Friday, July 22, 2022

Freebie Friday (I Have TWO For You Today!)

 I have two freebies for you today!


The first one is Kiss Me Now by Melanie Jacobson. It's a romantic comedy and it looks good! 

Get your free copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

He’d be the perfect guy…if he wasn’t trying to ruin her life.

Ian would do anything for his grandmother, so when Gran suddenly announces she’s leaving the family property to her pretty new neighbor, Ian is on the case. He’ll use every one of his sharply-honed skills as a private investigator to expose the gold digger and save Gran.

Brooke is living her best life far from the city and career that tried to destroy her. She’s happy spending her summer renovating the house she inherited and gardening with her elderly neighbor, Miss Lily. But when Miss Lily’s handsome—and obnoxious—grandson shows up, making wild accusations and dragging up Brooke’s past, Brooke must convince Ian he has her all wrong.

But what happens when their chemistry proves even more dangerous than Ian’s accusations?



The second one is a Christmas in July freebie. It's only free TODAY though. It's Keep Me at Christmas by Lucinda Whitney.

Get your free copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Luciana Romano has landed her dream job in Hudson Springs working on a museum restoration project. It's across the ocean in New York, but will end just in time for her to fly home to Portugal for Christmas. Not that she's excited to spend another holiday with everyone in her family asking why she's single. But a romance in America is the last thing she's looking for, especially with work taking up all her time.

Jack DiLorenzo is struggling to get in the Christmas spirit, and being dumped at the alter shortly after his father's death hasn't helped. His family's Italian cafĂ© feels more like a burden with each passing day, yet duty won't let him quit. When an unexpected blizzard leaves Luciana snowbound, Jack's family offers her a place to stay—and a family to celebrate Christmas with.

As Jack and Luciana explore Hudson Springs' annual Christmas festival, sleigh ride in the snow, and enjoy baked goods from Jack's Nonna, they find themselves more attracted to each other—and more entranced by the magic of the small town. Can a Christmas miracle help their new relationship weather the long distance?

Thursday, July 21, 2022

I Don't Want to Brag, But . . .


I don't want to brag, but I am just SO excited! I get to read an advanced copy of Jennifer Peel's new book, A Pumpkin and a Patch. (It won't be released until September, but you can preorder it HERE) So far I am loving it! Jennifer just has a way with words that paints the picture so well that you are experiencing the romance right along with the characters. You won't want to miss this one!

Here's the back copy:

Every person has that one thing they’re known for, and it doesn’t matter what you do, that one thing—whether good or bad—follows you around like a bloodhound for the rest of your life. For me it’s a story I wrote when I was fifteen. Forever more I will be known as the Reece the Rogue Pirate girl, instead of Josie Peterson. Why couldn’t I be known for all the cute children’s stories I’ve written about my family’s pumpkin patch?

Tragically, the torrid story I wrote as a teen was based on a real person, Reece Cavanaugh. And guess what? He grew up to be a pirate—okay, lawyer. Same thing. To make matters worse, the man is representing my ex-fiancĂ© who wants to steal my treasure, aka engagement ring. If that wasn’t the icing on the cake, Reece has an adorable daughter who happens to be my new student. That’s right, I must now have actual conversations with him after avoiding him for half my life, even by hiding behind banana displays when needed. But the more I get to know Reece—the real version, not the imaginary one who ravishes me on sandy beaches—I can’t help but wish we could roll around in the sand together. There’s a problem though, the school I work for frowns upon relationships between parents and teachers. And it’s pumpkin season, which means all my free time is spent on the family farm. But when he kisses me, I can’t help wanting to break all the rules and get tangled up in the barn. The burning question is, am I brave enough to make my story a reality or will it be another bad ending?

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

The Utah Jazz Came Through


Have I mentioned that I'm going to be the PTO president for my son's elementary school this year? I admit, it has been taking up a lot of my time. Currently, I am asking businesses to donate to our silent auction. We're a 501(c)3 organization, which helps, and our school is in desperate need of a new sound system. Our fifth grade students put on a school play and the sound system was so bad, the children just had to yell their lines. So, we are attempting to raise enough funds with a silent auction and carnival, to purchase the sound system and have it installed so the children can be heard for plays, assemblies, and other events.

