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I’m thrilled to share the cover of From the Heart, the 5th novel in the Guiding Emily series. It will be available on Amazon for Kindle and in print on May 8th. Pre-order information is coming soon!

Click here to see behind the scenes of filming the Guiding Emily movie.

Click here to go “behind the scenes“ with Barb as she shares her inspiration and research for writing the Guiding Emily novel. (Pause to read each page if necessary.)

Haven’t read all of the Guiding Emily books? There is still time to read Guiding Emily and The Unexpected Path before the release of Over Every Hurdle on 11/3. Here’s what reviewers are sa

Click on the image below to read The Night Train

Great news! Here’s the cover for Sweets & Treats, the sequel to Paws & Pastries. The book will be available in both print and for Kindle on May 19th, 2022.

Click on the image below to read                      “Alistair’s Escape”

It was such an honor to talk to PatZi at Joy on Paper about my books. I’m in fantastic company with her guests! You can listen to the interview here and the promo here.

I thought I’d look back and celebrate 10 things that I’m grateful for from the very unique year that was 2020.

Restoring What Was Lost, Book 7 in the Rosemont series, will be available in both paperback and Kindle versions on Thursday, October 29th.

I visited the Foundation for Blind Children with guide dog Gnocchi to tell you a little more about Guiding Emily.

Here is the video trailer for Guiding Emily, available now in paperback and Kindle.

What would you do if you lost your eyesight? This is a very real question for more than fifty thousand Americans each year. One thing you’d need to learn is how to use a white cane. As part of my re

Have you ever wondered about the making of a guide dog? From the puppy raiser family of ten who had driven all the way from Texas to California, to the mother and daughter who had surrendered their tw

Have you ever heard a story that changed your life? Within thirty minutes of stepping through the Foundation for Blind Children’s doorway, my life found its new purpose and mission. I’ve lived dow

Sometimes the perfect partner has four paws… Emily Main had it all: a high-powered career with a leading technology giant and a handsome fiancé bounding up the corporate ladder. Their island we

My new novel, Deadly Parcel, is now available! This book is a departure from my Rosemont series, and it was fun to write! You can read the first chapter here. Deadly Parcel is available in both Kindle

Chapter One The knife blade, honed to a professional sharpness, traced the orbital bone and along the ridge of the nose, slicing open a neat fissure. The dead man was beyond caring. It circled the lip

For fans of mystery/thriller/suspense comes the first novel in my Who’s There? collection.  Deadly Parcel will be available in early summer 2020. About Deadly Parcel: Death is no

Lots of fun photos from the private viewing party for The Christmas Club that we hosted at our home for 125 people. It was tons of fun and—with the considerable help of Lisa and her husband Craig—

My novella, The Christmas Club, is coming to the Hallmark Channel this holiday season. Here’s a trailer for the movie: Watch The Christmas Club on the Hallmark Channel (check your local listings

Now that cooler weather is here, and Halloween is over, it’s time to think about Christmas! Do you love watching Christmas movies as much as I do? There’s nothing sweeter than gathering a

Do you live in the Phoenix area? If so, I’d love to see you at Arcadia Farms Cafe on Friday afternoons in November for a book signing and afternoon tea to celebrate The Christmas Club coming to

The sixth book in the beloved Rosemont series, Shelving Doubts, is now available! The gripping sixth book in the bestselling Rosemont series reveals family secrets at every turn and intrigue in the st

The gripping sixth book in the bestselling Rosemont series reveals family secrets at every turn and intrigue in the stacks … Maggie Martin loves her new job as president of Highpointe College—unti

Read my newsletter below for the latest book news.   Barbara Hinske News August is dragging on, with its signature unrelenting heat. What’s unusual this year is that we’ve had absolutely no r

Read my latest newsletter to get all the book news.   Barbara Hinske News July has flown by. As hot as it typically is in Phoenix in July, it’s a good month to fly by. I retired from my law pra

Exciting news about my book The Christmas Club!   Barbara Hinske News All–I couldn’t contain myself–dreams do come true! Here’s the first publicity about the upcoming Hall

See my latest newsletter below for all my latest book news!   Barbara Hinske News Summer has definitely arrived in Phoenix and it’s been treating us benignly, with temperatures in the low 100�

Greetings! Has another month has flown by? I spent May slaving away on Book 6 in the Rosemont series: Shelving Doubts. You are the first to see the cover. I am thrilled with it and love the two new ch

If you need a quick, easy, delicious recipe for a bit of leftover ham, try one of my spring favorites: Ham Asparagus Rollups.  Click here for the recipe.    

