Discover May's Best New Reads: Stories to Ignite Your Spring Days.

Barbara White Daille

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He's out for revenge--and in for a few surprises!
February 1, 2012

172 comments posted.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (11:08am November 24, 2016):

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating the holiday!

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (11:07am November 24, 2016):

Nancy - those are the best, aren't they! Hope you're getting to spend the day today with family, too.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (11:06am November 24, 2016):

Delta - the first couple of Christmases in my memory were also spent on an island. I still remember the shock of our first Christmas stateside when we had freezing weather and snow!

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (11:03am November 24, 2016):

Deb - I'm sure that made it one of your most memorable Christmas mornings ever.

That's awful to hear about the fire, but I'm glad to see that so much good came from it and that you received so much support from both friends and strangers.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (11:00am November 24, 2016):

Anna - I imagine that doubled the anticipation for your boys! :)

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (10:59am November 24, 2016):

Stephanie - that brings back memories for me, too. We always opened our stockings first.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (2:41pm November 22, 2016):

Hi, Peggy - nice to see you here! No, I never heard that memory before. How wonderful of your grandma and the social worker to make your Christmas a happy one. The holidays are always special for kids, and I'm sure that year it was a super-special one for you.

And what a beautiful tradition for you to pass on to your family!

Thanks for sharing with us.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (2:36pm November 22, 2016):

Jean - I loved when I was a kid and carolers came to our door to sing.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (3:45pm November 21, 2016):

Aww, that's a very precious memory, Patricia!

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (3:44pm November 21, 2016):

That brought a smile for me, Nancy. We didn't have stairs, but we had to wait in the hallway leading from the bedrooms until we got the all-clear. It was a moment filled with anticipation, wasn't it?

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (3:42pm November 21, 2016):

Carol - I would love to have been part of your family on Christmas. I love chocolate-chip cookies! :)

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (3:54pm November 20, 2016):

That's the best part, Pam, isn't it?

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (3:53pm November 20, 2016):

That's a great memory, Angela! I'll bet you added a lot of Christmas cheer to those travelers' day, too. And I'm sure your nephew was thrilled. Hope you took plenty of pictures!

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (8:08pm November 19, 2016):

Oh, Megan - what a sweetheart - he's definitely a keeper!
I'm in tears just reading that story, so I can imagine how you must have felt. Thanks for sharing with us.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (8:05pm November 19, 2016):

Kathleen - that's a great tradition! We listen to Christmas music while we decorate and then afterward, when we sit with hot chocolate and admire the tree.

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (12:22pm November 19, 2016):

Sharon - you've nailed the best thing about the holidays! :)

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (12:21pm November 19, 2016):

Cheryl - we have an assortment of ornaments like that, too. And I don't know about your family, but every year we tend to put the same ornaments in the same places. Talk about traditions! lol

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (10:15am November 19, 2016):

Bonnie - they say Christmas is for kids, and I'm not sure I buy into that completely. ;) But it is true that seeing a child's excitement really makes the day complete. Hope this is a year you'll get to be with the family!

Re: Snowbound with Mr. Wrong (10:13am November 19, 2016):

Colleen - what a special memory! That's one of the things I love about the holidays - they bring us together with people we may not see too often.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (1:47pm August 2, 2015):

Thanks so much, Cissie! It's always happy-dance time around my house when a new book debuts. ;)

And I love both your reasons for reading romance, too.

Hard to believe it's possible, but romances really do hit both sides of the same issue - escaping *and* finding/understanding reality.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (1:43pm August 2, 2015):

Sharon - both of those are great reasons to read romance.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:22pm August 1, 2015):

Love your enthusiasm, Tiffany!! And love those cowboy romances, too!

I know it's hard to see the small cover above, but readers have told me Pete's a real honey and has them very excited. lol

Of course, the combination of sexy cowboy and loving single dad isn't hurting his reputation any, either. lol

Thanks for commenting!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:17pm August 1, 2015):

Denise - that's a great thought about not having to do the work in real life. Sometimes we just want to be swept away from all that and escape. (But don't tell my husband I said so. ;) )

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:15pm August 1, 2015):

Anna - you're not alone with any of these. I'm happy there are so many readers here who think along the lines we do.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:14pm August 1, 2015):

Definitely true for me, too, Wilma. After a stressful day, a warm bath and a good romance is all I need.