As a Jazz fan, I asked the Jazz organization if they would donate something and guess what? They did! And it was an awesome donation. They gave us an autographed 8x10 photograph of Jordan Clarkson, with a Certificate of Authenticity that it really is Jordan's signature. Woohoo! Jordan Clarkson is one of my favorite players. He's a Sixth Man of the Year winner and just seems to be an all-around good guy. I sort of want to keep the autographed photo for myself, but it's for a good cause, so I will bid for it like everyone else. But I am so grateful for such an amazing donation.

Do you watch NBA basketball?

(Here are some Jordan Clarkson highlights just to show you what a great player he is!)




Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Do You Love Zucchini?


I saw this and it made me laugh. We did have a neighbor come over and give us extra zucchini! But to tell you the truth, I love zucchini. We make zucchini bread, zucchini cake, we make zoodles out of them and steam them. They are delicious! Do you have any zucchini recipes that you love?

Here's my recipe for zucchini bread:

3 eggs

1 cup oil

2 cups sugar

2 cups zucchini, peeled and grated

3 tsp. vanilla

3 c. flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt

1 Tablespoon cinnamon

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 c. milk

Combine eggs, oil, sugar, zucchini and the rest of the ingredients. Bake at 325 degrees for approximately one hour. Makes two bread loaves.

Monday, July 18, 2022

Book Review: The Matrimonial Advertisement


I had never read a Mimi Matthews book before and boy, have I been missing out! The Matrimonial Advertisement pulled me in from the first pages and I could hardly put it down. The author weaves this story with characters that have so many secrets you want to keep turning pages just to see what they all are! I loved how the romance unfolded, how they both had so many inner obstacles to overcome as well as outer struggles as both Helena and Justin learn to trust each other and open their hearts to love. It was tender and emotional and oh so sweet. It had so many layers and a sigh-worthy ending. I can't wait to read the next one in the series!

Get your copy HERE

Here is the back copy:

She Wanted Sanctuary...

Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar's Abbey isn't the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill--though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome--is anything but a romantic hero.

He Needed Redemption...

Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household--and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.

Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena's past threatens, will Justin's burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?

Friday, July 15, 2022

Did You Miss Our Book Club?


 If you weren't able to make it to book club this month, that's okay! You can see my entire interview with romantic suspense novelist Kathi Oram Peterson right HERE

Kathi is such a fun person and I really enjoyed getting to know her better. Her newest novel Danger Unknown had some really great twists and turns. And I learned some things about Kathi and her writing career that I hadn't known before. It was a really fun book club and I hope you enjoy it.

Thursday, July 14, 2022

Christmas in July Freebies! (Don't Miss These Deals!)


I am feeling the heat this week, so these holiday romances are just the thing I need. These sweet romances look so good. I'm headed over to Amazon to load my Kindle!

Get Dating Dru by Ranee S. Clark HERE

Here's the back copy:

An impulsive kiss. A dare.

Two people worlds apart.

Dru North has far more substance than the party-boy reputation given to him by the media, which is why a quiet holiday in Little River is just what he needs. From the moment he meets Amber Miller, who’s staying across the hall, sparks fly, and a magical Christmas party leads to an impulsive kiss.

While Dru is eager to get to know Amber during the quiet vacation, she’s wary of his reputation and his riches. She challenges him to take her on twelve dates before she’ll consider their relationship anything more than a holiday fling—a feat given the fact that she’s only in town for ten days.

Amidst the big family holiday Dru has always dreamed of having, Amber finds herself trusting with every “date” that Dru isn’t the bad boy she thought him to be. But his insistence that this can be more than a holiday fling has Amber worried about the future. Dru’s a famous country star with money to burn, and she’s just a teacher. Are their worlds too far apart for a happily ever after when the Christmas magic is over?

Get Take My Heart by Kaylee Baldwin HERE

Here's the back copy:

I will NOT fall for my grumpy best friend this Christmas (no matter how good he looks in a tux).

Cardiologist Holly Whitacre wishes she could bypass the entire Christmas season and its painful memories. But when Holly learns that the free clinic has lost official funding, she's determined to think creatively, even if it means turning to the Scroogiest doctor on staff, Jack Shay.

The last thing Jack wants is to let Holly play online matchmaker for him as a fundraiser. Have the woman he's been in love with since medical school set him up with someone else? Hard pass.

Except, he never has been able to tell her no.

When Holly's fundraising and matchmaking plans go awry, she scrambles to fix it before she loses everything, but it seems her heart has plans of its own.

Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Great Book Deals for Christmas in July!




Do you love laugh out loud romantic comedies? Then you won't want to miss either of these books! I loved both of them and they're on sale for only .99 cents each! Merry Christmas in July!

