Betsy Horvath

Category: Hardy Falls

  • A Story From Hardy Falls

    Hello, friends!

    It has been quite a week here at The Palatial Horvath Estate.  I struggled to catch up on cleaning and end-of-season yard work (boo), but I was also able to reconnect with an old friend, read a good book (or two), and basically decompressed a bit from the pressure that comes from releasing a new book into the wild.  There are so many little tasks involved in publication–none of them are especially hard, but there sure are a lot of them. Plus I, a woman of a certain age with a sporadic memory, have to remember what they all are!  Insanity!  Lists upon lists upon lists…  I really have to figure out what I’m doing at some point.

    I didn’t get around to planning anything for the blog this week, so I thought I’d share a story from the world of Hardy Falls, the little town where most of my books are set.  Did you know that I write a newsletter?  Every month (more or less) it includes either a Hardy Falls short story / vignette or an article from The Hardy Falls Gazette (the town’s online newspaper run by Ms. Gregory, town librarian, with help from journalism students from the nearby university).  A lot of the articles and stories give more insight into the events in the various books.  You certainly don’t need to read them to follow what’s happening in the books, but I hope they give a little added flavor.

    (PS – if you haven’t subscribed, click HERE to join us!  You’ll also get a free novella, Starting Something, and I have a lot more stuff to come. Swear.)

    ANYWAY, here’s an article from The Hardy Falls Gazette that appeared in the newsletter at some point or other.  It concerns an incident that happened at the Hardy Falls Valentine’s Day dance. Our favorite Casanova, Old Albert Cromwell, apparently has a thing for sisters.  That’s fine–unless you bring one sister to a dance as your date and the other sister still thinks you’re dating her.  AND the sisters already hate each other!  OOPS!  Let’s just say that the ramifications of this night have lived on in infamy, and the feud between the sisters crops up again in my new book, Choosing Love.  Oh, Albert.  Why can’t you use your charm only for good?

    I hope you enjoy it!

    Sibling Rivalry Explodes at Valentine’s Day Dance

    by Michael Hawkins, correspondent

    Sibling rivalry exploded into chaos at the 36th annual Hardy Falls Valentine’s Day Dance held at the Grange Hall on Sunday, February 12th

    The night started innocently enough. The Valentine’s Day dance is one of the most popular events in town, and this year was no exception. The community descended in force, dressed in their best Valentine’s Day finery.

    “It’s just nice to get out in the middle of winter, you know?” said Chet Hinkle, owner of Hinkle Insurance. “I mean, sure, this winter hasn’t been too bad, but usually it’s freaking cold. Besides,” he laughed, “this is the only time I get to wear this suit.

    The suit, bright white with dark red lapels, paired with a red vest decorated with hearts, certainly made a statement.

    The large Grange Hall itself was a study in pink, white, and red, echoing Mr. Hinkle’s suit. Volunteers from the town council, led by Mayor Margo Truelove, had spent days blowing up hundreds of balloons and hanging streamers.

    “It looked like Cupid threw up in here,” observed Martin Scanner, who manages reservations of the space for the town. “Made my teeth hurt. But everyone else seemed happy.”

    Attendees who didn’t much care for the decor appreciated the large bar that had been set up, handled by Deacon Black and Matteo Guerrero of the Country Time Bar and Grill. The town council had hired a band – Roy and The Renegades – to provide music for dancing

    While the townspeople mingled, drank, and danced in the hall, things took a downward turn out in the vestibule where Lola Peters, 83, owner of Hardy Hair, was collecting tickets at the door.

    At approximately 9:00 pm, Birdie Nelson, 84, of Skytop, arrived and attempted entry into the dance, accompanied by Albert Cromwell, 82, of Hardy Falls. Ms. Nelson is Ms. Peters’ sister.

    According to reports, Ms. Peters had been dating Mr. Cromwell herself until three weeks ago. Apparently, she had not been aware that he was now dating her sister.

    When she saw the two trying to enter the dance, she confronted them and demanded to know what was going on. Things escalated quickly from there, and soon the sisters were yelling obscenities at each other.