Well...okay, and a hug from my dh. :)

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:13pm August 1, 2015):

Connie - great thoughts. This list could just go on and on!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:12pm August 1, 2015):

Cynthia - those are such good reasons for reading romance. Stress relief is a big plus.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:11pm August 1, 2015):

I'm with you, Nancy.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (4:10pm August 1, 2015):

Carol W - both good points. Thanks for sharing.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (1:57pm July 31, 2015):

Flora - I agree 1000 percent!

Feel-good, escapist...whatever we want to call romance, it's a fabulous way to get a break from all the negativity out there. And to put smiles on our faces. :)

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (1:55pm July 31, 2015):

Joan - you're very welcome.

And you're right as far as I'm concerned - living vicariously through the characters adds lots of excitement to our lives. Mystery and romantic suspense stories can take that up a notch, too.

Thanks for dropping in.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (6:28pm July 30, 2015):

Vera - we all need a break from the gloom and doom once in a while. Though my books always have something the characters need to learn, the stories are always on the lighter side and I hope they're fun for readers.

And I'm so with you on loving happy endings.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (6:25pm July 30, 2015):

Nancy - romances are definitely escapist literature in my mind, too.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (6:24pm July 30, 2015):

Thanks so much, Elaine. I love to talk books.

And I hope you enjoy Pete and Jane's story.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (6:23pm July 30, 2015):

'NUFF SAID, Emily!! lol

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (6:22pm July 30, 2015):

Love those twists, Tammy! They keep us turning pages waiting for them to happen.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (8:46am July 30, 2015):

Holly - you're so welcome, and thank you very much, too, for the congrats. I'm always so thrilled to have a new book out! ;)

You've hit on several great reasons readers love historical romance. They love being swept back in time and (even in contemporary books) to different settings.

We really have no boundaries when we read, do we? And isn't that just awesome!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (8:42am July 30, 2015):

You're very welcome, Sherry. And thanks for the compliment.

Reviews are always appreciated. They're a wonderful way of getting the word out about stories.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (8:40am July 30, 2015):

Me, too, Vicki. I learn so much from reading romance.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (8:39am July 30, 2015):

Desiree - isn't it awesome when we get hooked on the stories of the secondary characters, too? I love reading about them in future books - AND being able to see how the previous heroes and heroines are doing.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (8:03pm July 29, 2015):

Daniela - feel-good was going to be one of my top choices, too, but I thought I should rein myself in before the list got too long. ;) It's amazing how many F words we could come up with.

And yes, that uplifting, there-is-hope feeling is a wonderful thing to be left with when you close the covers of a book.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (7:59pm July 29, 2015):

Jeri - virtually all my stories do have kids, and they really lighten up a romance - or add a lot of conflict!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (7:56pm July 29, 2015):

Another good one, G.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (12:50pm July 29, 2015):

Good one, Colleen. That's what it's all about.

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (10:22am July 29, 2015):

Love that response, Deb.

I also love that romances teach us how to see both sides so we can solve those problems.

Thanks for stopping by!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (9:27am July 29, 2015):

Hi, Peggy - good to see you here! Thanks for the compliment and congrats. All my books are special to me, and of course, Pete and Jane's story is, too. ;) Glad you like the sound of it.

And I agree. Those feel-good emotions are what I want to take with me when I finish a romance!

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (9:24am July 29, 2015):

I'm with you, Marissa. BTW, I love your name. In fact, it's the name of my heroine in the first book I sold (though the second that was published - Court Me, Cowboy).

Re: A Rancher of Her Own (9:22am July 29, 2015):

Hi, readers! I'm looking forward to chatting and will be in and out for the next few days. Thanks for stopping in.

Re: Her Summer with the Marine (9:30am March 19, 2014):

Your stories always leave me with a happy sigh.