Spring has arrived in Phoenix but our new grandchild hasn’t. We’re waiting—more or less patiently—for her arrival.  I’ve been selecting recipes for meals that I plan to make for the new par

  I took a knife skills class the beginning of February, got myself a really good 8” Chef’s knife, and have been cooking up a storm. I made chili relleno casseroles to feed 50 for my daughter

  Get caught up with all the news with my latest newsletter

Click on the image below to read The Enchanted Bookshop

Click the image below to read Silver and Scotch

Click the image below to read The Night Train

We are thrilled with this wonderful video about the Rosemont series with an original prelude by Deborah Offenhauser.  You can find the Rosemont Theme on Deborah’s CD Soundscapes.  

  With the Valentine’s Day holiday here, I started thinking about those of you who have been fortunate enough to have been married for decades. I asked our readers on Facebook to give me th

Lovely review of Coming to Rosemont on Mrs K’s Books to Go website. Thanks so much! MrsK’s Review: Maggie Martin first learned of the house from Paul as he was dying. What did he mean the

    As a preview, I am proud to share the first chapter of Bringing Them Home. Chuck Delgado yanked the cord on the mini blinds and opened his office window to the moonless night. The faint

  We are happy to say that Drawing Close is now available in audiobook! The first 3 books were released by Audible.com earlier this year. Click to hear a sample of Drawing Close and download a

  The season finale opens as the staff is happily decorating the hotel for its 50th anniversary celebration but tensions run deep beneath the festive facade. Toby can’t seem to memorize the con

  November of 1940 finds the Halcyon on the eve of its 50th anniversary celebration—and under the evil shadow of Lucian D’Abbeville. Our suspicions are confirmed—he’s selling information

  Brilliant writing, brought to life by fine acting, shines in the sixth episode of ITV’s new hotel drama. We’re now in October of 1940 and we’re focused on the nighttime exploits of the in

  Coming To Rosemont is now available on Audible! Narrated by Dina Pearlman, the audiobook allows you to listen to your books wherever you are with their free app. Even if you switch devices, you

  It’s now August of 1940 and Americans are leaving London—and the Halcyon—in droves. German propaganda leaflets are being dropped along the coast and dogfights are taking place in the air

  It’s now June, 1940, and the war is progressing from bad to worse. France has asked for an armistice and wealthy French aristocrats are leaving in droves, seeking refuge in the hotel. One par

  It’s May of 1940 and the skies above London are full of RAF planes as ITV’s new hotel drama The Halcyon continues. The “phony war” rapidly becomes real when the Dutch surrender and Germ

  With Downton Abbey in the rear view mirror and the second season of The Crown in the distant future, we now have ITV’s The Halcyon to fill the void. And does it ever! The Halcyon is a swanky

We’re hosting our annual Christmas party, and the house is all ready. Come take a look!

I love Christmas! My husband and I really enjoy decorating our home for the holidays, and we even take time off from work to get it all done. I’ve put together some videos of some different room

For all Downton Abbey fans who are still feeling bereft: take comfort – The Crown is now on Netflix. Ten sumptuous episodes that provide an intimate look at the early years of the reign of Queen Eli

I’m a decent cook but my real super power is organization. My goal is to limit the work of a traditional holiday meal to one day–and not work myself to the bone preparing dinner on that da

My husband and I took a long-overdue vacation in October, spending a week in beautiful North Carolina. We arrived the week after Hurricane Matthew and were in the western part of the state, so missed

Why do I love being indie published? During the month of October, Amazon is celebrating great writing self-published via Kindle Direct Publishing and CreateSpace. The celebration includes a dedicated

  I had such fun being interviewed by fellow author Patricia Sands. Patricia is a writer, photographer and traveler who writes wonderful women’s fiction.  You can read all of my interview

  Drawing Close Quote Drawing Close is now available for sale on Amazon

  Drawing Close Quote Less than 1 week until the release of Drawing Close!  We are so excited to share it with you. Who is getting married?   More details will follow!

