Write What You Know by Pat Simmons

I heard that countless times when I started writing more than fifteen years ago. Easy, right? Nope. I like fairy-tale endings, a love worth fighting for, and the inspiration to believe that love will find me. I was a caregiver in the late 1990s, before “caregiving” was commonplace. It was a brief but emotional period after my dad passed, and I had to care for my great-grandmother. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My emotions were all over the place. In addition to caring for Grandma Jessie, I had two small children, a Yorkie, and a poor husband who had to suffer through it with me. Fast-forward about twenty years later, I was thinking about giving up writing because “I had nothing.” I thought all the wonderful stories within me had already been written. Then the Lord reminded me of a Caregivers proposal I had tucked away. I got it out, brushed it off, and, with clearer focus, wrote it. But I needed that fairy-tale ending, that love worth fighting for, and hope. Tabitha and Marcus gave me what I was looking for. I indie-published “MY ROCK.” It caught the attention of an editor at Sourcebooks, who republished it as LEAN ON ME. LEAN ON ME is engaging, relevant, and swoon-worthy. Pre-order today for an emotional ride to happily-ever-after love.

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published author of fifty-plus Christian romances. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth, a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance, and the 2022 winner of the Leslie Esdaile “Trailblazer” Award. Pat lives in St. Louis, Missouri, holds a B.S. in Mass Communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for over 20 years. She serves as a publicist on the board of the Christian Book Lovers Retreat (CBLR). Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

The Gentleman Across a Regency Ballroom You Aren't Allowed to Meet

In a contemporary romance, two people can meet almost anywhere. They might strike up a conversation in a coffee shop, at work, or while waiting in line.

A young lady in Regency England had no such freedom. Even if she noticed an interesting gentleman across a ballroom, she could not simply walk over and say hello. Before romance—or even conversation—could begin, someone had to introduce them.

A Regency ball (illustrative image)

How Did Regency Ladies Meet Gentlemen?

Imagine you are at a ball in Regency-era London.

The chandeliers are blazing, the musicians are playing something lively, and your slippers are already pinching because you insisted on looking elegant instead of sensible.

Across the room, you notice a gentleman—respectable, pleasant, possibly even interesting. Naturally, you might think to walk over and introduce yourself.

… Except you can’t.

Not because you are shy (although you might be). Not because he is surrounded by others (although he might be). But because in Regency society, unless you have been properly introduced, you are not supposed to speak to him at all.

The Small Matter of Being Allowed to Speak

In Regency society, conversation between unmarried ladies and gentlemen was not freely entered into. It required an introduction by a mutual acquaintance, a hostess, or a Master of Ceremonies.

A gentleman was always presented to the lady (never the reverse), and she (or her chaperone) could decline. Accepting implied willingness to dance or converse. Without the introduction, a gentleman should not address a lady, and a lady most certainly should not encourage him.

It sounds terribly restrictive to us, but introductions served as a social safeguard. Reputation was everything, and introductions acted as a filter—ensuring that one was not speaking to someone entirely unsuitable.

(Or at least, not obviously unsuitable.)

Enter the Gatekeeper

A mutual acquaintance, hostess, or Master of Ceremonies often functioned as a social conductor—guiding interactions and deciding who could safely meet.

Introducing a gentleman to a young lady (illustrative image)

At public assemblies, the Master of Ceremonies often stepped in, as in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, where he introduces Catherine Morland to Henry Tilney so they can dance.

In a private ballroom, the hostess filled that role. Which leads us to this moment from Lissa and the Spy:

Mr. Collingworth came up to her, accompanied by Lady Cliffton, the hostess of the ball. As always, Lady Cliffton’s jewelry—while in good taste—was as flamboyant as the matron. “Miss Gardinier, allow me to introduce Mr. Collingworth.”

Lissa curtseyed, keeping a polite smile on her face, while Mr. Collingworth bowed. In truth, they had been introduced last year, in her first Season, but from the vacant look upon Mr. Collingworth’s face, he had likely forgotten about it.

“Would you do me the honor of a dance, Miss Gardinier?” Mr. Collingworth asked, and Lissa assented.

