Let the Games Begin by Pat Simmons

Hi all,

It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I’m not about to watch hours of football games. I enjoy board games, but this year…I’m taking my skills to a new level.

Zoom just isn’t not for meetings and conferences. When it comes to having fun, it’s a whole new world! 

How about Watch Your Mouth? A group of us played this on Zoom. The images look scary, but the game was a hoot! Divided into teams, the captains had to insert this plastic mouthpiece that stretched the lips. My group had to figure out the phrase I was saying. #TeamSimmons won. 

Not your cup of tea? Okay, let’s move on. What about bingo? Book bingo that is. Create your own at Bingobaker.com.

If that isn't exciting enough, how about a heartwarming favorite: Jeopardy in memory of Alex Trebek! Hosted by Christian Author Joy Massenburge. Her shameless plugs for her books were hilarious! 

This is master game creator, Christian Author Michelle Stimpson. 

A board game where to answer you have to raise your hands made out of straws.

Okay,  maybe you're not into those games. How about  online jigsaw puzzles.

Check out this one: https://www.jigsawplanet.com/?rc=play&pid=2964eddfb1d6

 If games aren’t your cup of tea, how about taking a virtual vacation. Here’s author Unoma Nwankwor’s taking us on an adventure to the Motherland.

As you can see, there’s plenty to do on Thanksgiving, in addition to being thankful for my life, health, and family, I have a hope in God that gives me peace in the midst of the storm.

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author with more than thirty-five titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth who is passionate about researching her ancestors, then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a three-time recipient of the Romance Slam Jam Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance. Pat’s first inspirational women’s fiction, Lean On Me, with Sourcebooks, was the February/March Together We Read Digital Book Club pick for the national library system. 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 across the country. Pat has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, GPS-guided chauffeur, and administrative assistant who is constantly on probation. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts and worked in various positions in radio, television, and print media for more than twenty years. She oversaw the media publicity for the annual RT Booklovers Conventions for fourteen years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Get your copy of her newest release: Christmas Dinner.

How do you celebrate the holidays after losing a loved one? Take the journey by accepting my invitation to Christmas dinner. For months, Darcelle Price has suffered depression in silence. But things are about to change as she plans to celebrate Christmas Eve with family and share her journey. Darcelle invites them via group text, not knowing she had included her ex.Evanston Giles is surprised to hear from the woman he loved after months following their breakup. Seeking closure, he shows up on her doorsteps for answers.A lot can happen on Christmas Eve. Restoring family ties, building her faith in God, and falling in love again are just the beginning of the night of miracles.

An Agent for Clarissa by @Laura_Ashwood #99cents

 On sale for 99¢ Fri-Mon, Nov 27-30

Sweet Romance Reads author Laura Ashwood is a little under the weather. She wants YOU to know that she will be offering AN AGENT FOR CLARISSA for $2 off the regular cover price starting Friday, November 27th. The sale will continue through Monday, November 30th. Here’s a little more about the book:

In order to avoid a marriage she doesn’t want, Clarissa Ferguson will have to get married to a man she doesn’t know.

Clarissa Ferguson craves a life of adventure. The last thing she wants is to become a socialite and marry a curmudgeon to appease her mother. When she sees an advertisement for female Pinkerton Agents, she leaves on the next available train to Denver Colorado. What she doesn't expect is to meet a handsome man on the train who ends up being her new trainer.

Noah Harding is recovering from the loss of his wife and family, and vows never to marry again. He throws himself into his work as a Pinkerton agent and has finally found a sense of purpose. He prides himself on being able to read people, that is until he observes a peculiar woman on a train headed west. What he didn't count on was that she is the newest Pinkerton Agent and he is required to marry her to solve a murder.

Will Noah be able to stay focused on the case with Clarissa distracting him? Will he be able to protect her when the case puts Clarissa's life in danger? When the case forces them to pretend to be something they aren't, what happens when their feelings become real?

Find this eBook:

Kindle Worldwide

Available as a free read for Kindle Unlimited members.

Don’t miss this sale! Happy Reading! 

Laura wishes each and every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving.

 

Free Book by Lyn Cote Today (and tomrrow)

And that's all! My historical Journey to Victory is free on Amazon Only the 22nd and 23rd. 

Here's the scoop:

Can a young woman change the direction of her life, defy the role she has been prepared to play?

In the early 1770's, Christiane Pelletier, an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, is next in a line of courtesans who have been favorites at the French court during the reigns of two monarchs. Yet she longs to be the beloved wife of one man, not a lovely piece of human art passed from one noble to another. And the winds of change are sweeping Europe. 

Christiane flees France with her renegade father. In the Canadian wilderness, she survives the shock of leaving a life of wealth and privilege. To escape frontier violence, she moves southward only to become involved in the burgeoning American Revolution. Circumstances move Christiane into the very heart of the American rebel elite. 