  Drawing Close Quote Less than 2 weeks until the release of Drawing Close, book 4 in the Rosemont series.  What do you think this quote refers to? Who is having this conversation? More details

  Drawing Close Quote Just a few more weeks until the release of Drawing Close, book 4 in the Rosemont series. What will happen next for Mayor Maggie Martin? Is Frank Haynes really as bad as he s

  Drawing Close Quote We are one week closer to the release of Drawing Close, book 4 in the Rosemont series. On August 1st, Drawing Close will be released on Amazon. You will be able to purchase

  Drawing Close Quote Each week from now until the August 1st release of Drawing Close, we will be posting weekly quotes from the book. I hope that you are as excited to read Drawing Close as I a

  Soldiers search the farm for the deserter. Steph discovers that Sarah is harboring him at the vicarage. Sarah tells her that she’s been guided by what Adam would do. “Give the boy time to r

  It’s now late August, 1940, and bombs light up the night sky on the horizon. Steph and Little Stan are struggling to bring in the harvest. The hired laborers desert in the middle of the night

Home Fires Season 2 Episode 4 Review Teresa Fenchurch’s innocent dance with the Wing Commander is taking her in an unexpected direction. He’s smitten with her and has invited her to an outing in t

Home Fires Season 2 Episode 3 Review This week we find ourselves in Great Paxford as the Battle of Britain begins. Stanley Farrow teaches his son how to run a bayonet through a German soldier. Steph i

Home Fires Season 2 Episode 2 Review As June wears on, we learn that both Peter Barden and his accountant Helen were killed in the car crash. The war casts a pall on Helen’s burial, as an air raid s

    Home Fires Season 2 Episode 1 review The second season of Home Fires delivers us back to Great Paxford in June, 1940 — one month before the beginning of the Battle of Britain. The ski

‘Downton Abbey’ : The last ever episode Bravo, Mr. Fellowes—you got it all right! The episode opens on an idyllic summer afternoon. Henry Talbot is struggling to find his place at Downton. Charl

Downton Abbey Season 6 Finale Review The season finale opens with sunny skies over Downton but storm clouds brewing for both Edith and Mary. Lady Edith is struggling with the decision to tell Bertie P

Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 7 Review The episode opens as the family accepts Henry Talbot’s invitation to view him race at Brooklands. Lady Mary is attracted to him, but we see storm clouds begin

Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 6 Review The Abbey is bustling with preparations for its first ever public tour. Lady Mary has decided – much to the consternation of Lord Grantham and Mr. Carson –

Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 5 Review The fifth episode of Downton Abbey’s final season opens as Daisy helps Mr. Mason move into Yew Tree Farm. Mrs. Patmore supplies a hamper of refreshments and i

Downton Abbey Season 6 Episode 4 Review The episode opens with Mr. Barrow enjoying his turn as butler while the Carsons are on their honeymoon. In typical Barrow fashion, he manages to irritate everyo

  The Carsons’ absence is keenly felt both above and below stairs, as Mr Barrow has stepped in as butler. Anna’s pregnancy hits a snag and Lady Mary’s eye is on more than the estate. Meanwh

  Episode 3 revolves around the happy occasion of the wedding of Mrs. Hughes and Mr. Carson. Mrs. Patmore and Anna are horrified over Mrs. Hughes’ choice of her brown “day dress” as her wed

  The Abbey is abuzz with wedding preparations, Denker gains the upper hand over Spratt, and Lady Edith shows us her mettle – but the biggest surprise comes at the very end of the episode. &nbs

  Episode 2 begins with a glimpse of Mr. Mosley ironing the morning newspaper. At least economies haven’t reached to this level. Battle lines are drawn over the ownership of the local hospital,

