Jacqueline Hopper Official Author Website

FREE Printable To Nap Or Not To Nap, There Is No Question

2026-11-12T13:53:59.514-05:00

Celebrate my latest coloring book sensation with a free printable coloring page taken directly from the book.

Shakespearean Cats: Much Ado About Meowing: 50 Elizabethan Cat Coloring Pages for Adults. Click here for your free printable

Get your copy on Amazon

To Color, or Not to Color? Shakespearean Cats Available Now On Amazon!

2026-11-11T08:12:50.445-05:00

To Color, or Not to Color? Prithee, There Is No Question! 🎭🐈

The royal cats are here!

Prepare for 50 delightfully mischievous Elizabethan cat coloring pages, featuring pompous kings, indignant duchesses, lovestruck felines, and mice who really ought to know their place!

Shakespearean Cats: Much Ado About Meowing is an intricate adult coloring book filled with royal adventures, theatrical comedy, and plenty of feline attitude.

👑 Available now on Amazon!

Eternal Blessings — A FREE Christian Family Web Drama

2026-11-10T11:06:12.786-05:00

Read free here

FREE Amish Teddy Bears Coloring Page for Adults | The Firewood Pile

2026-11-08T14:53:59.404-05:00

The Firewood Pile is a free printable coloring page featuring lovable plush teddy bears, traditional Amish clothing, a charming farmhouse, and beautiful late-autumn scenery.

With intricate details and plenty of spaces to color, this heartwarming illustration is perfect for adults and older children who enjoy country life and teddy bears.

Download your FREE coloring page here:

https://payhip.com/b/M5Yer

Love The Amish Teddy Bears?

Discover even more adorable scenes in Amish Teddy Bears: Adult Coloring Book by Jacqueline Hopper!

Enjoy a charming collection of plush teddy bears celebrating Amish country life, family activities, and traditional rural living.

Available now on Amazon!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HQ34KN9J

Illustrated by Jacqueline Hopper

FREE The Candy Cane Champion Episode Two

2026-11-06T13:49:54.859-05:00

Happy Friday, everyone.

As promised, here is Episode Two of The Candy Cane Champion.

I hope you enjoy!

Members of my free Reader Circle have received this episode in their email.

If interested, you may join my free Reader Circle by clicking here

EPISODE TWO

Ramsey Dalton winced as Gerard Stover's fist struck his opponent in the jaw. The force of the blow sent the man staggering backward before he collapsed onto the mat. Around Ramsey, the crowd erupted into cheers, shouting, jumping, and stamping their feet.

Ramsey couldn't understand what there was to celebrate about watching a man get knocked senseless. He supposed there were circumstances in which a fellow had good reason to use his fists, but exchanging blows merely for the entertainment of others wasn't something that appealed to him. Whatever satisfaction the spectators found in it, he couldn't see the attraction.

Having arrived by train only yesterday, Ramsey had spent much of the day familiarizing himself with Whalerton and looking for opportunities to establish himself as a painter. He'd chosen the thriving town partly because it offered possibilities for earning a living and partly because it was far enough from home that his father's creditors were unlikely to come looking for him.

There was little sense in remaining where every dollar he managed to scrape together was claimed before he could put it to good use.

He'd left his name at several Whalerton establishments, offering painting lessons to anyone interested, and had even resorted to putting up a sign advertising his services.

At lunchtime, he'd stopped at Maude's boardinghouse for a bowl of soup and some crackers. The simple meal had surprisingly hit the spot. There had been times at home when even that much food would have been considered a luxury.

He'd already spent a portion of his meager savings securing his room at Maude's, and tomorrow he'd have to part with a little more to place an advertisement in the newspaper. The prospect didn't particularly appeal to him. Spending money before he'd earned any was hardly the beginning he'd envisioned, but how else was he to find students in a town where nobody knew his name?

Ramsey snorted to himself. What would his mother think if she could see him now? All those years she'd encouraged his talent, praised his paintings, and insisted he was capable of becoming a respected artist. And here he was, practically begging strangers to allow him to teach them how to hold a paintbrush.

Still, pride wouldn't pay for his room or purchase the supplies he needed. If teaching lessons was what it took to establish himself, he'd teach lessons. He certainly wasn't about to return home with his tail between his legs.

He'd spent too many years struggling to earn a living under his father's roof to surrender his independence now.

His mother had always believed he possessed the talent to become a respected artist. His father, on the other hand, had never shown the slightest interest in his paintings unless there was money to be made from them.

Ramsey had spent too many years watching his earnings disappear into his father's pockets. Whatever money he managed to make in Whalerton would be his to manage, and he intended to make every penny count.

His mother would have been pleased to see him making a beginning for himself. How he wished she'd lived long enough to witness it.

With the bout over, Ramsey made his way out of the boxing club and onto the street. He'd spent enough time watching other men earn their living. It was high time he found a way to earn his own.

As Ramsey continued through Whalerton, he found himself studying the buildings with an artist's eye. There were several establishments that might make interesting subjects for a painting, although whether anyone would be willing to purchase the finished work was another matter.

Near the edge of town, he came upon an estate so magnificent that he stopped in his tracks. Now, there was a house worth painting.

Even in early fall, when the rosebushes had long since surrendered their blooms, the estate possessed a beauty that immediately captured Ramsey's imagination. He could almost picture it in summer, with roses spilling over the gardens and sunlight warming the walls of the house.

But it was the windows that truly caught his attention. Good heavens, the light!

Tall, magnificent windows stretched along the house, promising an abundance of natural light within. What he wouldn't give to set up an easel in one of those rooms, with the afternoon sunshine illuminating his canvas.

