Jill Haymaker | Updates

Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 3 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we were asked It's still cold. How do you warm up? This one made me laugh out loud. It was obviously written by someone who has experienced winter this year. Here in Colorado, winter has skipped us with high's in the 60's and 70"s all winter long. No snow, no moisture, just warm sunny days. It's nice and while we all would love to just enjoy it, the threat of fire danger and water shortages this summer keeps us from smiling too much. Hopefully, March is a wetter, cooler month. Now hop on over to Jenna DaSie's blog and see if it's cold where she is at https://jennadasie.com

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we have been asked, When you are not writing, how do you spend your time? I am always busy, especially this time of year. I volunteer as a youth leader two nights a week at my church, I teach adaptive horseback riding lessons to kids with autism one day per week, and I coordinate a regional high school mock trial competition for over 300 students. For fun, I am an avid Colorado State basketball fan, and this time of year you can find me at Moby arena for all the men's games. I also enjoy long walks with my dog and riding horses whenever I get a chance. I belong to many neighborhood activities which include a weekly bike riding group, and a monthly coffee group, book group, and dominoes group. Recently, I've taken up rock painting and love to leave inspirational rocks around the neighborhood. And of course, last but not least, I love spending all the time I can with my adult children and grandchildren.

Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog and see how she spends her time at https://jennadasie.com

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 3 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we have been asked to give a sample of our Work in Progress so here's the first paragraph of mine, Montana Pines New Beginnings.

"The last place Harper Barlowe wanted to be on a warm, spring morning was sitting in her divorce attorney’s waiting room. Yet, here she was, nervously tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair and staring at the clock. How had it come to this?"

Does this make you want to keep reading? I hope so. Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog and see an excerpt of her writing at https://jennadasie.com

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we were asked, What are you reading right now and what’s on your TBR? Right now I'm reading Whispers in the Valley by Amanda Cabot. If you like sweet historical romance, you'll love this story of romance and second chances set in the Texas Hill Country. First in my to be read pile is Colorado Kidnapping Threat by Jane M. Choate, a Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense. I personally know both of these lovely authors and really enjoy reading all of their books. Now hop on over to to Brenda Margriet's blog and see what she's reading at https://www.brendamargriet.com/blog and check out her romance After Words

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we were asked- Have you ever written (or plan to write) a romance set in the winter? If so, does it differ from a summer one? How? I always write to match the season when my book will be released, so yes, every winter I write a romance set in the winter, the same as I do with spring, summer, and fall. My current work in progress, Montana Pines New Beginnings will be released this spring, so it takes place in the spring. I'm not really understanding the question of how it differs from a summer one. I guess the answer would be that the weather outside is different, but I don't feel that weather has much impact on romance. Romance can happen anytime of year. Now, hop on over to Leslie Hachtel's blog and see what seasons she writes about at https://lesliehachtelwriter.wordpress.com and check out her romance, Come Back to Me at https://amzn.to/3thW8BR What would you do if you could go back in time to find your soulmate? For Skye Blaine, the answer is clear: she would do whatever it takes to be with the one she loves. Follow her as she travels through time in search of her heart's desire, finding that the path to true love is never easy, but always worth it. Will she find her happy ending? This page-turning story of love, sacrifice, and courage is sure to captivate and inspire. Don't miss out on this unforgettable journey through time!

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This week we have been asked - January is often when we reset our wellness goals. Share the recipe for a quick and healthy winter weather meal. Unfortunately, here in Colorado we still haven't had any winter weather this year, but hopefully we will soon. When it does get cold outside, my favorite winter meal is chili. It warms you up and is easy to make. Mix a can each of tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili beans, and kidney beans in a large pot. Season with chili powder and bring to a boil. Then simply add spaghetti in the amount desired and boil until tender. It's easy and makes enough for the whole week :) Now hop on over to PG Forte's blog and she what she likes to cook in the winter at https://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com and check out her Winter Heart Series Steampunk, secret babies, and second-chance romance set in an alternate history version of New Mexico in the late 1800s. https://books.bookfunnel.com/WinterHeart

Are you looking for a heartwarming winter romance? Montana Pines Winter Romance is free this week for your kindle. Go to Bookbub.com to find the deal.

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 6 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm glad to be back after a couple of weeks off from writing. This week we have been asked the question, What are you looking forward to in the new year, personal and/or professional? What are your author goals? Personally, I'm having cataract surgery in a couple of days and am looking forward to being able to see much better, fingers crossed. My author goals? I have four ideas for books that I want to release in 2026. I hope to get them all written and published before this time next year. Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog and see what she's looking forward to at https://jennadasie.com

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This is our last blog hop of 2025! Share some special memories from the past year. Include photos if you like. 2025 has been a fun year and has gone by so fast! I guess I'm getting old :) In my writing life I was able to publish three books this year, all in my Montana Pines Series. My plan is to publish three or four more in 2026. My personal life was highlighted by fun times spent with family. We traveled to Arizona in June to celebrate my little brother's 70th birthday. I was able to get up into the Colorado mountains to ride horses for a weekend in the spring and fall, got to enjoy the Savanah Bananas with my grandson in August, and a couple of weeks ago, got the thrill of getting to meet my all time favorite singer, Bryan Adams. See pictures below. And hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog as she relives her year at https://This is our last hop of 2025! Share some special memories from the past year. Include photos if you like.

