Shannon here: June Foster shares her inspiration for her latest Contemporary Romance, The Novice Ranch Hand. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for an e-book copy. June is currently traveling and will try to check in, but she may not have internet. In her stead, I’d be happy to chat with her readers and June will catch up when she returns from her trip next week. Deadline: March 30th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s June:
As I wrote The Novice Ranch Hand, I enjoyed a sentimental journey into the past. The idea for this story which takes place on a sheep ranch was inspired by my life as a young child.
My father was heir to a large sheep ranch in west Texas. So, after my parents married, they made the ranch their home. My father raised sheep and sold the wool to the local coop in his town. For years, the business was profitable. Later, however, the foreign wool markets made sheep ranching less lucrative.
In my early years, I have memories of playing with my cousins, riding horses, and exploring the bunk house which was empty at that time.
One recollection I’ll never forget is going swimming in the water storage tank behind the house. My father loved to don his swim suit and take me with him to splash around in the rock structure. The tank was filled with rain water and not used for much anything else at the time.
My grandmother lived in a larger house on the ranch property. I always loved going to the big house for a visit. Often, she would fix a delicious Sunday lunch after church.
Unfortunately, my parents divorced when I was six so my experience of living on a ranch didn’t last long. Nevertheless, my childhood recollections were a valuable inspiration and starting point for writing The Novice Ranch Hand.
Question for Readers: What is a favorite childhood memory?
About June: An award-winning author, June Foster is a retired teacher with a BA in Education and a MA in counseling. June began writing Christian romance in 2010 as she and her husband traveled the US in their RV. Her adventures provide a rich source of information for her novels. She brags about visiting a location before it becomes the setting in her next book.
To date, June has written over thirty contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels and novellas. June uses her training in counseling and her Christian beliefs in creating characters who encounter real-life difficulties yet live victorious lives. She’s published with Winged Publications.
June is active in her church and her ladies’ fellowship group. She enjoys writing devotionals as well as fiction. She frequently attends writers’ conferences such as Blue Lake Writers’ Conference and Florida Christian Writers Conference.
Her novel, The Inn at Cranberry Cove, won the 2021 Selah award for Romantic Suspense. It is available on Amazon in paperback, hardback, and eBook format. In 2023, June won the Ames Award for her book Christmas at Cranberry Cove, book three in the same series. Learn more & connect:
June’s Website June’s Bookbub June’s Facebook
About the book – The Novice Ranch Hand:
Peyton Langley can no longer dwell on what he left behind in the jungles of Peru. Seeking a new life, Peyton answers an ad in the Texas Rancher’s Journal for a job at the prominent Ford Sheep Ranch in Central Texas. Only problem, he knows nothing about ranching.
Erika Ford runs the Ford family sheep ranch in the hill country of Central Texas along with her father and two brothers. She wants to keep the legacy of the Ford ranch alive after her father retires. When a new ranch hand shows up, she pulls a gun on him believing him to be an intruder.
Erika suspects Peyton is hiding a mysterious past, but what? Can she discover the family secret her father keeps from her?
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The Novice Ranch Hand June’s Books
Come back March 22nd for Ellen E. Withers!
I’m boarding our RV for the Blue Lake Writers’ Conference in about an hour so I have a second to say hello. Thank you, Shannon, for allowing me to meet with readers on your blog. I can’t wait to hear about some of those childhood stories that are tucked into your memories, as my early ranch days are in mine. Happy Easter to all. June
Hey June, glad you got to check in. Happy travels. My favorite childhood memories were playing Barbies with my cousin. We had all the houses, condos, convertibles, airplanes and swimming pools. We’d build our barbie world and play for days.
I have a break now at the conference so I wanted to pop in and say hi. I remember well when all the little girls played with Barbies. That was well after my time as my daughters loved Barbies. 😉. Thanks for sharing and will get back to my classes. Lots of information to absorb!!
I played hopscotch when I was little, jump rope, and barbies
I played hopscotch and jump rope too, Debbie. We lived on a street with not a lot of traffic. We’d jump rope in the street and move when cars came. Maybe a dozen a day. Good memories.
My best memories involve creative adventures with my divorced mom and younger sister. Once, we traveled a couple of hours away to a big art museum. We spread a blanket on the front lawn for a picnic, and spent hours walking around looking at all of the exhibits. My imagination was in overdrive as I learned so much about the artists and the world around me.
That sounds fun, Jenny. You made me wonder why most people don’t visit the museum as an adult.
biking
I have a lot of good childhood memories. Among them the many vacations we took as a family
Mark, that is such a blessing. Not every one can say the same. Thanks for your comment.
I have a winner! Debbie McCauley won the drawing. I appreciate June for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Congrats, Debbie. I’ll email you right away.