His gaze travelled over the estate again, studying the proportions of the house and the way the bare branches of the surrounding trees framed the building. Already, he was mentally selecting his colours and deciding where he'd position his easel to capture the best perspective.

"That's the Stover estate," a voice remarked beside him. "Richest family in town."

Ramsey turned to find a short, middle-aged gentleman with more white than brown in his neatly combed hair. His suit was of a newer cut than Ramsey's own, and considerably less worn. The fellow had apparently mistaken his interest in the estate for something other than artistic appreciation.

The man shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels. "You'd be best to avoid them," he said. "The young woman who lives there, Miss Lily Rose Stover, is protected by a dragon."

A dragon?

Ramsey chuckled. Surely the fellow was having a bit of fun at his expense. But his amusement faded when he noticed the seriousness of the man's expression.

"I wouldn't go courting her, if I were you," the stranger continued. "Even if she is a good-looking woman with a lot of money coming her way, it's not worth it." With that, the stranger went on his way.

Ramsey glanced toward the house again. He hadn't given a moment's thought to whether a young woman lived there, much less whether she was beautiful or wealthy. All he'd seen was a magnificent building practically begging to be captured on canvas.

Apparently, admiring a house in this town was enough to have a man accused of pursuing its occupant.

A dragon, indeed. Ramsey supposed the young woman's father must be one of those overprotective sorts who considered every unmarried man a potential threat to his daughter's virtue. Well, the fellow could rest easy. He had no intention of courting anyone's daughter, wealthy or otherwise. He had more pressing concerns than finding himself a wife.

For the first time that afternoon, Ramsey felt a measure of optimism. He hadn't come all this way to spend the rest of his life worrying about money. He'd come to make something of himself, and if that meant beginning with a painting of a stranger's house, so be it.

With that encouraging prospect in mind, he continued toward Maude's boardinghouse. Five dollars a week for a room and three meals a day was a bargain Ramsey couldn't afford to dismiss. The prospect of sitting down to a proper supper every evening was something he could certainly appreciate.

His mother would have been pleased. She'd often expressed concern over his weight, insisting he was growing far too thin.

"No one will trust somebody who looks like he hasn't eaten in two months," she'd told him. "Take care of yourself, and people will respond."

Ramsey could almost hear her voice, that familiar mixture of affection and concern he'd known throughout his childhood. He wished she'd taken her own advice.

That evening, supper consisted of roast, biscuits, green beans, mashed potatoes, and all the gravy that mashed potatoes cried for. Ramsey surveyed the generous spread with appreciation.

Good heavens, when was the last time he'd sat down to a meal like this? He certainly wasn't going to need much encouragement to fill his plate.

Nevertheless, Maude seemed determined to make certain he ate his fill. The plump, rosy-cheeked woman, whom Ramsey guessed to be somewhere in her forties, bustled about the table, encouraging her boarders to help themselves to another biscuit or an extra spoonful of potatoes.

She was a cheerful soul, spending much of the meal talking and joking with her tenants as though she'd known them all their lives. She called them her boys, a term Ramsey found rather endearing, considering most of the fellows were only nineteen.

He couldn't help liking her. There was something rather comforting about being fussed over, especially when the fussing involved a second helping of roast.

As the meal progressed, the other boarders began sharing stories about their work at the shipyard. Ramsey listened with interest as they discussed the vessels presently under construction, the long hours, and the possibility of additional work in the coming months.

"Word is they've got another three ships on the building schedule," one fellow announced, reaching for a biscuit. "If that goes through, we'll have more work than we know what to do with."

"Won't hear me complaining," another replied. "Not if they're paying us well for it."

"You've been complaining about splinters in your thumb since you started working there, and they haven't even laid the keels for those new ships," someone remarked, bringing a round of laughter from the table.

Ramsey smiled as he helped himself to another spoonful of potatoes. These fellows certainly weren't afraid of hard work. Most had come from other towns in search of employment, much as he had, although their skills lay in building ships rather than painting pictures.

From the sound of things, the shipyard workers had little reason to worry about finding employment. Ramsey couldn't help wishing his own prospects were as promising. Still, he'd only been in Whalerton since yesterday. It was hardly reasonable to expect commissions and students to come knocking at his door already.

There was something encouraging about hearing them discuss the future with such confidence. Prosperous townspeople might be more inclined to spend money on portraits and landscapes.

At least, he hoped so.

As the conversation drifted away from shipyard matters, one of the newer boarders, a fellow named Henry, leaned forward with an interested expression. Ramsey hadn't spoken much with him, but he'd already noticed that Henry was quick with a grin and seldom allowed an opportunity to offer his opinion to pass him by.

"Say, what can you fellows tell me about the Stover family?" Henry asked, setting down his fork.

Ramsey glanced up from his plate.

"What about them?" one of the men asked.

"I hear they're the wealthiest family around these parts." Henry reached for his water glass. "And I hear there's a young heiress living up at that grand house of theirs. Quite a looker, from what I've been told."

A couple of the men exchanged glances.

"Miss Lily Rose Stover?" one asked.

"That's the one." Henry grinned. "Pretty girl, plenty of money. Surprises me some fortunate fellow hasn't married her already."

"Are you looking to get your neck broken?" one of the young men asked, his tone mocking.

Henry laughed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Means you'd best keep your distance if you know what's good for you."

"Why? Is she already spoken for?"

"Not that I know of. But there's a reason she hasn't married, and it isn't for lack of fellows wanting to court her."

Ramsey remembered the stranger he'd encountered outside the Stover estate. So the fellow hadn't been exaggerating about a dragon guarding Miss Lily Rose after all.

"Her brother," another boarder explained. "That's your trouble. Nobody gets near Miss Lily Rose without answering to him."

