Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I have so much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving! My family, my friends, and for the life I've been given. This year has been full of highs and lows for me, but I am truly feeling blessed today. I hope you had a day filled with love and Thanksgiving. Thanks for being part of my life!

A New Podcast Episode is Live!

I am so excited to celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow! I have so much to be grateful for this year.

If you have some free time between turkey and pie, you could listen to our newest Authors Off the Page podcast. It's our Unthankful Thanksgiving Episode! We talk about our least favorite things, that we're not exactly grateful for, and well, one of us almost got unfriended over a certain food choice, haha! We all read excerpts from our newest work, including Becky's new Christmas book and we also get a sneak peek into Jennifer Peel's newest book, The Valentine Inn! You can listen on iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, or anywhere else you get your podcasts!

Or you can press HERE to listen!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I made it to another birthday! It was different this year. Sweeter. Slower. Filled with so much gratitude for my family and my friends who have made such a difference in my life. 

I'm thankful for my husband and children who make every day of my life wonderful. I'm thankful for my friends for every birthday message, text, visit and call. I felt so loved! I'm also thankful for doctors and nurses who are taking such good care of me and giving me a second chance at life. I'm thankful for all of you who have stuck by me, waited for new releases, supported and cheered me on. I'm so lucky to have you in my life! This was definitely a birthday I won't forget.

Freebie for Romance Fans!

Have you ever wanted to take a romantic tour of Europe, but haven't been able to yet? Well, now you can take a romantic fiction tour with Timeless Romance Anthologies European Collection that is free today! Six novellas in one collection is perfect for your busy holiday season.

Get your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

WAR OF HEARTS by Annette LyonAnna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her now-former boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland. She arrives at a snowy Finnish battlefront only to discover that Pete is already there—as her photographer. She’s determined to be professional about the situation until a battle breaks out in camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way and putting their love to the test.

THE EARL OF OAKSEY TAKES A WIFE by G.G. Vandagriff
Melissa Burroughs is the new Countess of Oaksey. Her whirlwind romance and subsequent elopement was worth every divine moment, even if her parents did disapprove. When Melissa learns about her new husband’s apparently empty pockets, she wonders if the intimacy they’ve shared is only the ruse of a fortune-hunter. Melissa is devastated and determines to live a separate life from her new husband. But the Earl has other plans, which do not include staying away from his wife.

GIFT OF LOVE by Michele Paige Holmes
Ethan Mooreleigh knows he’ll never love another woman after the loss of his beloved wife. Yet he needs a male heir to inherit his vast fortune. Ethan’s best friend, Stuart, has an idea and retrieves his sister, Amelia, who has been living in a convent since the tragic death of her parents. Amelia only agrees to enter into the contract marriage because there’s a child involved, Ethan’s neglected three-year-old daughter. When Amelia meets Ethan for the first time at the altar, she realizes that the last thing she wants her marriage to be is loveless. But winning a man whose heart is still broken may be impossible.

A LESSON IN LOVE by Sarah M. Eden
Newlywed Lucy Stanthorpe arrives for the London Season, planning to attend every ball and musicale with her new husband, Reed, only to discover he has no intention of taking part in the social whirl. Spurred on by their family and friends, Lucy and Reed each formulate increasingly outlandish plans to teach the other a lesson in appreciation. Their battle of wills threatens to pull the young couple apart unless they can both soften their stubborn hearts.

AN OCEAN AWAY by Heather B. Moore
Gina Graydon knows the last thing she’ll attract on her holiday in France is an eligible bachelor. Tall, outspoken, and with a weakness for laughing at the wrong moment, not to mention being much too occupied with reading gothic romances, Gina decides she’d rather live in her fictional world. Besides, the only man who pays attention to her at the resort hotel happens to be her father’s worst enemy. And that is far from romantic. Reading in a secluded garden, and dreaming about the perfect kiss, all keep Gina much too busy to consider Mr. Edmund Donaldson any sort of hero.

WHAT HAPPENS IN VENICE by Nancy Campbell Allen
Evangeline Stuart is determined to enjoy her vacation in Venice—her first and likely her last since she lives under the strict confines of her step-father’s control. When she meets the mysterious and romantic Conte Bellini, who happens to be Italy’s most eligible bachelor, she decides he is all part of the dream of visiting Venice. It’s impossible for her to believe that his interest in her is anything more than kindness to a foreign visitor. But when he discovers the true betrayal of her step-father, Evangeline learns the Conte may be the one person with the power to restore her happiness.

Book Review: A Seaside Summer

In the Book Review Corner with Lauren

A Seaside Summer consists of three unique romances that were adorable and the perfect length. Each story was set near the sea and was beautifully written! I enjoyed all three stories and can’t wait to check out more of the Timeless Romance anthology series. The characters are all believable and the time period was well-researched by the authors. I only wish there had been more of the book to read!

