June Book Chat--Will You Be There?

I loved Kaylee Baldwin's new romantic comedy, A Summer Mismatch, and I'm thrilled to welcome her as my guest for book club this month. We'll be meeting on Thursday, June 16th at 7:00 p.m. over at the Book Chat Book Club. Are you a member yet? I'd love to see you there! You can join the Facebook group HERE

You can hear more of my thoughts on the Book Chat with Julie podcast HERE

(If you'd like a sneak peek of my review of A Summer Mismatch, you can read it on Meridian Magazine HERE

Nearly Freebie Friday for Romance Fans!

Becky Monson's romance, The Accidental Text, is only .99 cents, but I think the sale ends TODAY. This book was a Whitney finalist and one of my favorite books of hers. You won't want to miss this one! 

Get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Wrong number. Right guy?

Once upon a time, Maggie Cooper lived for adventure. Jumping out of planes was child’s play. Now she can’t even work up the nerve to ask out her coworker. For a bit of self-therapy, she begins to text her recently deceased mother’s phone—the only problem is that the number has been reassigned and for weeks she’s been unknowingly texting a stranger her deepest thoughts and feelings. There have also been some not-so-deep texts, like the ones about her appreciation for her coworker’s butt.

When Chase Beckett, the unsuspecting stranger who has more in common with Maggie than he’d like to admit, texts back, Maggie is beyond mortified. But message after message and night after night, Maggie realizes that Chase’s wit, charm, and advice are exactly what the doctor ordered. Is it enough, though, to get her back up in the sky? And what about her heart? Can she risk taking a leap of faith for the man on the other end of her accidental texts?

Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee

I've been watching some of Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee celebrations. My grandpa had this souvenir box from her coronation in 1953 and I think it's amazing she's been on the throne for seventy years! (And I really love how detailed the souvenir box is!) 

Do you keep souvenirs? Do you have one that you love?

There is Always Hope

My daughter and I attended an event where we got to listen to two men who had just returned from helping Ukrainian refugees in Poland and southern Ukraine. It was so eye-opening. The men said they had expected the people to be sad, the outlook dreary, but most people were holding on to hope and finding the good. They told about a Polish aid worker who was always happy, always helping as she sorted out how best to help those coming across the border. One thing she did was that she would give a little clap, smile as big as she could, and say, "God is good. All the time." And she truly believed it. It was her way to lift, to remind, and to give a little bit of hope. You could see that in her face. It touched them and it touched me.

Most of the refugees the men saw and helped were women with children and the elderly. They talked about how so many churches are banding together to help and just how inspiring it was to see all the hands reaching out to offer comfort and necessities. They shared some experiences they had as they delivered desperately needed supplies to an orphanage in southern Ukraine that made my heart race as they were close to danger. It was definitely a riveting presentation. I've been thinking about the things they shared ever since, and how our outlook and our words can offer hope to someone else. "God is good. All the time." I'm grateful we got to give back in a small way that evening and I don't think I'll forget the things that were shared. Our world needs more hope, more light, and more people willing to stand up, even in dark circumstances.

A New Authors Off the Page is Live!

The new Authors Off the Page was a really fun one, and one of the authors makes a surprise announcement! You won't want to miss it. Come laugh with us!

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts or click HERE

Memorial Day

It was a very rainy Memorial Day, but this lone bagpiper standing in the storm to play for all those visiting the cemetery touched my heart. Very symbolic, I think. 

I'm so grateful for the sacrifices made for our freedoms.

Almost Freebie Friday for Historical Romance Fans!

 Do you need a historical romance to read this weekend? A Proper Scandal, by Esther Hatch, is only .99 cents today! I really enjoyed this one. Lots of twists and turns and swoony romance. 

Get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

His scandals were right on track until she derailed everything.

As the successful owner of multiple railroad lines, Diana Barton is all too accustomed to fending off suitors seeking to stake their claim on her wealth. In order to keep the wolves at bay, Diana has contrived the perfect plan: appeal to the most notorious rake in London, the Baron Lord Bryant, to ruin her reputation and scare off the worst of the time wasters. The ruse will be no hardship—she’s secretly been fascinated by the man for years.

Lord Bryant is well aware of his questionable reputation. Indeed, he has cultivated the image carefully, and the last thing he wants is a wife. When he’s approached by the younger sister of a business associate, he tells her in no uncertain terms that he cannot help. However, when he sees for himself what she is up against, Bryant grudgingly offers his assistance. Faced with his most complicated entanglement yet, Bryant is firm in his conditions—and Diana knows that to get romantically involved with Bryant would spell certain heartbreak. But as the counterfeit couple grows ever closer, the line between truth and lies becomes blurred, threatening both Lord Bryant’s well-laid plans and the future of Diana’s railroad business.