Lyn Cote Asks "Do You Have Siblings?"

Do you have siblings? And are you similar in some ways or just very different? 

I could share about my own family since I had an older brother and a younger sister. However, I'm going to talk about the two kittens I adopted September 1, 2022. It has been an interesting time getting to see how different they both are, even though they are littermates and look almost identical. 

The first one I named Lovey, but I could also have called him, Rebel, Rascal, or Climber. He loves to “push the envelope." He knows what he is not supposed to do, but he doesn't want to obey all the time. Of course, he is only the equivalent of a four or five-year-old in human years so I have to understand that his sudden impulses and impetuous behavior are to be expected! 

The other thing is that he is a born predator. He wants to hunt. But we live in the woods where there are a lot of things that eat cats. And the road near our property is very busy. So he cannot go outside to hunt. I have begun putting some bait out on a mat near our sliding glass door so he can watch squirrels, chipmunks, etc. come up to the door. He watches them avidly and wishes his mom wasn’t so mean.

His brother, when we named Browser, could also have been named Chowhound. He loves his food and he’s very treat-oriented whereas his brother is fun-oriented. He also has already matured more quickly than his brother and just wants to get along. He's very loving, but he does not want me to pick him up or hold him. Lovey, on the other hand, climbs up on my lap for loves a couple times a day and is very much a lap cat. Browser (whom I also call Brow-Brow) prefers birds over furry prey. He will jump to the window when he catches sight of one and makes a fun growly noise in his throat.

I chose this topic because my new series, “The Preacher’s Daughters,” is the story of three sisters: Hannah, Abby and Lucy. I won’t reveal which they are—alike or different. But I think you’ll find them an intersting trio of heroines, starting with Book 1, HANNAH’S HOMETOWN HERO~

Can a shy girl find her moxie and win her hometown hero?  Or “let” him win her?

Here’s a glimpse:

“Guthrie couldn’t speak.

Reaching over, he pulled Hannah to him. He just wanted to comfort her. But the feeling of her softness in his arms went to his head. He kissed her hair, fragrant of spices, then her eyebrows. Her eyes closed. He kissed her eyelids, first one, then the other. Petal soft. Such softness brought feelings, emotions bubbling up from deep inside him.

Tilting up her chin, Hannah smoothed back his golden hair, then rested her hand on his chest.

A warmth, healing and vital, flowed through him like a cleansing prayer. ‘Hannah, you’re a wonderful woman. You make me believe…’ Maybe he might get a second chance, after all.” Click here to learn more.

So I’ve told about the brothers in our house. Are your siblings similar or very different tham you are! Lyn

Remembering by Laura Scott

 

I realize Memorial Day was technically yesterday, but I wanted to do my part in thanking all of those servicemen and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It seems especially poignant this year as my hubby and I take an anniversary cruise down the Rhine river, seeing cities impacted by the war that was so long ago.

My Uncle Bob was a WWII vet, he didn't die in the South Pacific, but I know he returned home a different man. I didn't understand why he hated Fourth of July fireworks, or had a weird obsession in wanting women to have short hair. I knew he was often sick with malaria from his time overseas. And I am proud to know  he was awarded a medal of honor because he threw himself on a grenade that was tossed in his fox hole, but the grenade didn't go off. A true hero, in my book.

Yet I also understand so many men and women didn't come home. They gave their lives for the rest of us to live in the land of the free and the brave. 

I hope that you took a moment to remember loved ones, acquaintances or even strangers who died for us over the holiday weekend. Memorial Day is more than the start of summer. It's a day to honor those who sacrificed for us.

My book, A Soldier's Promise is still free on all sites. The hero in this book didn't serve in World War II or give his life for his country, but he is determined to do whatever is necessary to save his daughter. Why not give the story a try?

A Soldier's Promise by Laura Scott FREE

Can he trust her with his secret?

Reeling from a broken engagement resulting in a small town scandal, ER nurse Julie Crain wants to be left alone over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. But when single dad Derek Ryerson and his young daughter need a place to stay to recuperate from a car crash, she can't ignore their plight. She knows she needs to protect her heart, but little Lexi needs love and support.

