Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Dashing through the...holidays! By Magdalena Scott


Does it seem to you that we're dashing through the holidays? Or, as I've muttered a few times since early October, galloping toward Christmas?

As a minimalist and an introvert who also has anxiety issues - yay! - I can get overwhelmed this time of year. Although this feeling doesn't usually pop up until December, it already happened once, last week, when I hit a proverbial wall.

With my heart beating like a hammer, I realized I couldn't do everything on the Thanksgiving week list. So I had to skip two events. I was fortunate to attend several others, cook for and spend time with loved ones (but not all extended family, because even though it looks like there's more than plenty of me, I could not spread myself that thin), and do some necessary but not-so-fun things like go to doctor appointments with a friend, and learn from my son how to change out a toilet handle lever. (I am that widow whose husband always did such stuff for her. And really, since my son was the teacher, it did turn out to be fun. Even though we had to wade through Black Friday shoppers to buy the piece we needed. But I digress.)

Back to the galloping...

Here are a few things - alphabetized, of course - that you and/or I may be doing this month:

Baking
Basketball games
Carolling
Church - attending, decorating, participating, singing, serving
Christmas parade
Choir concert
Cooking and serving meals at home
Decorating indoors
Decorating outdoors
Madrigal dinner and concert
Orchestra concert
Parties
Pitch-in meals - preparing for, attending, eating, cleaning up after
Romances - reading
Shopping for gifts
Shopping for groceries
Shopping for more groceries (tell me I'm not the only one who forgets things and has to go back)
Shopping for something to wear to parties (see above)
Songs, holiday - singing along with, remembering wrong, singing louder to cover up error
Theater productions, professional or amateur - preparing or attending
Videos, seasonal - bingeing
Visiting Santa
Wrapping gifts
Writing - Christmas letters, Christmas novels, beach reads, blogs...

Do you get overwhelmed during the holidays? 

I'm sure I haven't listed everything. No way could I have cobbled together a complete list. And yet, this incomplete one is pretty darn long. What are some things on your Priority-Do-Not-Miss List?

Are you like me, and occasionally have to step back and reassess? If so, what helps you create a more peaceful season?

Magdalena Scott
https://magdalenascott.com/




Tuesday, November 27, 2018

What do you enjoy reading in a romantic suspense? By Margaret Daley

I have written six books in the Lone Star Justice Series for Love Inspired. The one coming out December 1st is the fifth book. The sixth one is being published May 1, 2019. I have another book due in the series about Texas Rangers. I'd love your suggestions on what kind of crime do you like to read about. Murder, kidnapping, blackmail, money laundering, stalking, trafficking drugs or humans or something else. So what do you enjoy reading in a romantic suspense?


Also my next post will be December 27th, and I want to wish you a wonderful Christmas. Stay safe, have fun with friends and family, and may God be with you.




Lone Star Christmas WitnessBy Margaret Daley
To protect a child witnessLone Star Justice must prevailWith a killer at large, Texas Ranger Taylor Blackburn must safeguard little Ben Markham—the sole survivor of a mass shooting. But allowing Ben and his beautiful aunt, Sierra Walker, into his life is riskier than Taylor imagined. While he can distract Ben with Christmas planning, Taylor can't ignore how Sierra makes him feel. The only thing harder than protecting them is guarding his own heart... 
Order now: AmazonB&NApple BooksKobo and Google Play.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

Sweet Romance Reads Bargain Book by Margaret Daley and Lyn Cote



Deadly Legacy—99¢ until December 15th
By Margaret Daley

Legacy of Secrets. Threats and Danger. Second Chances. 
From USA Today Bestselling author, Margaret Daley, is another romantic suspense from her series Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations.
Down on her luck, single mom, Lacey St. John, believes her life has finally changed for the better when she receives an inheritance from a wealthy stranger. Her ancestral home she'd thought forever lost has been transformed into a lucrative bed and breakfast guaranteed to bring much-needed financial security. Her happiness is complete until strange happenings erode her sense of well being. When her life is threatened, she turns to neighbor and police detective, Ryan McNeil, for help. He promises to solve the mystery of who's ruining her newfound peace of mind, but when her troubles escalate to the point that her every move leads to danger, she's unsure who to trust. Is the strong, capable neighbor she's falling for as amazing as he seems? Or could he be the man who wants her dead?



My book is available at: AmazonB&NAppleKobo and Google Play



Meant for Me by Lyn Cote is now FREE online
Book 1 of The Carlyle Women


Chloe Kimball Carlyle was raised to be the perfect Southern lady. But when a handsome stranger about to leave for war proposes an elopement, Chloe breaks free. America has just entered WWI. Chloe makes her own way in 1917 New York City--a place nothing like home.
The Carlyle Women-four generations, 
each facing the challenges of her time 
and each harboring her own painful secret~
For more information or to purchase, click here.