Yes, to both of the above! I love series books. ;) And I
do love returning back to a familiar town, especially if
it's populated by quirky characters.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:15pm April 29, 2013):

Hi, everyone - just wanted to wrap up and say thanks again to Fresh Fiction for inviting me to chat and a big "thank you!" to those of you who stopped by and commented.

I hope you'll look for me out and about on Facebook, Twitter, and at my website.

All my best,
Barbara

Re: Honorable Rancher (6:05pm April 28, 2013):

Love the comments! Please keep 'em coming.

I'll be back.

Re: Honorable Rancher (6:04pm April 28, 2013):

Hi, Linda - thanks for sharing that fun story. I love that Mom was right!

If you enjoy Western heroes such as ranchers, cowboys, and sheriffs, then I hope you'll take a look at Ben and the rest of my heroes. ;)

They all fit the description, except for one lawyer in the bunch. And if you think fondly of the elderly people who lived near you, you might try out his book (Family Matters). It includes a bunch of senior citizens most people thought were a real hoot. LOL

Thanks again for stopping in, and three cheers for Mom!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:22pm April 27, 2013):

Hi, Cece - I'm sorry you didn't have a boy next door near you, but I hope those farm & ranch boys helped to make up for it, at least when you were growing up. :)

Sounds like your city boy was worth the wait, and I wish you many more years of twists and turns.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:17pm April 27, 2013):

Debbi - my pleasure!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:16pm April 27, 2013):

Linda - you're welcome, and thanks for stopping in.

Re: Honorable Rancher (9:10pm April 27, 2013):

Charlene - isn't ti great we can choose from so many types of heroes (and characters)?

Re: Honorable Rancher (9:08pm April 27, 2013):

Alisha - thanks! Hope you like it.

Re: Honorable Rancher (9:06pm April 27, 2013):

Barbara - nice to meet another Barbara!

And thanks for the support - I hope you enjoy the story.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:35pm April 27, 2013):

Carla - many great relationships are based on pure friendship first.

And, oh! - you would love Ben. ;)

Thanks for stopping by.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:33pm April 27, 2013):

Kent - good one! ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:20pm April 27, 2013):

Thanks to everyone who has stopped in to chat so far, and if you haven't left a comment yet--or you have and want to chat some more, don't be shy.

While I have you, I just want to say thanks for the kind comments about my books. As I say above, A Rancher's Pride is special special to me. ;)

So is Honorable Rancher. I knowingly took a bit of a risk with this one, since Ben is such a thoroughly good guy. But he is who he is. And Dana loves him for it. Eventually. ;)

Will be back later!

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:15pm April 27, 2013):

Shirley - thank you so much--I hope you enjoy the book.

I did tease above about heroes in uniform--and I do mean it. They look good!

But on the more serious note, my dad and other family members have been in different branches of armed services. It's humbling to think of the sacrifices made by all men and women who serve.

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:08pm April 27, 2013):

Hi, Betty - thank you so much! My mom became very hard of hearing in her later years, so I understand about that in a family.

All my books are special to me, but A Rancher's Pride is special special. ;) And, except for one little oops I caught myself, I'm thrilled to have gotten lots of positive reader mail about little Becky and how sign language is woven into the story.

If you win or pick up a copy of A Rancher's Pride, I sincerely hope you enjoy it.

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:03pm April 27, 2013):

Marjorie - I doubt there's a problem for anyone looking for that middle ground. So many great books out there to choose from!

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:00pm April 27, 2013):

Anna - score another point for a good story. Thanks!

Re: Honorable Rancher (2:56pm April 27, 2013):

Pam - you're in the right place. ;) I think that's the majority of us here.

Re: Honorable Rancher (2:55pm April 27, 2013):

Sheila - absolutely. A great ending is a must and so worth the wait.

Re: Honorable Rancher (2:52pm April 27, 2013):

Carol - excellent point. A good story--to me, one that's believeable--can make us care about characters we might not like at first sight.

Re: Honorable Rancher (2:47pm April 27, 2013):

Lisa - it is nice to have it all, isn't it? I don't even care if it has to be in fiction. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (2:46pm April 27, 2013):

Brittany - you're so right. Plus, they look awesome in uniform! (I'm a romance writer, It's part of my job description to notice these things. )

Good luck to you!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:50pm April 26, 2013):

NOTE TO ALL -

I'll be back to chat over the weekend and then some, so please feel free to leave comments.