Derek is the strong silent type, insisting on helping despite being injured. He seems too good to be true, and maybe he is. Because she soon realizes the former soldier has a secret that could tear them apart, forever.

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Self-Nurturing, by Cheryl St.John

Self-Nurturing

DEFINITION: Nurture as a verb: care for and encourage the growth or development of. "Janet was nurtured by her parents in a close-knit family." (used with object), nurtured, nurturing, to feed and protect: to nurture one's offspring; to support and encourage, as during the period of training or development; foster: to nurture promising musicians. To bring up; train; educate. Nurture as a noun: the process of caring for and encouraging the growth or development of someone or something.

When we think of nurturing, we most often think of adults caring for offspring or a horticulturist looking after a new hybrid plant. It’s difficult for many adults, especially busy or career-minded ones, to consider how well they’re nurturing themselves. Most of us have become the nurturers. We’ve devoted ourselves to children, adult children, grandchildren and our aging parents. We take care of our homes, our lawns our pets. Sometimes nurturing ourselves only amounts to eating as healthy as possible considering our time and budget, or picking up the latest craft book and a new pen.

When we nurture others, we give the very best of ourselves. Our kids get thoughtful gifts, our time and energy, and we take our senior parents to visit the sites that bring them fond memories. But how are we nurturing ourselves with the very best support?

There are plenty of meaningful ways we can nurture ourselves, not only as artists, but as human beings. A well-rounded life is one in which you are as important as others. Buy yourself something impractical, simply because it brings you joy: A new purse, a pair of leather gloves, a teapot and a collection of teas. Splurge on new bedsheets and enjoy them every night. Order a music device and subscribe to music that makes you happy. Buy a sticker book and give yourself a fun sticker every time you take care of yourself. Buy something off your wish list simply because it’s fun or beautiful. Read a book you’ve been wanting to read  -- or read your favorite book again.

The older I get, the more I have learned to make use of the best things I own. Use the good towels. Wear the expensive perfume every day. Burn the pretty candles. Put out the good dishes. Buy the yummy coffee. Use the Colors of Kindness Crayons because they’re cool and you can.

Make a note in your planner to have lunch with a friend once a month. You’d be amazed how uplifting this is, and how you will come away refreshed. Call a parent, a cousin or an aunt or uncle every Sunday evening for a month.

And don’t forget this vital encouragement: Talk to yourself the way you’d speak to a loved one. “You missed the mark this time, but you can do it; Tomorrow is a new day; Sleep on it and start fresh; Forgive yourself; You’re doing the best you can; I love you and I care.”

If we don’t foster, encourage and support ourselves, how can we expect to flourish and grow? Each one of us deserves the very best self-care we can give ourselves.

Cheryl St.John is the author of sixty novels, both historical and contemporary, print and indie published. Her stories have earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. One thing all reviewers and readers agree on regarding Cheryl’s work is the degree of emotion and believability. Words like ‘heart-warming, emotional depth, touches your soul, tugs your heart, endearing characters and on my keeper shelf’ are commonly used to describe her work.

In describing Cheryl’s stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.” Amazon and Goodreads reviews show her popularity with readers. 

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Athens, Greece Made Me a World Travel by Pat Simmons

 How do you celebrate 40 years of marriage? Take a road trip or a plane ride to a different country.

How cool is this to monitor our route to Athens, Greece, from London. This was my first international flight, and it felt safer and smoother than flying domestically.  I prayed for the Lord to stretch out His hand so our plane could park there as Jesus guided us to our destination. 

Besides the ruins and other landmarks, I was surprised to see a taste of America.

Yep, even thousands of miles from St. Louis, I saw something familiar--Kentucky Fried Chicken--Athens style.

I felt like an Amish character the way I bungled up to see the sunset at the Temple of Posiden, which is about an hour away from Athens. Our tour guide, who was wonderful and very knowledgeable, lent me his coat.

This was our fantastic view of the Parthenon from our hotel at breakfast. The ruins seem so high but we were about to visit them.