Saturday, November 24, 2018

A Crafty Idea by Pat Simmons


I’m always in awe of people who have a flair for creativity from the simplest of things—leaves, socks, discarded cans and more.
Me—I can sew most things from a pattern—mostly clothes, curtains, seat cushions, and pillows, but without a pattern, forget it.  Sewing is my comfort zone.
   


Lately, I haven’t had too much success with crafts--definitely out of my comfort zone! Last year, I decided to bling up some magnets with inspirational quotes. The result was a bling mess all over the place—table, floor, clothes…and oh, yes, some made it on the magnets.  

This year, I decided to try my hand at book coasters. Again, this was a bright idea after watching my cousin create them as souvenirs for our family reunion.
Let me first say, it was more than a notion. I had to find someone to resize my covers, then I decided to pull a quote from the same book to make a set. The process included many trials and errors from the Elmer’s glue on steroids to coating that had more bubbles than acne to the sanding that left a dusty mess, then the easy part—an adhesive backing—whew, but the result was magnificent! These are for a Christmas Bazaar fundraiser, but I also made more for unique Christmas gifts for book lovers.
 



Check out a few I have for sale and place your order.
Also, if you’re looking for a new inspiring read, check out my book teaser for The Guilty Generation.


------------------------------------------------

Pat Simmons has penned more thirty plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about casting her ancestors in starring roles. She is a three-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has been a featured speaker and workshop presenter at various venues. Pat has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Check out her new release!

Thursday, November 22, 2018

Bargain Holiday #SweetRomance Novels #99cents

Grab A Deal Today!


Dina Griffin flees a dangerous situation and ends up in Ocean City, Maryland where she hopes to spend the holidays in hiding. Trusting no one, she wants only one thing this Christmas—to feel safe.

Officer Gav Thomas is certain there’s something Dina isn’t telling him about her visit to his seaside town, so he devises a means to stick close to the vulnerable beauty.

But trouble arrives at Dina’s doorstep, bringing with it stark-raving fear and the realization that she must place her trust in someone. Is Gav really just a local cop… or is he Dina’s guardian angel?

Save $2 off the regular price ~ Grab this 99¢ book today!

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Serena always loved Christmas, but her favorite holiday season only brings on heartache after her groom-to-be runs off with another woman only a week before her December wedding. Giving back the wedding gifts and enduring the humiliating gossip in her small town proves to be too much for the quiet librarian who’d been the brunt of nerd jokes in high school, and Serena leaves town—only to return a year later determined to take back her life, her pride, and her joy in Christmas.


Damien has his own reasons for hating Christmas. No sweet and silly stuff for this handsome Scrooge, who hurls himself into extreme sports, almost daring nature to break through his hard shell. So why does he find his icy heart melting when confronted with the timid librarian whose sweet smile haunts his dreams?

                       KindleUS      KindleUniversal
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Book One of Northern Intrigue series

Winter's Secret


In a small Wisconsin town, winter brings a series of disturbing crimes. With God’s help, can sheriff Rodd and nurse Wendy crack the bone-chilling mystery — and the secrets of their own hearts?

Welcome to Steadfast, Wisconsin, a small town whose people and mysteries you may never forget~
For more information or to purchase, click here.


Wednesday, November 21, 2018

A New Christmas Romance by Milou Koenings

It's my last release of 2018 and it's a Christmas romance!

Do you love holiday romances as much as I do?  I could watch a Hallmark or Netflix Christmas romance every single night, if only I had the time. And my Kindle is full of holiday romance novels. 

My favorites are the ones that take place in friendly small towns, with lots of loving friends and quirky family around. It's also the kind of story I like to write. (And yes, I admit it, I dream of watching my own books as Hallmark or Netflix movies one day.)

So even though my release last month was also a Christmas story, here's another one!

The Mistletoe Bachelor Auction is book 6 in the Green Pines Romance series. Each story in the series is a standalone book, although there are many recurring characters as the stories all take place in the same small town.

The mistletoe bachelor auction romance cover
When a supermodel with a string of bad news boyfriends “wins” a volunteer firefighter at a charity bachelor auction, Rose and Ryan might both discover they’ve found their perfect Christmas match.

A fun, wholesome, small-town romance holiday tale.

"A movie perfect love story!" -- Amazon Reviewer



Would you like to get Book 2 in the Green Pines Romance series for FREE? It's yours when you sign up for my newsletter!

A twist of fate and Annie's unexpectedly on her way to Africa for Christmas. Next to her on the plane, a man in a tuxedo. What kind of guy flies in a tux? Annie's about to find out—and discover things about herself that will flip her world upside down.

A delightful, heartwarming Christmas novella.


PS Do you like to review books?