Thanks!

Barbara

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:46pm April 26, 2013):

Tracie - that's true for me, too. Like Peggy, I don't really care for the extremes but I always like heroes that show more than one side.

Good point about going by how we feel, also. There are times I love to curl up with a beta and other times I've just got to have an alpha. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:42pm April 26, 2013):

Peggy - luckily, it does exist, and in romance novels we call the man in that package a theta hero--a mixture of both.

Alphas and betas aren't all one or the other, either. An alpha can be tender--and don't we love it when he is! And a beta can be strong, tough, and protective when the situation calls for it. That's why I like to say, for example, a beta man like Ben is definitely not vanilla. ;)

A sense of humor is a great aspect of a hero, too.

Thanks a bunch for the comments!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:27pm April 26, 2013):

Thanks, Deb. I appreciate the comment!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:27pm April 26, 2013):

Janis - I agree. That type of man makes a wonderful hero.

Hugs to you about the real-life situation.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:23pm April 26, 2013):

Angelina - thank you so much! I appreciate the support and hope you enjoy the story.

Re: Honorable Rancher (6:14pm April 26, 2013):

Denise - thanks--I appreciate it! Good luck to you, also.

Re: Honorable Rancher (6:13pm April 26, 2013):

Jane - thanks so much. Good luck!

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:33pm April 26, 2013):

Colleen - we can\'t forget the bad boys. ;)

The search is half the fun! Enjoy looking for that guy of yours, and good luck finding him.

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:07pm April 26, 2013):

Elaine - what a great story and wonderful real-life hero you have!

You\'re so right--every relationship has ups and downs but the love is still there.

And I definitely agree, variety is the spice of life. We\'re so lucky to be able to have the best of all types of heroes in romance novels.

Thanks for dropping in!

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:03pm April 26, 2013):

Hello, everyone! I\'m looking forward to chatting, so please feel free to jump in and leave a comment.

Re: Honorable Rancher (4:02pm June 25, 2012):

Hi, Amy - isn't it amazing how even small libraries can hold so many good books inside?

No worries on the keyboard. My computer's always giving me grief, too.


Thanks so much for the compliment! You made my day. I'm thrilled that you enjoy the books.

Re: Honorable Rancher (4:46pm June 24, 2012):

Jane - reading is definitely a great escape. Actually (as I may even have said above), it's my #1 stress reliever!

Re: Honorable Rancher (12:10pm June 22, 2012):

Rita - it sure does! We were just talking about that about.

I hope your children also pass it along to theirs.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:56am June 22, 2012):

Patricia P - me, too--I haven't lived in too many different places, but wherever I am, I must have a library card.

Thanks for your encouragement on the writing! That and reading will always be part of my life, for sure.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:51am June 22, 2012):

Gladys - same at my house. Probably too many books, in my husband's opinion. LOL

If you have kids and grandkids, what a good example you're setting. As I'd said to Patti P above, it's wonderful when people pass down their love of reading.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:11pm June 21, 2012):

Ann T - I'm a tea drinker, too, so I understand that completely.

Now, if I could just stay away from the cookies... ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:09pm June 21, 2012):

Diane S - you're so right. There's a lot to be learned from books, fiction or non!

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:07pm June 21, 2012):

Hi, Jane! We sound alike in where we found our interest in reading.

Awesome about the original Jane Eyre...a book lover's dream.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:05pm June 21, 2012):

Sigrun S - the good news is, you got the gene from one of your parents, and that's enough to make for an avid reader. ;)

As I've mentioned somewhere up above, I'm really more of a fiction reader, but I do dip into non-fiction from time to time. That's what's so great about reading--there's something out there for every reader for every taste for every mood.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:00pm June 21, 2012):

Brenda H - that love of books really does last a lifetime, doesn't it?

And I know the Friends of the Library must really love you!

May you read many, many more books.

Re: Honorable Rancher (7:57pm June 21, 2012):

Alyson W - me, too. I don't like to get too far away from a book.

