decided to share it with all my visitors. I found pictures that capture the spirit of the books and created a slide show. There is also a song entitled, Zoe's song. Without giving away a spoiler, suffice it to say, the song is a big part of book three. The page can be accessed by clicking here, or from the menu above.

Davide: Shapeling Trilogy Book Three: Prince is now available at Amazon!

The Kindle version of Davide, Book Three in the Shapeling Trilogy, has been released! The paperback will be available soon. The cover is gorgeous!

Got some great news on Book One: Roth.  It won the book cover contest for November at Books in Sync. I just uploaded my winner's badge. Thank you Elaina Lee for your FABULOUS book covers!

I love...love...love Davide and Zoe's story! If you've ever wanted to visit Australia, now's your chance to do so between the pages of a book. And if you're in the mood for an endearing romance, this one's for you. Read an Excerpt.

5-Stars for Fawn

Hampton Reviews has given Book Two in the Shapeling Trilogy a 5-star review. Here are highlights from the review:

I absolutely love this book....The characters are well written and endearing and the scenes are very well described...Fawn is a fantastic story with a beautiful ending that brought tears to my eyes...I cannot wait to read the next installment of this great series. -Hampton Reviews (5 stars)
(click here to read entire review)

This first week of October has been super. I also received notification that I was one of ten winners in the annual Literary Harvest contest sponsored by Central Oregon Writers Guild. I will be reading my entry entitled, Prison (A True Story) , along with the other winners, at the Comfort Suites Inn in Redmond, Oregon on October 14th.

About the Cover and Setting for Fawn, Book Two: Master

I love the cover for Book Two! Fawn is lovely and Wade is Sexy. As for the white horse, what can I say: Fawn is a shapeling; she can shift into any creature. The white horse just happens to be her favorite. Not pictured on the cover is Zoe, Wade's seven year old daughter. Sadly, Wade is a widower with an emotionally challenged child.

Recently promoted to the rank of Shapeling Master, Fawn's first Mission of Mastery is to solve the riddle surrounding Zoe. Known only to Fawn and the Thirteen co-Princes, Zoe is an Indigo child. If you've never heard of Indigo children; not to worry, I explain it all in the book.

As for selecting a location for the story, I stumbled across it in a travel video about the Four Corners Region of the United States where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah meet, I knew this had to be the location of Fawn's story. The area is rich with Anasazi history and ruins. Anasazi means ancient ones. How intriguing is that! So, in Fawn's story, I get to combine the mystique of the ancient Anasazi people with the beauty of the Four Corners Region.

Of course, in Book Two, I tie up loose ends from Book One, but create more for Book Three.



Follow @VernaClay

Felicia Rogers interviewed me on her blog about Stranded in Oasis.

Lorrie Struiff Interviewed me on her blog.


Request a Kindlegraph from any of my books.


The Romance Review

Night Owl Reviews


Looking for great romance books?
Check out the selection at Smashwords.

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Roth: Book cover winner for Nov. 2011 at BooksInSync.com

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  • HOME
  • SERIES BOOKS
    • BOUNTIFUL
    • FINDING HOME
    • JOURNEYS OF THE HEART
    • Finding SOMEWHERE
    • OASIS
    • ROMANCE ON THE RANCH
    • RED ROCKS TRILOGY (Past, Present, Future)
    • SHAPELING TRILOGY
    • UNCONVENTIONAL
    • ZOE'S SONG (From Shapeling Trilogy)
  • FRAGILE HEARTS
  • BIO / BOOKS LIST
  • MAILING LIST
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
  • JAZMINE
  • RESTORING 'TWEEN TIME (Middlegrade Novella)
  • PHOTOS