Debra Clopton

It's a New Year and I'm Celebrating with a New Website and Blog!

2011-12-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

It's been a fantastic 2011 for me and I pray it has been one for you also! In the picture, though the color is dark :) I'm using this photo because its of me in my hotel room in New York when I was there for the 2011 RWA (Romance Writers of America Conference) behind me, right beside my head is the New Years Ball with the 2011 sign. Tonight that sign will change and so will my website and my blog! After 6 years its time to change and so for several months we've been working on a new one and it will be changing over on New Years day :) YAY! I love my old site but the new site will be much more interactive. Also my blog will be connected and my resolution is to blog a little more! We shall see. Anyway I hope you all have a Happy New Year and Blessed New Year.

Work and Play-I love my job!

2011-10-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

I'm having a great time this week! I'm visiting my family!!! My son Kris and his wife Heidi and my granddaughter Taycie--oh God is sooo good :) and I'm having a blessed and joyful week I can tell you. I'm also working, which is a wonderful thing to be able to load up my computer and get things done while I'm having such a great time.

I'm working on my next story which is the third story in my new Mule Hollow Homecoming series about the 3 Holden brothers Luke, Jess and Colt. The first book is below in the prior blog post. In this story Her Homecoming Cowboy, (Aug 2012) I'm dealing with a backdrop of Texas like it has been this summer, with the drought and the fires. And I'm dealing with a cute little boy six year old named Leo. As I write about Leo and his Aunt Annie (who he calls Annie Aunt because as a little fella he just couldn't get it straight which word went first) anyway, as I write about Leo and Annie and her fierce, protective love for her little nephew--I feel that all the way through my soul for my little granddaughter. So yes I'm working :) I'm writing words for the story each morning and doing research all day long playing with Taycie. Gosh, I never knew research could be so fun!

I'm also checking out new ideas as my webmistress Kim Davis of Sublime Design creates a new website layout for me! I love my old site so much but its time for a new look and some new content. We are aiming for easier ways for me to do some updating myself so that I can be more in touch through the site! I'm looking forward to it all and it should be ready soon.

Thanks for stopping in and I hope you have a great day today!
Until next time, live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts :)
Debbie

HER RODEO COWBOY by Debra Clopton

2011-09-06T17:43:00.000-07:00

HER RODEO COWBOY is my latest book and is on shelves now around the country. You can find it at Walmart, Hastings, Waldens, Barns and Noble, Books a Million and most all bookstores. Also on line you can find it along with my back list of books at Amazon.com, cbd.com, Walmart.com and other online bookstores.

Check out the blurb http://debraclopton.com

Watch for the next two books in this new Mule Hollow Homecomng Trilogy following the 3 Holden brothers, Luke, Jess and Colt.

Happy reading :) and until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts!
Debra Clopton

New York Here I Come! National Romance Writers of America Conference June 27-July 1

2011-06-22T07:32:00.000-07:00

I'm excited! I'm holed up in a little cabin today with the rain drizzling outside as I pound out the last few pages of my May 2012 release LONE STAR COWBOY. This is the 2nd book in my trilogy Mule Hollow Homecoming series...which is a series within a series of my Mule Hollow series. I know, it sounds confusing but it really isn't :) These three books will still be set in Mule Hollow they just feature the Holden Brothers! Luke, Jess and Colt. Luke's story, HER RODEO COWBOY comes out in September 2011 and I can't wait for y'all to see the cover! Talk about a good looking cowboy :)

I'll be mailing this book out on Monday morning as Chuck and I head to the airport bound for New York! (RWA) Romance Writers of America National conference is there on Times Square at the Marriott and its a great place. It will be fun showing Chuck around New York and also his first romance writers conference. I can explain it to him all day long but until you actually see 2500 hundred romance writing women in one spot you just don't get the whole picture. He will be attending the Rita Awards with me on Friday night and that is when everyone is gathered together for the "Oscars" of the romance industry. Very fun. And very huge. Again, this year my two friends and fellow writers Linda Goodnight and Irene Hannon are up for the Rita in the Inspirational Category--along with several other extremely talented authors. Good luck ladies!

On Tuesday to kick off the conference RWA will host their annual Readers For Life Literacy autographing. There will be 500 authors gathered together at the Marriott Marquis from 5:30-7:30 its free to come and all proceeds go to the program. All proceeds go to help adult literacy so come see me and everyone else! So far since 1991 RWA has raised more than 670,000 ! Its really a cool thing to see when you walk in that huge room and see that many authors together. The sound alone of everyone talking is crazy! Also the Love Inspired authors are doing a group promo called The Little Inspy Trading Card game. There are about 31 Love Inspired Authors participating and we have each had a business sized trading card made up. Mine is of the above book cover--the game is that you come to the signing and go by each authors booth, get a card and take them to be validated by Lenora Worth, Janet Tronstad or Missy Tippins. The reader with the most cards wins a $100 dollar amazon gift card. If there is a tie I believe there is a drawing. Good luck and looking forward to handing out my Little Inspy Trading cards :)

Also, I've posted a picture of my re-release of my first two Mule Hollow books. (which I've also used as my trading card) It came out as a Classic in March and I was thrilled. I'm happy to say that they will be re-releasing my 3rd and 4th books, NO PLACE LIKE HOME and DREAM A LITTLE DREAM in a 2-n-1 book like the first two in May of 2012! I'm thrilled.

Okay, gotta run and finish this book! Hugs, and good luck!