Love your play on words. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (7:55pm June 21, 2012):

Michelle - wasn't that just the best feeling!

I don't recall the Basil books but definitely remember all the others, and I've still got a copy of almost every book Agatha Christie wrote (under her own name).

Re: Honorable Rancher (4:19pm June 21, 2012):

Elaine - what a story.

You know, my author bio shares my feeling about storytelling...which is included at the top of this page.

With the way reading brought you two together, it just seems to prove my point about the magic of storytelling.

Re: Honorable Rancher (4:07pm June 21, 2012):

Clare O - yes, it's been wonderful to hear everyone's stories!

It's sad that you and your friends didn't have more access to fresh books. Kids today are *so* lucky and don't even know it. (I'm starting to sound like my grandmother! LOL)

As for reading books again and again, you know, when I'm overworked, my old favorites are great stress-relievers.

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:59pm June 21, 2012):

Shirley N - LOL on the flashlight. I used to do that, too. And I mentioned above about losing out on sleep. But so many times, it's worth it!

Re: Honorable Rancher (3:57pm June 21, 2012):

Kellie Jo C - wow - that's an accomplishment! Glad to hear you're still into it. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (1:10am June 21, 2012):

Patti P - LOL - I certainly agree with you there! But who wants to clean house when there's the choice of diving into a book? ;)

That's fabulous to know you've passed your love of reading down to your kids and grandkids. As far as I'm concerned, everyone needs books in their lives!

Re: Honorable Rancher (1:06am June 21, 2012):

Peggy R - when it comes to writing, sometimes the older a person is and the more life they've experienced, the better. And many people don't begin to focus on writing until they've retired from another job.

There are so many helpful websites and articles and groups on the Internet, plus resources available at the local library, too, for almost any type of writing a person might want to do. Your town's school district or a nearby community college might offer adult education classes, also. They're often not for college credit but are classes you can take to improve different skills.

Do some Internet searching. And don't forget to check with your local librarian. He or she can point you in the right direction.

Best of luck to you!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:04pm June 20, 2012):

Patricia B - me, too!

A day without at least SOME time immersed in a book just leaves me so dissatisfied. If not downright cranky. LOL

I've always been more into fiction than nonfiction. Even as a kid, I lived variously through the characters. And I'm so with you on Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. LOVED those books. Wasn't it awesome that there were so many of them?

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:00pm June 20, 2012):

Umm...Shonda...? As mentioned, my three books above are ready and waiting for your reading pleasure. LOL

Seriously, I do know how hard it is to wait for books to come out!

I so wish I had your ability to speed-read. My TBR pile is HUMONGOUS and I just will never get to all of those books.

I can be like you about not wanting to put a book down, though. I've lost a lot of sleep that way.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:55pm June 20, 2012):

Hi, Elaine! Great story about your male neighbor introducing you to romance novels. He did you a great service. ;)

I love that you help out the overworked library clerks by putting the books in order!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:51pm June 20, 2012):

Joanne H - sometimes those "light bulb" moments take a while. As I just said to Kai, I *still* haven't bloomed (or lit up) on some things. LOL

And, oh, do I miss those summers when I had the time to read for days on end!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:49pm June 20, 2012):

Kai W - I can so relate! Not to the reading, since I did start that early on, but definitely to being a late bloomer with the other things--if I even bloomed at all.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:06pm June 20, 2012):

Linda L - you definitely had enough positive reinforcement about the value of reading!

And your dad sounds like a great role model. My dad was not a big reader at all, although he did like his Westerns, too.

Re: Honorable Rancher (8:02pm June 20, 2012):

Shirley Y - I like that!

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:58pm June 20, 2012):

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by so far. If I've missed responding to any comments, please know it was unintentional--and give me a holler! ;)

See you later.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:56pm June 20, 2012):

Mary T - it IS such fun!

Honestly, reading really is up there as one of my favorite things to do.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:54pm June 20, 2012):

Colleen C - romance novels have a reputation for getting people started reading! I'm glad you've joined the book-loving bunch, too. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:52pm June 20, 2012):

Pam H - sounds like a good chance for your dad to have alone time with you and your brother/sister(s).

I'll bet that was one special birthday!