"Her brother?" Henry repeated.

"The Stover dragon, as some fellows call him,” one fellow answered. "Gerard Stover, of Stover's Boxing Club. You must have heard of him.""

Ramsey paused with his fork halfway to his mouth. Gerard Stover?

"You mean the local boxing champion?" Henry asked.

"Who else?"

Ramsey lowered his fork. The man he'd watched knock his opponent senseless that afternoon was Miss Lily Rose Stover's brother?

So that was the dragon! And here he'd imagined some stern old father standing guard over his daughter's virtue. Well, that explained a great deal.

"There's talk that one fellow never properly recovered from the trouncing he got in the ring after he went after Miss Lily Rose," another boarder continued.

"I doubt that," Henry scoffed.

"Doubt it all you please. I've seen Gerard fight. He might look respectable enough when he's dressed for business, but you wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of one of his punches."

Ramsey glanced at Henry, wondering whether the warning had given him reason to reconsider his interest in the young heiress.

If anything, Henry appeared amused. "So that's all there is to it?" Henry asked. "A brother who thinks he can frighten every man away from his sister?"

"All there is to it?" one of the boarders repeated incredulously. "You get yourself into a ring with Gerard Stover, and you'll find out soon enough."

Henry leaned back in his chair. "Well, I reckon there are ways around that brute of a brother. I can outwit the Stover dragon without setting so much as one foot inside the ring or throwing a single punch."

A few of the men laughed, though Ramsey noticed that not everyone seemed amused.

"That's easy enough to say when you're sitting at a supper table," one fellow remarked.

"Mark my words," Henry replied. "There's more than one way to get what a determined man wants."

Ramsey regarded Henry with renewed interest. The fellow certainly thought himself clever. Whether he possessed the intelligence to support such an opinion was another matter entirely.

Apparently, Henry regarded courting a young woman as a contest to be won. Ramsey couldn't imagine approaching marriage in such a fashion. A wife was supposed to be a companion, not a prize awarded to the fellow who managed to outwit her family.

As far as Ramsey was concerned, Henry was welcome to try his luck with the Stover dragon. Ramsey had no interest in courting an heiress himself, regardless of how pretty or wealthy she might be.

No, thank you. He liked his face exactly as it was, not rearranged for him. And he certainly had no intention of risking his hands in a boxing ring. A painter depended upon his fingers, and Ramsey had worked far too hard to jeopardize his livelihood.

****************************************

Come back next Friday for Episode Three

FREE Amish Teddy Bears Coloring Page | The Book Wagon

2026-11-02T01:02:52.089-05:00

FREE Amish Teddy Bears Coloring Page — The Book Wagon! 🧸📚

Meet an adorable Amish teddy bear family enjoying a visit to the country book wagon! This delightful FREE printable features fuzzy teddy bears, charming countryside scenery, and plenty of intricate details to color.

Love these adorable bears? There's a whole book waiting for you!

Discover Amish Teddy Bears: Adult Coloring Book by Jacqueline Hopper, featuring 50 beautifully detailed coloring scenes filled with Amish farm life, horse-drawn buggies, cozy kitchens, country traditions, and lovable teddy bear families!

Perfect for adult coloring enthusiasts who adore teddy bears and charming country settings.

🧸 Get your FREE coloring page today, then discover all 50 delightful scenes in the complete coloring book!

Find Amish Teddy Bears: Adult Coloring Book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HQ34KN9J?spcref=PRINT_LISTING

Amish Country Gristmill | Free Printable Coloring Page

2026-11-01T11:11:49.916-05:00

Step into the charm of Amish country with this free printable gristmill coloring page!

Featuring a traditional country gristmill in a picturesque rural setting, this detailed black-and-white illustration captures a glimpse of simpler times and Amish country life.

Perfect for adults and older children who enjoy country scenery, historic buildings, and relaxing coloring activities.

What's Included:

1 printable coloring page
8.5 × 11-inch format
Detailed black-and-white line art
Free digital download

Print at home and bring this charming Amish country scene to life with your favourite colours!

For personal use only.

Click here to get your free download

The Candy Cane Champion Episode 1 | Read for free. A 1920s Historical Romance

2026-10-30T12:05:06.026-04:00

Episode One

Gerard Stover landed a solid right to his opponent's jaw, sending the fellow staggering backward before he crumpled to the mat. Cheers erupted from the club members gathered around the ring, but Gerard barely acknowledged them. Another victory, and hardly worth the sweat he'd worked up.

Patrick Sullivan, Gerard's right-hand man, held out his robe and gave him an approving clap on the back. "That was dandy."

Gerard slipped his arms into the robe, suppressing a wince as a familiar ache tugged at his shoulder. "Confound it," he muttered under his breath.

"Shoulder bothering you again?" Sullivan asked, lowering his voice.

"Like blazes." Gerard rolled his shoulder experimentally, then thought better of it when another twinge shot through the muscle. "Keep it under your hat, will you? The last thing I need is those fellows knowing a pushover like that cost me anything. Word gets out, and every milksop in town will come bursting through those doors, thinking he can take a crack at me."

Sullivan glanced at the club members still celebrating around the ring. "Your secret's safe with me, boss."

Gerard glanced over his shoulder at the fellow still sprawled on the mat. The poor sap had come into the ring full of swagger, convinced he stood a fighting chance. Well, he'd learned otherwise. Gerard almost felt sorry for him. Almost.

"He's going to be nursing his jaw for a few weeks," Sullivan remarked, casting a glance at the fallen boxer. "You sure gave him the works."