Pella Tulip Festival--Pella Iowa a Great Place to Visit

2011-05-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

Above are some of the gorgeous pictures of tulips we saw when we visited Pella Iowa this month during their annual Tulip Festival. It was beautiful. If you ever get the chance to take a road trip this little town is a very neat place to spend some time. In the top pictures you see the windmill that is the focal point of the town. In the picture of me on the bridge in the red sweater you see in the background the historic Amsterdam Hotel where we stayed. It is a very neat place to visit and is right there on the square so it makes easy walking to see the town, shop and enjoy. In the picuture of Chuck and I, we were in the Tulip garden behind the historic home of the founders of the town. Isn't it beautiful! My mind was just going crazy with inspiration while I walked the streets. My own fictional town of Mule Hollow has great character and this little town reminded me of portions of it because of the neat shops and the way the people who live here seemed to enjoy themselves. Visit http://pellatuliptime.com for more information on the town. Pella Windows is also a huge part of this town.

Just wanted to give y'all a peek at Pella but I'll be back soon. Watch for my next book Her Rodeo Cowboy which won't be out until September but remember THE TROUBLE WITH LACY BROWN and AND BABY MAKES FIVE have been rereleased as a two book Classic so if you have friends who want copis of those they are now available. I also just got word that in March (I believe) my 3rd and 4th books NO PLACE LIKE HOME and DREAM A LITTLE DREAM will be rereleased in Classic form so I am really excited about that!!!

Until next time live, laugh, and seek God with all your hearts,

Debra Clopton

Debra Clopton's New Releases and Complete Book List

2011-03-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited this month!
Not only do I have my second anthology with Janet Tronstad releasing this month Small Town Moms, but I also have my very first Love Inspired Classic coming out which is my two books reprinted together in one book. I love this!

When I wrote The Trouble with Lacy Brown and introduced Mule Hollow I never, ever believed I would be writing my 19th book with more on the way set in Mule Hollow. I originally created Mule Hollow as a place that invited you to stop inside, park your worries and cares at the door for a little while and relax with your friends for a little while. Little did I know that after the three books I thought would be the end of my little town that readers would embrace it so much that I would still be creating more stories set there. Its been a wonderful ride and I've come to talk about my people there as if they were my family. People ask often for a complete list of Mule Hollow books so here it is...I hope if you're enjoying them that you'll grab a copy of the new Classic of THE TROUBLE WITH LACY BROWN and AND BABY MAKES FIVE and you'll give it to a friend and invite them to step into Mule Hollow with me and the gang! And then my novella in Small-Town Moms: A MOM FOR MULE HOLLOW is the latest installment and a story I realy enjoyed this story.

Debra Clopton's book list:
1 The Trouble with Lacy Brown
2 And Baby Makes Five
3 No Place Like Home
4 Dream a Little Dream
5 Meeting Her Match
5 Her Baby Dreams
6 Operation: Married by Christmas
7 Next Door Daddy
8 Cowboy Takes a Bride
9 Texas Ranger Dad
10 Small Town Brides anthology: A Match For Mule Hollow
11 Lone Star Cinderella (where the Turner family of Men Of Mule Hollow is introduced Seth's story)
12 His Cowgirl Bride
13 Her Forever Cowboy (Men of Mule Hollow Cole's story)
14 Cowboy For Keeps (Men of Mule Hollow Wyatt's story)
15 Yukon Cowboy (Alaskan Brides series)
16 Yultide Cowboy (Men of Mule Hollow Chances story)
17 Classic: Reissue of The Trouble with Lacy Brown / And Baby Makes Five
18 Small Town Mom's: A Mom for Mule Hollow
19 coming in September 2011 Her Rodeo Cowboy

Thanks for dropping by, until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts,
Debra Clopton

YULTIDE COWBOY Debra Clopton December 2010 release

2011-01-03T03:13:00.000-08:00

After three years in the Mule Hollow Women's shelter, single mother Lynn Perry is finally spending the holiday in her own house. And then the town's matchmakers send over a hunky cowboy to hang Christmas lights...Lynn hopes there's no mistletoe around. With her painful past how can she trust a man again? Especially former bull rider and current pastor Chance Turner, who isn't planning on sticking around--or ever preaching again. Unless Lynn, her twin boys and the towns matchmakers help her yultide cowboy see he is the answer to a family's--and a town's--Christmas prayer.

My Wedding--Debra Clopton

2010-09-29T04:49:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to let my readers and friends know that I was married to Chuck Parks on Sept 18 in a wonderful ceremony at our church. Here are a sample of the photos provided by my photographer--I'll update later when I have the edited photos! I loved everything about the wedding. It was simple--my two sons walked me down the aisle, my two best friends stood beside me while Chuck's sons stood beside him. Our parents and about 300 friends and family, including my daughter-n-law and granddaughter and Chuck's sister and brother-n-law and their newborn triplets gathered at the church to celebrate with us. It was beautiful and so very special. We were blessed to go to Kauai Hawaii for our honeymoon and I'll update the blog later with photos from both the wedding and Kauai :) Until then, live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts,

Debra Clopton-Parks

RWA National Conference

2010-08-02T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I just arrived home from the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Orlando Florida. It was as usual a fantastic conference. There are so many great reasons for me to go to this conference. Let me list a few....meet with my publishers--my editors a really great and wonderful thing...also to hear from our publisher on how Love Inspired is doing in the market right now (which is they are doing awesome!!! thanks to you the readers choosing to pick up our books and read them) and then of course to go to workshops put on by the fantastic list of authors such as Debbie Mccomber and other top authors in the industry. All authors must continue to listen and learn in this industry. Other reasons I need to go is it is just plain good for me to get out of the house and be in the action. It automatically recharges my battery to be among 2100 women who love to read and write books! And then of course there is the RITA AWARDS that comes on Saturday night. And my fellow author and good friend Irene Hannon was up for the award as was my good friend Linda Goodnight. Sadly they didn't win but just to be nominated is such a wonderful thing...and did I mention they've both won the award before! I got to sit with Irene at the awards table and had a great time.

Okay so did you think I was forgetting about my fellow LI author? Oh no, they are one of my most important reasons for going! Seeing them in person and hanging out with them is so very important. They are my gals, we help each other through good and bad times and too get together and have a good time is so very fun. I have to tell you if you enjoy their books its because they are so awesome as women.