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:49pm June 20, 2012):

Hi, Connie F - thanks for the compliment! Glad you enjoyed the post.

What a wonderful double benefit for you and your grandmother.

And when I was a kid, my first "big, brave, challenge" was getting up the nerve for my first solo ride on the bus--to go to the main library. Thanks for the reminder of that memory.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:45pm June 20, 2012):

Beth F - I'm with you! Being able to walk to a library is fantastic.

A bummer that those fines don't go to support of the library.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:41pm June 20, 2012):

Laura G - what a smart mom you have! I'm wondering if the treat made you want to go to your violin lessons, too. ;)

Yes, libraries are great places to work. I'd imagine bookstores are, too.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:39pm June 20, 2012):

Anna S - how cool is that, that you found something you enjoyed so much! That's what I love about books--there's something for everyone, for every mood.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:38pm June 20, 2012):

Sue F - the library has always been one of my favorite places...obviously. ;) I have "real" friends, too, but I love the ones I go back to visit in books.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:36pm June 20, 2012):

Sheila T - I know this is such a cliche, but good things DO come to those who wait! ;) Glad you're one of the bunch now.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:35pm June 20, 2012):

Denise S - that is awesome! Keep it up--it will open up whole new worlds to your kids.

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:34pm June 20, 2012):

Nancy R - thanks so much!

Re: Honorable Rancher (5:34pm June 20, 2012):

Chelsea K - my trouble is I love to read a book from cover to cover or at least in just a couple of sittings, and there's not usually time for me to do that any more with bigger books. When I do find time, it's a real treat.

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:27am June 20, 2012):

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by, and best of luck in the drawing!

I believe I'm caught up on messages for now, but as I said earlier, I'll be checking in for a few days. Please feel free to leave comments or questions.

And I hope y'all will drop by and visit my online home, too:

www.barbarawhitedaille.com

See you later!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:24am June 20, 2012):

Debbi S - well, that's good to know!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:23am June 20, 2012):

Mary Pau - oh, thanks for that great memory! I worked in the department where the new books were catalogued and got to see them, too. It was better than Christmas--and arrived much more often. LOL

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:21am June 20, 2012):

Wilma F - thanks so much for the compliment! If you do win the book (or pick up one of my other books), I very much hope you enjoy it.

And you're right, moving books can be a real chore. And they take up a lot of space, but as much as my friends rave about their e-readers (and I'll probably get one, too), I know I'll always have to have a book to hold in my hand. Especially all my keepers!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:16am June 20, 2012):

Barbara H - romances are amazing, aren't they?

You can learn about people, too. I even learn a lot about myself while writing about my characters and their stories, and I hope my readers feel that way, also.

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:14am June 20, 2012):

Diane B - thanks for the memory! I remember those Golden Books and loved them.

And yes, reading's "in my blood" too.

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:12am June 20, 2012):

Lori Y - the audio books definitely help foster the love of being read to.

I think it's wonderful that you had the opportunity to listen to your mom read aloud even when you got a little older, too. Some kids don't ever have the chance at all.

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:08am June 20, 2012):

Diane S - reading to kids is a great way to get them interested in books, isn't it--even those who might not have become readers otherwise.

Your "Library School" sounds like a great experience!

Re: Honorable Rancher (11:05am June 20, 2012):

Hey, folks, I just realized I should be using last names or initials, since we've got a few people with the same first names. Will try to remember to do so from here on. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:59am June 20, 2012):

Bonnie - LOL I know what you mean! That's why I'm SO glad that I learned to become a "re-reader" of my favorite authors.

FYI - if you win the book in the drawing--or pick up one of my books--and enjoy it, I *do* have a few in backlist. ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:49am June 20, 2012):

Mary - that's the way to do it!

My dad was not a reader, but he built some huge bookcases for all of our books. When I got my first apartment, bookshelves were VERY high on my must-have list.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:46am June 20, 2012):

Clare - I always wished I'd been reading at that age, too. Think of how many more kids' books I'd have been exposed to! LOL

And I LOVED Nancy Drew!