    The shouting intensified when Ms. Nelson tried to get past Ms. Peters. Ms. Peters grabbed the pink orchid lei Ms. Nelson was wearing, ripping it and her dress and showering petals everywhere. Ms. Nelson slapped her.

    “Ms. Peters yelled, “oh it is so on,” reported Tiffany Preston, who had been helping to collect tickets and witnessed to the event. “Then she tackled Ms. Nelson.”

    Mr. Cromwell tried to intervene, but one of the women kicked him in the groin, and he went down.

    The women fell to the floor, clawing and punching at each other. Martin Scanner and Joe Horton pulled Mr. Cromwell to safety and then tried to separate the two sisters. Mr. Scanner got an elbow to the stomach and had the wind knocked out of him. Mr. Horton was scratched and left to call the police.

    “Hey, I’m no hero,” he said

    At that point, Ms. Peters had the upper hand and pinned Ms. Nelson to the floor.

    “She kept yelling, “what are you doing with him, you bitch? He’s mine!” and other things like that,” said Tiffany Preston. “Mr. Cromwell was still trying to protect his…um, himself, but he looked really stunned. I don’t think he knew Ms. Peters had it that bad for him.

    It may be that Ms. Peters “has it bad” for Mr. Cromwell. But according to other long-time Hardy Falls residents in attendance, she also has a legendary hatred for her sister.

    “Well,” said Mathilda Gregory, editor in chief of the Hardy Falls Gazette, “The way I heard it, when the girls were in their teens, Birdie Brady – that was her name then – glued down all of Lola Brady’s hair. Lola’s head had to be completely shaved, and she was a laughingstock for weeks. She’s never forgiven her sister. Their rivalry is legendary.” Ms. Gregory shook her head. “I don’t know what Albert was thinking.”

    After a few moments, Ms. Nelson managed to get away from Ms. Peters and ran. She burst into the main hall, much to the surprise of those who had not realized something was going on in the vestibule. Ms. Peters followed.

    Unfortunately, the theme of this year’s dance was “Love Among The Stars,” complete with Star Wars themed piñatas.

    “I just wanted to highlight the new Star Wars line of candy we just got in at the Spun Sugar Candy Store,” Mayor Truelove said sadly. “Lightsabers to knock down Star Wars piñatas seemed like it would be fun.”

    The piñata portion of the evening hadn’t happened yet, so when Ms. Nelson and Ms. Peters barged into the Grange Hall, they ran right into the display. Ms. Nelson grabbed a lightsaber, Ms. Peters grabbed another, and soon the two women were hacking away at each other with the enthusiasm of experienced Jedi.

    Since they were in a relatively confined space, things went about as well as you might expect. The piñatas were the first casualties, and candy scattered everywhere, tripping the people trying to separate the women and ground underfoot.

    “Lola got me on the head with her lightsaber,” said Martin Scanner, who’d rushed forward to try and help. “Lucky she didn’t kick me in the nuts like she did Albert.

    People at the bar scattered when the women took out cups of beer and other drinks with their lightsabers.

    “Good thing we had the bottles lined up on the back wall,” said Deacon Black.

    Ms. Peters and Ms. Nelson were definitely tiring, panting, and hoarse as they continued to shout. Mr. Black and Mr. Guerrero were able to grab the women and finally disarmed them, before helping them to chairs on opposite sides of the room.

    Chief Jacqueline Kline and Police Officer Harry Newman, who had been out on a call on the other side of town, arrived and took both women down to the station. Fortunately, they were able to transport them in separate cars.

    “We’re going to charge them with disturbing the peace, but we won’t hold them,” Chief Kline said. “It would be different if anyone had been seriously hurt. They’ll have to pay for the candy, though.”

    “Easy for her to say nobody was hurt,” Albert Cromwell groused later and then shrugged. “I guess I forgot about that stupid glue. I mean, it happened over seventy years ago, for heaven’s sake. Maybe they should let it go.

    “Just goes to show you that you always need to think before you jump between sisters,” Ms. Gregory said.

    Mr. Cromwell declined to comment.

    © Betsy Horvath 2019

     

     

     

  • New Release!

    Hello, my friends!  I’m pleased and proud to tell you that I have a NEW book out!  A NEW one!  I KNOW!  I’m as shocked as you are!

