First novel published by local author Taylor Starnes
Taylor Starnes is a Bluffton area stay at home mom with two daughters and 10 years of experience as a short story writer. In November 2023 she released the novel Hard Chargin' Love on Amazon.com.
Starnes plans to make this the first installment in a 3-part series. Amazon says that the author “takes classic romance and gives it her own unique zing.”
The Starnes family has been in Bluffton almost a year, and live in "an old (but perfect) farmhouse" outside of town. Her husband Joe flies for PSA airlines out of Dayton.
Hard Charging Love
"Where to next?" was the only question Lt. Preece had on his mind, until that day. Until those words were spoken. Chandler "Checkmate" Preece lived for the thrill, the danger, and the heart-pumping exhilaration of being a Naval Aviator. Missions, detachments, and special orders all went to the way-side when he met her. Mae Johnson, the feisty mechanic that made Lt. Preece's world invert. Was she enough to pull him away?
Stories Posted This Week
Thursday, October 22, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 22
- ICAPP study: Ohioans strongly oppose data center expansion and tax breaks
- October 22 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Pirate girls soccer ousts rival Allen East in sectionals
- Strawberry Fields Forever: Fruit polyphenols and brain health
- Last call for Bluffton Cars & Coffee for 2026
- Icon calendar gets a little more elbow room
- Bluffton Board of Education recap: Contracts for coaches and new bus driver
- Bluffton Lions Club update for October 2026
- Bluffton chamber photo competition display and reception announced
- Bluejays and buzzards catch the eye of this Accounting prof
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines, October 21
- Village of Beaverdam requests suggestions for park grant application
- Charles “Chuck” Wendall Collins, 63, owned Eagle Press Repairs
- Dwain L. Leiber, 87, owned Leiber Garage
- Kimberly Dawn Murphy, 55, taught at Findlay City Schools
- Kaleidoscope Farms honoring veterans, thanking current troops, Nov. 8
- Filmmaker to preview documentary exploring life beyond incarceration
- ONU mobile health clinic at Senior Center on Oct. 28
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Columbus Grove-Bluffton Rd. closure planned for up to three weeks
- Two Pirate volleyball players make 1st team All-NWC
- 3 Pirate girls 1st team All-NWC soccer
- Pirates dominate All-NWC boys soccer awards
- Local filmmaker focuses on memories made by people and places
- Bluffton Public Library: Medicare 101
- BHS artists prepare Yankee Doodle Christmas Trees for Jingle Bell Stroll
Monday, October 19, 2026
- Beavers sports roundup, October 14-18
- Ada Icon headlines, October 19
- JessExpress Travel is the Icon's newest advertiser
- Gatchel 7th in girls, Pirates 4th at NWC cross country meet
- Veterans invited to Pandora-Gilboa banquet, November 10
- Wearable sculptures featured in exhibit On Soft Ground
- Historic depot rentals offered for meetings and parties