For two months, we lived in a marina on Estero Bay, which provided me with firsthand experience that I implement into this book. However, some things were researched in addition to personal experience.

🌊 1. Life in a Harbor Town

To capture the mood of a small coastal community, I researched:

• How working marinas operate in winter
• Nighttime docking procedures
• Trawler maintenance and engine wiring
• Weather patterns common in the area (fog density, tides, wind shifts)

This helped build the eerie, atmospheric setting that readers experience throughout the book.

🐾 2. German Shepherd Behavior & K9 Instincts

Echo is a central part of this story, so I studied:

• Protection dog training vs. scent-detection training
• How dogs respond to trauma or the loss of an owner
• The signs that a dog is alerting to danger
• Real-life stories of K9s who sensed threats long before humans did

Echo’s reactions in the story are grounded in authentic K9 behavior.

🔧 3. Engine Sabotage & Marine Safety

Several scenes involve mechanical elements and potential hazards.

Research included:

• How fuel lines can be tampered with
• Boat engine wiring and ignition systems
• What a partially burned match looks like after exposure
• Real sabotage cases documented in coastal regions

These details made the tension more realistic and grounded.

🕵️ 4. Missing Persons & Cold Case Procedures

To portray Rone’s detective instincts accurately, I reviewed:

• How law enforcement reacts when someone disappears under suspicious
  circumstances
• The difference between local jurisdiction and harbor patrol
  oversight
• How clues can be overlooked due to miscommunication or faulty
  assumptions
• Psychological impact on detectives who carry unsolved cases

This helped shape Rone’s internal conflict and motivations.

🧭 5. Trauma Responses & Character Psychology

Isobel’s emotional journey required research on:

• Victims of manipulation and financial abuse
• How shock manifests physically and mentally
• The protective instincts people develop after betrayal
• What happens when unresolved grief resurfaces unexpectedly

Her reactions are grounded in real emotional patterns people experience after loss or betrayal.

🎄 6. Christmas in Coastal Communities

To create the unique blend of holiday warmth and chilling suspense, I explored:

• Coastal Christmas traditions
• Marina light festivals
• How fog, snow, and salt air affect decorations
• Seasonal rhythms for fishermen and harbor workers

This contrast—the beauty of Christmas against the shadows of a mystery—is a core theme.

HEALING THE VETERAN INSIGHTS

This report outlines the key challenges faced by veterans in the United States after completing their military service. The statistics are based on recent data covering homelessness, mental health, employment,
reintegration, and other difficulties.

1. Homelessness     

• In 2023, approximately 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness on a single night—down 7.5% from the previous year and a 55% decrease since 2010.   
• About 20,067 veterans were sheltered, while 15,507 were unsheltered.  
• Veterans make up 13% of the adult homeless population, and 20% of homeless men in the U.S.      
• Approximately 70% of homeless veterans struggle with substance use, and 50% have a serious mental illness.

2. Mental Health & Substance Use

• 31% of veterans seen in VA hospitals were diagnosed with a mental health condition as of 2016.

• PTSD affects up to 20% of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

• Veterans are 1.5× more likely to die by suicide than civilians, with 20 to 44 veteran suicides per day.

3. Unemployment & Income Challenges

• Veteran unemployment rate (June 2025): 3.7%, slightly below the national average (4.0%).

• Veterans with disabilities face higher unemployment (~5.9%).

• VA disability benefits have risen from ~9% in 2001 to ~18% in 2014, partly due to greater recognition of PTSD.

4. Reintegration Difficulties & Moral Injury

• Veterans face identity crises, difficulty adapting to civilian norms, and loss of camaraderie.

• Moral injury can exacerbate PTSD symptoms and delay veterans seeking help.

5. Other Adverse Outcomes

• About 181,000 veterans are incarcerated.

• 1 in 3 veterans report having been arrested at some point in their lives.

While some progress has been made—especially in reducing homelessness—many veterans continue to face complex post-service challenges. More targeted programs and awareness are essential to support their mental health, reintegration, and long-term wellbeing.