    Choosing Love is finally out in the wild, and available now wherever fine ebooks are sold!  Paperback version coming shortly.

    Here’s the information –

     

    Sometimes the best choice is simply to follow your heart.

    Jenny Kline’s whole life is centered around chasing her dream to be an artist—a painter. Sure, she works two jobs to make ends meet, but she tells herself the life she’s building will be perfect—until she finds out she’s lost not one of her jobs, but both of them. At first, the offer of employment as a temporary receptionist at the Hardy Falls police department seems like a no-brainer. That’s before she’s stuck behind a desk all day dealing with cranky townspeople and lusting after a certain gorgeous cop she’s been trying to ignore for years.

    Officer Harry Newman has been avoiding Jenny since the moment he joined the Hardy Falls police force. After all, he might think she’s sexy as hell, but her mother is the chief of police—and his boss. He knows it’s better to stay far away, but that’s hard to do when Jenny is in his personal space every day. She’s a temptation, and all Harry wants to do is get closer—to hell with the consequences.

    Despite their best intentions, the chemistry between Harry and Jenny sizzles. Then Harry’s past raises its ugly head, Jenny tries to help, and their mutual attraction explodes into a night of passion neither of them expected. Will they be brave enough to continue what they’ve started? Can Harry put the past behind him and walk into the light? And will Jenny be able to chase her dreams and hold on to Harry at the same time?

    Welcome to Hardy Falls, Pennsylvania, where even the best-laid plans have a way of flying right out the window—especially when love comes knocking on the door.

    Click HERE to read the first chapter

     

    Available Now

    Kindle |  Nook  |  Apple Books |  Kobo  |  Google Play  |  Other

     

    Huzzah!

    I also thought I’d better mention that I’ve re-numbered the books in the Hardy Falls series–just in case someone notices and is confused. There are a couple of reasons for doing that, but mainly I went to the trouble because Amazon doesn’t recognize the “.5” books as part of a series.  I figured I’d make the change now before I got too much further along.  The number changes are still filtering through the various vendors (I’m looking at you Apple Books!), but eventually they’ll all be whole numbers the way God–and Amazon–intended.

    By the way, just as a side note, do you know what you SHOULDN’T do when you’re trying to finish up the millions of little tasks needed to get a book out?  Tasks that all require internet access?  You SHOULDN’T cut through your internet cable because you wanted to do a little yard work to decompress and got overenthusiastic with the hedge trimmer.  That’s bad!

    Sigh…

    But I don’t care because the book is out!  I hope you enjoy Jenny’s and Harry’s story as much as I do!

     

    I’m tired.

     

  • A New Hardy Falls Story is Available!

    A New Hardy Falls Story is Available!

    As I mentioned in my previous blog post, the novella I wrote last year and talked about frequently–nay, incessantly–here on the blog has FINALLY come out! My little boulder is all grown up and flying free in the world.  Er, rolling free!  Roll, little boulder!  Roll!

    Starting Something is a Hardy Falls story FREE for all newsletter subscribers and not available anywhere else.  It features Sophie Barton, who has appeared with her two sons in previous newsletter articles, and Noah Chertok, one of June’s old boyfriends who appeared in Believing Love. This novella will be the first of three stories about Sophie and Noah and their journey into love and relationship.

    And here’s the information –

    Sophie Barton moved to the little town of Hardy Falls, Pennsylvania after her marriage imploded, searching for peace for herself and her two young sons.  With so many problems and responsibilities on her plate, getting involved with her sexy next-door-neighbor isn’t even a blip on her radar. Then a torrential spring rainstorm, a leaking bathroom roof, and a series of poor choices leave her stranded without a ladder and looking to him for rescue.

    Noah Chertok is too busy keeping his family’s contracting business alive to pay much attention to his pretty new neighbor and her ridiculously cute kids.  But neighbors help neighbors, and when he finds out she’s got a problem, of course he’ll try to do what he can.  Little does he know that taking that one step forward will find him firmly entangled with the little family next door.

    Once the ice is broken, Sophie and Noah realize they are sliding into something neither of them expected. Then Sophie’s past comes roaring into town, and her whole life is shaken. Can she take a chance again with Noah?  Or is it simply too much of a risk?