If you love reviewing books almost as much as getting advance reader copies of soon-to-be published ones, join my Sweet-Street Team! It's where I offer books I'm working on and occasionally gently nudge the team to let the word out about them. You can sign up here.




Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Want to make your best friend happy?

If you're feeling thankful for your best friend, you can offer her a free e-book today! Just go to our Sweet Romance Café page on Facebook (see link below),  tag her name into the comments, and three lucky winners will be chosen by the authors of our sweet romance book bundle, Sweet Christmas Kisses 5!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRRCafe1/


Monday, November 19, 2018

The time I rescued a goat - by Jeanette Lewis

Hi Bookworms!

I grew up on a dairy farm with plenty of cows, horses, chickens, turkeys, pigs, and even llamas. But we never had goats or sheep. My dad always said they made too much mess.

Fast forward many years later after I was married and settled down with four kids. I was driving home from a meeting one night and saw something running down the middle of the road. As I got closer, I realized it was a goat.

Now, this is suburbia. Loose dogs and cats? All the time. Loose rabbits or the occasional turtle? Sure. (Side note: I have also rescued a very large turtle, but that's another story.) But a goat? Not likely.

The poor thing was obviously very scared and I could see it was wearing a collar with a bit of chewed up rope on the end. So I hurried home and grabbed the dog's leash, then took my daughters with me to find the goat. It hadn't gone far and when we approached, it trotted over and let me hook the leash to its collar, then jumped into the backseat of my car like it was right at home. It was a cute little amber colored thing and my kids loved it.



The dog? Not so much. She freaked out and lost her goat privileges immediately.


The goat spent the night in our garage eating lettuce and Animal Control came and picked it up the next day. No one ever tried to claim it so after a month, we got the chance to adopt it and clearly, there was only one place it could go ... the farm.


My dad took to him immediately. He named the goat Buster and they are best buddies. He follows Dad everywhere and bosses the cows and horses around. He jumps all over the haystacks and literally lives in a house made of food, so he's put on some weight. For us, no visit to the farm is complete without stopping by to check on Buster. He is little, but mighty and was part of the inspiration for the goat wrestling scene in my Christmas romance, Feels Like Love.


A sweet romance about second chances and finding the love of your life right where you left him.
Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiance, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, he's determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.


Get Feels Like Love on Amazon. (Free for KU users.)

Much love and happy reading!




Sunday, November 18, 2018

Hawaiian Holiday – A New Christmas Series

Spend the holidays in Hawaii with six exciting, sweet novellas linked by a unifying theme. You’ll want to read each one!


HAWAIIAN HOLIDAY SERIES

Six women set out on a twelve-day holiday getaway cruise to the Hawaiian Islands. Each woman decides to enjoy a beautiful, much-deserved holiday in an exotic locale and ends up unexpectedly finding love along the way.

Christmas Charm by Raine English
Seashells & Mistletoe by Rachelle Ayala
Cruising into Christmas by Aileen Fish
Sunny Days Ahead by Julie Jarnagin
Aloha to Love by Josie Riviera
A Very Merry Christmas by Denise Devine


~*~



USA Today bestselling author Raine English writes sweet small-town contemporary romance, along with paranormal and romantic suspense. She’s a Daphne du Maurier Award winner and a Golden Heart finalist. To receive information on all her new releases, you can sign up for her newsletter, visit her website, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.
  

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Introducing My Billionaires with Heart Series by Liwen Y. Ho

Do you know who's been taking over the clean and wholesome romance category by storm? Billionaires! Yes, the latest trend in romance, especially sweet romance, are wealthy leading men. Along with the extra zeroes in their bank accounts, these male characters appeal to readers because of their power and presence. You could say that billionaires are ultra alpha males, men who have the capacity to take care of the women in their lives.

I can definitely understand the appeal that these stories have, which is why I decided to write my own take on them. My Billionaires with Heart series looks at three siblings who come into wealth through a family inheritance. Due to their background, they're a little more grounded than someone who may have been born rich, but they also have access to the benefits that come with wealth.

Most importantly, these siblings learn that love can't be bought. Each story gives a glimpse into their lives as they navigate through the ups and downs of building and mending relationships with the ones they love.

Without further ado, may I introduce you to the leading men in this series: Gabriel, Noah, and Devon!


The first story, At Odds with the Billionaire, is now available on Amazon.com for 99¢ or free with Kindle Unlimited. 


Books 2 and 3 are also available for pre-order. Each novelette provides you with a quick tropical escape during your busy day. Click on these links for more information:

Book 2: Best Friends with the Billionaire (coming November 26th)
Book 3: Crushing on the Billionaire (coming December 10th)

Do you like romance books featuring billionaires? Let me know in the comments below!



Be sure to join us over at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook for a great community of like-minded readers who enjoy reading sweet/clean romance!