Re-introductions were actually common and necessary. If a gentleman had forgotten, or the acquaintance wasn’t acknowledged, etiquette dictated they be treated as strangers again.

The Quiet Power of Chaperones

Unmarried ladies, especially those under thirty, were also expected to be accompanied by a chaperone—usually her mother, or a married sister, or an older female relative.

Chaperones did more than sit in chairs and observe—they controlled access. They ensured that conversations remained appropriate, discouraged unwanted attention, and maintained a lady’s sterling reputation ensuring she was never left alone with a gentleman.

What Happens If You Ignore the Rules?

A lady could technically speak without an introduction, but she might be thought “fast” or “forward,” and her marriage prospects would dry up.

Two gossiping ladies (Ackermann's Repository of Arts, October 1810)

For men, the consequences were not quite so dire, but even in Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Collins’s self-introduction to Mr. Darcy is instantly recognized as a social blunder.

It wasn’t just about being unpopular—a failed Season was hundreds of pounds down the drain for her parents or guardian (about $100,000 – $140,000). So most young women—particularly those without title, money, or social standing—were careful.

When You Are Not Easily Noticed

This system favored the well-connected, confident, and wealthy. Many debutantes from lesser-connected families languished on the sidelines, lacking someone to engineer introductions.

My heroine, Lissa, is thoughtful, observant, and not inclined to push herself forward. She very properly relies on others to notice and to introduce her.

And if they don’t? Then she remains at the edge of the room, unremembered even by a gentleman she has already met.

She can’t let her discouragement show. She must smile and curtsey as though nothing is amiss, accept the dance, and pretend she has not been forgotten.

A young lady at her debut ball (Ackermann's Repository of Arts, May 1809)

A Small Opening in a Very Ordered World

Yet, for all its restrictions, the system created moments of real possibility.

A single introduction could change everything. A hostess might bring a quiet young lady forward, or a gentleman might ask for a dance (and remember her the next time).

In a world where one could not simply walk up and speak, every sanctioned interaction carried weight. That scarcity, perhaps, is part of the charm. When something as simple as a conversation is not easily obtained, it becomes all the more significant.

And for a heroine like Lissa, even a slightly awkward re-introduction might spark something unexpected.

Get Lissa and the Spy free

If you enjoy Regency romance with adventure and a dash of humor, you can receive my novella Lissa and the Spy free when you join my newsletter.

Lissa and the Spy

A Regency Romantic Suspense Novella

In her quest for a marriage of convenience, plain and unpopular Lissa finds herself entangled with the enigmatic Lord Jeremy Stoude, who has a secret mission for the Crown. As danger stalks them, they must navigate a labyrinth of society’s expectations and their own insecurities to find love.

Click here to get Lissa and the Spy

An earlier version of this article originally appeared on my personal blog.

National Spumoni Day — And Apparently I’ve Been Missing Out by Janice Lynn

Apparently, August 21st is a busy day.

It’s National Senior Citizens Day, National Brazilian Blowout Day, and National Fantasy Football Day.

And while I could probably come up with something to say about all three of those things, there’s another celebration happening today that caught my attention:

National Spumoni Day.

My first thought was...

What in the world is spumoni?

Seriously. I had no idea.

I’d heard the word before. I vaguely knew it had something to do with ice cream. But if you’d handed me a menu and asked me to explain the difference between spumoni and Neapolitan ice cream, I would have smiled confidently and then immediately changed the subject.

So, naturally, I had to investigate.

So, What Exactly Is Spumoni?

Spumoni is a traditional Italian frozen dessert that originated in southern Italy—most often associated with Naples.

And it turns out it’s a little more interesting than simply putting three flavors of ice cream next to each other.

Traditional spumoni is made with layers of different flavored gelato or ice cream, usually in three colors, with pistachio, cherry, and chocolate being a classic combination. Depending on the recipe, it may also contain chopped nuts, candied fruit, or bits of chocolate.

It's colorful. It's pretty. And, frankly, it sounds delicious.

Which brings us to the obvious question...