    Welcome to Hardy Falls, Pennsylvania, where sometimes things start before you even realize what the heck is going on.

    You can get this novella for free when you click HERE and subscribe to the newsletter. There are also a number of articles from The Hardy Falls Gazette already posted, and I have plans for more special things in the future!

    I hope you join us!

     

     

     

     

  • New Releases!!!

    Hello, everyone!  It’s been a very busy couple of weeks here at the Palatial Horvath Estate, but I’m delighted to let you all know that the next TWO books in the Hardy Falls series are out and available now!!!

    First, Trusting Love – Welcome to Hardy Falls book 2


    Her life is falling apart. He doesn’t want any complications. Obviously, they’re a match made in heaven.

    Josie Kline used to think she had things under control. That was before she got laid off from her job, kicked out of her apartment, and found herself driving through the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in the middle of a surprise blizzard.

    When she slides, literally, into the Country Time Bar and Grill, she discovers not only a haven from the storm but new purpose—helping to save her hometown’s landmark business from financial ruin. Now, if she could stop thinking about Mateo Guerrero, the darkly handsome, yet incongruous dishwasher, everything would be great. Doesn’t she have enough problems?

    Mat is still surprised to find himself working as a dishwasher/bartender in Hardy Falls after leaving a broken relationship behind in Texas. The last thing he wants to do is get involved with a beautiful stranger who blew in with the storm and stayed to be a thorn in his side. Josie has trouble written all over her, and Mat refuses to risk his heart again. Too bad she’s as enticing as she is annoying.

    Once Josie and Mat succumb to their overwhelming attraction, it’s supposed to be a casual, short-term fling. But the deeper they get, the harder it becomes for either of them to walk away. Then, just as everything looks like it might work out, the ghosts of Mat’s past raise their heads, jeopardizing any future he and Josie may have together—and any hope they have for a lasting love.

    Welcome to Hardy Falls, Pennsylvania, where sometimes love can pave the way for a new beginning—as long as you’re brave enough to accept the challenge.

    Click here to read the first chapter.

    Available at:

    Amazon   |   Nook   |   iBooks   |   Kobo

     

    And also available is Expecting Love – Welcome to Hardy Falls book 2.5 (this is a novella, so it’s shorter)

    Two couples just starting out. Two life-changing surprises. Sometimes love gives you more than you bargained for.

    Hannah Frederickson always thought the only family she’d have would be the people working for her at the Country Time Bar and Grill. She’s thrilled when, just a few months after realizing her bartender, Deacon Black, is also the man of her dreams, she learns her life is about to change yet again. But why isn’t Deacon as delighted as she is about the news? Didn’t he want this to happen?

    June Esperanza has been taking care of herself for a heck of a lot longer than she’s been employed at the Country Time. She’s not about to stop now, not even after finding a second chance at love with Calvin Hardy. Then June discovers she does not have a stomach bug, and everything changes. When it comes down to it, can she count on Calvin? Or will she have to deal with this the way she’s handled everything else in her life—alone?

    As Christmas draws near in the town of Hardy Falls, two couples grapple with the unexpected. Will Deacon embrace Hannah and their new adventure or let his fear and doubt rip them apart? Will June finally bring Calvin into the center of her life or push him even further away? Are any of them ready to face the challenges ahead?

    Welcome to Hardy Falls, Pennsylvania, where love can take turns you didn’t see coming. Better just hold on for the ride.

    Click here to read an excerpt.

    Available at:

    Amazon   |   Nook   |   iBooks   |   Kobo

     

    They’re out!  The ebooks are flying free!  And they’re available everywhere!

    Well, okay, they’re not live on Nook yet, but that’s only because Nook is the bane of my existence and is taking longer than a geriatric sloth to complete their processing.  I didn’t want to keep holding up this post waiting for them since God only knows how much longer it will take.  [Updated 12/29/17 – the Nook publishing process FINALLY finished, so the books are all up on Nook now, too]  I also have to figure out how to publish on Google Play, which looks like it will be a real treat (sarcasm).  Paperbacks are in process and will be available soon – I’ll let you know when they are available.

