Janet Tronstad's Blog, page 2

World Book Day

I just heard that it is World Book Day today -- how fitting that I should be sitting here at my desk writing on my next book (I have a great series within a series coming up in Dry Creek). I can't tell you much about it except it involves a family crisis (mother returning from prison who asks her grown sons to come back to work on the family ranch). Lots of cowboy heroes and fiery heroines. The first book will come out around Christmas. In the meantime, take a look at my April release -- 'Small-Town Moms.' Debra Clopton and I have a very entertaining story in two parts with this book.

A New Year Awaits in Dry Creek

One of the recurring themes of my Dry Creek series is 'new beginnings.' That fits perfectly with the heroine of 'At Home in Dry Creek', Barbara Strong. She is a single mother who brings her children to the small town in hopes of making a better life for them. This title is available anew in the LI Classic pictured on the right.

I know we all hope for a better life and the first of the year is traditionally a time to decide what we need to do to make that happen. I don't usually make resolutions, but this year I am. I plan to lose weight and exercise more (mostly, I plan to walk more in the nearby Huntington Gardens and smell the roses there). It's not just physical exercise, it's relaxing as well. How about you? What do you plan to do this next year to make your life more the way you want it to be?

Loving Chistmas Trees

It's that season and, those of you who read my books, know I love everything about Christmas. The meaning of the season as well as the light-hearted fun. I particularly like Christmas trees and wanted to share an upside down one with you. Isn't this amazing? I've never done an upside down tree, but this picture tempts me to try.

I won a Carol Award!

I'm so excited. Every year the American Christian Fiction Writers hold a contest for Book-of-the-Year in various categories. My 'Christmas Bells for Dry Creek' (in Mistletoe Courtship) just won in the historical novella group. Over 600 people (writers, editors, agents) were at a dinner Sunday night in their evening wear when the awards were announced. I've gotten congratulatory emails all day so I'm celebrating in fine fashion!

Hallelujah and Pass the e-books!

I'm excited because I just noticed Harlequin has issued my back-list as ebooks! Now, for those of you looking for those old titles, there is one place you can get the books (I know we don't all have e-book readers yet, at least I don't, but someday--).

Latest Dry Creek

My latest book from the heartland of Montana is 'Wife Wanted in Dry Creek.' Uncle Charley has put an announcement in the church bulletion, asking for prayer for a wife for his nephew. Of course, everyone knows it is Conrad even though no names are printed there. Conrad is fit to be tied -- if he wanted a wife, he would get one himself. And then the woman of his dreams drives a car into his newly-opened garage and, just when he wonders if God has answered his uncle's prayer, he discovers...

New Release Coming Soon

Have you ever been poor and too proud to accept the charity others want to give you? I've never been in that position, but it's obviously on my mind. I realized both of my Christmas stories this year begin on that note. In my "Silent Night in Dry Creek," my hero is being offered a job he thinks is a pity job from a small town he left years ago. He wants to refuse, but the sheriff talks him into staying anyway. What can it hurt, he figures, to guard Jasmine Hunter?
In my novella, "Christmas...

Going Home Again

"A Match Made for Dry Creek." is one of my favorites in the Dry Creek series because the heroine comes home after living away for many years. Whether or not one can really go home again is the question of many great books. Have you ever tried it? I've 'gone home again' myself these days (at least partially)-- planning to spend half of my months on my family's farm in Montana so I can be close to my parents (84 years old soon, both of them) and the other half of my time in my home in Pasadena,

Next Dry Creek coming fast!

For those of you following the Dry Creek series, you will know that it is Jasmine's story that comes up next. Well, some of you might think it is Jasmine's and Conrad's story, but I decided the two of them weren't meant to be so Jasmine goes first in "A Silent Night in Dry Creek." I must say this is one of my favorite Dry Creek books yet. I love the hero -- I can't wait for you to meet him (he works undercover for various sheriff departments and thinks he's coming to Dry Creek to do suveillance

Chokecherry Days

Chokecherries play a special role in the life of Dry Creek, Montana. Mrs. Hargrove-Nelson (or Edith as she's often called) used to think she resembled the tart, resilient berry. All Montana farm women did, in her opinion. They had to be tough to survive the hard work and the harsh weather. In several of the Dry Creek books, Mrs. Hargrove makes chockecherry jelly and her special soda biscuits. I remember as a child picking chokecherries (they're small and it takes a lot to make jelly). My mothe