Peering Through Life's Window

  A Warm Welcome to Carol James Carol will give away a digital copy of  Crocuses for Christmas to a U.S. resident. A Favorite dish for a Texas Christmas My most recent Christmas novella, Crocuses for Christmas , is set in a small fictional Texas town called “Crescent Bluff,” as are all my novels.  I’m sure you and your readers are familiar with Texas pride…as in everything’s bigger in Texas. Well, I’m here to tell you that somethings are, and somethings aren’t.  But, we do like our beef! While most people enjoy ham or turkey for Christmas. My family’s favorite is beef brisket. My step-mom gave me this recipe about forty years ago. At the request of my family, I’ve been making it every Christmas (and other holidays) for years. It’s easy to make and yummy to eat. I have yet to find a person that didn’t like it. (Of course, I haven’t tried it on vegetarians.) Bessie’s Oven Brisket 4 lb. beef brisket (If you have a big crowd you can get a larger brisket and sim...

  A Warm Welcome to Carol Wilson James About Carol's New Book,  Always and Only  Caleb Daniels returns home to Texas after his wife has an affair and asks him for a divorce. When he temporarily goes to work for an ex-fraternity brother, he’s assigned to share an office with Aurora Prentiss. There’s only one problem: Rory and Caleb were high school sweethearts, but to please her father, Rory ended her relationship with Caleb soon after graduation. Aurora Prentiss never stopped loving Caleb, but has always felt a filial respect to her father that makes her bend to his will. When Caleb returns, Rory thinks this may be her chance to make things right with him. The only problem? She's engaged to a man chosen by her father. Will Caleb be able to forgive the woman who broke his heart years ago? And if he does, will Rory be willing to risk her relationship with her father, cancel the wedding to the fiancé she doesn't love, and finally make a life with the only man she’s always lo...

Today I'm talking with Cathy Bryant. She'll be giving away a free copy of Texas Roads (U.S. entries). Be sure to leave your e-mail address with a comment and use name [at] address [dot] com to keep away spammers. I'll put the names on pieces of paper and draw one on Sunday night. First, tell us a little about yourself . I’m a wife, mom, Nana, and private music instructor. In between all those rolls, I write. I enjoy walking, bicycling, hiking, canoeing, and gardening—basically anything that gets me outdoors. I live in a century-old Texas farmhouse with my hubby and a phobia-ridden cat. Were you an avid reader as a child? What did you read? Avid may not be a strong enough word. I learned to read early and read everything I could get my hands on. My favorite book from childhood is Anne of Green Gables. Why do you write? Call it a calling or a compulsion—either would be accurate. I never would have guessed that writing would be so difficult and so addicting. Avid may not be ...