    PS – Handling Love and Believing Love are once again available everywhere and are no longer exclusive to Amazon. In case anyone is interested.

    PPS – if you happen to read the books, please consider leaving an honest review on any of the stores or on Goodreads.  Your reviews help other people find the books and are very important.  I’m grateful for every one my books receive. (I really am).

    One day, I’ll get my act together and figure out how to release and launch a book.  But it appears that today will not be that day. Ah, well.  Mistakes were made, but lessons were learned.  And that’s all we can ever hope for.

    Most importantly…the books are out.

    Now, I’ll get back to writing the next one.

    And figuring out Google Play.

    But maybe I’ll dress the cats up in party hats first.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Cover Reveal, Revised Titles, and Other Updates

    Hello, my friends!  I’m so excited to share the cover for my new book, which will be coming out soon.  Here it is!

    Now, you may ask me WHEN it is coming out, and at this point, I can’t set an actual date, but it will be by Christmas unless something really goes wrong.  But since things DO go wrong, and planning, they name is Betsy, I can only say it will be soon.  How soon is soon?  Hmmmm…..

    Some day I’ll get this whole timing thing u9nder control.  Some day…. Hope springeth eternal.

    In the meantime, here’s the blurb –

    Her life is falling apart. He doesn’t want any complications. Obviously, they’re a match made in heaven.

    Josie Kline used to think she had things under control. That was before she got laid off from her job, kicked out of her apartment, and found herself driving through the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania in the middle of a surprise blizzard.

    When she slides, literally, into the Country Time Bar and Grill, she discovers not only a haven from the storm but new purpose—helping to save her hometown’s landmark business from financial ruin. Now, if she could stop thinking about Mateo Guerrero, the darkly handsome, yet incongruous dishwasher, everything would be great. Doesn’t she have enough problems? 

    Mat is still surprised to find himself working as a dishwasher/bartender in Hardy Falls after leaving a broken relationship behind in Texas. The last thing he wants to do is get involved with a beautiful stranger who blew in with the storm and stayed to be a thorn in his side. Josie has trouble written all over her, and Mat refuses to risk his heart again. Too bad she’s as enticing as she is annoying.

    When Josie and Mat finally succumb to their overwhelming attraction, it’s supposed to be a casual, short-term fling. But the deeper they get, the harder it becomes for either of them to walk away. Then, just as everything looks like it might work out, the ghosts of Mat’s past raise their heads, jeopardizing any future he and Josie may have together—and any hope they have for a lasting love. 

    If you enjoy sassy heroines, sizzling heroes, and smart, sexy, small-town romance, you’ll love Trusting Love and the rest of Betsy Horvath’s Welcome to Hardy Falls series.

    For those of you who are subscribers to my newsletter, you already saw a version of the cover and the blurb when you had the chance to read the unedited first chapter.  You may notice something is different now – and that’s the title!!  Oh, and the blurb changed too, but that’s always a work in progress.  The title change is a bigger deal.

    Over the past couple of weeks, I somehow decided that I should change the titles for my books.  And thus Believing It has become Believing Love.  And lo, Handling It hath become Handling Love.  And verily the book formerly known as Beginning It has been transformed thusly into Trusting Love.

    The books already published have gotten revised covers (see below) and new descriptions which will be migrating to the website and Amazon as soon as possible.  Changing titles isn’t unheard of, but it does cause a lot of work, so I’m plowing through it.  I expect the changes to be in place everywhere soon.  (there’s that “soon” word again…)  Oh, and I’ll be adding the info for Trusting Love, too.

    Now why, you may ask, did I bother changing the titles if it would cause extra work and add extra expense from having the covers revised?

    Well, I did it because I wanted to place this series firmly in the romance category.  I don’t want there to be any doubt what these books are.  If you are looking at a list of my books, I want you to say “those are romance”, even if the covers aren’t with them.  I also like that “love” is a softer word than “it” and not as ambiguous.

    So, I’m thinking it was a good decision, but I’ve been wrong before.  Only time will tell!  I am sure that if I wanted to make a title change, this was the time to do it.  The two books that are out already are not, shall we say, best sellers, and it was much better to change them before the next two books come out.