Gerard accepted the smouldering cigar Sullivan offered him and drew in a satisfying puff. The familiar taste of tobacco was a welcome reward after a disappointing bout. With Sullivan following close behind, he ducked between the ropes and headed down the hall toward his private office, leaving the cheers and excited chatter behind him.

Gerard settled into the leather chair behind his massive mahogany desk and tipped his head from side to side, hoping to ease the stiffness creeping up the back of his neck. A sharp twinge shot across his shoulders, drawing a hiss through his clenched teeth. Confound these blasted muscles. He could still put a man flat on his back without breaking a sweat, but afterward, his own body seemed determined to make him pay for it.

Sullivan stepped behind Gerard's chair and worked his thumbs into the tight knots between his shoulders. Gerard let out a low grunt of appreciation as some of the tension eased beneath the man's practiced fingers.

"You ought to spend a spell in the steam room, boss," Sullivan suggested, giving his shoulders one final squeeze. "Might do you a world of good."

"I'll get around to it," Gerard said, reaching for the stack of papers waiting on his desk. "Soon as I get through this paperwork. I've got a meeting with my stockbroker tomorrow, and I want to know where we stand with our General Motors shares."

He glanced over the latest figures, his brow furrowing. The family fortune hadn't been built on careless decisions, and he had no intention of being the fool who squandered it. His father had left him considerably more than a boxing club and a handsome house. There were investments, properties, and enough money to keep the family comfortable for generations—provided Gerard kept his wits about him. And he intended to do just that.

Sullivan glanced at the stack of papers on Gerard's desk and shook his head with an amused chuckle. "Between running this club and looking after all those stocks, it's a wonder you find time to climb into the ring at all."

"Somebody has to keep an eye on things," Gerard replied, straightening a few papers. "Father worked too hard building this fortune for me to let it slip through my fingers."

"And I reckon he'd be mighty proud of what you've done with it."

Gerard paused, his fingers resting on the papers. He liked to think so. His father had been a hard man to impress, both in business and in the ring. Even now, there were times when Gerard caught himself wondering whether he'd measured up to the old man's expectations.

Gerard pushed the papers aside and leaned back in his chair. Enough reminiscing about his father. There was work to be done, and not all of it involved balancing accounts.

"Speaking of keeping things running, we could use some new blood around here. See what you can do about finding a few promising fellows, will you? I'm tired of watching the same faces climb into the ring week after week."

Sullivan gave him a jaunty salute, a familiar grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I'll see what I can rustle up, boss. Though I reckon finding another fellow willing to climb into the ring with you might take some doing."

"That's what I pay you for," Gerard returned with a chuckle.

Sullivan laughed and headed for the door, closing it behind him.

Gerard watched him go with a faint smile. Good old Sullivan. The man was worth his weight in gold, and not merely because he could find a decent fighter or keep the club running smoothly. There weren't many fellows Gerard trusted without reservation, but Sullivan had earned that privilege years ago.

*********

Lily Rose sat in the back seat of the family's motorcar, her gloved fingers drumming impatiently against the red-and-white striped hatbox on her lap. Through the window, she watched the entrance to Gerard's boxing club. Honestly, the lengths a girl had to go to just to make her own brother listen to reason!

Gerard had always been stubborn, but lately he'd become downright impossible. He seemed to think being her older brother gave him the right to run her life. Well, she'd had enough of his interference, and this time she intended to tell him so. If only her stomach would stop fluttering at the thought of confronting him.

"There goes Sullivan," Aunt Primrose announced as Gerard's right-hand man emerged from the club. "Now's your chance, Lily Rose. Get your fighting spirit up and march in there."

Lily Rose swallowed. It was all very well for Aunt Primrose to talk about fighting spirit when she wasn't the one about to face Gerard.

"Your brother's had far too much say in your life," her aunt declared, raising a clenched fist toward the motorcar's ceiling. "It's high time somebody stood up to that overbearing tyrant, and that somebody might as well be you!"

"Easy for you to say," Lily Rose muttered.

"Nonsense! Keep your chin up, my girl. Don't let him back you into a corner. Stand your ground, watch for his punches, and whatever you do, don't throw in the towel!"

Lily Rose stared at her aunt. Good heavens! With that fierce expression and clenched fist, Aunt Primrose could have stepped straight into Gerard's boxing club and taken charge of a fighter's corner. All she lacked was a towel draped over one shoulder and a bucket at her feet.

Lily Rose climbed out of the motorcar, clutching her red-and-white striped hatbox. Aunt Primrose's spirited instructions still rang in her ears as she marched toward the club's entrance.

Inside, the familiar sounds of the boxing club greeted her—the thud of gloves against punching bags, the slap of shoes on the floor, and the occasional shout of encouragement.

"Good afternoon, Miss Lily Rose," one of the fighters called, stepping aside to let her pass.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Collins. How is that hand of yours?"

"Coming along nicely, thank you, miss." He lifted it briefly to show her.

Another gentleman tipped his head as she approached. "Afternoon, Miss Lily Rose. Fine day, isn't it?"

"Indeed it is, Mr. Harris. I hope you're keeping well."

"Very well, thank you, miss." His gaze settled on the striped hatbox. "Been shopping, have you?"

"Hmm." Lily Rose offered him a pleasant smile but no further explanation.

"If you're looking for your brother, he's in his office."

"Thank you, Mr. Harris. I thought he might be." She continued down the corridor, returning a few more greetings along the way. The gentlemen here had always treated her with courtesy, and she had never seen any reason not to return it. Whatever Gerard might think of her visits, she had never found his club an unpleasant place.

It was only the prospect of facing its owner that made her hesitate outside the office door.

