1. I'm married to a professional landscape artist.
2. I'm a chocoholic.
3.I love recipes. I collect more online than I can ever make.
4. I love babies and worked in church nurseries as soon as I was old enough.
5. I spend time I don't have riding my horse.
A native of Houston, TX, Karen spent
her early years enjoying life along the Gulf Coast.
After high school, she
attended Texas A&M
as well as the University of Houston
where
she obtained a B.S. in early childhood education.
She has
written numerous articles and stories,
books for children and
novels for adults.
She particularly enjoys
writing contemporary
and historical romance. She now lives in
the
Southwest with her family and assorted pets.
Connect with Karen on Facebook
or on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/karencogan.
Check out multi-published author,
Karen Cogan's books
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RUNAWAY HEARTS
Lynn thought putting distance between herself and her mother was healthy. Then she met Greg. He not only understands the meaning of running away from his problems, he's about to give her a painful lesson on the subject.
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EXCERPT
Copyright
2013 © Karen Cogan
Lynn
swallowed the last sip from the water bottle she’d propped
beside her on the seat of her truck, and perused the housing
she’d been promised upon taking the job. Small, square, and
beige, the cluster of houses appeared exactly alike. No one
stirred in any of the tiny yards, only a pair of jeans hanging
on a clothesline proved this was not a ghost town. She finally
spotted a two-story, adobe building across the street from a
small food market, and dilapidated gas station, and decided
she’d found Desert Rock Boarding School.
The name was
written in both English and Navajo, and she wondered if she’d
ever learn to pronounce the Native American version.
After parking
her truck in front of the adobe building, Lynn took a deep
breath, and let her body adjust to the stillness. The sensation
was odd after jostling over miles of rutted roads.
She stared at
the doorway for a moment, mustering up the nerve to go inside.
She’d arrived here and might as well see how far over her head
she was.
Though it
wasn’t noon yet, the desert heat already pushed ninety-five
degrees. She wiped her perspiring palms on her skirt and lifted
her thick copper hair off her neck, as she studied her
reflection in the school’s glass doors.
Reaching for
the door, she lost her balance when someone inside the building
pushed on the door at the same time, causing her to flail in an
effort not to land on the ground.
“I’m sorry,”
a man said, grabbing her arm and righting her before she landed
in the dirt.
She gasped,
and her cheeks heated, as she stared into the richest,
chestnut-brown eyes she’d ever seen. Her first day and already
she’d managed to make a fool of herself.
He said, “I
didn’t see you. Are you all right?”
She forced a
smile. “I’m fine. My mind was on finding the office. I didn’t
watch the door.”
He reached to
shake her hand. “I’m Greg Martin. I teach sixth grade. Maybe I
can help you. I’m an old-timer. I’ve been here at Desert Rock
for the past three years.”
More heat
crept into her cheeks, and she wished she’d introduced herself
first.
“I’m Lynn
Martin, the new fifth grade teacher. Good to meet you.”
The rich,
chestnut eyes went wide. “Same last name, huh?”
“Apparently.”
Did he think she would lie about it?
His grin
showed a row of straight white teeth. “We’ll be interesting
gossip.”
Had someone
placed an “Embarrass me” sign on her back? How could one man
manage to discompose her three times in five minutes?
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Watch for Karen Cogan's latest novel, PRISONER OF THE PEARLS coming soon!
Though Debra is saddened by the death of her beloved aunt, she treasures the historic home in Galveston, Texas the dear woman left to her. Also, bequeathed, are a string of flawless pearls and a note warning her to never wear them. Unable to resist, Debra fastens them around her neck. She never dreams of the history behind the pearls, or the power they will have over her life. Will she solve their mystery, or wear them to her death?
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I'm with you on the recipes. I have bazillion cook books and seldom use them. I enjoy reading and looking at pictures.
ReplyDeleteWow, Karen, I bet your yard looks fantastic! And this is exactly the right time of year to be a chocoholic :) Enjoyed reading your "5 things."
ReplyDeleteTime riding a horse is never wasted.
ReplyDeleteThis is certainly the best time of year to be a chocoholic, and I'm right there with you. Best wishes on your releases!
ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with someone who loves horses, babies, and chocolate!
ReplyDelete