  An idea of Mary’s gives Anna new hope, while Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes can’t agree, and Edith is faced with her greatest fear. To whet your appetite, here are ten teasing lines of dialogue f

    The last ever season of Downton Abbey opens with Lord Grantham in hunting pink and Lady Mary scandalously astride rather than sidesaddle, preparing for the hunt. Barrow and Mosley are ha

  Tom and Sybbie are off in America and Lady Mary is lonely and bored. She’s grown weary of discussing the building plans for Pips Corner with her father, along with the majority of the audienc

15 Books About Family Secrets That Will Keep You Guessing If you live for books that will keep you turning pages, stories about family secrets just might be your Kryptonite. Everyone has their own c

The season finale finds us in May 1940 – in a world vastly different than the one when Home Fires started. The British expeditionary force has been driven back and France is expected to fall. The pr

Winter has Great Paxford in its icy grip. Steph has excelled at all of the new farming protocols and proudly signs her name to the required paperwork. Meanwhile, her devoted teacher receives the devas

In Coming To Rosemont, Maggie and Susan prepare a delicious Easter Sunday brunch for their friends, including egg casserole and Smokehouse Quartet.  This Smokehouse Quartet recipe is easy and yummy!

Home Fires Season 1 Episode 3 Review The war intrudes on Great Paxford, as more iron gates are collected and rationing enforced. Miriam Brindsley’s “possible mistake filling out the form” comes

Home Fires Season 1 Episode 3 Review It’s now November 1939. As the conflict rages in Europe, internal turmoil brews at home. Farming is a reserved occupation, so Stanley Farrow is exempt from compu

Home Fires Season 1 Episode 2 Review England has entered the war against Germany and the bucolic beauty of Great Paxford in the late summer sunshine is marred by troupes training in the streets. Our h

  Home Fires Season 1 Episode 1 British television sensation Home Fires has crossed the pond and is now airing on Masterpiece Theater in the US. Based upon the novel Jambusters, Home Fires follow

Southern author Bette Lee Crosby invited me to be her first guest on her new blog page “Cocktail Conversations.” I met Bette Lee when we both were listed on the BookBub Women’s Ficti

       Maggie’s Family Fruit Salad Recipe 2 cans fruit cocktail in juice, well-drained 2 cans pineapple chunks, juice reserved 1 pint strawberries 3 bananas 2 small boxes sugar-free vanilla

Rosemont now has a prelude composed just for the series! Check out Deborah Offenhauser’s brilliant Rosemont Prelude. It’s a free gift on http://www.watchfiremusic.com/album.php?dcid=243 a

We’re getting ready for our annual holiday party. Come take a peek before the guests arrive! Subscribe, Share, and stay tuned for more videos, Barb

Take a tour of my library at Christmas. If you are a miniaturist, you won’t want to miss my collection of miniature door, windows, and fireplaces–all dressed for Christmas. Subscribe, Shar

  ITV announced last month that Season 6 of Downton Abbey will be the show’s final season. With the last ever episode due to air on Christmas Day, following eight episodes this autumn, we had a

We’ve got a little bit of Easter in the kitchen! Do you decorate for all the holidays?

The candles are lit in the library and we’re waiting for the guests to arrive. Come on in!   Subscribe, Share, and stay tuned for more videos, Barb

Do you love planning and preparing for a dinner party as much as the party itself? Are you addicted to setting the table? Join me for a peek at the dining room as I get ready for an intimate dinner pa

Today I am on the AuthorRise blog. Stop by and read, leave a comment and tell me what you thing. The thing we love most at AuthorRise is connecting with authors. They’re why we exist! Talking Shop i

Come in and begin the tour! It’s the Holidays, and the house is dressed for Christmas. Subscribe, Share, and tune in for more. See you next time, Barb

  These are scrumptious, and so much better for you than french fried potatoes.  Plus when you have crunchy and lemony, it’s a fantastic combination.  This would go with just about anything,

