Spring = poppies

To avoid becoming too housebound, we’ve ventured out on some back roads to soak up some spring splendor.

First, we took some shots from our drive along the Merced River Canyon to photograph some of the amazing wildflower displays, including hillsides of poppies—my favorite “spring” flower.

Where once was fire, now there is color.

I also love the sound of spring runoff adding to the Merced River’s harmonious roar. The video was shot while we were waiting for the light to change at the Ferguson Rock Slide bridge.

Next week, I’ll share the shots from White Rock Road.

INSIDER NEWS: My amazing publisher Tule has procured at BookBub* feature for one of my all-time favorite books: MONTANA DARLING “FREE” next WEDNESDAY, April 29.

Download MONTANA DARLING for FREE!

Kindle | Nook | Kobo | Google Play | Apple Books

I’m giving you a heads up now because it will only be on sale for a small window of time and I don’t want you to miss out.

But…(there’s always a but) this story is not without controversy. One reviewer called it “depressing” while many others said things like “triumphant,” “inspiring,” and “uplifting.”

I also heard that a few readers took exception to a particular scene that—I’ll be honest here—is a bit shocking. It shocked me when I wrote it. I was like… “Mia (my heroine), are you sure you want to do this?” In Mia’s defense, she’s coming off a really, really tough year and she’s struggling to keep her family together, start over in her old home town and feel like a normal woman again. Her choices wouldn’t be mine, but I’m not apologizing for her –or any woman—who is a cancer survivor. Celebrate life—and love! That’s my motto.

I’d love to hear your take on Mia and Ryker’s first meeting. It’s definitely not “meet cute.” 😉

PS: If you miss out on the BookBub feature, Tule generously offered to make the book available for $0.00 at the Tule Bookstore for an extra week so no one misses out. I’ll include the buy links in next week’s newsletter.

Last week’s Q&A: Do you have a favorite flower? Yes or No?

WOW.WOW.WOW. This was the best question ever. I learned so much, and all who answered brought beauty into my world by reminding me of flowers I don’t often see but still remember fondly, like lilacs.

Also, you introduced me to several varieties of flowers I didn’t know about: viburnum, sunset roses, chocolate cosmos, snowdrops, and purple roses. Plus, thanks to Jodi B, I learned that there is a flower for your birth month. Mine is Chrysanthemum.

Several kind souls shared actual pictures

Which made me break out a picture
that my son took of my pansy men
quite a few years past.

The answer to the question, btw, is a resounding YES. Only a small few of us (myself included) couldn’t pick just one favorite. I love them all. Thanks to all who shared.

My two randomly selected winners this week are:

Kate Schoenherr – daisies
and
Marcia Karon - iris

(Kate and Marion congrats. Please email me your pick of either a $5 Starbucks or a $5 Amazon gift card.)

Q&A

This week’s Q&A: Do you love where you live right now? (Asking for a friend, ie., character. 😉)

(Two winners will be chosen by random drawing to receive either a $5 Starbucks gift card or a $5 Amazon gift card. Please reply the usual ways: email or on my DebraSalonenAuthor Facebook page.)

REMINDER: As a “Thank You,” I will be announcing one Property Sisters of Montana Grand Prize winner in my May 21/23 newsletter. (I’m still adding new items to the prize, including a print copy of MONTANA BLUEPRINT FOR LOVE.) The winning name will be randomly drawn from responses to Q&As from now through Mother’s Day and will also include anyone who leaves a review for MONTANA BLUEPRINT FOR LOVE or MEET ME IN MONTANA on any of the usual sales channels.

(Prize includes a tool pouch like the ones worn by the McCall sisters in the series, various hand tools including a hammer, tape measurer, adaptable screw driver, utility knife, gloves, carpenter’s pencil, marking pen and MORE. Additionally, there will be a $25 Gift Card TBD [I originally thought Lowes or Home Depot, but I will let the winner choose—Amazon is also an option.] Winning name will be announced in my newsletter. If winner fails to contact me within a week from announcement [Thursday-Thursday], an alternate name will be drawn until we have a winner.)

Stay well, my friends!

Happy reading,

Deb

PS: One more reminder, this is the last week for the 50% off discount at my Deb Salonen Bookstore (CODE: QJNULFD1HI). Have you read the West Coast Happily-Ever-After series yet? Dog lovers won’t want to miss George (Forever and Ever, by George).