All three stories had great storylines, but my favorite was the second story in the collection. Judith Jardine attends a party and is embarrassed and insulted by a local bachelor. A few days later, when her hurt feelings are still fresh, she finds the very man who insulted her unconscious on the beach. When he awakens, Judith finds that he has lost his memory. Judith takes this opportunity to get some revenge and show him what life is like for a lowly servant. Will feelings develop as they spend more time together? Does he ever regain his memory? The ending is wrapped up perfectly with a resolution you are sure to enjoy! I cannot say enough good about this book and the stories included in the collection!

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Summer on the seaside . . . a perfect place for romance.

Join us for three novellas in one collection:

The New Countess by Josi S. Kilpack
Diane knows why the earl asked her to marry him; he needed a mother for his daughter, an heir for his title, and a hostess to assist with his position in Parliament. With two sons of her own, and no security to speak of, she never thought twice about accepting his proposal. Summering at his holiday cottage at the sea was meant to be reward for a busy first year as the new countess, and a time for her to rest before their baby is born. She is expecting lazy days on the beach with the children, simple meals, and keeping her own schedule. When the earl surprises her with a visit, she does her best not to resent the intrusion. When she learns that he came for the sole purpose of being with her and getting to know her better, she realizes that perhaps this marriage can be more than she expected. Is she ready for him to know her and love her and explore this new possibility together? She wants to be, but it is not an easy thing to let go of expectations and open up to an entirely new way of life.

Mishaps and Memories by Martha Keyes
Judith Jardine’s one chance at a brilliant match is doomed from the start when she is ignored and then mocked by the ton’s most sought-after gentleman. Under a gloomy cloud of failure, Judith is exiled to a seaside cottage to spend the summer helping her sister—and living a life far below the one she experienced for her week in Brighton. When she discovers the man responsible for her misfortune unconscious on the beach, she heeds her better impulses and has him brought to the cottage to be seen to. But James Carlisle has no recollection of who he is, what happened to him, or how he has wronged her, and Judith sees the opportunity to teach him a valuable lesson—unless the deception and her feelings get the best of her first.

Moonlight Summer by Heather B. Moore
Oscar Rosewell’s life is not lacking in many things even though he lives on the fringes of society due to his father’s ruined reputation. He’s sworn off having any personal relationships with ton members—his only interest lies in keeping his business thriving. He’s content with his day-to-day anonymity, and business keeps his heart from getting exposed. It’s safer that way. Until Oscar meets Miss Dorothea Atkinson. A woman capturing his interest is a rare thing, but Miss Atkinson is nearly engaged to a man of her parents’ choosing. Would it be wrong to wish for something to go terribly wrong between the couple? Soon, Oscar learns that wishing can become a reality, but often, the price is an even heavier thing to pay.

Freebie for Victorian Christmas Romance Fans!

I haven't read anything by Mimi Mathews, but she has been recommended to me many times. Her Christmas book, A Holiday by Gaslight, is free today! I'm excited to try a new-to-me author!

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

A Courtship of Convenience

Sophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He's grim and silent. A man of little emotion--or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she's ready to put an end to things.

A Last Chance for Love

But severing ties with her taciturn suitor isn't as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there's Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What's a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there'll be no false formality. This time they'll get to know each other for who they really are.

Book Review: Love and Lavender

I was so excited to read the new book in the Mayfield family romance series by Josi Kilpack. I've enjoyed getting to know this family and this book introduces us to Hazel Stillman. She's offered the marriage deal by her uncle that generally kicks off the story and has been the pattern in the other books in the series. Hazel is offended by the offer, however, thinking it was made because no man would marry her unless she brought a financial windfall to the union. When Hazel meets Duncan, her aunt's ward, she is wary of him and his obvious quirks, but they strike up an unusual friendship that is based on their mutual love of math. When extreme circumstances come up for both of them regarding their employment, it seems like marriage would be the best solution to find some stability, then go their separate ways once that is achieved. But could a marriage be more than that for them? 

I enjoyed getting to know both Hazel and Duncan. They are such well-rounded characters with relatable problems. They both are navigating a relationship for the first time and make mistakes, their backgrounds and previous experiences coloring their perspectives about what marriage should or could look like. I loved that both our hero and heroine were dealing with perceived physical and mental limitations, but still found themselves falling in love. I really wanted them to find their happily-ever-after with all they'd been through! I didn't expect some of the twists and turns in the story and the inner and outer conflict the characters faced. Hazel does make a decision regarding Duncan's family that I wished would have been more resolved, but overall, I can understand why she comes to the conclusion she does. I thought the secondary cast and setting were very well done, but the author truly excelled at weaving together a beautiful story of what love truly means. 

Get your copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls’ school.

When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance is he marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own firm.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.

Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?