Isn't That Just Neapolitan Ice Cream?

Nope!

Although the two are definitely related.

When Italian immigrants brought their frozen-dessert traditions to the United States, spumoni eventually helped inspire the ice cream we know as Neapolitan.

Neapolitan ice cream kept the idea of three flavors side by side but changed them to the now-familiar chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

It also left out the nuts and fruit typically found in spumoni.

So, in a way, that carton of Neapolitan ice cream we've all seen in the grocery store is spumoni's simpler American cousin.

And now I feel as though I've been eating the descendant of spumoni my entire life without giving its ancestor proper credit.

A Dessert Made for Celebrating

Traditionally, spumoni isn't always scooped into a bowl like regular ice cream. It can be layered into a mold, frozen, and then sliced for serving.

That means when you cut into it, you see those beautiful layers of color.

Which makes it seem especially appropriate for a celebration.

Of course, now that I know what spumoni actually is, I have another problem.

I want some.

And I'm pretty sure I've never seen a carton of spumoni sitting beside the chocolate and vanilla at my local grocery store.

Then again, maybe I've simply never been looking for it.

You can probably guess what I'll be checking the next time I'm wandering through the frozen-food aisle.

Happy National Spumoni Day!

So there you have it.

I started National Spumoni Day having absolutely no idea what spumoni was, and I'm ending it thinking pistachio, cherry, chocolate, nuts, and fruit layered into a frozen dessert sounds like something I really ought to try.

I'd call that educational progress.

And since today is also National Senior Citizens Day, National Brazilian Blowout Day, and National Fantasy Football Day, I suppose you could celebrate all four at once.

Check your fantasy football lineup, admire your freshly blown-out hair, spend some time with a senior citizen you love...

…and eat spumoni.

Although perhaps not necessarily in that order.

Have you ever had spumoni? And if you have, is it as good as it sounds?

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

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Getting past the "Nope." Lessons in Love and Second Chances by Merri Maywether

When I was in the classroom, I used to tell the kids that failing is better than not trying at all. When we fail, we move forward. It may not be as far as we’d hoped, but moving forward is better than being stagnant. 

Most of the time, that’s all they needed to try. There were instances where they looked me in the eye and gave me a big nope. “Sorry, ma’am, it’s not going to happen.” 

Then I had to unravel the jumble that created the resistance. 

Sometimes it was fatigue. 

Then there was fear. The disappointment of trying and not getting what we hoped for can get heavy. Why carry it? 

For others, it was distraction. Joking around with a friend is far more interesting than fixing misplaced modifiers. 

Or, they didn’t understand. They had enough tools to know what they were supposed to do, but not the right tools to do the work. 

At this point, you’re probably asking, what does this have to do with sweet romance? 

These principles also apply to characters that are being offered a second chance. Sometimes it’s a second chance at receiving the love they know exists because they’ve seen it. Other times, it’s a chance at the life they’ve always wanted. 

Why would they put up so much resistance? 

Let’s revisit the reasons I used to see daily: fatigue, fear, distraction. 

That’s when we hear someone say, I’m sick and tired. 

Then there’s fear. I don’t want to get hurt again. I don’t want to get my hopes up. 

Distraction—they’re too busy. 

The big one. They don’t know what to say or how to accept what’s being offered. 

And that’s why so many of us love second-chance romance. We get the chance to live vicariously through a fictional character and find an ember of hope, or the strength to get up one more time, or the friend who snaps in front of our face, insisting that it’s time to pay attention to what’s in front of us. 

Anyone who has read my books would see in an instant that my characters always have a community that shows them how to believe in love. This help could come via a wise older person, a sassy friend, or the grumpy guy who just wants to lock them in a room until they figure it out. They are not only given what they need, but they’re also shown how to apply it. 

Then we get to my favorite part of the story. We get to celebrate because love wins. 

Our character had a good reason to wallow in bitterness. Instead, they did the work, and because of how hard it was, the happy ending is S-W-E-E-T.

It’s your turn to share. What is it about the characters in second-chance romance that makes you look forward to their happy ending? Or do you have a different reason why they would be hesitant to try again?