I had a blast! Learned a lot and came back ready to write, write, write....OH and last but not least by any means I was told that Men of Mule Hollow is doing GREAT in sales and I have to thank you all for buying my books!!! Without you I'd not be doing what I love. YOU are making my Mule Hollow series a hit and you didn't stop when I came out with the mini series Men of Mule Hollow. Stay tuned for whats next because I'll be working very hard to make the next Mule Hollow books reads you won't want to put down.

Until next time live, laugh and seek God with all your heart!

Debra Clopton

The Carol Award: I'm a double finalist!

2010-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased to say I'm a double finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writers contest THE CAROL AWARD! (formally The ACFW Book of The Year Contest) A MULE HOLLOW MATCH is in the novella category

And HIS COWGIRL BRIDE is a finalist in the short contemporary category.

I'm thrilled to be on the list with such a great group of authors. I'm attaching the list of all the books and categories below. Congratulations to all the authors. The awards will be announced at the annual American Christian Fiction Writers conference Sept 17-20 but I won't be attending--I'll be getting married that weekend! YAY.

Debut Author

Bonnie Grove - Talking to the Dead (David C. Cook Publishing)

Liz Johnson - The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn (Steeple Hill)

Kirk Outerbridge - Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press)

Jill Eileen Smith - Michal (Revell)

Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell)

Contemporary Novella (6 Finalists due to a tie)

Barbara Cameron – One Child (Thomas Nelson)

Barbara Cameron – When Winter Comes (Thomas Nelson)

Debra Clopton – A Mule Hollow Match (Steeple Hill)

Susan May Warren – The Great Christmas Bowl (Tyndale House)

Beth Wiseman – A Change of Heart (Thomas Nelson)

Beth Wiseman – A Choice to Forgive (Thomas Nelson)

Historical Novella

Victoria Bylin – Home Again (Steeple Hill)

Vickie McDonough – A Breed Apart (Barbour Publishing)

Vickie McDonough – Beloved Enemy (Barbour Publishing)

Janet Tronstad - Christmas Bells for Dry Creek (Steeple Hill)

Carrie Turansky - A Shelter in the Storm (Barbour Publishing)

Long Contemporary (6 Finalists due to a tie)

Christina Berry - The Familiar Stranger (Moody Publishers)

Mary Ellis - A Widow's Hope (Harvest House Publishers)

Joyce Magnin - The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow (Abingdon Press)

Susan Meissner - White Picket Fences (Waterbrook Press)

Marlo Schalesky- If Tomorrow Never Comes (Multnomah)

Susan May Warren - Nothing But Trouble (Tyndale House)

Long Contemporary Romance

Candace Calvert - Critical Care (Tyndale House)

Denise Hunter - Seaside Letters (Thomas Nelson)

Jenny B. Jones - Just Between You and Me (Thomas Nelson)

Beth Wiseman - Plain Promise (Thomas Nelson)

Cindy Woodmsall - The Hope of Refuge (Waterbrook Press)

MysteryA.K. Arenz - The Case of the Mystified M.D. (Sheaf House)

Mindy Starns Clark - Under the Cajun Moon (Harvest House Publishers)

Darlene Franklin - A String of Murders (Heartsong Mysteries)

S. Dionne Moore - Polly Dent Loses Grip (Heartsong Mysteries)

Janice Thompson writing as Janice Hanna - Pushing up Daisies (Heartsong Mysteries)

Long Historical

Deeanne Gist - A Bride in the Bargain (Bethany House)

Robin Lee Hatcher - Fit To Be Tied (Zondervan)

Maureen Lang - Look to the East (Tyndale House)

Siri Mitchell - Love's Pursuit (Bethany House)

Allison Pittman - Stealing Home (Multnomah)

Long Historical Romance (8 Finalists due to a tie)

Amanda Cabot - Paper Roses (Revell)

Mary Connealy - Cowboy Christmas (Barbour Publishing)

Mary Connealy - Montana Rose (Barbour Publishing)

Laura Frantz - The Frontiersman's Daughter (Revell)

Ann Gabhart - The Believer (Revell)

Julie Lessman - A Passion Denied (Revell)

Janice Thompson writing as Janice Hanna - Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas (Summerside Press)

Kathleen Y’Barbo - The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (Waterbrook Press)

Short Contemporary

Debra Clopton - His Cowgirl Bride (Steeple Hill)

Myra Johnson - Autumn Rains (Heartsong Presents)

Vickie McDonough - A Wagonload of Trouble (Heartsong Presents)

Mae Nunn - A Texas Ranger's Family (Steeple Hill)

Glynna Sirpless writing as Glynna Kaye - Dreaming of Home (Steeple Hill)

Short Contemporary Suspense (6 Finalists due to a tie)

Jill Elizabeth Nelson - Evidence of Murder (Steeple Hill)

Sandra Robbins - Final Warning (Steeple Hill)

Virginia Smith - Murder at Eagle Summit (Steeple Hill)

Virginia Smith - Scent of Murder (Steeple Hill)

Jenness Walker - Double Take (Steeple Hill)

Lenora Worth - Code of Honor (Steeple Hill)

Short HistoricalLyn Cote - Her Patchwork Family (Steeple Hill)

Laurie Alice Eakes - The Glassblower (Heartsong Presents)

Laurie Kingery - The Outlaw's Lady (Steeple Hill)

Lynette Sowell - All That Glitters (Heartsong Presents)

Dan Walsh - The Unfinished Gift (Revell)

Speculative (includes Science Fiction, Fantasy, Allegory -6 Finalists due to a tie)

Kirk Outerbridge - Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press)

Donita K. Paul - The Vanishing Sculptor (Waterbrook Press)

Steve Rzasa - The Word Reclaimed (Marcher Lord Press)

