Many of us have thought about moving to the country and living off the land. In the Sierra Creek Series, the main character does just that. The four books follow Amy as she discovers life on a farm, finding love and meeting the people of the small town.
Now meet the new people in town and solve a mystery in Book 4 My Country Heart.
One day, I was grocery shopping and saw a cute little pink sign with a unicorn and a butterfly. The quote was, “Do what makes your heart smile.”
Well, that stopped me in my tracks. I had never thought that way. I was too busy doing what I needed to finish daily chores, family business, and promised duties. So, there I was with a basket full of groceries wondering if I should pay for this nonessential item when everything in the supermarket seemed to be higher than ever.
I put the little sign back on the shelf and went to get frozen food. After a quick stop to pick up eggs, milk, and cheese, I headed toward the nondairy ice cream bars for the family. Then I planned to go to the checkout counter.
That little sign was calling to me. Although it was totally unnecessary, it didn’t cost too much, and my birthday was coming up. Okay, months from now. Lol. But… Before my frozen food could completely melt, I went to the gift area and was pleased that the little sign was still there.
I brought it home and then thought it was a good idea to share this quote. I told the kids. That way they might feel free to make their heart smile too.
Now, I can see the quote while I’m working. I put it in front of my computer and when I look up from the screen, I remember to make my heart smile. Having that little reminder is helpful in my life and my writing.
When I’m stumped and don’t know what to do next with a new character, I ask myself, what makes their heart smile? What is stopping them from smiling? What should they do about it?
In book 4 of the Sierra Creek Series, My Country Heart, Lauren must learn what makes her heart smile.
"If you love small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Sierra Creek Series is for you! It's the perfect feel-good read." NL reviews
My Country Heart by Reggi Allder
The two new residents in the small town of Sierra Creek are at a crossroads. Each is searching for answers to direct them toward their separate futures.
Chance Williams is Sierra Creek's new fire chief. Recovering from an injury sustained in a disastrous fire, should he remain on the job in the small town or leave fire fighting and go back to his Bay Area home?
A jewelry designer and a firefighter have little in common. Still, forced to live in close quarters, sparks will fly?
The engaging characters in the other Sierra Creek Series books return. See how Amy, Vanna, Sophie, and their partners are doing. Also, a mystery is an added ingredient in this book.
Excerpt: My Country Heart Sierra Creek Series book 4 by Reggi Allder
“Stop!”
Lauren slammed on the brakes so hard the seat belt jerked tight, preventing her from hitting her head on the steering wheel. The car came to an abrupt halt, inches from a handsome guy, tall, tan, and furious.
“What the hell are you doing driving so fast on this road?”
“I’m….” She screamed as clucking birds flew at her. Her heart thundered. She forced down the memory of her childhood fear of birds.
When fowl surrounded the car, she honked the BMW’s horn. The chickens flew closer and she continued to scream.
“Stop! The dammed chickens are already upset. Be quiet and stay out of the way until things are under control!” the stranger demanded.
A hen flew into the passenger seat. She shrieked and jumped out of the car and ran into the guy.
In tooled leather cowboy boots, blue jeans and a navy T-shirt he glanced at her. “You damn near ran me down.” He grabbed one of the birds off the hood of her convertible and let it go. Another flew at her and she shrieked.
“Quiet!” He snatched the bird away, holding it with one hand. “You’re alarming the poultry. They’re terrified. After all this yelling, it might take days before they lay again.” He glared and his blue eyes flashed as he brushed his dark brown hair from his forehead. “Be calm around them. They’re delicate—gentle if you’ll stop scaring them. After all, they’ve been in an accident.”
“Me, scare them!” She scoffed. “Are you crazy?”
A car honked and more birds flew into the air, clucking.
He handed her the one he held and ran after a hen about to run across the road.
“Don’t leave!” Breathless, she trembled. The chicken wiggled and tried to fly, while she gingerly held it away from her face, fearing it might peck her.
The farmer directed a car past the disabled truck, and then came back to her. “I’ll take that bird.” With the fowl held securely in his strong arms, he jogged to the truck and put it in a wooden crate. The sign on the door of the flatbed vehicle read, “Edgar’s Egg Farm.”
Frightened, she watched the stranger collect the rest of the poultry.
She opened the door to her convertible and found a hen comfortably sitting in the jump seat. Another stood in the driver’s spot. It pecked at her when she tried to shoo it away. She waved her arms, shouting, “Get out of my car!”
“Hey, enough! They’re more afraid of you than you are of them.”
“You want to bet?” she yelled in a voice she didn’t recognize. “Take these out of my car!”
He turned from her.
OMG, she was making a fool of herself, but as a kid, a huge black bird had dive-bombed her and pecked at her. Though she’d only been six years old, the event remained fresh in her mind. The bird chased her until her father rescued her.
The guy crawled into the back seat and grabbed the resting bird then stood up from the car.
“Lady, next time drive more slowly around these roads. You might have hit someone!”
“Look cowboy—whatever your name is.” She poked her index finger at his solid chest and glared up at him.
“Chance Williams.” He grinned.
His mocking smile irritated her. “Mr. Chance, I don’t need your comments about what I should do or how to drive.”
“Williams.”
“What?” She removed her sunglasses and stared.
“Williams. My name is Mr. Williams.”
“Yeah, whatever!” She waved him out of her way as a chicken flew at her. “Keeps those birds away from me. I thought you had all of them.”
“All but this Rhode Island Red.”
He grabbed the frightened Red, took it back to the flatbed truck and found a crate to put it in.
“Get out!” She opened the driver’s side door, pushed a final chicken out and sat down.
“You can leave, but go slowly.” Chance Williams scowled at her. “Then drive off to the end of the world for all I care. Just don’t speed on this road again!”
Damn. He was handsome as he turned from her and walked away. Lauren couldn't stand good-looking men who thought they ruled the world. She combed the last of the chicken feathers from her hair and applied pale pink lipstick. She must look a mess, and certainly felt like one. Ignoring her rapid heartbeat, she pushed back the images of the gorgeous farmer with his rude behavior and cruel words. She’d never been talked to that way before. Drive off the end of the world.
She scoffed. “This is the end of the world.”
Buy My Country Heart Sierra Creek Series
https://www.amazon.com/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V
https://www.amazon.com.au/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V
https://www.amazon.ca/Country-Heart-Sierra-Creek-Book-ebook/dp/B0BJ5L1K2V/
Do you love suspense? Dangerous Web by Reggi Allder One of for Dangerous books, Dangerous Denial, Dangerous Money, Dangerous Moves, and coming next Dangerous Sisters. Amazon buy link
When the past returns to threaten Emma’s present, is the key to her safety the man offering protection? Will his secrets put her in greater danger? “5.0 out of 5 stars will hold you on the edge of your seat as you follow Reggi’s real-to-life characters.” “Romantic Suspense from beginning to the thrilling end!” “The characters take you away!”
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Hello, Reggi - this is a great excerpt! Her fear of the chickens is very believable, as are the conversational interactions. Well done.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisabet, so glad you liked the excerpt! Thanks for the comment. :)
DeleteWow she really is "chicken" isn't she? LOL (sorry - it was too much of a setup to ignore)
ReplyDeleteKayelle, laughed out loud. :)
Delete