This was Day #1 and so cool. Guards parole what is now considered the Greece White House which was formerly the royal palace.

This is the first Olympic stadium built in 1896, and it's the only one that is all marble. The stairs are steep!

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While in Athens, I couldn't walk past this kiosk. Among all the books in Greece, there is Colleen Hoover's book. From America to Greece. 

This is me outside Athens' National Archaeological Museum.  I took so many photos of the ancient Greek artifacts.  I took hundreds of photos and you can see most of them on my website at www.PatSimmons.net.

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and recipient of the 2022 Leslie Esdaile Trailblazer Award. Christmas Dinner was also an Emma Award winner for Book of the Year. Christmas Dinner and Here for You were featured in Woman’s World Magazine.

As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. 

Pre-order her upcoming release: DAY SHE PRAYED

New Christian convert Tally Gilbert knows the power of prayer and the pain of walking away. She’s witnessed family and friends' healing, salvation, and deliverance. There’s one holdout, and he’s at the top of her prayer list. The love of her life, Randall Addams, won’t surrender to the Lord, so Tally ends the relationship. What will it take for Randall to turn to God? Will Tally’s prayers be answered, or will Randall—and their love—be lost forever?

Don’t underestimate a woman who knows how to pray, has backup, and believes “The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing the soul from the spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

If the devil wants a battle, he picked the wrong woman to fight.

 

Sweet and Clean Romance Ebook Sale by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

For the month of May, I’ve got three books in Some Like It Clean!, a sweet romance ebook sale—Weddings and Wasabi, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer (writing as Camille Elliot), and The Spinster’s Christmas (Camille Elliot).

My books are 99¢ each (but not all the books in the sale are the same price).

Those of you who already own those three books might like to browse the other titles to see if there’s anything that looks good!

Some Like It Clean! Ebook sale

Honoring our Veterans by Janice Lynn

Anyone who has read my Wrapped Up in Christmas series released by Hallmark Publishing knows I have a love of our veterans/our military and find these men and women so heroic and that I'm a member of the Quilts of Valor Foundation and am a firm believer in their mission. Recently, I was contacted about volunteering to provide medical care for a Legacy Flight to Normandy, France for a group of WWII veterans. (In addition to writing, I work as a nurse practitioner). Of course, I said yes to go with the veterans, an RN, the veterans' family members, and some from the Honoring Veteran Legacies organization, because what a great honor to accompany them to commemorate the 79th anniversary of D-Day.

Even though I'm ashamed to admit this, I'm going to be honest and say I knew bare basics about WWII. Because I wanted to understand and honor the veterans that I was accompanying on this trip, I have been 'studying up' on WWII and think I have totally fallen in love with the men and women from that era. That so many volunteered, even lying about their age, so they could defend their country, that so many gave their lives to free Europe from Germany and the West from Japan, just wow. I am completely humbled by the sacrifices that were made during that time. 

I'm also ashamed to admit, that I never knew much about my grandfather's service during WWII. He died just over 25 years ago so I couldn't ask, but really wanted to know (and wish I had asked when I'd had the opportunity years ago!). I knew he was a mechanic and I guess in my uneducated mind, I pictured him working in a garage somewhere rather than being out actually fighting in the war. He was a rifleman who was also a mechanic. While researching for my upcoming trip, I was able to get a copy of my grandfather's Army discharge papers. He served in Company B 11th Infantry Battalion 1st Armored Division. I had the dates he'd served. He arrived in Germany after D-Day (June 6, 1944). There's lots of information available online and I was able to find the history of where his group served, battles he fought in, and concentration camps where he helped. Just wow and oh how I long to talk to him, to ask him the stories I never knew to ask while he was alive. Honestly, I'm not sure that he would have talked to me about his time in the service. My parents said he talked to my dad some, but even that was limited. All the photos in this post are of my grandfather, Edgar Lee Alford. He's standing to the far right in the group one.