Stuart Vaughn Stockton – Starfire (Marcher Lord Press)

Fred Warren - The Muse (Splashdown Books)

Jill Williamson - By Darkness Hid (Marcher Lord Press)

Suspense/Thriller

Terri Blackstock – Intervention (Zondervan)

Colleen Coble - Lonestar Secrets (Thomas Nelson)

Brandilyn Collins – Exposure (Zondervan)

Harry Kraus - Salty Like Blood (Howard/Simon & Schuster)

DiAnn Mills - Breach of Trust (Tyndale House)

Women’s Fiction (7 Finalists due to a tie)

Julie Carobini - Sweet Waters (B&H Publishing)

Kathryn Cushman – Leaving Yesterday (Bethany House)

Sara Evans & Rachel Hauck - Sweet By and By (Thomas Nelson)

Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay - Never the Bride (Waterbrook Press)

Deborah Raney - Yesterday's Embers (Howard/Simon & Schuster)

Deborah Raney - Above All Things (Steeple Hill)

Lisa Wingate - The Summer Kitchen (New American Library/Penguin)

Young Adult

Shelley Adina - Who Made You a Princess? (Hachette FaithWords)

Brandilyn & Amberly Collins - Always Watching (Zondervan)

Jenny B. Jones - I'm So Sure (Thomas Nelson)

Jenny B. Jones - So Not Happening (Thomas Nelson)

Booker T. Mattison - Unsigned Hype (Revell)

The Carol Awards will be presented at ACFW's Conference in Indianapolis, September 17-20.

My first Grandchild: God is sooo good!

2010-04-19T10:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! I wanted to share my joy! This is a photo of me and my granddaughter Taycie! God is so wonderful. I've started a new chapter of my life and am thrilled.
Isn't she beautiful!!!!! Iam blessed.

My new book HER FOREVER COWBOY

2010-01-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

LOL well this is a new year and I haven't gotten any better about doing a great job with my blog. I'm still behind as you can see. But I'm here now and thrilled to show you the cover of my January release HER FOREVER COWBOY. Isn't this a great cover? I love it. I thought the art department out did themselves on it. The lighting detail glinting off of him just makes it wonderful...of course it doesn't hurt to have such a handsome cowboy too.

So far the reviews for the new trilogy have been great and readers letters have been so encouraging. I hope if you haven't read it that you'll grab one off your local Walmart's shelves or other store where you shop and that you'll send me a note when you've finished. This was a fun book to write.

Here is the blurb: HER FOREVER COWBOY By Debra Clopton

Mule Hollow, Texas, is full of handsome cowboys, all ready to say "I do." So veterinarian Susan Worth moves in, dreaming of meeting Mr. Right.
He's most certainly not gorgeous rescue worker Cole Turner, a sixth-generation Mule Hollow rancher not likely to settle down. But Susan is determined to make him her forever cowboy.

excerpt from: Her Forever Cowboy by Debra Clopton Published by Love Inspired Steeple Hill Available:ISBN-13:copyright: 978-03738145102009

New Mule Hollow Book/HIS COWGIRL BRIDE

2009-11-05T10:21:00.000-08:00

Debra Clopton here! Hi everyone, my new book hit the shelves November 1. HIS COWGIRL BRIDE is a truly fun book.

4 1/2 stars Top Pick by Romantic Times Review Magazine!

This return to Mule Hollow Texas is a wonderfully fast-moving story with many delightfully familiar characters. Two stubborn people learn that the pathway to true love may just be paved with compromises. RT magazine

In the spirit of my first book The Trouble with Lacy Brown my character in this book is one feisty determined cowgirl. I wanted a character who showed the similar spirit as Lacy Brown and Tacy Jones came alive to me. I hope if you haven't yet you'll buy a copy and enjoy it. I'm working hard on books for 2010. I'll post the review and the blurb below. Happy reading and if you haven't come to craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com come over and join in the fun with a bunch of us Love Inspired authors. Also some special things going on over at the eharlequin website take a peek and join in the Thanksgiving fun at http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/steeple-hill

HIS COWGIRL BRIDE

By Debra Clopton
Due Out November 2009
Cow Girl for Hire
Tacy Jones had come to Mule Hollow to learn how to train wild horses. But former rodeo champion Brent Stockwell might as well carry a sign saying "No Cowgirls Allowed" in his life. If Brent doesn't think ladies belong in the pen, determined Tacy will just have to change his mind.

When Tacy learns the reason why, she longs to help him heal. She's ready to show the handsome cowboy that taking a chance on your dream is what life -- and love -- is all about.

Lone Star Cinderella

2009-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, I'm running late on getting my blog updated and putting my July book up. LONE STAR CINDERELLA hit the shelves in at the first of the month. The reader mail I have recieved on this book has blessed my heart. I prayed as I was writing it that it would help families of who have lived with the heartache caused by a loved one who is addicted to drugs. My little sister has struggled with addiction most of her life and when I came up with the idea for this book it was to help myself as well as others, hopefully, find answers from the Lord on how to handle letting go and letting God take control.

Though the subject matter of Melody and her brother are deeply serious the love story and strength that Seth and Melody find is what I pray for everyone. I truly do hope you pick this book up and that it blesses you or someone you believe needs what the message is.

While this book deals with the real issue of a family member dealing with a loved ones drug addiction it is still a fun book with a treasure hunt that is mingled in with real Texas history bassed on outlaw Sam Bass. I had a blast researching Texas legends. There is so much Texas loot reportedly still buried all across Texas that it boggles the mind!

God bless and I pray that each of you have the real treasure in your heart and that is the saving grace that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Small Town Brides--My June Romance

2009-06-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone! I'm running late getting my latest book on the blog--I've been working on writing books so much I fell behind on the other things that go along with the process. Anyway, this is my novella that I did with Janet Tronstad and we had such a wonderful time coming up with the concept. Since Janet writes such a successful series set in Dry Creek Montana and I write about my small town of Mule Hollow and we share many readers, we thought readers would enjoy two stories that connect the two towns. So far the reader mail confirms it and we are so very pleased!