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:44am June 20, 2012):

Hi, Sharon - we used to spend a month in the country every summer, and once a week my grandfather would take me to town to the library. The problem was, I always had the books finished by the next day! LOL

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:41am June 20, 2012):

Marjorie - didn't it make you so proud to be able to print your name and get that library card? It's a feeling and experience I've never forgotten.

And what a great dad to take you to the library! He was helping you set some wonderful habits, wasn't he?

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:39am June 20, 2012):

Cate - that was awesome of you to donate all those books, both for the great cause and for the chance to give so many others the opportunity to enjoy the stories.

And if we ever have to move again, I plan to be close to a library, too.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:36am June 20, 2012):

Hi, Kathleen - you're so right--they take you to another world! And to me, offer another way to make friends that I could go back and visit again and again. And I do that, for sure.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:34am June 20, 2012):

Cathy - I started young with reading romance, too. Now, I mostly love to read (and write) the sweeter books. But they make great escapes, don't they? ;)

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:32am June 20, 2012):

Mary - that's fabulous that your own siblings were readers, too. I wish all my sisters had picked up a love of reading from me (and my mom). They do read now, but a couple of them weren't as into when they were younger, and I know they missed so many wonderful kids' books.

Re: Honorable Rancher (10:28am June 20, 2012):

Hi, Fresh Fiction readers!

A big thanks to you for stopping by this blog post and to all the folks at Fresh Fiction for inviting me here to chat.

I'll be following up to check for messages for the next few days, so don't hesitate to leave a comment or question, even if it's after the blog day.

Off to read....

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (5:12pm March 3, 2012):

Jaden - it's interesting to see how people have responded to this question with such opposite experiences. I'm glad yours were all good ones.

Glad you liked the excerpt! If you read the book, I hope you enjoy it.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (9:23am March 3, 2012):

Cate - that's a very good point. In some cases, people will probably not feel the need to go to reunions because they keep in touch--and can make plans to get together--on their own.

In other cases, maybe where people live far apart from each other, I'd guess it would make reunions even more fun, because if you've kept in contact, you could have so much more to talk about.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (9:21am March 3, 2012):

Mary - I would definitely count family as a reunion, so it looks as though you qualify. ;)

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (10:37pm March 2, 2012):

Peggy - that's a wonderful class reunion story, and I'm glad you have that to look forward to now. It sounds like you do what you can at the family reunions, too.

Thanks so much for your kind words about my book! I appreciate your thoughts very much.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (10:20am March 2, 2012):

Pam - that is awesome! There are so many people who have never been to one.

And you're right--it's a good opportunity to catch up.

Thanks for posting.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (7:29am March 2, 2012):

LL - thanks so much! I'm glad you like the sound of the book and appreciate your comment.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (10:39pm March 1, 2012):

Wendy - you could be right! I think *many* people haven't grown up enough to go to their first few reunions!

Hope you have fun at the next one.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (9:32pm March 1, 2012):

Ann - so funny how we're seeing two sides of the same coin here today! Hope you have fun.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (9:30pm March 1, 2012):

Patti - that's too bad about your experience.

It must have been interesting to connect so well (though for not-so-good reasons) with a former teacher.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (9:28pm March 1, 2012):

Cheryl - I think you're right!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (6:52pm March 1, 2012):

Linda - that's a sad story, for both you and your friend. I'm sorry to hear it.

I hope that someday you are able to go back to your reunions.

As for the cowboy stories, they're a good addiction to have. I love reading--and writing--'em.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (6:47pm March 1, 2012):

Alyson - I do know what you mean. There's such a big difference between past and present! And sometimes it can be a shock in either direction. LOL

And chances are, more than a few people wish the same thing you (and I) do.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (6:44pm March 1, 2012):

Stacie - so true! It's as though the characters have to learn the hard way before they can appreciate what they've lost.

Thanks for posting.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:50pm March 1, 2012):

Caught up for now. Will be back later.

Thanks to everyone who dropped in so far!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:49pm March 1, 2012):

Colleen - you're very welcome.

And if you look for the books, I sincerely hope you enjoy them.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:48pm March 1, 2012):

Hi, Anna - reunions do make a great way to catch up, and some people like them especially because of the chance to see each other in person once in a while.