Bibliography:

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). . U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.bls.gov/news.release/vet.htm
2. VA statistics at a glance. National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics. https://www.va.gov/vetdata/
3. Homeless veterans facts. https://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
4. Veterans and mental health. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.samhsa.gov/
5. The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/ahar.html
6. Veterans and PTSD: A comprehensive review. https://www.rand.org
7. The changing face of America’s veteran population. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/

1. Cowboy Culture and Ranching Traditions

• "Did you know that cowboys in the late 1800s often worked 12-hour days for just $25 to $40 a month? I drew on this rugged work ethic to shape Colton Clayborne's character in Charming a Grumpy Cowboy."
• "The tradition of branding cattle dates back over 4,000 years to Ancient Egypt! I used this historical practice to add authenticity to the Clayborne cousins' ranching scenes."

2. Small-Town Life

• "Many small towns in the West were built around a single general store, which also served as a social hub. I drew inspiration from this idea to create Meadowbrook’s beloved general store in Saving the Broken Cowboy."
• "In the early 1900s, small-town dances were major events where everyone dressed their best. You'll notice these details in Clara's flashback to her first dance with Wyatt in Mending the Cowboy's Soul."

3. Animal Behavior

• "Horses can recognize human emotions through facial expressions and tone of voice. This inspired the bond between Colton and his horse, Star, in Charming a Grumpy Cowboy."
• "Cattle are surprisingly social animals and form strong bonds with their herd. This is reflected in the way the Clayborne ranch treats their livestock like family."

4. Historical Romance Details

• "Mail-order bride services were a real phenomenon in the 19th century, connecting women in the East to lonely men in the West. This inspired the backstory of a supporting character in Mending the Cowboy's Soul."
• "The custom of tying a red ribbon on a gate to signify good luck inspired the proposal scene in Saving the Broken Cowboy."

5. Faith-Based Insights

• "In the 1800s, many ranchers would end their evenings by reading scripture together. This tradition inspired the family prayer scene in Mending the Cowboy's Soul."
• "The biblical concept of redemption and forgiveness plays a central role in Mason’s journey in Saving the Broken Cowboy. I researched how faith has helped real-life ranchers overcome challenges."

6. Western Landscapes

• "The vivid sunsets of the Midwest inspired many of the romantic evening scenes in my books. Did you know these sunsets are due to dust particles scattering light in the atmosphere?"
• "I based the Clayborne ranch on real ranches in Montana, where sprawling pastures stretch for miles. The rugged beauty sets the perfect stage for love stories."

7. Cowboy Gear and Tools

• "The traditional cowboy hat was designed to protect against the sun and rain, but did you know it was also used as a water bowl for horses? Look for this detail in Wyatt’s scenes in Saving the Broken Cowboy."
• "Ropes used in calf roping are designed to be lightweight yet durable. Researching these tools helped me bring authenticity to Mason’s ranching competitions in Saving the Broken Cowboy."

8. Family Dynamics

• "In many ranching families, the youngest siblings often take on the hardest chores to prove themselves. This inspired the sibling rivalry between Mason and Colton in Charming a Grumpy Cowboy."
• "Families often worked together to build their homes, sometimes taking weeks to construct a simple log cabin. I incorporated this idea into the Clayborne family's efforts to save the ranch."

9. Healing and Recovery

• "Postpartum myocarditis, the condition Clara faces in Mending the Cowboy's Soul, affects a small percentage of new mothers. I consulted real medical case studies to portray her journey authentically."
• "Therapy animals are widely used to help people cope with emotional trauma. This inspired the inclusion of the dog in my upcoming K9 Companions book for Harlequin."

10. Romantic Gestures

• "The tradition of carving initials into a tree to symbolize eternal love dates back centuries. I used this idea in Wyatt’s romantic flashback in Saving the Broken Cowboy."
• "Did you know that wildflowers like marigolds were often given as symbols of courage? This inspired a key moment between Clara and Mason in Mending the Cowboy's Soul."