Lily Rose stopped outside Gerard's office and tightened her grip on the hatbox handle. Keep your chin up. Don't let him back you into a corner.

Aunt Primrose made it sound so simple.

She drew a breath, straightened her shoulders, and opened the door without knocking.

Gerard sat behind his enormous mahogany desk, a cigar between his fingers. His gaze lifted from the papers before him, then dropped to the red-and-white striped hatbox. The cigar tipped in his hand, scattering ashes across his trousers.

Oh, that was satisfying.

"Confound it, Lily Rose!" Gerard brushed furiously at his trousers before glaring at her. "How many times have I told you not to bring that blasted thing into my club?"

She gave him her sweetest smile.

"What do you want this time?" he demanded. "And what was so important that it couldn't wait until dinner this evening?"

"I want you to put a stop to that ridiculous challenge of yours," Lily Rose declared.

Gerard took his time brushing the last of the ashes from his trousers. "Which challenge would that be?"

Oh, he knew perfectly well which one. Lily Rose tightened her grip on the hatbox handle. "The one that's frightened off every respectable young man who's shown the slightest interest in courting me!"

"I've told you before, Lily Rose. It's for your own good." Gerard settled back in his chair, though his gaze strayed to the hatbox in her hand. "Any man who hopes to marry into this family ought to have the backbone to face me in the ring."

"Facing you isn't the problem!" Lily Rose shot back. "It's what you do to them once they're in there!"

Gerard gave a dismissive shrug. "I won't have weak blood entering this family. We want good stock."

Lily Rose stared at him. "Good stock? Gerard, I'm not a prize heifer!"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Then stop talking as though you're choosing a breeding bull instead of a husband for me!"

"That's enough, Lily Rose," Gerard warned.

"No, it isn't!" She lifted her chin. "If I thought it would put an end to this nonsense, I'd climb into that ring and fight you myself!"

Gerard narrowed his eyes. "You didn’t watch that last fight,, did you? After I expressly forbade it?"

"Of course not! I was with Aunt Primrose." Lily Rose frowned. "And don't change the subject, Gerard. We're talking about my future, not your boxing matches!"

"Aunt Primrose!" Gerard repeated, looking thoroughly displeased. "I'm beginning to think she's a worse influence on you than those milksops who follow you around like slobbering puppies."

Lily Rose nearly laughed. If only he knew about the speech her aunt had delivered in the motorcar!

"She's my chaperone, Gerard, not my keeper."

"Then perhaps it's time I found you someone who could teach you a little refinement."

Lily Rose's amusement vanished. "Refinement? Whatever is wrong with the refinement I already possess?"

"For one thing, a young lady ought to know how to conduct herself properly," Gerard said.

Lily Rose planted a hand on her hip. "I know perfectly well how to conduct myself. Mother saw to that. I can manage a household, receive guests, and carry on a conversation without embarrassing anyone."

"Except me, apparently."

"Only when you deserve it."

Gerard opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Lily Rose took considerable satisfaction in that. It wasn't often she managed to leave her brother without a ready answer.

Gerard drew himself up in his chair. "Don't get above yourself, young lady! I happen to be responsible for your welfare, and I'll not have you gallivanting about town, encouraging every smooth-talking dandy who fancies himself a suitable husband. Father entrusted this family to me, and I intend to see that his wishes are respected!"

Lily Rose folded her arms. "Father also trusted me to have a mind of my own."

"Well, you've certainly made the most of that privilege!" Gerard snatched up his cigar, then paused to glance suspiciously at the hatbox. "But don't imagine for one moment that I'm changing my mind about those fellows. Not one inch! Not until they've met me in the ring and walked away under their own steam."

"Walk away?" Lily Rose repeated. "Gerard, the last gentleman who accepted your challenge had to be carried home!"

"He was on his feet by the following Tuesday."

"That was nearly a week later!"

"Then he ought to have trained harder." Gerard flicked ash into the tray on his desk. "I won't apologize for expecting a little fortitude in a prospective brother-in-law."

Lily Rose could scarcely believe him. Her brother had an answer for everything, no matter how ridiculous.

"Then perhaps you ought to concern yourself with your own affairs and leave mine to me," Lily Rose retorted.

"My affairs?" Gerard gave a disbelieving snort. "Young lady, your affairs are my affairs until I see you properly settled. And since Aunt Primrose seems more interested in encouraging your foolishness than correcting it, I'll have Donovan engage someone who can."

"Someone who can do what?"

"Teach you how to occupy yourself like a respectable young lady. Music, painting, whatever it is you ladies do when you're not causing trouble."

Lily Rose stared at him. "You mean to tell me that after all the years Mother spent teaching me to be a lady, you think I need lessons?"

"If that's what it takes!" Gerard declared.

Lily Rose could scarcely believe him.

"In the meantime," Gerard continued, "there are perfectly suitable gentlemen right here at the club. Fellows with backbone. Men who know how to take a punch."

Lily Rose regarded him warily. "What gentlemen?"

"Lender, for one. And Buster's not a bad sort."

"Lender? Buster?" She stared at him. "Gerard, Lender has cauliflower ears and a brain to match, and Buster's nose has been broken so many times it’s…” She shuddered.

"Neither of them lacks courage."

"Neither of them possesses much sense, either!"

Gerard waved away her objection. "A woman can always improve a man's manners."

Lily Rose wondered whether it had ever occurred to her brother that a man might require something more than a sturdy jaw to make a decent husband.

"And what, precisely, am I supposed to do with either of them?" Lily Rose demanded. "Spend the rest of my days discussing prizefights?"

"You might find you enjoy their company."

"I'd sooner marry a lamppost!"

"At least a lamppost knows how to stand its ground," Gerard replied.

