Hola! Jolene Navarro checking in from the Texas Hill Country. The sun is shining and I’m writing outside, wishing I was on the coast. My latest release, The Texan’s Promise is the third book set on the fictional ranch Diamondback located on the Texas Coast.
Our visits to the beach, inspired my current series and now book three will be in your local Walmart around Feburay 18th (ebook is dropped March 1st).
I knew I wanted to add the sea turtles to the story. Texas is the nesting home to five species.
Sea turtle species found in the Gulf of Mexico
The Texan’s Promise and Sea Turtles Jolene Navarro
My hero Quinn Sinclair is a conservationist looking for ways to protect endangered marine life along the coastline and Belle De La Rosa’s ranch has a perfect spot. The only problem? She needs to sell that stip of beach to save that the rest of the ranch. Both are single parents and I loved their dynamic.
And I got to bring back the pirate ship from book one from The Texan’s Secret Daughter.
Sea Turtles, Cupcakes & Pirate Ships Jolene Navarro
One of my favorite scenes is her conversation with a cupcake that happens to take place on a pirate ship. It might have been inspired by my own struggles. LOL
Belle held up the last cupcake. Should she? Should she not? “Come on,” she whispered to the sweet treat. “Stop tempting me. But then again. All the kids are gone and only one Jolly Roger left. Abandoned. It’s clear that you were meant for me, right?”
A hand landed on her shoulder and she gave a sharp scream. The cleanup crew stopped and looked at her. Heat rushed into her neck and face. She’d been caught deep in conversation with a jelly-filled cupcake.
Quinn’s hearty laughter didn’t ease her embarrassment. He held his hands up, palms as if to prove he was harmless. “Belle, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Lowering the cupcake, she grinned at her own ridiculousness. It didn’t matter what he thought of her eating habits or her hips, either. “You didn’t scare me.” She shrugged. “Just a guilty conscience.”
“Guilty? You don’t have a thing to be guilty about. I’m in your debt.” He placed his hand over his heart and bowed. “And still. After helping to plan all this you’re still here cleaning.”
She lifted the tiny cake and pulled at the paper lining. “I can’t take all the credit. My brother does own the pirate ship. That makes easy to have spectacular birthday parties.”
“Are you going to eat that or keep talking to it?”
We were having a meaningful conversation.”
He leaned against the mast and crossed his hands over his chest. “Really? So. what kind of philosophical conversations does one have with a miniature pirate cake?”
“How did it feel to watch his fellow pirates walk the plank one at a time, leaving him to stand guard alone?”
He took the cupcake and removed the rest of the paper and with a mid bow offered it back to her. “It is up to you to fulfill his life’s quest. She had to laugh at his silliness. His smile alone lightened her stupid negative talk.
That was the reason he was so dangerous to the life she had made for herself and her daughters.
Belle has fought to keep her family together and deserves to be loved for who she is. She has two daughters and Quinn has twin daughters and a five-year-old son. It was the first time I had this many kids in one family. Blending a family has it’s own challenges and was rewarding to write.
Maybe because I’m the mother of four and a teacher I find it easy to write real kids – do you enjoy stories that have children in them?
From the comments, I’ll pick a North American winner of an early release of The Texan’s Promise or one of the other books in the series if you haven’t read them. (ebook or print). I’ll be picking the winner Friday morning. :)
Cowboys of Diamondback Ranch Jolene Navarro
I would love for you to join me on an adventure with the cowboys of Diamondback Ranch.
Jolene’s life, much like her stories, is filled with faith, family, and all of life's wonderful messiness. She knows that, as much as the world changes, people stay the same. Good and evil. Vow-keepers and heart breakers. Jolene married a vow-keeper who showed her that holding hands and dancing in the rain never gets old. She loves creating stories of love and faith in her much loved Texas.
I do enjoy reading books that have children in them. I taught first grade for over 30 years.
How fun to read this scene. Thanks for sharing.
I usually don’t read many single parents books, meaning I can’t really tell you if I’d enjoy books with this many children. I just can’t relate because I don’t really know any (that I can think of now).
But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like it. I enjoyed reading Valerie Comer’s Maisie character who was recurring in the Arcadia Valley books.
I enjoy books with children in them. (I have four grandchildren, whom I love dearly! Don’t ask me to tell you about them because I can’t stop.) They lighten the mood of any book, as do pets. I love the idea of sea turtle rescue!
Sounds really good.
What a delightful scene! “How did it feel to watch his fellow pirates walk the plank one at a time, leaving him to stand guard alone?” Hilarious!
One grade for the whole time? I love first graders.
Kids can also say things adults never would. lol Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you.
Thanks. I enjoyed writing it. Belle has a bit of sarcastic humor in her.
LOL, all of my books except for my historicals have children in them. They seem to be a natural go-to for me. Have a great day.
Yes , I enjoy reading books involving kids . We have 3 kids , and 9 grandkids . They are good kids but can be ornery at times .
I really enjoy your books . We loved San Antonio when we visited while my dad was in the hospital . The River Walk was beautiful .
Thank you for your kind words. I love getting down to the River Walk whenever possible.
Jolene, congratulations on the new book.
I especially enjoy stories where the kids’ contribution is lighthearted or touching. I just melt when it’s the little, unfiltered voice that hits the emotional nail on the head. :) Thanks for sharing the fun scene! Off the plank and down the hatch!
I love books with children in them. I miss mine being little.
I loved reading this scene! So much fun! This series sounds right up my alley. I love books with child characters in them. 🙂
Thank you
Oh, this sounds sooo good!!! I like having children in stories! They had a lot to them!
I love books with children. And that scene was a hoot! Can’t wait to read the book!
I enjoy both animals and children in stories. I think it makes a story more realistic a lot of times.
I love reading your books! They always have such great adventures with a twist here or there. Of course, I love the family theme throughout all your books!
Yes. I love that about children. Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, mine are all in their twenties. Waiting for grandchildren now. LOL
Thanks for stopping by. Kids add so much to the story. :)
Thank you, Trudy.
Thank you. Kathy.
Yes, animals and kids are the best.
Thanks, Letty. I can’t imagine not creating stories with family. :)
Being the mother of 5, I love stories with children in them. Their indebtedness can be a real boon.
One of the first books I read on my first Kindle was one of tours and I have been hooked ever since.