Small Town Brides

By Janet Tronstad & Debra Clopton

On Shelves Now.
A Dry Creek Wedding by Janet Tronstad

When her neighbor proposes a "practical" marriage, romantic Rene Mitchell throws the ring in his face. Fleeing Texas for Montana, Rene rides with trucker Clay Preston. Clay doesn't believe in romance... until Rene changes his mind!

A Mule Hollow Match by Debra Clopton

Trace Crawford broke Paisley Norton's cousin's heart -- so Paisley thinks he deserves whatever trouble he gets! Yet Trace really is lost when it comes to caring for his new niece. Paisley's got a soft heart for children... and for adorably clueless cowboys, too.

Published by:Available:ISBN-13:copyright:
Small-Town BridesJanet Tronstad & Debra CloptonLove Inspired - Steeple Hill June, 2009978-0-373-87531-32009 by Janet Tronstad & Debra Clopton

The Heroine of TEXAS RANGER DAD my April 2009 release on shelves now!

2009-03-27T08:03:00.000-07:00

I only write strong women in my books. I love writing about strong women who face struggles. Many think strong women don't have moments of weakness but--being one myself as I'm sure many of you are--I face weakness constantly. What sets a strong woman apart is that she refuses to give into those weaknesses. She fights to get through them and become stronger on the other side. She does what she must and many times she does the wrong thing but still she pushes through. Sometimes she must learn that accepting help from others also takes strength...relying on God sometimes takes strength and also the people He sends into our lives to help us make it through whatever we are going through. Pride is a hard thing for a strong woman to overcome sometimes. Strong women tend to pride themselves on doing it themselves. But God sometimes has to bring a strong woman to a point where she has to get past her pride and totally rely on Him. Other strong women don't have this problem, they are strong always in their faith and their walk. It is this dynamic of strong women that make them facinating to write about because we come in so many different forms.
My grandmother was one of the strongest women I've ever known. Abandoned by my grandfather when my dad was about 4 she raised 3 sons alone during the depression (along with my dad's help)When I'm struggling I think of her and know that my troubles are nothing compared to what they faced.

When I came up with Rose Vincent, the heroine of my latest release TEXAS RANGER DAD, I wanted a woman of faith who stepped up and did what was right though it cost her everything. I'd always been curious about the good guys--especially women--who enter the witness protection plan and what it must have cost them to do so. I mean, criminals who enter it have to because of something they've done but, an innocent person who happens to witness a random act of violence and steps up to do whats right and then has to give up life as they've known it because of chosing to testify...those are the people who intrigue me. I loved creating Rose's story. It is a bit different from most of my Mule Hollow books but exploring what made Rose tick gave me a fresh and exciting spin to write about. IN a series that has lasted as long as Mule Hollow I loved this idea. I hope you'll pick up a copy of TEXAS RANGER DAD and find out more about Rose.

2009-01-28T13:46:00.000-08:00

TEXAS RANGER DAD will soon be hitting bookstores and I'm so excited!!

I had a great time writing this book. Of course with the way I love road trips I took advantage during this one of going to the Texas Ranger Museum in Waco http://www.texasranger.org/
It is a wonderful place to learn about Texas history. A great road trip alone or with the family.

I also headed down to the Texas Hill Country to research prickly pear jelly--I bought jars of it at several different places and it is really good!

This book is kicking off my books for 2009 and I believe you will enjoy it. It's spunky and fun and the Mule Hollow gang is glad to be let loose once more to do their matchmaking thing...of course this time they have a little help from a determined teenager with a mission: He has a hero dad--and he wants to keep him. Here's the blurb: TEXAS RANGER DAD coming in April 2009 from Love Inspired

"That Boy Looks Just Like Zane!"
Everyone in Mule Hollow can see the resemblance between former Texas Ranger Zane Cantrell and Rose Vincent's son. The same gold-flecked amber eyes. The same smile. Not that Zane is smiling. He's in shock! How could Rose have kept their child a secret from him? Rose reminds Zane that he's the one who walked away.
He has to make her see he had no choice. But Rose is as prickly as the cactus jelly she makes. And that's where their hopeful son and the Mule Hollow matchmakers come marching in.

excerpt fromBy:Published by:Available:ISBN-13:ISBN-10:copyright:
Texas Ranger Dad Debra CloptonLove Inspired - Steeple HillApril, 2009 978-0-373-87524-50-373-87524-X2009 by Debra Clopton

http://debraclopton.com/

A White Christmas

2008-12-10T18:45:00.000-08:00

Here in my hometown of Madisonville we don't often have a beautiful, white Christmas! We have sleet, ice and on occassion snow that falls then immediatly melts when it hits the ground. But every once in a while we have a winter, wonder land of snowfall...and it's happening as I write this. It is beautiful and I almost missed it! LOL I've been working on my next book all afternoon and four hours ago, my son and daughter-in-law stopped by and as they were leaving it had started to sleet. Thinking the evening was just going to be miserable I went back to work. Little did I know it was snowing until my mother called and told me. Imagine my surprise when I walked out of my office and looked out my back door to white, snowy fields! Of course I immediatly pulled on my boots and gloves and went for a walk in the fields and the moonlight. It was such a lovely surprise, a gift from God to enjoy and I'm just happy I didn't miss it buried in work... :)

Merry Christmas!
Debra

A Few Fun Coincidences with Debbie Macomber

2008-11-30T10:49:00.000-08:00

I'm a huge fan of author Debbie Macomber. She is such a wonderful author and person who writes fantastic books. Through the years I've gone to many workshops she has presented at conferences and like all authors out there can only hope to have small portion of a career such as hers. To touch so many lives in a positive way is truly inspiring.