Lily Rose stared at him. Of all the times for Gerard to develop a sense of humour!

"You're impossible!"

"And you're far too particular. Lender and Buster are good men."

"Good boxers, Gerard. There's a difference."

"A good boxer needs discipline, courage, and determination," Gerard declared. "Those are qualities any woman ought to appreciate in a husband."

"And what about kindness? Intelligence? The ability to hold a conversation without mentioning somebody's left hook?"

"You're exaggerating."

"Am I? You haven't once asked what I might want in a husband."

Gerard shifted in his chair. "I know what's best for you."

Lily Rose tightened her lips. There it was again. The same answer he gave whenever she dared disagree with him.

"Someday, Gerard, you're going to discover that you can't win every argument simply because you're accustomed to winning every fight."

Gerard laughed. "I'll worry about losing when somebody gives me reason to. Until then, any fellow who wants your hand knows where to find me."

Lily Rose gave an exasperated huff. There was simply no reasoning with the man!

"Well, just you wait, Gerard. Someday someone is going to knock that conceit right out of you, and I intend to be there when it happens!"

"Then I hope you've brought a comfortable chair. You'll be waiting a long time."

Before Lily Rose could think of a suitable reply, the office door opened and Aunt Primrose stepped inside.

"Well, well!" she said brightly, glancing from one sibling to the other. "I see the match is still underway."

"Aunt Primrose," Gerard said stiffly.

"Now then, my dears." She gave them both a charming smile. "Have we settled this little bout to everyone's satisfaction?"

"Yes," Gerard declared.

"No!" Lily Rose exclaimed at precisely the same moment.

Brother and sister turned to glare at each other.

"Ah." Aunt Primrose nodded as though this were precisely the answer she'd expected. "Then I suggest we call an end to this round and have another go when the footing is more even."

Before Gerard could object, she slipped an arm through Lily Rose's.

"Come along, my dear. A sensible fighter knows when to retire to her corner."

Lily Rose allowed herself to be steered into the corridor, though she couldn't resist one last indignant look at her brother.

Once they were safely beyond Gerard's hearing, Lily Rose turned to her aunt. "You told me not to throw in the towel!"

"And you didn't, my dear." Aunt Primrose adjusted her kid-leather gloves with an air of satisfaction. "You merely returned to your corner between rounds."

"But he hasn't changed his mind!"

"Did you truly expect him to surrender after one encounter?" Her aunt gave a knowing smile. "Your brother has been champion too long to recognize when he's met his match."

Lily Rose glanced back toward the closed office door. Perhaps Aunt Primrose had a point. Gerard might have won today's argument, but she had no intention of allowing him to make the most important decision of her life.

Click here for Episode Two

*If you've joined Jacqueline Hopper's Reader Circle, this episode has been sent directly to your email.

To join Jacqueline Hopper's Reader Circle, click here

The Undefeated Champ – FREE Printable 1920s Boxing Coloring Page for Adults

2026-10-26T10:39:42.357-04:00

This FREE coloring page celebrates the upcoming debut of The Candy Cane Champion, a sweet 1920s historical romance serial by Jacqueline Hopper!

The adventure begins Friday, October 30, 2026!

Follow this charming romance as the story unfolds, one episode at a time, featuring memorable characters and plenty of 1920s nostalgia.

Download your FREE vintage boxing coloring page today and join the excitement!

The Candy Cane Champion: A Sweet 1920s Historical Romance Serial Begins October 30

2026-10-25T21:06:45.093-04:00

Click here for Episode Two

Free Printable Amish Schoolhouse Coloring Page for Adults | Autumn Country Scene

2026-10-25T11:06:12.513-04:00

🍁 Free Printable Amish Schoolhouse Coloring Page for Adults 🍁

Take a trip to Amish country this autumn with this beautiful free printable coloring page!

It's a crisp autumn morning, and the children are making their way to a charming one-room Amish schoolhouse, where their teacher waits to welcome them. Surrounded by majestic trees, rustic fences, and rolling farmland, this nostalgic scene captures the beauty of a traditional Amish country school day.

Whether you enjoy coloring to relax, love Amish country scenery, or simply appreciate old-fashioned country life, this printable is a wonderful way to spend a little creative time.

🖍️ Download your free Amish Schoolhouse in Autumn coloring page today!

🎁 FREE 30-Day River-Rock Tracker!

2026-10-20T10:42:29.636-04:00

Grab your FREE printable coloring and health tracker! 🪨🛶

Track 30 days of healthy habits, celebrate your little victories, and color your way down a beautiful wilderness river!

✅ 2 printable coloring pages
✅ 30 numbered rocks to record your progress
✅ Instant PDF download
✅ Absolutely FREE!

🎁 CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE RIVER-ROCK TRACKER!

💚 Want the complete adventure?

Discover my new coloring book and health journal, Whitewater Rapids Quest: 30 Days to a Healthier You.

Available on Amazon!

One Rock at a Time!

Pumpkins Drawn In A Horse-Pulled Wagon FREE printable Amish coloring page for children

2026-10-19T12:37:20.672-04:00

Click here to download your free copy

An Amish Hay Ride FREE printable

2026-10-18T15:36:52.582-04:00

Get your free printable by clicking here

🍎 Return to Montague with The Roadside Stand — A Sweet Amish Short Romance!

2026-10-15T09:20:53.380-04:00

A Short Romance from The Amish of Montague

Tarah Esh loves the simple pleasures of Amish country life, especially the autumn harvest and tending her family's roadside stand in Montague, Prince Edward Island.

Jether Zook is a young Amish carpenter who has made Montague his home, bringing with him memories of the life he left behind in Ontario.