Let me know in the comments. I’m excited to read your answers. 

National Tattoo Removal Day by Merrillee Whren

 The photo above shows someone getting a tattoo, but today is National Tattoo Removal Day. Do you have a tattoo? Do you love it, or do you wish you could get rid of it? The art of tattooing can be traced back to 3000 BC. However, today one in seven adults who have tattoos regret getting them. There is good news for those who wish to be rid of the tattoos they regret getting. Laser removal of tattoos started in the 1990s. The technology for removing tattoos has improved over the years. Astanza, a leading company in tattoo removal founded this day. 

It takes thirty days for a tattoo to heal. Tattoo removal can't be done before that, so the date for National Tattoo Removal Day is set for at least thirty past National Tattoo Day, which fell on July 17 this year. So if you're looking to remove a tattoo that you got on National Tattoo Day this year, it's time. Also the date is six months after Valentine's Day if you got a tattoo to celebrate a valentine who is no longer your valentine, today is the day to get rid of that tattoo.

So what do tattoos have to do with my writing and my books? I have only one book with a character who has tattoos. Even the character on the cover of this book doesn't have a tattoo. When I first wrote this book for Harlequin Love Inspired, they did not put any tattoos on my hero's arms. When I reissued this book on my own, it was very difficult to find a photo with a male character with tattoos. So the cover still remained without any visible tattoos. I suppose these days, one could create a cover using AI to create a character with tattoos. Here is the cover from my reissue.

 Below is an AI generated picture with the tattoos. I kind of like it. What do you think of AI generated book covers? He certainly has tattoos.

Here is a short excerpt from Kirsten's Mission.

“Now there’s a fine-looking man, wouldn’t you agree?” Jen leaned on the counter.

Kirsten shook her head. “If you like tattoos and the scruffy unshaven look.”

“I was concentrating on those golden-brown eyes and that tousled brown hair.”

Kirsten frowned as she shook her head. “He looks like he’s been sleeping in his clothes, and that tousled brown hair hasn’t seen a barber in weeks.”

“Looks good on his six-foot-plus muscled frame.” Jen let out a low whistle. “I think somebody needs an attitude adjustment.”

“I suppose you mean me.”

“Uh, yeah.”

Kirsten sighed as Jen came back around the counter. “I know I was rude, but he made me angry. He was impolite not to let us know he was coming or that he’d arrived.”

“Did he tell you why he never responded to your messages?”

Kirsten lowered her head and put a hand to her forehead. “He implied my messages were curt and unfriendly.”

Shrugging, Jen frowned. “I thought you sounded okay when you left messages.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t hear them all. Maybe my anger came through even when I was trying not to let it show.” Kirsten raised her head. “Oh well, he’s here now, so I don’t have to worry about it. I hope his presence will make Cora happy. That’s all I care about.”

An unsettled feeling washed over Kirsten as she tried to concentrate on her work. She didn’t want to spend time defending her reaction to the smooth Mr. Hewitt. The man had waltzed in here thinking he could flash around his good looks and charm and make everything okay. Nothing about a cocky guy appealed to her, especially one with a plethora of military and animal tattoos decorating his arms. She suspected there were probably more that couldn’t be seen.

Jen raised her eyebrows. “Did Cora seem happy to see him?”

“Don’t know.” Kirsten shrugged. “She was sleeping, and he was sitting there beside her bed when I looked into the room. All that matters is Cora’s happiness.”

“You’re right.” Jen nodded. “But I was thinking he might be a good candidate for your date to Annie and Ian’s wedding.”

With incredulity screaming through her mind, Kirsten turned to Jen. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, I’m as serious as can be.” Jen tapped her fingers on her keyboard. “Taking Brady would show your dad you can get your own dates.”

“My dad would have a fit if I showed up with a guy sporting tattoos.”

“And the plot thickens.”

Kirsten shook her head. “There’s no plot, and the only thickness is in your skull.”

They worked for several minutes in silence until Jen craned her neck to see down the hallway. She chuckled. “The hero of our story is on his way back.”