So, as we approach Memorial Day weekend and after that the 79th anniversary of D-Day, which was the turning point in stopping Hitler's tyranny, I urge you to take a moment and truly thank the men and women who have given so much for our freedom. There aren't many WWII veterans remaining alive, so if you know one, give them a big hug. But also, thank our Korean War. Vietnam War, and Desert Storm, and all the other battles our military are willing to risk and give their lives for so that we and others can live freely.

Volunteering for this trip has already changed me forever. I know that while I am actually there, seeing Utah Beach while knowing what happened there 79 years ago, spending time with the veterans, hearing their stories, is going to have an even greater impact on my appreciation for so very much that I've taken for granted. 

As you make your Memorial Day plans, please do take a moment to thank those who have made that freedom possible. Maybe even take some time and watch Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, or any of the other many movies and documentaries that are based on or around actual WWII events. 

If in the near future, I write a book set in the early 1940s...well, you'll know why. I'm truly in awe of the heroics lived by so very many of that era.

Janice's Wrapped Up in Christmas books from Hallmark Publishing are available, also!

Buy Your Copy HERE

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, an exercise queen, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Just kidding on the exercise queen. www.janicelynn.com  The WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS books are available at AMAZON Barnes & Noble WALMART & many other place where you buy books. WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE  coming soon.

A Little Story About How Flowers Inspired Me To Grow by Merri Maywether

Nine years. After nine years, I finally figured out how to garden in Montana. 

For most of my life, I lived in Phoenix, Arizona. I knew about leaf structure, watering patterns, and what to do when the plants were stressed by a storm. 

Then we moved to Montana, and I inherited my mother-in-law’s garden. I suppose everyone talking about how Irene's garden was beautiful was meant to inspire.

It stressed me out. I didn’t know the difference between the flowers and weeds. 

In my first year here, I pulled out a huge chunk of sweet peas because I thought they were alfalfa. 

I was afraid to use Round-Up because I thought for sure I’d kill the wrong plant. So I tried to hand pull the grass and dandelions (once they bloomed.) That was a nightmare.

One year, I nurtured what I hoped was a sunflower to discover that it was the start of a tree. It was months of watering and waiting for a big yellow bloom that never appeared. 

Despite the setbacks, the garden survived. The sweet peas grew back. I learned which sprigs of grass could be sprayed and when hand pulling was a better method...and sunflower leaves do not start out looking like cottonwood leaves.

And, thanks to the tulips and the grape hyacinth, there was an inspirational message in the garden. The tulips are at least sixty years old. For years they were short or didn’t bloom. Every year they came back and gave me a chance to get it right so they could showcase their beauty. My inability didn't prohibit their attempts to add some color to the world. Lord love those flowers, they waited for me to get it right. And nine years later, I finally did it.

Now, every morning I go outside and marvel. The colors! The variety of flowers! Every day, I'm looking for a new blossom, and every day, something new is there to brighten our view of the world.

My garden story has many similarities to the plot line in a romance novel. Like the characters in a love story, I started out trying to do something that would contribute to our little slice of the world. I fumbled a lot. Yet, with each step, someone came along and offered doable advice. Like the characters in romance novels, this experience has taught me some deep lessons.

I learned to be kind to myself. We all need to remember that message. In stories and life.

I learned to nurture the flowers to the best of my ability. Life and relationships don't come with rules. But if we nurture them with the intention of growing in a healthy way, we'll make progress. Again, that's what we see in characters and hopefully ourselves.

I learned to keep trying until I got it right. 

And finally, nine years later, there is still some room for growth, but I am happy.

Look at how beautiful those flowers are.  

Another thing I’ve learned through this journey is flowers vary from one geographical region to the other. Let's turn this read into a conversation. Comment either in the Sweet Reads Facebook group or in the comment section below. What lovely things are growing in your part of the world? 

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Three full-length novels. Three best friends in their early forties. Three happily ever afters. 

Review for Get Well Soon 

"A Humorous Love Story"

Review for Welcome Home

"It gave me all of the hometown vibes."

Review for Home Sweet Home

"A well-written story that kept me turning pages."

For a limited time, Welcome To Three Creeks, Montana, is available for 99¢ at your favorite online ebook retailer.