Often I run over to her website debbiemacomber.com so I can see what she has coming out next or I read her blog. It's been a little while since I was there last and so yesterday when I dropped by I found out a new fun tidbit that we share. You see I publish under the name of Debra but all my friends call me Debbie. So we have that in common. Also, Debbie's husband's name is Wayne and my wonderful late husband's name was also Wayne. But wait--there's more. Last night I saw that Debbie and Wayne have a new puppy and they've named him Bogie! LOL this is a picture of my Bogie, he was my husband's puppy...he is even featured in my book Next Door Daddy. No they are not the same breed of dog but they are both adorable (my Bogie is a Chinese Shar Pei and Debbie's Bogie is a tiny mix of Pomeranian and Shih Tzu. ) I hope the Macomber's Bogie brings them as much joy as my Bogie has brought me :)

So as my good friend and fellow author Linda Goodnight says that is a really fun coinkydink! I love it and can't think of anyone whom I would like sharing such a fun coincidence with...hmmm, I wonder what her childrens names are? :)

Okay back to working on the latest Mule Hollow book. Be sure an keep an eye out for TEXAS RANGER DAD in April 2009. I'll be posting the cover soon!

Debra Clopton

You are invited! New blog Craftie Ladies of Romance

2008-11-30T05:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Starting tomorrow I'll be posting on a regular basis on a new site that I'm starting with several of my fellow Love Inspired author friends. I'll still be posting here but at craftieladiesofromance.blogspot.com we hope to make it a bit more interactive. It will be a site celebrating faith, family,friends and fun. I hope you'll drop over. The first official post is tomorrow and it's my day to post. Each of us will post on a different day so there will always be something new going up on the site. Then on the 9th we will start our first contest The Twelve Days of Christmas with a twist! The authors of the new site will be me--Debra Clopton, Janet Tronstad, Lyn Cote, Lenora Worth, Linda Goodnight, Margaret Daley, Patricia Davids, Missy Tippins, Pamela Tracy, and Valerie Hansen.

I hope you'll stop by!
Debra

2008-11-27T23:04:00.001-08:00

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving. I know I felt blessed to have my family with me. And I wanted to stop in and say that I'm also so blessed to have the support of so many of you who read my books. And I'm blessed to have such wonderful publishers and editors at Steeple Hill also. I couldn't let the day get completely away from me without saying thank you.
God bless!

2008-09-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

Boy has it been a busy summer. I've been writing furiously on the four Mule Hollow books that will be out in 09! So I've basically been a hermit and was more than ready to head off to San Francisco in July to the National Romance Writers of America conference. When I go to conference I'm like a kid in a candy store hanging out with my fellow Love Inspired authors, meeting with my editor and seeing readers. This was a wonderful conference in part because my good friend and fellow author Linda Goodnight won the Rita Award for Best Inspirational (the Rita is like winning the Oscar for romance writers so it was just a wonderful time for us) We are celebrating after the award in the above picture. Left to right Debby Giusti, Lenora Worth, Janet Dean, Missy Tippins, Linda Goodnight with Rita, behind her is Alley Pleiter, Me--Debra Clopton, Pamela Tracy who was also up for the award, and Merrillee Whren. If you real Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense then you will know all of them! They are a great bunch of ladies. After this picture was taken we headed up the elevator to the top of the Marriott so we could look out over the lights of SF. It was gorgeous!

Also, my book OPERATION: MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS was awarded Booksellers Best in the Inspirational category. I loved winning this award but was just happy to be nominated with such a wonderful group of talented authors. I was totally shocked when they called my name.

I came home and again disappeared as a deadline for one book was due and the proposal for another and I got them both finished just in time to head to Minneapolis Minnesota for the National conference of American Christian Fiction Writers just last week. It was a great conference and we had a huge book signing at the Mall of America with over a hundred Christian authors. And again, Linda Goodnight won The Book Of The Year in the Inspirational Category for the second year in a row, and my editor Krista Stroever won Editor of the Year for the second year in a row!

Now I'm home again and--you guessed it I'm buried in the 3rd book of next year with the deadline looming. But the book is looking good and I also just saw the cover for the two in one book I'm doing with Janet Tronstad for next year and can I say--IT IS BEAUTIFUL! Janet and I have really worked hard on these two novellas that will take two cousins on journeys to falling in love. My book takes place in Mule Hollow and Janet's takes place in Dry Creek so for all of you fans of the two series I really think you will enjoy this collaboration with Janet.

Okay it's back to work, God bless y'all!
Debra

Fun new Mule Hollow book by Debra Clopton! THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE

2008-06-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to post about my new book that hits shelves in July. Many of you have already read it if you are a member of the book club and many of you have posted such nice things about it here on the blog or emailed me or sent it with a stamp. I just want you to know how much those letters and notes mean to me! This book was such fun to write but at the same time Sugar Rae Lenox really had a problem. She wanted her career so much that she was willing to do almost anything to make it happen...even if that meant ignoring the quiet urging of the Lord to give it up. Here is the blurb:

Small Town... Big Dreams
Sugar Rae Lenox is famous... in Mule Hollow. For wanting her name in lights on a Hollywood marquee. For wanting to leave. And for thinking the local matchmakers are might mistaken! Why applaud the attraction between her and a too-handsome cowboy with boots of lead?
Ross Denton lives on the outskirts of town on some dusty ranch. And the only place he wants to see his name is on a marriage certificate. So why isn't she singing and dancing away from that ranch? She can't possibly want a staring role in Ross's life as his bride... can she?

excerpt fromBy:Published by:Available:ISBN-13:ISBN-10:copyright:
The Cowboy Takes a BrideDebra CloptonLove Inspired - Steeple HillJuly, 2008 978-0-373-87490-30-373-87490-12008 by Debra Clopton

I'm not the best blogger out there, and have said to anyone who will listen that my God given talent is in writing fiction not real life...but I really want to share my thoughts with you today.