Their paths cross in the ordinary rhythm of everyday life, where even the smallest moments can hold unexpected meaning.

Set against the colorful beauty of a Prince Edward Island autumn, The Roadside Stand is a heartwarming short romance filled with gentle humor, family warmth, and the quiet joys of Amish life.

A standalone Amish short romance by Jacqueline Hopper.

Available now for just $0.99 USD!

🍎 Get your copy here: https://payhip.com/b/zPuoc

💕 NEW RELEASE! I Get Weak — A Sweet Romantic Comedy Short Story!

2026-10-13T07:05:38.189-04:00

Some encounters are unforgettable. Others leave you weak in the knees!

I Get Weak is a sweet romantic comedy short story filled with humor, heart, and irresistible chemistry.

💕 Ready to fall in love?

Get your copy of I Get Weak for just $0.99!

👉 Get Your Copy Here

🎨 Keep the Romance Going!

The story may end, but the fun doesn't have to!

Bring Josie and Zachary's romance to life with Color Me A Love Story: I Get Weak, the companion mini coloring book.

Available for just $2.99!

👉 Get Your Companion Coloring Book Here

Meet Jether and Tarah — A FREE Amish Coloring Page!

2026-10-09T11:50:19.858-04:00

Meet Jether Zook and Tarah Esh, two characters from my upcoming short romance, The Roadside Stand, part of The Amish of Montague!

Set in the beautiful countryside of Prince Edward Island, their story features a roadside stand, homemade apple preserves, and a young carpenter who seems particularly fond of apples! 🍎

To celebrate the upcoming release, I'm sharing a FREE printable Amish coloring page featuring Jether and Tarah.

Download your FREE coloring page here:
https://payhip.com/b/VL3PG

Want to read The Roadside Stand?

The story will be released Thursday, October 15, and delivered FREE by email to members of The Amish of Montague Reader Circle!

Not a member yet? There's still time to join!

Sign up FREE here:
https://forms.gle/vqkSuBXXjK7FEUEt7

Happy coloring, and I'll see you in Montague! 💚

Jacqueline Hopper
Abigail's Countenance

FREE Scripture To Download and Color

2026-10-03T09:45:55.393-04:00

Download by clicking here

Free Printable Amish Autumn – A Kitten in the Leaves 🍁🐾

2026-10-02T17:48:48.006-04:00

Click here to download for free

FREE Printable Scripture Coloring Page — Genesis 2:3

2026-09-25T11:20:35.843-04:00

Celebrate the seventh day with this beautiful FREE printable Bible verse coloring page featuring Genesis 2:3!

This Scripture coloring page features large, colorable Bible verse lettering surrounded by enormous flower petals, giving you plenty of space to enjoy your favorite colors.

Whether you enjoy Bible journaling, Scripture meditation, or simply relaxing with a beautiful coloring page, this free printable is a lovely way to reflect on the seventh day that God blessed and made holy.

Part of my Color Me the Scriptures collection from Abigail's Countenance.

Download your FREE Genesis 2:3 coloring page!

Click here

FREE Sunday Amish Coloring Page: Canning Day

2026-09-20T12:32:07.941-04:00

There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about canning day.

After months of planting, tending, weeding, and watching the garden grow, harvest time brings the reward. Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, fruit, and other garden produce make their way into the farmhouse kitchen, where the work of preserving the harvest begins.

For Amish families, canning is more than simply putting food into jars. It is part of a way of life built around using what has been provided, preparing carefully for the seasons ahead, and wasting as little as possible. The shelves that slowly fill with jars represent many hours of work—but they also represent the comfort of knowing that the summer and autumn harvest can continue feeding the family long after the garden has gone quiet for the winter.

And canning day itself can be a busy one! There are vegetables and fruit to wash and prepare, jars to sterilize, large pots simmering on the stove, and finished jars to cool before they are carried away to the pantry or cellar.

That is the little piece of Amish country life I wanted to capture in this week's Sunday Amish Coloring Page: a warm farmhouse kitchen, baskets from the harvest, jars waiting to be filled, and a family working together to preserve what the season has given them.

🍎 Canning Day is FREE to download and color.

You can get your printable copy here:

https://payhip.com/b/oaW2U

I hope you enjoy spending a little while in the farmhouse kitchen.

Happy coloring!

Jacqueline Hopper

Free Bible Verse Coloring Page

2026-09-14T17:12:51.417-04:00

Flowers, an open Bible, and a peaceful garden path—here’s something lovely to color!

Print on 8.5 × 11-inch paper and enjoy adding your own colors.

Download your free coloring page here: https://payhip.com/b/n0SxK

Free Amish Fall Coloring Page – Pumpkins, Apples & a Country Buggy

2026-09-13T10:30:33.152-04:00

Bring a little autumn to your coloring table! This week’s free printable adult coloring page features an Amish farm, a horse and buggy, baskets of apples, pumpkins, and lovely maple leaves.

Choose your favourite fall colours and enjoy a quiet coloring break. 🍁

Download your free page here

Jacqueline Hopper’s Reader Circle: A New Chapter, Free Coloring Page & a Contest

2026-09-11T10:22:35.261-04:00

This week’s Reader Circle email is out, with a little something to read, color, and enjoy!

Inside:
• Chapter Nine of Bouquets And Motorcycles, available in PDF and EPUB.
• “Ysonde Overhears,” a matching printable coloring page.
• The Name That Song contest—read the romance short story and guess the song!
• A peek at The Candy Cane Champion, coming in October.

Not in the Reader Circle yet? You’re welcome to join us! Membership is free.