As many of my readers know, the fictional stone manor home known as Rosemont, which is the cornerstone of my Rosemont series of novels, is based upon my own historic home. Rosemont is grander than my

These are easy and delicious scones. Perfect for a cozy tea time on a blustery afternoon! Fruit Scones Ingredients 1/2 stick butter 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 oz fine

  This year’s feature-length festive special is brimming with the things we love: sumptuous dinner parties, carols by the Christmas tree in the great hall, and happily-resolved plot lines. Not

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5’s best moments Downton Abbey served up yet another delicious season, full of wit and charm, intrigue and insight, with a second helping of memorable one-liners from the

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 finale review The season finale opens to sunny skies over Downton as everyone above and below stairs prepares for the wedding of Lady Rose and Atticus Aldridge. Lady Rose

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 Episode 7 review Lady Edith’s disappearance is front and centre this episode. Rosamund and the Dowager Countess decide they must tell Cora, but Mrs. Drew beats them to i

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 Episode 6 review Here’s my review of Episode 6 of the current season (5) of Downton Abbey — hot off the presses. I’ve finished watching the season —

I am enjoying this season so much. Stop by and see my review. Episode 5 opens as Aunt Rosamund arrives to solve Lady Edith’s predicament with “the farmer’s child.” As it happens, she only make

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 Episode 4 review We are at the halfway point in the 5th season. Relationships are strained and tension runs high at Downton as we reach the halfway point of the fifth seas

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 Episode 3 review The third episode of Downton Abbey’s new season opens with Lord Gillingham scrambling to his room as the hotel maid delivers Lady Mary’s breakfast tra

‘Downton Abbey’ Season 5 Episode 2 review The second episode of Downton Abbey’s new season finds Mr. Carson and Lord Grantham at odds over the site of the WWI memorial: the cricket pitch at Down

Downton Abbey is back and the opening episode of the period drama’s fifth season does not disappoint, placing numerous long-running storylines and a plethora of new subplots into the chute and setti

Did you find ‘The Shop Around the Corner’—the independent bookstore in the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail—every bit charming as its on-screen owner, played by Meg Ryan? I sure did! And I hated To

  Do you love Pinterest with a passion?  Me too!  One of my readers started her own “My Rosemont” board and it got me thinking:  Wouldn’t it be fun to have some group boards?

Rita Ackerman, a writer and historical research specialist that I met when I was speaking at the Arizona Author Showcase at the Desert Foothills Library, tagged me in a Blog Hop. Fun idea – writers

MEET THE FABULOUS FIVE! INTRODUCING five of the Bestsellers BookBub singled out as Women’s Fiction that works! Here is the story of the Gold family, an institution in the small Connecticut town of O

Rumors are flying. Step aside Kim and Kanye. (Who on this planet isn’t sick of them, anyway?  The least elegant couple on earth. But I digress). Here’s the scoop:   George’s fiancé, Amal

This week I made a presentation at a book club (I love doing this—one of my fav things to do). The ladies told me that they threw a Downton Abbey party for one of their meetings. Showed me photos—

I’ve been scouring the Internet this morning (avoiding yard work, if you must know), looking for hints of what we can expect in Season 5. Here’s what I’ve found:   Lady Rose (actress Lily J

Sandra Bullock to Join Downton Abbey cast for Season 5??? Yes, please!! Rumors are flying around the Internet. She reportedly loves the show, is looking for a home near its filming location, and pumpe

I find every aspect of Downton Abbey irresistible: the costumes, the actors, the story line, the music, and — above all — the glorious setting of Highclere Castle, known to its legions of fans sim

There’s a lot of interest in hosting an authentic (well — as authentic as it can be without being held in Downton) DA-inspired dinner party. So let’s delve into the topic; really a

Throw a Downton Abbey-Inspired Dinner Party! To go along with the dinner party make sure you enter to win a Downton Abbey-Inspired Gift Basket here. Attend to these 12 steps and you’ll have a wi

I so admire Alexander McCall Smith, author of the beloved No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series. I admire his gently-drawn characters and his love affair with Botswana, which he so expertly conveys to