    Yes, I did say TWO books were coming out.  A short novella, Expecting Love, is being finalized and I hope it will be available by the end of the year as well unless it turns out to be complete, um, poo-poo and not worthy to see the light of day.  I don’t have a cover for it yet, but I’ll share it when I do.

    In addition, I’ve started the first draft for the next book in the series, and I’m revisiting a story I’d been writing earlier this year to see if it’s worth giving to the newsletter subs.  And I have to up my newsletter game.  Oh, and update and streamline the book page here.  In other words, there’s an awful lot going on!   What am I, nuts?  (the answer’s “yes”)  All that means the rest of the year is going to be crazy, so blog posts may be a bit sporadic for a little while until the books are released.

    And, thus, while I can, I wanted to take this time to wish all of you a very HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! (just a little bit early)  I have a lot to be thankful for this year – and I’m especially thankful for all of you who have joined me on this crazy journey and tolerated my meandering ways.

    So….thank you and Happy Thanksgiving, no matter where in the world you live!

    Here are the three books together – soon to be four!  I hope!

          

  • Back Again

    Hello, my dears!  My, but it’s been a long time since I’ve posted, hasn’t it?  Sorry about that.  One reason I’ve been delayed is that I keep thinking I’ll write a funny little story-post with the Muse and Harry and Skipper and all the rest.  Then time slips away and I don’t do it.  This week I decided to give up on the grand schemes and just write something.

    But don’t worry!  Harry shall return.

    It has been a strange, strange summer.  As you may know from one of my last posts, my day job was eliminated in May, but I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to keep working at my company for a while.  Subsequent events proved that the company itself was going through upheaval, and now nothing is certain.

    But nothing is ever certain, is it?

    Anyway, I spent a great deal of mental energy this summer dealing with the situation and trying to decide what the best way was for me to respond to it.  In the midst of all that I also had to write resumes, get on LinkedIn, and do the multitudes of mundane work associated with uncertainty.  It took time and energy and maybe I’ve been a wee bit anxious, which kills creativity and wrecks sleep patterns.

    After stewing and stewing, I began to work out the best solution for me, which has been a great weight off my mind.  It may not be your plan, it may not be a good plan, but it is a plan.  Plans can’t be overestimated in my opinion.

    Getting that weight off my mind bumped my writing back into high(er) gear.  I’m proud to say that I kept working on my latest book through it all, but progress was slower than I wanted it to be, thanks to upheaval and stewing and resume-making.  There were also some other things thrown in there for good measure–like finding out one of my cats has cancer and trying to deal with my credit reports.  (The cat is doing well so far, the credit reports are frustrating).

    Making a decision on how I wanted to proceed day-job-wise let me put focus back on finishing my book.  I’m pleased that as of this writing I am about 85% finished with the next Hardy Falls book.  Although I’m at the phase in the proceedings where I doubt everything I do, I am soldiering on.  After I finish, I have to run it through a grammar program and then it will be ready to go to the editor, assuming the editor can take it (considering it’s about three months late).

    The Hardy Falls novella coming after this is already written and needs to be finalized.  Since it’s half the length of the book I’m working on now, and not quite as complicated, I’m hoping I’ll be able to knock it out more quickly.  But I don’t want to jinx myself.

    More info on the book, including title and cover, to come.  Right now I’m just focused on getting the bloody thing finished.

    Regarding this blog.  I’ve gotten comments from people saying that they thought I had stopped writing it.  That is not the case – I just got derailed for a bit.  I expect there will be regular (or at least semi-regular) blog posts now that I’ve gotten going again.  So much mental angst to expose to the world!

    The newsletter, too, has been derailed.  If you’ve signed up for it and have noticed the monthly newsletter has been conspicuously absent for the last couple of months, I do apologize.  I’m going to get one out this week, and then get back on a regular routine with that as well.  I’m contemplating sharing an unedited excerpt from the book I’m working on in this month’s edition, so stay tuned!

    And I wanted to thank everyone for their support and good wishes and patience during this time.  Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug.  I got a little splattered over the last couple of months, but I’m pulling myself back together.  One inch at a time.