“Will you please behave?” Waving a hand at Jen, Kirsten stared at the computer monitor and hoped the man would pass by without a comment. “Don’t say a word to him.”

“Can’t be unfriendly.”

“We have work to do.” Kirsten tried to concentrate on the scheduling chart on her monitor and not be tempted to see where Brady was. Why was she letting him bother her? She had to admit Jen was right. Underneath the tattoos and scruffy appearance was a good-looking man, but she couldn’t let that interest her. Charm and good looks didn’t undo bad character. What kind of man would ignore his grandmother for years?

If this story intrigues you, you can find the book by clicking on this link to take you to my website. 

I don't think Brady should get rid of his tattoos. What do you think?

Merrillee Whren is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award presented by Romance Writers of American. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. Connect with her on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

Once Upon a Time, a Nonnie and Her Granddaughters Wrote a Princess Story by Josie Riviera

 It started the way the best stories always do, with children who had questions and a grandmother who couldn't say no.

My granddaughters wanted a princess. Not the kind who waits in a tower. The kind who figures things out, who is brave without being loud about it, who discovers that what she thought was nothing might be the most important thing of all.

So we wrote one together.

The Princess of Nothing grew out of a long car ride home from Durham to Charlotte, NC. My granddaughters were my collaborators, my editors, and the most honest critics. If illustrations and parts of the story didn't ring true to them, it didn't stay in the book. 

If you have a young reader in your life, I hope this book finds its way into her hands. And if you read it yourself, you'll understand why we wrote it.

The Princess of Nothing is available now.

Did you have a favorite princess story as a little girl, and which one do you still love today?

Josie Riviera is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovation.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: josieriviera.com

Labors of Love by Liz Flaherty

Writing is work, and it's hard. Even 20-some books in I have trouble with tenses, trouble with apostrophes, trouble with commas. I still spend time with The Chicago Manual of Style when I use em dashes and ellipses because I never remember where and how to use them.

But reading, now ... reading is pure pleasure, isn't it? Even if the book ends up being more meh than wow, we still have the anticipation of starting a new one. Chapter One is surely one of the most beautiful phrases anywhere. Am I right?

I never thought of reading as work. I have judged contests. I have read manuscripts for other writers that--no matter how good they likely were--didn't work for me. I've never been in a book club (I've never been invited. Sigh.), but I know from friends that sometimes they truly hate the selection their club is reading at a given time. Usually they finish the book anyway. I read The Scarlet Letter in high school and am still whining about it 50-some years later. 

Well, yes, it is work. But, although I hated Nathaniel Hawthorne's writing, I still remember Hester Prynne's story. I think Hawthorne was brave to write it in that time period.

I remember that my favorite contest entry of all time was never published. It was a rollicking frolic of a Regency story during a time that Regencies were in great demand. I know that publishers asked for the complete, but Grass for Breakfast never appeared. Sherrie Holmes, the author, wrote for Word Wenches blog, but I never saw if she had books published. I looked for years. 

I think of teachers, from probably third grade on, who give writing assignments. From book reports to "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" themes, to short stories, to essays, to journals,  to term papers. They know when they assign them that they will have to read them. Every year of their career.

So, labors of love fits, doesn't it? Hawthorne wrote a brave story. Sherrie Holmes wrote (at least) one lovely one that I remember 20-some years later. Reading them initially was labor, but worth it. So very worth it.

And then there's the writing. I know it's work. Anyone who's ever sat in front of a blank page or a page full of irredeemable dreck knows it's work.

So is every other worthwhile thing I can think of. Relationships--especially the marriage and parent-child ones--are work, collecting things is work, playing any kind of sport is work, taking care of animals is work. And they're all labors of love. 

Every single one. 

Sometimes, I just really feel lucky. As writers, I think all of us here are lucky. Work on. 

P. S. Speaking of writing ... and books ... and me ... Shades of Green, Book 3 in the Harper Loch Trilogy, is available for pre-order. I am just embarrassingly excited.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/0dKnw8fA

D2D: https://books2read.com/u/3RRAgL