I'm glad you like the sound of the book--thanks so much!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:43pm March 1, 2012):

orraine, you have me in tears. I'm happy for you that you were able to do that for your parents, and I know it must've been a gift beyond compare for them.

What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:41pm March 1, 2012):

Hi, Rhonda - thanks so much for the comment! I love those stories, too. It's just so great to see things work out and for the hero to have his happy ending.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:39pm March 1, 2012):

Hi, Edna - that definitely is a point.

My friend who is up to her 65th or so reunion has been very, very fortunate.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:36pm March 1, 2012):

Pam - to each her own!

And I have a friend who feels exactly the same way.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:34pm March 1, 2012):

Since I just responded to someone out of order, now's probably a good time for me to stop and say:

I don't plan to leave anyone out. I'll get to all messages. If I somehow accidentally skip yours, please give me another shout!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:33pm March 1, 2012):

Carla - there definitely are pros and cons to every situation. For some of us, reunions are just not in the picture.

(And apologies--I replied to you out of order!)

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:31pm March 1, 2012):

Barbara - I love to read about reunions, too--as Marjorie said, living vicariously.

And that's another thing about books, of course, is that they open our eyes to other worlds--and other eras. For example, Regency England.

Bet you'll get to a reunion before I get back to that time. ;)

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:25pm March 1, 2012):

Becky - I think if you'll keep reading the comments for this blog, you might have made up your mind by the end. LOL

And you're welcome regarding the giveaway--my pleasure!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:23pm March 1, 2012):

Marjorie - you sound like a very good older friend of mine who is *always* ready for her next reunion! And she's up to her...60th, I think, with her grade school.

I know it's hard for her to have to find out about those who are no longer with us, but each reunion gives the class opportunity to celebrate those who are gone and reaffirm their lifelong friendships with those who are left.

May all your reunions be wonderful!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:17pm March 1, 2012):

Chelsea - thanks so much! I will say I had a ton of fun writing this book, as I do with all my stories.

I love to add matchmakers and quirky characters. And kids--who are always a hoot all by themselves. LOL

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:15pm March 1, 2012):

Hi, Maureen - I so agree about being able to live vicariously through the characters. I think we learn from them, too--or at least, I do. And romances are especially valuable because those lessons are about our feelings and emotions.

As for the reunions, some are better than others, depending on what links the group--family, school, sports team, bridge club, etc. You know what I mean?

FYI, the giveaway book is A RANCHER'S PRIDE, in which the hero learns he's the daddy of a four-year-old daughter who is deaf.

In THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER, I don't dwell on Caleb's physical condition (because after all, every person is so much more than that) but it definitely is part of his character.

If you happen to win A RANCHER'S PRIDE or pick up either of the books, I do hope you enjoy them!

Thanks for your comments!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (4:01pm March 1, 2012):

I'm back and ready to jump into with replies! Thanks for your comments.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:42am March 1, 2012):

I see other comments but don't want to rush through my replies, so please forgive me for ducking back to my deadline. I'll be with y'all again later. Keep those comments and stories coming!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:40am March 1, 2012):

Natasha - then you have something to look forward to!

Hope your first reunion is a great experience.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:39am March 1, 2012):

Kathleen - yes, some of the stories can be so sad, can't they? Luckily, there are often wonderful ones, too, about people who have had good fortune and are raising happy families, etc. If people are lucky, the good will outweigh the bad--at least for most of the reunions.

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:33am March 1, 2012):

Tracie - I know what you mean. There are many things I prefer just reading about. LOL

Thanks for the good wishes!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:32am March 1, 2012):

Hi, Margie - it really is funny to watch those little lizards, isn't it? And they're so cute!

Good luck with your reunion. Hope you have a great time!

And thanks for the kind words about the book. I hope you'll take a look at it.

Thanks for being our very first commenter!

Re: The Rodeo Man's Daughter (8:29am March 1, 2012):

Hi! And thanks for all the comments already this morning.

I'm looking forward to chatting!

Right now, I'm at crunch point on a deadline, so I'll be responding to a few comments. Then, later today, I'll be returning to catch up and hang out.

Here we go...