Springtime in the Country Blog Hop

Welcome and Happy Spring Equinox! Today is the Springtime in the Country Blog Hop!

Please join me in saying a special thank you to Sara Walter Ellwood for hosting this blog hop, as well as all the readers and authors participating! Giddy-Up.

Spring in southern British Columbia

Ever since I was a kid, I have been fascinated with the west. Growing up in Wisconsin, I had dreams of Colorado, Montana and Alaska. Those Rocky Mountains have quite a pull. So do horses and pickup trucks and country music . . . you get the picture. I never did move to the American West, but as Love would have it, I moved to Canada (my Happily-Ever-After is Canadian) and I now call Calgary, Alberta home.

I’ve gotten to play with trucks, quads and helicopters for work, but my equine-time is limited to events like the Calgary Stampede, tournaments at Spruce Meadows, or visiting ranching friends in the foothills of the Rockies or the prairie parklands of Saskatchewan.

Or is it?! I’m starting The Tanner Series and am delighted it centers on a family who’s maternal roots are in ranching in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The siblings are all outriders, though, and have found their own careers; namely an archaeologist, a bull rider, a dude ranch owner, a police detective, and a Vancouver Island fishing guide. I get to write-in horses and helicopters, plus hot alpha men and the stunning, extraordinary women they love, and who love them back just as completely.

Sign up for my newsletter here (or look on the right side of this blog ;)) to receive release dates for the Tanner Series and other goodies.

I have included two sneak peak blurbs from The Tanner Series and from my two titles already out. My novella Claiming Love takes place in Northeastern Alberta. It is definitely in Western Canada, but a helicopter pilot instead of a cowboy. What can I say, I love the boreal forest as much as I love my mountains, and helicopters as much as horses. My short story, Duke Out at the Diner, is set in a  small-town cafe and bloomed from a hook-writing exercise at an ARWA writing workshop. Fun!

Like my Facebook Page, follow me on Twitter, and/or sign up for my newsletter for a chance to win a copy (Kindle or Kobo) of Claiming Love or Duke Out at the Diner. I'll draw three names, one from each of the new likes, follows and newsletter subscribers on Wednesday, March 26. 

Thanks for hopping by. ;) Happy Spring and Happy Reading!

Sneak Peak from The Tanner Series

The Cop Can Cook and Other Christmas Miracles - A simple hideaway holiday in the Rocky Mountains for Princess Grace was supposed to be a simply horseback adventure with nothing more stimulating than the next mountain pass and gorgeous scenery. Life had taught her to settle for staid, definitely not ignite at the touch of a man who looks as hard as the mountains they are in, and cooks like an angel.
A cop with his own reasons for hiding away, finds himself moonlighting as a gourmet camp chef for his sister, and falling for a foreign princess who fights like a guerrilla and kisses like a Goddess.
But outside forces are moving in and threaten the budding relationship. Will they succeed, or will the princess and her cop find  the greatest adventure of all, Love.

Kiss Me in the Rain - Glaciologist Savannah MacIntyre was happy with her life far away from her family. But sometimes life has a way of bringing you back home when you least expect it and most need it. When the opportunity to reconnect with her estranged dad comes up, she takes it. Then finds herself distracted from her turmoil by ex-CSIS agent turned archaeologist Gabe Tanner, who would rather get another bullet to the head than reconcile with his own father.
Their attraction is definitely mutual, but betrayal has taught them both not to trust, or love. The couple are thrown together at the machinations of her dad at a remote work camp, where together they both find a chance to heal. But will they let their pasts keep them apart or will they finally learn to love and trust again?

Available Now

Claiming Love - Isobelle Cody, or Elle as her friends call her, loves her job as an archaeologist in Canada. Working in remote landscapes suits her completely, but her irrational fear of airplanes has her beyond grounded. She decides backup is in order and asks for Divine help. As an afterthought, she throws in a request to meet her Mr. Perfect. It couldn’t hurt.
The Goddess, Gaia, assigns Bodin. He is a thousand year old warrior, now angel-in-training, who just happens to not believe in love. Grumpy and usually a divine pain, Bodin has met his match with the beautiful archaeologist and finds himself under the healing power of love for the first time. The two explore their budding attraction working in the wild northern forests. When Bodin’s past threatens their future, will love come too late or just in time for forever?

Duke Out at the Diner, A Short Story - Some napkin dispensers hold napkins, others have gorgeous heros locked inside. 

Eric is no genie, but a mistaken curse landed him in the damn thing and now he has to be the one being saved. Shay just wanted to grab a bite to eat and pretend her life was safe. She never expected to be responsible for rescuing a handsome hero. Each wary of the other, the couple must learn to trust and love before danger takes the choice out of their hands.






