Debra Clopton's New Website and Blog!

I have a new website and blog. Please join me at www.debraclopton.com my website and blog are all joined at the same address now! So please drop over and give me a shout as you check out my new look and find out the latest on books I have coming out and books that are already out.
Thank you,

This is book 1 and 2 of the Mule Hollow Homecoming books. HER LONE STAR COWBOY is book 2 and will be for sale on March 20, 2012
HER RODEO COWBOY was book 1 and came out in Sept 2011 The books are stand alone books but if you enjoy series they are part of the Mule Hollow series but are also a small mini series all their own.
HER RODEO COWBOY won the JABBIC (Judge a Book by Its Cover Contest) It is also getting great reviews.
Happy reading everyone :)

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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

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