Join Jacqueline Hopper’s Reader Circle

Name That Song: Reader Circle Contest Begins Today! Sweet Romance Story Excerpt

2026-09-10T13:11:02.165-04:00

Can you guess the secret song that inspired this sweet romance short story? That’s the challenge in my Name That Song Reader Circle contest, beginning today!

Everyone can enjoy the story excerpt below. The complete story and contest entry are exclusively for members of my free Reader Circle. Join to read the full romance, then email me your song-title guess! Only one guess per week.

Reader Circle members will also receive a free printable copy of the Color Me A Love Song version of the contest story when it’s released after the contest ends.

The winner gets to name the hero and heroine in the next contest story.

~Happy reading and guessing

The car shook as Josie Banner slowly entered the parking lot. She’d been to this garage many times, but things had changed after her last appointment. First of all, Frank, the owner of the garage, had cut back his hours. And second, the new mechanic filling in for him was young, knew his way around a grease pit, and was extremely handsome.

Just the thought of seeing the new mechanic again took her breath away and made her hands shake.

New-to-town Zachary River had the kind of face that made a woman lose her train of thought. Thick, dark hair swept back from his forehead, strong brows framed deep-set eyes, and high cheekbones sharpened the angles of his face. Even his nose and jaw looked as if they’d been carved deliberately. He was lean and muscular, with broad shoulders that filled out his coveralls to perfection, tanned skin, and grease-stained hands.

But then he would smile, and all those severe angles softened into something so captivating it could sweet-talk wallpaper off the walls. When she’d first met him, she’d barely said five words to Zachary. He made her so shy.

She turned the engine off and then headed into the waiting area of the garage.

There was no one behind the desk, so she sat gingerly on one of the white plastic chairs that had grease marks streaked across it. While she was there, she noticed a woman driving up in a fancy car and parking next to Josie’s. The contrast was mortifying. Where Josie’s was a tin can on wheels, the woman’s was sleek, polished, and new; the kind that came from blue-blooded Europe.

An older mechanic entered from the back room, and she smiled at him.

“Hi, Frank,” she said.

“How you doin’, Josie?” the white-haired, gravelly voiced owner of the garage asked her.

She had known Frank for at least five years, since bringing her fourth-hand auto to him for servicing. He’d always personally done the work on her car, but lately he’d been complaining of arthritis and how getting into the grease pit was becoming more difficult all the time.

“How's the wife?” she asked him.

“Junie is doing great,” he said. “As are the grandbabies. You’ll have to drop by for pie again soon so she can show you the pictures.”

“You betcha. They must be at least six or seven years old now,” she said.

He chuckled. “They start school this year.”

“Already?” she teased. “My goodness, the time went fast.” She shook her head.

“You got that right. Do you want a cup of coffee?” he offered, standing by the pot of coffee that was still steaming.

“No, I'm good,” she said.

He nodded, filled a mug for himself, said he’d see her later, and then headed back out the door he came in through.

She sighed and sat deeper in her chair then glanced around the interior of the room.

Above the stand where the register was kept and the appointment book, which was heavily stained with grease, there was a sign on the wall near the door where Frank had just left.

On it, it said, FLASHY MODELS USUALLY COME WITH WARNING LIGHTS.

She grinned.

The sign had been there for as long as she could remember, and she always liked the message behind it. It was rare to ever see a fancy vehicle show up at the garage until the new mechanic had arrived. Then the two wealthiest women in town suddenly seemed to have some kind of car problems constantly.

She got that information at the office where she worked; water cooler gossip. Everyone whispered about Wilhelmina and Nancy’s antics with any young, attractive males who were new in town. At the moment, they were competing with each other for Zachary River. Because of their rivalry, Josie was tempted to find another garage, but it seemed disloyal to go somewhere else.

Since meeting Zachary, thoughts of him consumed her. A natural cook, all interest in food had disappeared and according to the scale, she’d dropped ten pounds. Early one morning after a sleepless night, she'd seen him outside her apartment building jogging and wished she had the strength and courage to join him.

Josie watched as Wilhelmina exited the car. She was dressed to the nines, her bottle-blonde hair exquisitely coiffed. Even though the woman had to be in her late thirties, she wore a short skirt that barely covered her thighs, her face paint was flawless, and her red high heels brought her petite frame up at least 6 inches.

The woman meandered over to Zachary as he stood outside drinking coffee. There was a definite flirtatious flutter to her unnaturally thick eyelashes. Josie smiled into her hand when there was no charming smile on Zachary's face as she approached him. In fact, he looked almost leery.

Wilhelmina pointed to something on the side of her car and he glanced over at it, said something Josie couldn't hear, and Wilhelmina started puckering her painted lips in what Josie assumed was meant to be a seductive pout.

Not wanting to watch Wilhelmina’s antics, Josie reached for the magazine on the seat next to her, a mechanics periodical, but she leafed through it anyway to pass the time.

Frank came out of his office again. “You still waiting?” he asked.

“It’s no big deal, really,” Josie reassured him.

He went to the appointment book and checked it. “Shouldn’t be long now,” he said.

Josie nodded. “Thanks, Frank.”

“You've met Zachary, haven't you?” he asked.

“I have.” Her heart fluttered at the mention of his name.

“He's a good kid. You know I'm thinking of retiring,” Frank said. “And Zachary seems to have his head on right. I’m considering letting him buy the place. What do you think?”

Josie raised her shoulders. “I think that if you retired, it would be a real loss to our community.”

“You're a real peach,” Frank said, giving her a glowing grin. “You know, he's single, right?” He thumbed towards Zachary, who was heading to the garage.

Josie felt her face heat up. “I—”

She was cut off when Zachary entered the waiting area.

... To continue reading, join Jacqueline Hopper's Free Reader Circle