Get your sale copy of How to Ruin the Holidays by Becky Monson HERE

Here's the back copy:

After a disastrous family Thanksgiving, all I wanted was to avoid anything holly and jolly this year, so an unexpected business trip seemed like the perfect escape plan . . . until I landed smack dab in the middle of a freaking winter wonderland, otherwise known as Carole Cove, Montana. It’s merrier and brighter than the North Pole. The town even comes with its own Mr. Holiday—Noel Holiday, that is. Not only is he holly and jolly but he’s hotter than the lattes he sells at his cafĂ©. And for some reason he would love nothing more than to share the magic of the season with me.

Unfortunately, this little trip of mine isn’t exactly filled with good cheer. But Noel’s kisses have a way of making me believe in Christmas miracles. And a miracle might be exactly what it takes to keep the holidays from being ruined forever.

Get The Holiday Ex-Files by Jennifer Peel HERE

Here's the back copy:

Once upon a time people called me the holiday queen. But catching my husband under the Christmas tree with another woman kind of did something to me. Like make me digitally crop him out of all our wedding photos and post them online. Who knew that post would go viral? Thanks to all the requests I received to do the same for other jilted partners, I started a new business called, the Holiday Ex-Files. And I couldn’t be happier. Well . . . at least I’m not unhappy.

Then along comes my ex-husband’s best friend, Noah Cullen. Yep, like the vampires. He’s extremely gorgeous like them too. He has a plan to help me believe in the magic of holidays again. But the more I’m around him, I begin to think he’s the magical one, and that perhaps I picked the wrong best friend to begin with. Maybe, just maybe, it will be a very merry Christmas after all.

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Book Club is Tomorrow!


Do you love romantic suspense? Well, you won't want to miss Book Chat Book Club TOMORROW. We'll be chatting with Kathi Oram Peterson on our Facebook page at 7:00 p.m. MT and she writes toe-curling suspense mixed with romance!

You can join our Facebook page book club HERE

Monday, July 11, 2022

The Author Event I Nearly Missed

I went to an author/blogger get together over the weekend, but to tell you the truth, I almost talked myself out of going. I'm a little on the shy side in real life, and since my illness, I haven't really gone many places. It was a twenty-five minute drive away from my house, which isn't far, but somehow felt farther than it was. But I got in the car and told myself it would be fine.

I was nervous when I walked in, but immediately saw a familiar face and got a hug. It was just what I needed! I was so glad I went. I had a lot of fun meeting the bloggers I've known online for years, but never met in person, and catching up with some of my author friends like Jennifer Moore and Heather Moore. Thank you to Aimee and Julie for putting it together. It was so much fun!

Friday, July 8, 2022

Paraguay Has My Heart


My son has been living with and serving the people of Paraguay for a year now. I can hardly believe it! I love hearing about all of his new experiences every week. I love seeing him grow as a person and embrace another language and culture. He's met some incredible people there that have made an impact on his life and I know he'll never forget them. I can't wait to see what this next year brings for him!





Thursday, July 7, 2022

Have You Read My New Column?


Have you read my new column in Meridian Magazine? In this issue, I'm highlighting books that feature brave men and women from several different eras who have lived through and served in wars, including the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the War on Terror. I really enjoyed all the books and I hope you'll check out my review!

You can read the column HERE

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

Have You Heard the New Authors Off the Page?


Have you listened to our new Authors Off the Page podcast? It's all about weddings---our own, book weddings, and movie weddings. Do you have a favorite fictional wedding? You can listen to what we had to say wherever you get your podcasts!

Or you can click HERE

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Book Review: Where Dreams Meet

 


Some of my favorite authors have written stories about American history and heroes from the past including those who served in the Revolutionary War and Civil War. Each story shows men and women who were dealing with extraordinary circumstances and the research, great settings, and attention to details add a new perspective to the time period.

To Love a Spy by Jennifer Moore is the story of Susannah Partridge whose father and brother have decided to fight for the rebels, and Susannah, a “loyalist” must live with her aunt and uncle and help them with their inn. The local apothecary has caught her interest, though he is acting quite strangely. When an English officer’s important letter goes missing, the views Susannah has always had about the war are tested. Whose side is she really on? And could she really love a spy? I loved all the intrigue and romance in this story!

