Showing posts with label #Romancenovels #Secondchanceromance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #Romancenovels #Secondchanceromance. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Have You Thought About Moving to the Country and Living off the land? by Reggi Allder

    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.

Lauren Walsh detests small villages, but she is in the town to work with a renowned silversmith. Then she will leave ASAP and return to the city where she belongs.

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 

          A gust of wind hit her convertible. Lauren’s hair flew in her face. Unable to see, she pushed it out of the way and looked up to see the air filled with squawking chickens and a huge man in the middle of the road waving at her. 

    “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!”

Like/ visit Reggi Allder's Links: 
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Bluesky

 





Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Celebrate with Those You Love.

Happy Valentine's Day.

   Whether you are celebrating with the love of your life, a best friend or a favorite granny, it is the perfect time to let them know how much you care.  Even a favorite pet deserves a hug and a treat. My dogs like a piece of carrot to munch on. 🐕🐩

Hubby and I usually have takeout from our favorite Chinese restaurant and watch a romantic movie. Favorite movies of ours, from the oldest to newer ones: The Best Years of Our Lives, Sabrina, Moonstruck, and Legally Blonde. If you love musicals and spectacular dance numbers, try Singing in the Rain.

 I love chocolate. I'm always looking for a new recipe using chocolate. This is a cookie that can be made ahead of time and enjoyed on the holiday. 

BTW, if you have a recipe you would like to share, send it to me and if I used it, I will send a novella to you.  Please leave a comment. do you celebrate Valentine's Day?

Heart-Shaped Cookies, Chocolate Filled with Jam



Description

Delicious chocolate cookies with toasted walnuts and filled with a sweet fig jam, apricot jam or strawberry jam.

Ingredients

Cookie dough:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup California walnuts, toasted
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • pinch of ground nutmeg
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) chilled butter, cut in 15 – 20 pieces
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For assembling and decorating the cookies:

  • 1/2 – 2/3 cup fig jam or apricot jam, or strawberry jam.
  • 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped California walnuts

Preparation

  1. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade combine the flour, walnuts, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and nutmeg. Process until the nuts are finely ground. Add the butter and pulse until blended into the dry ingredients and the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a small cup, whisk together the egg yolks, water, and vanilla.
  2. Add to the flour mixture and process until the dough holds together in a stiff mass. Transfer the dough into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 – 60 minutes, until firm but not hard.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350ºF, and cover cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide the chilled dough in half (keep the piece you are not working on refrigerated). On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out to a thickness slightly less than 1/4 inch. If the top of the dough is sticky, sprinkle it lightly with additional flour. Using a heart-shaped (or round) cutter 1 1/2 – 2 inches in diameter, cut cookies from the rolled-our dough. Gather the scraps together, re-roll them, and cut additional cookies. As cookies are cut, place them, about 1/2-inch apart, on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the cookies look dry. Cool for about 2 minutes, then transfer to racks to cool completely before filling. Continue rolling, cutting, and baking until all the dough is used.
  4. To assemble and decorate the cookies, place half of them in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spread each one with about 1/2 teaspoon of jam, then top with a second cookie. When all the cookies have been filled, top each with about 1/2 teaspoon of melted chocolate, spreading the chocolate with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the chocolate lightly with walnuts. Let the cookies stand 2 – 3 hours, or until the chocolate is firm, then store them in an airtight container.
  5. An alternative to rolling out the dough: For an easy, though not heart-shaped variation, the dough can be chilled, sliced, and baked like refrigerator cookies. Place the prepared dough on a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. With your hands, roll and pat each piece into a log about 9 inches long and 1 1/2 inches across. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for several hours, until firm. (The dough will keep refrigerated for several days.) Cut the logs into slices slightly less than 1/4-inch thick, then bake, fill, and decorate as directed.
  6. Calories 100 calories
  7. Total Fat 6 g
  8. Trans Fat 0 g
  9. Polyunsaturated Fat 2 g
  10. Cholesterol 15 mg
  11. Sodium 14 mg
  12. Carbohydrates 10 g
  13. Dietary Fiber 1 g
  14. Protein 2 g

  15. Her Country Heart byReggi Allder Sierra Creek Series Book 1 of 4 books.

         Amy Long needs a forever home. Downsized, she lost her apartment in the city and returned to the small town of Sierra Creek to find a fresh start. Does she belong? Cowboy Wyatt Cameron doesn’t think so. She’s in the way of his plans and as executor of her grandmother’s estate, he can send her packing.  What can Amy offer to change Wyatt's mind?  

    Excerpt: Her Country Heart Sierra Creek Series

    CHAPTER 1

    “Sierra Creek,” the driver shouted as the Greyhound bus came to an abrupt stop on the two-lane highway.

    Amy Long pushed her hair behind her ears and grabbed her worn suitcase. Surprised to see her hand tremble, she seized the case with both hands and rushed toward the front of the bus.

    A gust of hot wind slapped her face as she stepped outside. Gravel pelted her bare legs when the bus drove away. She squinted and read a faded road sign, Sierra Creek population five thousand. There wasn’t a building in sight.

    After years of living in the city, she’d forgotten how sweltering and desolate it was here. She’d vowed never to return home. Odd it was the first place that came to mind when she and her young son needed a fresh start.

    With Granny gone, there was no family left to welcome her. She swallowed a sob. Maybe it was a mistake to come back.

    The relentless afternoon sun beat down on her shoulders and her arms began to burn. San Francisco, the air-conditioned city, seemed a million miles away. Impatient, she cleared her dry throat, wiped the perspiration from her forehead, and let out a groan as the minutes ticked by. What wouldn’t she give for some shade and a bottle of iced water?

    With a sigh, she pulled out her smartphone and checked the time. Thirty minutes since she’d arrived at the bus stop and not a single car had gone by. Where was the arranged ride into town? Granny’s handyman was supposed to meet her. He apparently wasn’t a stickler about being on time. She reminded herself she was in the California foothills, not in a busy metropolis where time was money.

    The sound of a truck rumbled in the distance. With the back of her hand, she pushed her bangs out of her eyes and squinted. Hopeful, she watched the pick-up come closer. A shiny black Ford F150 with an extended cab pulled up in front of her.

    “Amy,” a man yelled through the open window as his brown hair fell casually over a high forehead and deep-set blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. She moved nearer and stared at his wide cheekbones, square jaw, and full lips. About thirty? A flutter of recognition stirred in her as palpable charm radiated from his broad smile, Wyatt Cameron. 

    His muscular arms flexed as his huge hands squeezed the steering wheel. “Don’t just stand there. Get in the judge is waiting.”

     Discover what happens next with His Country Heart Sierra Creek Series Book 2 of 4 books by Reggi Allder. Confirmed bachelor, cowboy, Wyatt Cameron, wonders why he is attracted to a woman he hardly knows. Yeah, she’s sexy and sweet, but she comes with baggage he doesn’t need. If he follows through, will he marry in haste and regret in leisure?

    Prefer Romantic Suspense?

    “Reggi Allder will hold you on the edge of your seat as you follow her real-to-life characters You won’t be disappointed.“Intense, I couldn’t put it down.”

    Check out the Dangerous Series, book 1 Dangerous Webb, by Reggi Allder. 



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     Thank you for coming by.  Remember so leave a comment. Happy Valentine's day!

     Hope you will stop by again soon.