I’ve long been interested in neighborliness and recently read about the Italian custom of La Passeggiata: the Evening Stroll. Between 5 pm and 8 pm, Italians take to the streets to greet their frien

One of the remarkable joys of the internet is that it allows us to become friends with people all over the world; people we have an affinity with who we would never have encountered otherwise. I’ve

We’ve done it! Or, I should say, my husband’s done it! Built an incredible Little Free Library inspired by Rosemont. I casually mentioned the idea to him one night when we were getting ready for b

I am keenly interested in neighborliness. I was exploring the topic on twitter and came across an article in the Denver Post about the Little Free Library movement. My husband saw a news story about i

I recently read about a beloved small-town diner in the South – now closed – that would throw up a billboard that read: “F.H.P.I.C. – You Know Where.“ People watched and waited for this bill

The weather in Phoenix is starting to get warm (Phoenix definition – under 105 – hot doesn’t happen until 106). Remembering an unhappy incident with a lipstick left in my car’s console a bit t

I love everything about throwing any sort of dinner party; planning, invitations (old-fashioned–heavy-paper-stock-come–in-the-mail kind of invitations), shopping, cooking, hosting, and even clean-

Planning Isn’t planning a vacation delicious? I’m talking about the never-been-there-never-walked-those-streets kind of destination. All those thoughts of possibilities! I start with a trip to an

Is there anything more irresistible, more compelling than a Peep? In any of its various forms or colors? Just looking at them, all snug in their tightly packed rows, makes me smile. An entire display

I’ve got a raging debate going on within my close circle of friends regarding the “civility” of a recent situation I was involved in. Who was being rude/inpatient/intolerant/thoughtless here? Th

Ahhh – Downton Abbey is back and my weeks crescendo from Sunday night to Sunday night. Don’t we all love their world? Doesn’t it seem so much simpler than our own daily rounds? But to them, I’

Filled Swedish Sponge Cake This recipe is from Maggie’s mother. When she was small, she would help her mother with this traditional recipe. Its one saving grace is that it’s made three days ahead

Black-and-White Brownies Bottom Brownie Layer ¼ lb. Butter 1 C. Sugar 2 Eggs 2 squares melted Baking Chocolate ½ C. Flour ½ tsp. Vanilla Mix together. Beat with electric mixer until smooth and shin

  Always Easy, Always Ready Basic Pie Crust No need to be afraid of making a scratch crust.  You can keep this mix on hand in an airtight container in your pantry – no refrigeration required.�

Impromptu Ice Cream Social This one is really easy and economical, and will generate a lot of goodwill in your neighborhood. Invite your neighbors for an old-fashioned ice cream social on your front l

                          Holiday Open House for 100+ guests Serving food – even hors d’oeuvres – to 100 or more can be very expe

A Family New Year’s Eve Maggie credits her clever friend Martha with this genius idea. Maggie and Martha were co-homeroom mothers for their daughters’ first grade class and became fast friends. Ma

Maggie’s Tried-and-True Entertaining Guide As we all know, Maggie completely with but. I did lots of entertaining as the wife of a small-college President. From intimate dinners with colleagues to l

Savannah We made the pretty drive through the low country to Savannah, Georgia, for the last two days of our vacation. Arriving during rush hour isn’t ideal and we were tired and cranky by the time

Charleston Charleston, South Carolina, is a city of remarkable beauty – both natural and man-made. My husband and I visited for five days in October. I’m the nosiest person on the planet, and neve

Exploring One of the great joys of being on vacation is being off schedule and – as much as possible these days of electronic leashes – off the “grid.” I’m incapable of having a lazy, do-not

Arrival! After a long day on an airplane – and after getting lost because the Neverlost on the rental car never worked – is there a more welcome sight than your hotel? It’s such a huge relief to

Planning Isn’t planning a vacation delicious? I’m talking about the never-been-there-never-walked-those-streets kind of destination. All those thoughts of possibilities! I start with a trip to an

Thoughts on Vacations My husband and I took our first real vacation of any length recently. No visiting relatives, no business trips with a spouse tag-along, no moving a child into a college apartment