The second novella is Southern Belle, Yankee Heart by Renae Weight Mackley. Rebecca Steed has just lost her mother, but is trying to take her place by traveling to Richmond to purchase material for her work as a seamstress. Before she can board the train to go home, however, Virginia secedes from the Union and Rebecca is trapped in Richmond! She is drawn to Nathan Hill, a young man who boards at the same boarding house as Rebecca, but with the country being torn apart by war, Rebecca decides it’s not a good idea to fall in love with a Southerner. But sometimes the heart wants what the heart wants. A sweet, slow burn romance of love during war.

The third novella is Where Dreams Meet by Carolyn Twede Frank and it was so tender. Jane O’Shea has immigrated from Ireland, only to find herself stranded and unable to get to Missouri, until a stranger helps her. She meets him again in Missouri, but he is suffering some troubles of his own. The townspeople have turned against him and are trying to run him off his farm that has been in his family since his own grandparents immigrated. Can Jane trust what her heart tells her about him or will she be swayed by the rumors swirling around him? This couple had so many obstacles to overcome, that the ending was especially satisfying.

The last novella in the collection is The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You, by Carla Kelly. Hank Thornton, the son of a Medal of Honor recipient, has been called to the Teddy Roosevelt White House as a military aide. His duties include dancing with the wallflowers and escorting them around town, and Hank isn’t excited about it, wishing he was back on his horse in the Philippines. Minnie Gallagher, another boarder at the boardinghouse where Hank now resides, is doing her best to become a reporter and move up from her current position of correcting copy, but that occupation isn’t really open to women. She’s also a suffragette. I loved their romance and the wit and banter between them. But that’s not all! Hank is assigned to ride and be a sort of bodyguard for Teddy’s Roosevelt’s daughter, Alice, which added a fun element in getting to know some of these historical figures through a fictional lens. Ms. Kelly spins a tale that will tug at your heart and make you want to read it again!

Get your copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Embark on a journey through American history and witness the love stories of several couples brought together against the dramatic backdrop of a changing nation in this star-spangled romance by four best-selling authors.

“To Love a Spy” by Jennifer Moore

New York, 1781 Despite her family’s betrayal of the Crown, Susannah Partridge remains loyal to the king. But when she becomes embroiled in the treasonous activities of her charming neighbor, Eli Matthews, Susannah must determine where her allegiance truly lies.

“Southern Belle, Yankee Heart” by Renae Weight Mackley

Richmond, 1861 The Union is splintering, and Northern dressmaker Rebecca Steed finds herself stuck in the South with little money and even less hope. But being stranded in Virginia comes with an unexpected silver lining in the form of Nathan Hill, a man whose opposition to slavery and determination to do what is right quickly win her affection. But how can she give her heart to a soldier who may never come back from the war?

“Where Dreams Meet” by Carolyn Twede Frank

New York, 1892 When Jane O’Shea arrives at Ellis Island from Ireland, she has nothing but a desire to make her way in the world. With help from Peter Dockery, a gentle stranger, Jane embarks on her new life. As the couple faces seemingly insurmountable odds, they discover that adversity is better faced alongside the one you love.

“The Sun, Moon, Stars, and You” by Carla Kelly

Washington, DC, 1906 Nothing could have prepared Lieutenant Hank Thornton for his new post in Washington, DC. As a military aide to President Teddy Roosevelt in the White House, Hank is to be nothing more than a dashing dance partner at various political events. It isn’t until he meets Minnie Gallagher, an intrepid copy corrector at a local paper, that he begins to see the possibilities of this odd assignment.

Monday, July 4, 2022

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Children's Book Sale!


It's CHRISTMAS IN JULY and there are a LOT of great book deals going on right now! I saw this morning that Amazon had dropped the price on my children's picture book, A MĂ©tis Christmas, the HARDCOVER to only $18.33! That is a huge savings for a hardcover book. Perfect to tuck away for a Christmas gift! I have no idea how long Amazon will have it at this price, so grab it quick! 
Get your copy HERE 

Here's the back copy:

A beautiful introduction to MĂ©tis culture and traditions . . .

Thelma, a young Metis girl, can hardly wait for Christmas, and it is the night before the big day. Her family is celebrating with lots of food, including Thelma's favorite jam with bannock, and her father will dress in his traditional clothing to tell them the ancestor stories---but all Thelma wants to do is her best, most fancy, jigging dance. Stopping for a moment so her grandmother can read the story of the Christ child's birth, Thelma wonders what she could have given the baby had she been there that special night---and then her heart tells her what gift she can give right now!


Friday, July 1, 2022

Happy Canada Day!


Happy Canada Day! *belts out the Canadian national anthem* 

Can anyone sing with me?