And as a thank you for reading this far down, tweet or leave a facebook comment with HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX 2014 in it for a chance to win both Claiming Love and Duke Out at the Diner (Kindle or Kobo). Happy Reading!

www.sarahkades.com

Thanks for stopping by and keep hopping! http://cowboycharm.blogspot.com/2014/01/springtime-in-country-blog-hop.html



Expand Your Normal

Sarah Kades and Ski School Instructor Extraordinaire
(he also answers to Rob)

Have these words ever crossed your mind: take a downhill ski lesson, you don't know what you're doing.

Cabin Fever
They did for me a couple weeks ago. Cabin fever had set in at our household so it was time for an adventure. And what better way to celebrate winter than playing in the snow in the mountains?

Winging It
Oh wait, it's been years since I've been on downhill skis and I never really knew what I was doing, just kind of winged it. Well, hello Panorama Resort and the Ski School. And we were meeting friends out there. Okay they knew what they were doing. So does my husband. But this kid < thumbs pointing to chest >  took a lesson. Weeeeeeeeeeeee!

Laptops and Lounges
I did bring my laptop and even got some writing in that wonderful weekend. But, I spent most of the time playing which equalled recharging. And maybe I hit the T-Bar with everyone for a cold one or two... ;)

 

Sarah Kades, beyond the magic carpet

Gold Medal Game
I did not wake up at 5am that Sunday to watch the Gold Medal Hockey Game between Canada and Sweden. My hubbie did, though. Does that count? just kidding.

Blasted Quads and Inspired Words
It wasn't a relaxing weekend, per say. I haven't blasted my quads like that in years. But it sure was fun! And my writing has absolutely taken off since coming back home. Nice!

Thanks Winter, Family and Friends who played, too, Ski Instructor Extraordinaire (a.k.a. Rob), and those gorgeous mountains! I had a blast...and not just my quads. ;)

Happy Adventuring, Happy Reading

Sunday Morning...before coffee

Feeling the Love

Kind of late for a Valentine, but here goes . . . 

Dear World, Sending Peace and Love.

And Joy. To Everyone. :)

Happy campfire rocks in interior British Columbia, May 2013

2014 Olympic Cross Country Ski Team hopeful Chris Hamilton

In 2003 I raced . . . okay participated might be a better word, in the Sleeping Giant Loppet. I did the Sibley's family fun ski, a whole 8 km route. :)  The other choices were the 35 or 50 km races, which is  why I chose the "family fun ski." I'll tell you the truth, I was passed by 5 year olds. How did I find myself skiing the Sibley and getting passed by 5 years olds? My husband and I lived in Thunder Bay that winter and our very dear friends the Hamiltons introduced us to the coolness that is cross country skiing.

I Knew That Kid Was Going Places

But we needed gear. Early in the season we joined our friends at the local ski swap. This is where I'll introduce you to Chris Hamilton. I bought a pair of boots and found out they were Chris' old ones. On impulse I asked him to sign them. He was maybe 14 years old at the time and a bit bashful when I asked. But in that crowded room full of gear and skiers, it was the most natural thing in the world for me to do. I knew this kid was going places.

2014 Canadian Olympic Hopeful

He certainly did. Chris is on the Alberta World Cup Academy. He now lives in Canmore and instead of  helping his parents' friend figure the whole waxing thing out (that's another story, apparently that groove on the bottom of skis shouldn't be plugged with wax, go figure) minutes before his 50 km race and my family fun ski debut, he's training hard for a spot on the Canadian cross country ski team for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Did you hear that? He's training for a spot on the Canadian Olympic Team!!! 

(Seriously SO proud of you Chris!)

You Mean I Can Help?

It takes athletic excellence to make it to the Olympics, but it also takes funds to pay for team fees, equipment, registrations, travel and living costs. The Canadian Olympic Trials are being held in early January and Chris is crowd-source fundraising to help cover his winter racing costs. This is where we can help an Olympic hopeful!

Chris' goal is $9000 and donations are handled through the MakeAChamp website via PayPal. Any donation helps and is greatly appreciated. Chris has created a list of GiveBacks to thank his supporters, too. Ask him to sign them . . . and ask if he'll finally sign my boots, too! :)

To help Chris reach his fundraising goals, please donate to:

www.makeachamp.com/chrishamilton

By the way, Chris' mom, Bev gave me a Milky Way candy bar as I crossed the finish line back in 2003, just like she did with all her kids. :) I remember how much that candy bar meant to me. I hope I can help repay that kindness and so many more by asking you all to help Chris reach his goal. 

Go for the Gold Chris. It matches your heart.

Chris Hamilton, 2014 Olympic Hopeful

Happy Thanksgiving, twice

As some of you know, I am an American Canadian. Besides paperwork, that means all sorts of goodies. Like celebrating both Canadian and U.S. Thanksgiving! A delicious holiday full of gratitude and good times. 

