As summer wanes and lush pastures turn to autumn hues, our goats are savoring the last of the season's verdant grass before hay becomes their staple diet.

This morning, Farmer Joe was out mending the fences, which had been somewhat 'customized' by some of our more adventurous goats. They took it upon themselves to redecorate by tearing off sections of the fencing around the gates.

Meanwhile, Cassie, our feline enigma, seems to have claimed another victory in her ongoing battle against the local rodent population. Though the whereabouts of her latest catch remain elusive, the occasional scent wafting through our screen porch serves as a pungent reminder of her predatory prowess.

In poultry news, one of our turkeys has taken up the role of expectant mother. Initially, she set her nest outside the pen, but given her slight limp, we decided she'd be safer nesting within the coop. Although her egg count has mysteriously dwindled down to three, we find comfort in knowing she's protected from potential predators inside her secure enclosure.

I shared the first of my four historical romance novels with you in my last newsletter. Here's another one you might enjoy (my favorite of my historical quartet). It's a Christmas story revolving around a mystery and all wrapped up in sweet romance. 

As most of you know, I write strictly contemporary works these days, but these stories though research intensive, were a pleasure to write.

Jack growled low. “Do what?” He slid his weapon back into his holster.

“Convince my brother to send for me?” Her olive green eyes lit with the fire of her temper. Tendrils of her honey-colored hair fell loose around her face.

“Lady, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you should come back when you’ve composed yourself.”

“Calm down?” She crossed the room and slammed both palms flat on his desk. “Would you be calm if your brother was missing and your only clue was a letter with a train ticket and a marriage proposition?”

“Missing?” He leaned back in his chair and put his feet up on his desk. “Who did you say was missing?”

“My brother. Calvin.”

“Your brother probably ran off with a woman. If he doesn’t return in a few days, come on back here and maybe I can help.”

“He went missing from Philadelphia. The train ticket he left for me brought me here. So, where is he?”

“How do you know he didn’t run off?”

“He would not have made arrangements for me to marry some sheriff in Podunk.”

“Our town’s name is Cimarron. Not Podunk.” He grinned. “It’s not unusual for a man to want a little alone time.” Jack adjusted his hat to once again cover his eyes and tried to get comfortable again. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get some rest?”

“My brother is missing, and I need your help to find him.”

“You’re not going to get it. At least not for the next few days. I have other obligations.”

“Like sleeping the day away like a lazy dog?”

“Not that it’s any of your business,” he sat up straight, “but for your information, lady, I haven’t been home in forty-eight hours. I had a run-in with some miscreants. They’re sitting in cells over there.” He pointed. “Would you care to join them?” Shoving his hat back on his head, he stood.

“I care not what the past two days brought you. Your prior obligations are none of my concern, but my brother’s disappearance is my business and I expect you to drop everything, including your nap, to look for him.” She slammed the note her brother had sent her onto the desk, and turned on her heel to walk out.

He spoke to her back. “Lady, you’ve gone mad.”

“I have a name,” she called over her shoulder.

“Care to share?”

She turned around. “Grace Belle.”

“Miss Belle, why don’t you go on home?”

“My home is in Philadelphia, and I will not return until Calvin is located.” She crossed to the door and let it slam behind her.

Woo hoo! Grave Secrets is now with my editor! I hit send about an hour ago. It feels good to get it sent off.

I still need to finish scheduling my promotions for the next quarter, and I promised an editor and an agent I would forward Betrayed Trust to them, so those things are next on the agenda, but I also need to get busy writing my Redemption Ridge book, so it'll be out in time for those who preordered it.

Speaking of preordering... currently the Christmas in Redemption Ridge books (including Wooing the Widower) are discounted by 25%, but those books go to full price on September 26th. 

it's been a busy couple of months, and it looks like the next few months will be more of the same, but I feel blessed to have the opportunity to write books that glorify God. I hope my little lighthouse burns brightly and draws people closer to Christ. 

I'm skipping reading updates this week since I haven't finished any new books to share since my reading time has been limited, but if you need some suggestions on what to read, check out my blog for inspiration: https://elleekay.com/christian..