Sunday Snippet: The Another THE END & a Cover Reveal Edition

What a wonderful feeling to be able to type “The End” at the finish line of a long arduous writing experience. I have another novel done—really, truly done! And my critique partners are on-board, one even said, “I love this story!” That is high praise indeed from a person whose writing I’ve admired for years. Help Wanted, Cowboy is out to betas right now, and I’ve been going through it in preparation for sending it to my editor next week.

Since I got to THE END, how about I do a cover reveal for this book? The amazing Lee Hyat has given me another wonderful cover for Help Wanted Cowboy, book 3 in my Juniper Falls Ranch series. It releases  July 7, 2026. She has captured my MCs just perfectly–bull rider Rory Pearson and OB Nurse/Midwife Millie Sparks. I’m not going to give you the blurb right now, just the cover, but I will tell you that this story has a treasure hunt, a lost heirloom, and a heroine who needs a big favor from the hero. So here it is–what do you think?

Honestly, this one wasn’t quite as arduous as others have been–this story flowed easier, which gives me pause because now I’m worrying about what my editor will say. But the thing is, I have another novel done— well, at least a first draft. That rush never diminishes. Even after 21 books, the thrill is there every time I type, THE END.

Most times, the rush is combined with stomach-knotting nervousness about sending it on to my editor and wondering what revisions will be needed. It’s always so hard to send your babies off to be taken apart by your development editor. I do the revisions, though. I always do them because she is the guru of development editing and nearly 100% of the time, her advice and edits are spot on.

Even as I’ve got ideas simmering for book 4 in the Juniper Falls Ranch series, I’ve also got this day job that takes up an incredible amount of my time. I love editing, I love my freelance life, but it’s not always so “free.” Deadlines beckon and clients need their projects. That old “gotta make a living” sometimes gets in the way of creative energy.

That’s a theme in the Simple Abundance path, by the way—not letting life block our creative urges. I’m not doing Sarah Ban Breathnach’s daybook again this year–I go through it every couple of years because it brings me peace and joy, and last year was a Simple Abundance year. But the lessons there stick. Sarah speaks often of allowing our creative energy to flow, of being receptive to inspiration, of believing our yearnings are blessings. Finishing this book brought all those feelings to the surface. It’s done and I believe that it’s good and will be even better with my editor’s revisions.

There is no Nan without the writing and maybe even without the editing… both define me better than any words I could find to tell you who I am.

Gratitude for This Week: I wrote THE END. Got to take a walk with pal, Mary–it was lovely. Made time for a massage–such deliciousness. Saw Grandboy, Son, and DIL on Friday night–always a treat. I made Ina Garten’s meatloaf recipe last night for Valentine’s Day supper–it was superb and I’ll be making meatloaf that way from now on. 

Stay well, speak out when you can–it’s the only way to save our democracy, always choose kindness, and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!