Happy Birthday, Rachel - Sweet 16!

A fun time of celebration!

Yesterday was my youngest child's Sweet 16 Birthday! She's our Fourth of July baby - born in the UK. Can't believe she's grown up into such an awesome young lady. We had a fun day, despite the rain, with dinner at Olive Garden and our own fireworks.

Happy Birthday, Rachel!

Happy Fourth of July!

What a wonderful country we live in! Despite all the problems going on in the world, how comforting to know that God has blessed us with this great nation to call home. Yes, it is not perfect, and yes, there are things that need to change, but what better place on earth is there to live than the Great US of A? I've lived in Europe and have traveled all over the world and have to say, there isn't a better country than America. It is blessed by God despite its sins and shortcomings! Just considering our birth is evidence that the Lord's hand was in our inception. And the fact that we survived a civil war and other world wars and emerged stronger is greater proof still. I'm proud to be an American and proud to call this country home!

Also, it's my youngest daughter, Rachel's, birthday. She was born on the 4th of July in merry ole England - how's that for irony? Today she is sweet 16. Happy Birthday Rachel!

Where Love Runs Free - Available Free on Kindle!

My second novel, Where Love Runs Free, is available free on Kindle until midnight July 3rd. Go to this link for the free download: 
http://www.amazon.com/Where-Love-Tales-Upcountry-ebook/dp/B00A3K3Q0S/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372482691&sr=1-5

Here is a summary:

A feisty, southern belle’s dream becomes a reality when her long-lost love returns to Laurel Grove, South Carolina to work as a horse trainer on her family’s farm. But has he really returned to reclaim her affections or is he more interested in settling a score with her evil fiancé? 

In the year 1890, Angelina Raeford breaks off her engagement with the wealthiest man in the county to pursue a relationship with Ben Eagle-Smith, a wild, half-breed Cherokee, who she has loved since her youth. But when her jilted fiancé retaliates by challenging Ben to an impossible wager, Angelina risks losing Ben forever. Only the power of their love and a miracle from God can restore what was lost and protect the bond that has united their souls since childhood.

What readers are saying about Where Love Runs Free:

I have just finished reading your book “Where Love Runs Free”. It is wonderful!!!!!!! I couldn't put it down for the last 10 chapters. The story was great and it had an awesome ending! I look forward to seeing it published and a best seller!! T Lane

Caroline, this story is amazing! Find me a boy like Ben! Goodness, finding a horse savvy man is difficult, let alone one who Fears the Lord as Ben does. I started this book last night around 8, and finished around 2am. I was sucked into it--and couldn't put it down! C Henry

This book has the breathless, ultraromantic feel of Gone with the Wind. The setting itself is romantic--a horse farm in South Carolina. And Angelina, the heroine, is as feisty and headstrong as Scarlett O'Hara. Friday has a nice, easy pacing in her storytelling, using exposition and dialogue and action and description with equal ease, and introducing various characters quickly and vividly. I enjoyed the immediate romantic tension that the author sets up and wanted to read more. DM, Editor

Official Eagle Scout!

Several months ago, I posted on my son's Eagle Scout project completion, which was a huge milestone for our family, but tonight he was made official by the Boy Scout Council. Whoo hoo! Congratulations to Braxton and all of his hard work - it paid off! Now, for a ceremony which will happen at some point in the future. Congratulations, Eagle Braxton!

Dream House - Summer Memories

Several years ago, my parents built their dream house on the Inland Waterway in Cape Carteret, NC. It is a beautiful, modern retreat that resounds a peace and serenity that many of us crave. Our family enjoys going there, looking out onto the water and taking a quick boat ride.

Swansboro, Beaufort, and Morehead City aren't far away, all of which have much to offer in the way of entertainment, shopping, and good eating. Emerald Isle is very close - just across the big bridge - where there are more restaurants, shopping, a movie theater, and a wide, sandy beach. This is the beach where I grew up every summer from the time I was a young girl. My mother would pack up our wood panelled station wagon after the last day of school and off we would go to our ocean front cottage until school started again in August. Sadly, Dad sold the cottage years ago.

There wasn't much to do at the beach during that time, because much of it hadn't been developed (plus there was no cable TV and no VCR in those days!). Therefore, my sisters and I spent countless hours tanning, swimming in the ocean, reading, drawing, dreaming, and hunting for seashells. I would say that much of my love for story and creativity developed during those long, slow summers. I remember them fondly.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Enjoy your day relaxing, resting, and being catered to. I, personally, am thankful for my dad and that I have a wonderful husband/father for my children. Not everyone is blessed with a wonderful father, but my children certainly are! Have a great day!

More Art

My dear brother-in-law, Walt, and his lovely wife, Renee, are at the right, in a snapshot from Emerald Isle, NC--post engagement. To the left is my artistic rendition. They had a beautiful wedding in Charleston and are very happy. They found each other later in life but have proven that you're never too old to find true love!