I'm lucky enough to have multiple writing spaces. Living out on a cattle ranch, I'm surrounded by inspiration, and frequently you'll find me out on the porch, soaking in the peace and quiet, as well as listening to the calls of the baby calves, or, in the evening, the howls of the coyotes (and they're out every night out here!). With a view like the one in the picture, how can I not be inspired?
When I first knew I'd be sending in pictures of my writing space, I thought "I have to clean up this chaos right away!" But, I realized, that's not fair for my readers or even to other Authors. Life is messy, and so is writing! My desk is cluttered with pictures of my kids when they were very young, paintings my daughter had showcased for fifth grade (proud Mama moment), along with bills and stationery and all the clutter that accumulates through life.
I actually have two desks in my office. One is devoted to my writing, and the second you'll see is piled high with research. Every book I write gets its very own binder. I print off research articles, I put photos in them, I'll even take pamphlets from the location(s) my characters are traveling to and reference as I write. Research is near and dear to my heart. I have a massive bookcase that is overflowing with Texas History, World Building, and Writer's Craft books. It also has the "lasso" used when my husband and I got married, the mandatory John Deere sticker, and folders full of story ideas. It also includes the very first manuscript I ever thought about submitting for publishing.
Now you have a glimpse into my beautiful, wild, and crazy world! If you have boots to protect you from snakes and can handle stacks of paper, come visit and kick back to drink some Texas sweet tea and listen to the cattle.
A SEAL is ready for anything...except losing his heart...
Lieutenant Amador "Stryker" Salas and his tight-knit Navy SEAL team are undercover on a Texas ranch and tasked with covert ops across the border. It's an assignment that requires all their skills, all their secrets, and all their know-how.
Anya Gutierrez, the local veterinarian, has been serving the ranch for years. She loves the animals and ranching life, and Stryker finds her a breath of fresh air in his otherwise rigidly disciplined existence.
When Anya gets caught in the crosshairs of a mission gone sideways, Stryker must tell her the truth about who he really is, risking everything to keep her out of harm's way, even if it destroys him...
Comment Question: What's your dream home location?
1. Downtown / City
2. Country / Quiet
3. Suburb / Big Shops / Easy Parking
4. At the Beach - It's the Salt Life
5. Lakefront - Activities
6. In the Forest / Wildlife
7. Other - Tell us More
The lucky print book winner is: Denise Holcomb
Holly Castillo lives on an 80 acre ranch, surrounded by cattle during the day and hearing the howl of coyotes by night. She has endless inspiration for her writing. Holly’s romantic suspense series about heroic Navy SEALs is set in her own backyard of south Texas. She lives with her husband and two children just south of San Antonio. Visit her online at hollycastillo.com.