Inspiring Quote of the Month

"True strength isn’t in taming the wild or conquering the land—it’s in opening your heart to love, finding faith in the darkest moments, and holding onto hope when the storms roll in."

~From the imagination of one of Ciara's characters not printed in a book

Cover Reveal

Mason Clayborne has made mistakes, and now he’s paying the price. After conspiring with his father to force his cousins into selling the family ranch—an act that left one cousin shot—he is determined to earn his forgiveness.

Clara Foster is no stranger to feeling like an outsider. Her mother died from an overdose, and when she thought she’d finally found a home, the father of her baby chose another woman. Her heart breaks, not from the rejection but because she sacrifices her desire to be a mother to give her daughter a chance she never had with a real family.

Mason risks the progress with his family when Clara returns to the ranch to donate bone marrow to her daughter to prevent her leukemia from returning. But when complications arise because Clara doesn’t reveal to the doctors about her postpartum myocarditis, a reaction to anesthesia causes her heart to stop several times, leaving her in a weakened state.

The Claybornes insists she move back to the ranch to recover since she has no money, no place to live, and no family. As Clara struggles with the heartbreak of being close to the daughter she loves but believes she can never be a mother to, Mason stands by her, determined to show his family how much Clara has changed—and how much they’ve contributed to the family’s deep divide. But will Mason’s loyalty be enough to heal the wounds of the past, or will the fractured Clayborne family crumble under the weight of their mistakes?

InSaving the Broken Cowboy, love, faith, and forgiveness are tested as two hearts learn to heal, not just each other, but a family on the brink of collapse.

Excerpt from Saving the Broken Cowboy

"She wasn’t just walking into a room full of people; she was stepping into a storm of judgment, scorn, and heartbreak—all for the chance to give her daughter a future she’d never had."

Research Insights

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."