When I write a story it is my goal to put you as my reader in the story and to keep you reading as fast as possible. I try very hard to give you a completely entertaining story that will leave you smiling and wanting to come back and see my small crazy town of Mule Hollow. Many of you know that desire came from the fact that when my 47 year old husband died 5 years ago this coming July 5th that I needed to read something myself that would help me smile when I couldn't smile for myself. I had been trying to get published for 10 years but God's timing just hadn't been right. Three months after Wayne died I turned back to writing with the need to tell stories that would help others like me smile in their darkest hours. And that was when Mule Hollow came alive. The story had almost sold prior to that but something was missing and as I revised the book and inserted the faith element into the story I felt almost certain this time God's timing for my writing would be right. I submitted the book The Trouble With Lacy Brown to Love Inspired and they bought it. It was 7 months after my husband's death and God gave me a new purpose. In these five years I've missed my husband with all my heart but I know that God's plans are the only plans I want to follow because I know that I may not understand why something happens but I know He does.

I know it might seem like I'm rambling but God laid this on my heart and I feel like I should share it. You see, in my bio I state that I write what I do so that I can help others laugh in their darkest hour. And to be honest I still have a hard time getting through the last weeks of June leading up to July 5th. I don't know why the weeks prior are harder than the weeks after the day of my sweethearts death but it is. Yes I can happily say that Wayne's death was a homecoming and that one day I will see him again praise the Lord...but still, I miss him. And even though I have a wonderful full life and a fantastic writing career now and a true purpose the fact that I miss him is still there. Soooo what am I getting at well it is this. GOD knows our hearts and I just have to tell you that He has been using readers in the last two weeks to bless my soul. I have received many touching emails from readers telling me how much the Mule Hollow series has made them smile and many have shared the fact that my books have helped them in their own time of sorrow. It seems that I've especially received those type of letters from this story. And I needed to hear that. I needed to know that readers could watch a wacky, wanna be movie star and a reluctant cowboy fall in love and that the story could brighten your day. It really makes me smile to know that I've helped.

Thank you, everyone who has written YOU have touched my heart.

I think THE COWBOY TAKES A BRIDE is fun and touching love story and I hope if you haven't read it that you will and that you are smiling with your heart and you lips when you reach the last page!

I'll end this post like I end my Dear Reader letters.
Until next time, live, laugh and seek God with all your hearts,

Debra Clopton

Exciting News!

2008-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm so pleased! It is contest season for last years books. (A book can only be entered into a contest in the year after its publication copyright date so this is the reason you don't see current books listed as finalist or winners)

Anyway, I'm excited because I got the call on Friday that DREAM A LITTLE DREAM was given an Award of Merritt in the Holt Medalion Contest in the romantic comedy catagory! This means that it finaled but didn't win :( but still I'm just thrilled anytime my books final in a contest and the Holt is wonderful contest to final in. I chose to take a chance and enter this book in the romantic comedy catagory just to see how it would measure up against other books other than just Inspirational. I was very pleased to see it win an Award of Merritt.

But wait there's more! LOL. On Saturday I got the call that OPERATION:MARRIED BY CHRISTMAS is a finalist in the BOOKSELLERS BEST Contest in the Inspirational catagory! The winner will be anounced in July at the Romance Writers of America conference in San Francisco. This will be my first trip to SF so this will make it an extra special trip.

Whew!!! It's been crazy around here!

2008-05-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Whew has it ever been crazy around my house. As you know I've been writing on the new books due out in 2009 so as always my life is crazy with deadlines (which I absolutely love--I do not like it with lag time inbetween) anyway, on top of that my youngest son got married!!! If you read the dedication of HER BABY DREAMS you see that I dedicated the book to my first daughter in law, Heidi. I got a bit ahead of the curve by dedicating that book to her since they didn't actually get married until April 19 but :) I was just so excited about it. So there is my excuse for not having been here to blog lately.

News about the books--hold on to your hats because Sugar Rae Lenox is coming to town in my July Mule Hollow book and it is a really fun book! I think you will enjoy it. I'll post the blurb later when I post the picture.

Also, just finished the following book that will come out in April of 09 and it's a bit different...:) in a good way.

And now I'm working on the June 09 book which is a 2-n-1 book which means I'm doing a book and Janet Tronstad who writes the Dry Creek series for Love Inspired is doing the other book!!! Janet and I are really excited about this and it has been in the works since July of last year. Both of our writing scedules were so full that we couldn't fit the book in until now but I really do believe it will be a really cool book. And of course my book is set in Mule HOllow and Janet's is set in Dry Creek. So stay tuned!!!

Celebrating!

2008-03-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

It is now official!!! I've just signed a four book contract to continue my MULE HOLLOW SERIES with Love Inspired. I am so excited and feel blessed at the opportunity. These books will hit the bookshelves in 2009.

For 2008 I still have 2 books coming out so I hope you run right out and pick up copies and join in the fun. HER BABY DREAMS will be on the shelves across the country in April. It received 4 stars from Romantic Times magazine and also 4 stars from Cataromance.com This makes me smile--but my hope is that it makes YOU smile! As you know if you've read my bio at debraclopton.com making readers smile is my goal.

Don't you just love this sweet cover!!! I thought the art department did an outstanding job with this darling cover. HER BABY DREAMS has what I consider my most fun hero that I've ever created. Dan Dawson is a big ole flirt who wants to make you smile as much as I do...but he really wants to make my heroine Ashby Templeton smile. The only problem is she thinks he's just-- a "big ole flirt"--and that's the problem! :) Now, he's going to have to prove there's more to him than meets the eye.

I'm on deadline crunch right now with the first book in the new contract so I'll say goodnight. But please drop me a note I love hearing what you think!