But one man in her life can never be forgotten. John Eastham, who’d also left Europe behind, had protected her as the captain at a Canadian frontier fort. Then he’d been a friend. Now when they meet again, he has become the enemy. Both of them must face the history they left behind. Both of them must face the vagaries of war and also of peace. How do enemies lay down arms and forge a future. a dynasty? 

Three generations-a family saga, a young nation’s story~

A fascinating book, well worth reading, difficult to put down and gave me a new insight into the early history of the US.—a UK reader

For more info, click here.

 

Janice Lynn Talks Small Town Christmas events

Hi y'all! What a fun day! I had a book-signing earlier in a small Tennessee town where they were having a Christmas Around-the-Square festival to kick off their Christmas season. There was even a live nativity scene sponsored by a local church. I wish I'd gotten lots of pictures, but I didn't--bad, I know. Social distancing and masks were implemented so that makes for rather odd photos, anyway, doesn't it?

Lord willing, I'm looking forward to other upcoming Christmas events. In December, another small Tennessee town (Bell Buckle) is having a Christmas festival where there's going to be lots of fun things going on and sleigh rides. My hometown has a Christmas parade, a tree lighting, and an on-the-square event where there are vendors and there's been sleigh rides, as well. 

I'm so blessed that I get to write for Hallmark and incorporated all the things I love about Christmas into my stories. Wrapped Up in Christmas has a sleigh ride and an on-the-square Christmas festival. Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy has us back at the Christmas festival but from a new perspective. Some of the fun Christmas traditions I've experienced first hand either in my hometown or via traveling. Others are things that are on my Christmas bucket list to someday do.

Does your home town have community events? A tree lighting service, a Christmas parade, or some other fun way of bringing the community together at Christmas?  

One commenter will win a Joy Christmas ornament exactly like this one hanging on my tree and autographed bookmarks. 

USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming, their kids who think they're all royalty, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true princess 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   WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS & Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy is available at AMAZON Barnes & Noble WALMART

The Heroes We Love

by Fran McNabb

Holiday Season means festivals. Even with paranoia over the pandemic, I set up my booths, stayed behind my tables masked, and sold my books and art. I love talking with people about my books. This year, as always, I had many to ask me to point out my favorite book. You’d think after fifteen books, I’d quickly shout out my favorite, but, nope, that’s not the case.  

Authors love their books and their characters. If they don’t, I think it shows up in their writing. How do you pick a favorite when they all are loved? I finally came up with a solution. I focus on my books with my favorite heroes: Jake in ON THE CREST OF A WAVE https://www.amazon.com/Crest-Wave-Fran-McNabb-ebook/dp/B009K2A6ZI  and Tucker in PARADISE FOUND https://www.amazon.com/Paradise-Found-Contemporary-romance-Romance-ebook/dp/B0868R3514

Both of these characters have characteristics that make a wonderful hero—courageous but flawed, gentle but tough, and, of course, handsome and loving. 

Who is your favorite hero? Is it one you created or is it on you found in someone else’s book?    

FRAN MCNABB writes sweet romances, many of which are set along the Gulf Coast where she lives. ON THE CREST OF A WAVE is one of her earlier books set in the Civil War on an island off the coast. PARADISE FOUND is one of her latest books and is set right over a bridge from where she grew up.

National Monopoly Day by Merri Maywether

Every morning our school day starts with announcements. First, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When people are seated, the routine continues with the word of the day. It’s cute because our student announcer gives a shout-out to one of the teachers. “This is a word the such and such teacher would like.” He pauses to give us time to chuckle. Then he announces the “National day of.” Again he gives a shout-out to someone in the school. 

One time he skipped the “National Day of.” A student under the guise of going to the bathroom to a side trip to the office to ask that the oversight be remedied. It hasn’t been missed since. 

Well, today is National Play Monopoly Day. All of us are supposed to gather a group of friends and break out the Monopoly board. My first inclination was to balk. On a weekday? 

Then I recalled that I played two variations of Monopoly with my boys when they were younger.  One way was to set a timer for thirty minutes. Whoever had the most money and assets at the end of that time won. 

The other variation was to play for fifteen minutes the usual way. After that, we played in reverse for the next fifteen minutes. 

Regardless of how we played, the end was always the same. We’d finish with a treat of fresh-baked cookies and cocoa. It was the perfect way to end the day. 

I have a question. What is your favorite Monopoly piece? The choices are: the dog, the iron, the shoe, the car,  the thimble, the ship, or the top hat. Share your answer in the comments.

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The friends and family in my Paradise Hills series love playing games. In Paradise Hills Thanksgiving, the brothers have an epic ping pong competition that sends the women of the family ducking for cover.

The story starts with two best friends and an interesting proposal.

Gibson is the visionary. Sam is his anchor. Gibson had this great idea. What if he and Sam were to pretend they were a couple? Everyone would believe it. They already did everything together anyway. It took some persuasion, but Sam agreed to the ruse.