Saskatchewan (more than Grey Cup Champions!! Go Roughriders!!)

Last month I was in Saskatchewan spending Canadian Thanksgiving weekend with good friends and their extended families. Our extended families are 3000 km away, so the 9 hour drive to Saskatchewan was relatively wee and loads of fun. I walked through cleared frosted fields at sunrise, watched geese fly overhead and waterfowl putter on slough ponds. I ate and drank, celebrated the abundance of the season and great company. 

Horses and Helicopters

I also got on a horse that gave me the opportunity to get my head screwed on straight. Horses have that effect on me. Nearly always, right before I get on a horse, whatever energy that is just below the surface that needs to come out bubbles up. Then the horse waits patiently as I have my epiphany or release before I hop on. Horses are magical like that. Like helicopters, horses get me all fascinated and excited, but there is a serious side to them, too. They both offer me opportunity for perspective and usually release, too.

Celebrate the Process

This Thursday is U.S. Thanksgiving. As much as I love turkey, we're going to celebrate with one of the salmon we caught this past summer on the Pacific Ocean fishing trip we did. Again, something to be thankful for. That trip rocked! And it has the added energy of eating food that which we have procured ourselves. There is a connection, a satisfaction and tapping into something universal when we pay attention to, respect and honor our food. Whether you are cooking, gardening/farming, fishing, hunting or ranching, celebrate it. As for the eating, savor that experience, too. It keeps us ticking . . . so we can write more! And everything else we do, too. :)

Happy Thanksgiving.

PS, Pumpkin pie with the salmon? Sure, why not. ;)

My Harvest Festival

First off I need to say whoops, I meant to blog about my garden harvest pre-snow. Today is the second winter wonderland spell we've had this season. Gorgeous fluffy white snow out there. I was thinking how busy fall has been, but then I thought the same for summer and spring, heck last winter, too.  Life is awesome, busy, beautiful and awesome. 

Rewind to Harvest

But let's rewind to harvesting time! I have a couple raised garden beds that I started by trying the square foot gardening method and have transitioned to a free-for-all. I know,  free-for-all fits my "pantser" writing style. And it absolutely delights me having plants come up from last year that have self seeded! I have trouble pulling them. I also get all twitchy when I go to cull so that the ones left may thrive. Pulling plants feels like stripping books in a bookstore. Ouch. But I digress, back to my garden. The potatoes actually grew!! This was my first year trying them and YUM!

Form and Function
We put in a new deck a few weeks ago and are planning where additional garden beds will be going next season. We like form and function (i.e. edible plants). I'm so going to have more potatoes next year. And a pumpkin patch! And carrots, and beets, and zucchini, and squashes, and a mix of leafy greens, and tomatoes, and loads of fragrant herbs, and oh my gardening is fun!

Still Learning
I'm still learning. And realizing gardens need more lovin' than winking and water. Weeding is good, and plant food, etc. But it brings me joy, and delicious organic, heirloom bounty. It brings me closer to my food supply and I get to witness earth energy.

Happy Learning, Happy Growing

Beets and carrots from my garden.

Potatoes from my garden this year.

A Wee Hockey Story to Celebrate the NHL Season Opener

Today is the NHL season opener. So I thought it appropriate to write a wee hockey story that my husband still laughs at. Stay with me ladies/readers, it involves Scott Stevens.

My husband is a hockey fan and grew up just outside of Toronto. Yup, you guessed it, he is a Leafs fan (and at this very second watching the Toronto/Montreal game). I know, we live in Calgary now and we both dig the Flames, but he'll always watch the Leafs. It's like it was early childhood programming or something.

Anyway, after we married I immigrated to Canada and wanted to be supportive, check this whole hockey thing out that he loves so much. I remember he had the pre-game crap, I mean stuff, on and I sat down to watch it with him. He then had to leave for a bit. I kept the channel where it was to watch, pay attention and figure this whole hockey thing out. I played sports, I can get this.
Get your hockey geek on. ;)

Toronto was playing New Jersey that night and they interviewed a dude names Scott Stevens. Okay, for anyone who doesn't know what colour this guy's eyes are, please do a Google Images search right now. Stevens played for Jersey and in his interview, among other things, he promised not to hit anybody. Then he smiled.

And I have loved hockey ever since.

My husband got back home and I told him about the interview and that he might have mentioned hockey players looked like that. He still laughs about it. When I told this story to a male hockey-loving fan, he had a completely different reaction, "Sarah, you just ruined hockey for me."

Sorry! But those eyes are so blue, that facial hair so grrr, that grin so cute. . . Yeah, that didn't make it better when I told him that.

Anyway, Stevens retired shortly after. Bummer.

So, I'd like to say thank you Mr. Scott Stevens for introducing a beautiful side of hockey to me. ;)

Happy NHL Season Opener.