2008-01-04T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hello, I'm ducking in from deadline crunch to let everyone know that NEXT DOOR DADDY is indeed on shelves now! It just came to my attention that on my actual web page it is listed as a Feb release when it is actually a JANUARY release--goodness, all this time and I didn't catch that mistake. Thanks Sherrie for the heads up. I hope that hasn't messed too many of you up and you can catch it on shelves now. There is a lovely review of it over on cataromance.com if you want to read it. Okay, I've got to get back to finishing up a proposal for one of the my next books.
Also, just got the word that AND BABY MAKES FIVE won the Barclay Gold contest and NO PLACE LIKE HOME took 3rd in the same contest. I'd thought all the contest for 07 were over so it was a very nice end of the year surprise. Thank anyone and everyone who voted for them!

2007-11-24T08:07:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping everyone is on the look out for NEXT DOOR DADDY! I love this book and readers from the bookclub who have already received the book in the mail are sending me the best letters. It hits the bookstores about 3 days before January so I hope everyone will grab a copy--I promise it will make you laugh and it might make you cry too. It is my first book about a widow and a widower and God just put it in my heart that it was time for me to write this story. It was the hardest thing I've ever done but the most rewarding. This story is so full of love and comments from readers such as Carols under one of the other post just bless my heart so much. I write my stories to make you smile, to forget your troubles for the few hours it takes to read one of my books but also to touch your hearts. As I write I pray for the readers who will read my books and that God will give me something in each book that will meet a need. Sometimes that's just to make you laugh when you really needed to laugh. To be entertained when you really needed to be entertained. But I share my heart in the hope that my experiences will translate to those who need something more from me...NEXT DOOR DADDY was a complete work of love and I hope you all enjoy it and please leave comments. I believe with your comments you can also touch the lives of those who come here and read them. I've had letters from readers who said this was the funniest book! And then heartfelt letters from widows who've said the book helped them remember wonderful moments shared with loved one who've passed away. God bless you all.

2007-11-24T07:12:00.001-08:00

Okay, ignore this post! I'm trying to figure out how to get this picture to the sidebar and as you can tell I don't know what I'm doing. But hopefully I'll learn the more I play with this blog site :) This is my learning curve and I'm behind and sliding off the end of it!

2007-11-24T06:37:00.000-08:00

When I decided to start this blog I knew I was going to have trouble getting something written every day or so because my writing schedule is so heavy--however I didn't realize exactly how hard it would be! But here I am over a month later finally making my 3rd entry. I'm going to make another one right after this one about my new book! But anyway, I went on vacation for a week, took a revision with me to work on, but still enjoyed Arizona. I've always wanted to go and so I loaded up my little Tbird and hit the road. I was meeting my parents in Sedona. I was going to blog about it but now all this time later it seems a bit late. Still I had an adventure I chased hot air balloons in Albuquerque New Mexico, went to a wonderful farmers market and had the best apples I've ever tasted in my entire life! They're name is No Name Apples from some little farm there in Albuquerque. After I headed out from there I saw a pumpkin chunking competition as I flew by in my car (which gave me a great idea for an upcoming book in Mule Hollow!!! That's why I love road trips, after being holed up with nothing but me and my computer for months on end as I write my books my brain needs the stimulation that fresh air and new sights give it...road trips are just a natural part of my writing life) anyway so much happened on the trip that I can't possibly put it in the blog but I'll tell you this, you will read about much of it in up coming books. I'll also share some other stories and pictures later on if I can get to the store and develop them. All in all it was a great trip but I couldn't wait to get home and finish work on the revsion I was busy with and then get proposals done for the books I'll write in 2008 (they'll come out in 09) all the books for 08 are already written!

Operation: Married by Christmas--on shelves now!

2007-10-10T10:42:00.000-07:00

My latest book from Mule Hollow. OPERATION:MARRIED by CHRISTMAS is on shelves for the month of October. For those of you who don't know how series books work they are produced in a huge quantity --which I love--and then they are in stores for only a single month. The space they take up is then given to the next books in the line for the following month. Therefore, if you want to buy the books in an actual store you must hurry and do so because they sell out quickly in most areas--which I also love :) However if you don't make it to the store you can buy them online at most online bookstores.

RT magazine has given the book 4 1/2 stars. As always it was written to make you smile and forget all your worries for a little while. You can click on my website and connect there to read the first chapter by following the links of the book.

Happy reading. I'm off to the Grand Canyon at the end of the week and really looking forward to it. I'll be driving ROADTRIP!!! I love roadtrips especially this time of year. I'll put my top down and drive the 1700 miles from my home to the Canyon in two days. I joke that I take my luggage on road trips with me since my little T-Bird's trunk won't hold my big suitcase so it has to ride in the passengers seat. But on this trip I'll be meeting my parents there so it should be fun. They love a good drive as much as I do.

Talk to you later!

Debbie

2007-10-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my blog! This has been a busy summer for me. I just finished book nine in the Mule Hollow series and it was a fast and furious ride. Am now busy working on proposals for book ten. Summer is also the time for national conferences and I love the RWA and ACFW conference--especially since my writing schedule had been so heavy it was nice to get out of the house and hang out with my writing buddies and meet some wonderful readers too. I met several fans of Mule Hollow at both conference book signings and loved hearing what each of them enjoyed about the books. That's the reason I've decided to open this blog because I wanted to be able to communicate more easily with everyone.

Over the next few weeks I'll be getting the hang of this blogging gig so hang in there and check back often as I settle into a routine and work out the kinks. Also I'm heading to the Grand Canyon next week and hope to write about the trip some. I'll also be talking about my books and what I'm working on but for now it's time to write! If you stop in feel free to ask questions and I'll be happy to answer. I'm going to be holding contest too--though I'm still working on how all of this works I will get the hang of it.
God Bless,
Debra