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 2 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This week we have been asked that since it's December to show a festive scene we wrote. This is the scene on Christmas morning in A Peakview Christmas to Remember, my Christmas romance from 2024. Recently divorced Colette has traveled home to Peakview with a co-worker for a Christmas with strangers where she meets his uncle Jess.

Sunny positioned herself under the tree and handed packages to the kids. They tore into each one, declaring how excited they were for whatever it was before setting it aside and tearing into the next one. It didn’t take long for them to open every one with their names on it. While the kids busied themselves with their new toys, the adults exchanged presents. Colette was impressed by the thoughtful gifts Jess had picked out for his family members. In her experience, single guys usually struggled with ideas. She sat back and watched.

Sunny reached under the tree for a present and handed it to her. “Merry Christmas.” Surprised, Colette took the box. “You didn’t have to. I didn’t get anything for you guys.”

“No need. It’s not much. I just wanted you to have something to open.”

How sweet. She opened the colorful package to find several books. “Thank you so much.” She meant it.

“There are a couple of romances by other Peakview County authors. I enjoy promoting them. And there’s one on the history of our county. Now that you’ve been here, I thought you might be interested.”

“I’ll enjoy reading all of them.”

The stack of presents was dwindling. When there were only a couple left, Jess grabbed one from behind the tree and handed it to her. “From me.” He smiled.

“You didn’t have to…”

“I wanted to. It’s not much.”

Colette’s hands shook as she opened the small box. She picked up an object wrapped with tissue paper. As she opened it, she gasped. It was a small carved horse even prettier than the one from last night. She turned it over and over in her hands. “It’s beautiful.”

“You were disappointed last night when you didn’t get to keep the horse. I had several of them around my house. I hope you enjoy it.”

What a sweet gesture. She fought back tears that formed in her eyes and started to set the box aside.

“There’s one more,” Jess said.

She dug through the tissue paper to find another, smaller, wrapped object and tore off the paper. “Is this Snowball?” A tear escaped down her cheek.

“I wanted you to have something to remember the little girl.”

“But when did you have time to do this?”

“After I got home last night. I really wasn’t tired, so I made her for you.”

Colette didn’t know what to say. It was the most thoughtful present anyone had ever gotten for her. That first year in law school, when she started dating Robert, he’d surprised her with expensive sapphire earrings after she’d told him her favorite color was blue. It was quite the present for a girl from a small town in Iowa. They were exquisite and every Christmas after that, he always surprised her with an expensive piece of jewelry—rings, bracelets, necklaces, made of diamonds and other precious gems. For many years she believed that she was the luckiest girl in the world. She thought back to last Christmas when he’d presented her with a lovely emerald and diamond necklace to wear to their firms’ New Year’s Eve Gala—presented to her while he was sleeping with someone else. Was it ever really about her or had the jewelry been more about showing off his wealth to his friends and associates?

But this tiny carved kitten—that was all about her. She couldn’t help but get up, walk over to him, and give him the biggest hug. “It’s perfect.”

He hugged her back, and she didn’t want to let go—ever.

Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog and check out her scene at https://jennadasie.com

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Today we have been asked the question- Do you think writing romance novels requires a different mindset or approach compared to other genres? No, I don't think it does. In writing any kind of fiction, you first need a good premise and characters, and then need to develop your plot whether you're writing romance, mystery, women's fiction, or any other genre. The only difference I can see is that at the end of a romance you have to have a happily ever after, so the ending may be different than other genres but everything else would be similar. Now hop on over to PG Forte's blog and see what she thinks at https://rhymeswithforeplay.blogspot.com and check out her Whole Latte Love collection of romances at https://books2read.com/rl/WholeLatteLove It's latte weather: A good time to cuddle up with the first two books in the WHOLE LATTE LOVE Collection!

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Romance Writers' Weekly #lovechatwrite

Jill Haymaker — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to our weekly blog where we talk all things romance and writing. Today we have been asked-Evening is falling sooner and the dark days of winter are near. What do you do to keep yourself busy? Silly question. I wish my schedule lightened up during the winter but it doesn't, I'm still busy, busy, busy. Whether it's dark outside makes no difference to the things I need to accomplish each day. As a fulltime author, it is easier to make myself sit inside and write when it's dark and cold outside, so I get more done. Now hop on over to Jenna Da Sie's blog and she if she slows down in the winter at https://jennadasie.com/

And check out my new Christmas release at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXT4JVBX

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