Sam's father, Charles Ellis, deciding that Gibson was not good enough for his daughter, introduced her to the perfect person to prove it. His new apprentice, Greg.

A simple charade, meant to make Gibson and Sam’s lives easier, takes the two best friends through twists and turns that test the foundation of their friendship.

Paradise Hills Thanksgiving is a small town, feel-good, love story that readers of Hallmark Channel stories

would enjoy.

Amazon | Apple | B & N | Kobo |

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Merri lives on a family farm with her husband in rural Montana. When she isn't crafting small-town romance stories, she is either in the school library with the next generation of readers or in the classroom inspiring them to write their stories.

Sweet Romance Reads New Releases

 

A Christmas Romance Collection

Vickie McDonough, Kimberly Johnson, et al

The Fruitcake Scandal by Vickie McDonough

Pastor Clayton Parsons waited a year to bring his fiancée, Karen, to his new church post. They plan a Christmas wedding, but in the meantime Karen helps the church ladies with various projects, including a bake sale. But revealing her fruitcake recipe could spell disaster for her future with Clay.

Island Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Sous Chef Rachel Narrelli returns to Wildflower Island looking for a fresh start for herself and her young son. She is grateful when new friend Chris Campbell offers support as she faces her new job and new life. She cares for the Chris, but is she is willing to risk her heart to a man with an uncertain future? A self-proclaimed workaholic, Chris Campbell comes to Wildflower Island hoping to take life at a slower pace. He’s drawn to Rachel, but how will a woman and her young son fit into his future—a future that’s uncertain at best?

A Christmas Homecoming by Kimberly Rose Johnson

Bailey Calderwood gives all she has to her job as an interior design assistant, but her best isn’t good enough for her demanding, bed-ridden boss. Stephen Belafonte rushes home from France to be with his mother after her stroke, and is surprised by the rift between his mom and her assistant. When his mom demands he fire Bailey, he’s torn between respecting his mother’s wishes and doing what’s best for the business. Can Stephen find a way to heal the rift in his family as well his own heart, or will he be forced to let Bailey go?

And stories from 2 more authors.

Purchase on Amazon

A Christmas Puppy To Cherish

Josie Riviera

You don’t need ears to hear God’s plan. All you need is an open heart…

Music of both birds and harmonicas fills Max’s life, but it’s the near-silent forest guide he meets in Cherish, SC, who captures his attention. Small and slim, pretty Sarah’s smiles and graceful hands speak louder than her voice. In fact, she’s so quiet, he's not sure he’s made much of an impression. But with her, he can imagine making this temporary stopover into something permanent.

Sarah has found a comfortable niche in Cherish, working miracles with plants, arranging flowers for her church, and taking in stray animals. In fact, her house is so full, she’s not sure she can say yes to the Sheriff’s plea to take in one more puppy for Christmas.

Max has definitely captured her interest, and he shares her love of nature. But maybe she should take in that puppy after all, because a ball of fur that needs her will fill the empty space in her heart when Max's research sends him off looking for bluer skies.

Purchase here: Amazon

Christmas Dinner

Pat Simmons

For months, Darcelle Price has suffered depression in silence. But things are about to change as she plans to celebrate Christmas Eve with family and share her journey. Darcelle invites them via group text, not knowing she had included her ex.

Evanston Giles is surprised to hear from the woman he loved after months following their breakup. Seeking closure, he shows up on her doorsteps for answers.

A lot can happen on Christmas Eve. Restoring family ties, building her faith in God, and falling in love again are just the beginning of the night of miracles.

Purchase here: https://www.patsimmons.net/holiday-titles

A Scottish Christmas

Roxanne Rustand

Lucy has two weeks to settle her aunt's estate, then go back to Chicago to straighten out the mess her life has become. As Mara's only remaining relative, she figures it won't be too difficult. She'd never met the woman who just died at eighty-nine but assumes the most challenging aspects will be rehoming a pet cat or two and donating a few things to a charity shop. She doesn't expect to learn that Mara still owned a charming B & B, complete with a quirky selection of guests who have no intention of moving out...plus one tall mysterious man who might just be the man of her dreams.

Purchase here: https://www.roxannerustand.com/book-table  

A London Christmas

Roxanne Rustand

When the unexpected happens just before Christmas, can a stranger make everything right?

After waiting three long weeks, Cait is finally in London--excited and nervous and even a little bit scared. What if she doesn't meet up with Derek's expectations? They'd met through an international dating site. In the photo he sent with that first glorious email, he'd been charming, dashing, and handsome. And oh, that lovely accent and deep voice--Downton Abbey and Jane Austin's heroes all wrapped up a delicious package and tied perfect bow. She shivered with anticipation, knowing life was about to change in ways she never dreamed of. But sometimes wisdom comes too late.

Purchase here: https://www.roxannerustand.com/book-table