The Floating Dock
A historical romance set in 1907 SW Alberta.
22-year old best friends Carly James and Lily Cameron travel from their small-town Ontario home to Alberta. Lily hopes a fresh start in new surroundings will heal her depression from the sudden death of her young husband.
Carly reluctantly leaves a successful dressmaking business to accompany her friend. She wants to open a dress shop in her new home.
En route, they meet the personable Lawson brothers who are taking a load of cattle to their ranch near Okotoks, Alberta, the girls' destination. Friendships develop during the journey, and Carly is pursued by Marty Lawson, whose brother's family she boards with. They help her locate a shop while promoting Marty's cause. Carly isn't ready for romance; she only wants to get her business restarted.
Then Lily's job implodes and an old friend reappears. Lily is rescued by the Lawson brothers and ends up staying at their family ranch. Carly finds herself struggling between choices: her shop and/or one of two beau, while Lily is tempted by an offer of love on a foothills ranch. Their decisions will change all their lives.
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ABOUT ME
Since early childhood I've had dreams and stories swirling around in my mind, but it wasn't until after being widowed that I finally got serious about putting these ideas down on paper.
My novels are based on a ranch where I worked some years ago. I never forgot the beauty of the scenery and hope to portray it with my words.
I'm starting my series in 1907, when this ranch was already established and thriving. There will be follow-up stories featuring some of the other interesting characters encountered, as well as a couple novels dated earlier describing the founding of the families involved and the beginnings of the ranch and the trail ride lodge.
Also in various stages of completion are a couple modern day novels featuring the descendants of the people in this first story.
I live in NW Ontario, near my mother's birthplace. While I love the summers here, with the abundance of crystal clear lakes for swimming, the winters are brutal and long. A big part of my heart is still in the foothills of SW Alberta, where I plan to eventually re-locate.
The top picture shows me on my 17-hands tall horse 'Rocky' on the ranch, celebrating my 21st birthday. The bottom left picture shows the hills from the valley floor; the center picture shows the ranch with 1000-lb cattle looking like tiny dots, from on top of the ridge, seen through Rocky's ears. That photo will grace the cover of my next book, "Lawson's Legacy."
On the right is Lass, "Atlasta Plaudit", my favorite appaloosa mare.
I love hearing from my readers. Your comments are always welcome, and I will try to answer all emails. You can reach me at jackpine@drytel.net. Happy Reading!
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