Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Bargain eBooks by #SweetRomance Authors

Take a look at these awesome books!


USA Today Bestselling Author and avid home cook Donna Fasano shares her joy of cooking with these tried and true recipes from her own kitchen. Simple, easy, most-times healthy (sometimes not), these delicious dishes have been featured on her blog, In All Directions, or in her romance and women’s fiction novels.

Lemon Pepper Avocado Spread, Quinoa Salad, Italian Sausage and Kale Soup, Carbonara, Bacon Zucchini Fritters, and Lemon Ricotta Pie are just a few of the mouth-watering recipes you’ll find in this easy-to-follow cookbook. The active Table of Contents allows you to locate any recipe quickly.

Stuffed with seventy-five delicious, unpretentious recipes, Cooking In All Directions will call to the heart of any amateur cook or food lover.


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He’s a writer too shy to speak to women. She’s a single mom who’s sworn off men. Little do they know how much a marriage of convenience will shake up their lives.

Brandon Spark may know a thing or two about women as a romance author, but his real love life proves otherwise. Between his hang-up over a college friend and bouts with social anxiety, dating is the last thing on his mind … until he runs into his old crush.

Hair stylist Bria Montgomery made some major mistakes a decade ago—wandering from her faith, then getting pregnant and dropping out of college. She’s desperate to leave her past—and the men from it—behind, but it’s impossible when they keep showing up in her life.

Brandon can’t believe he has a second chance with his first love; Bria can’t fathom ever falling for a guy she friend-zoned years ago. When an unexpected custody battle forces them to become husband and wife, things get intense and personal—fast. Will this sudden change end their friendship or spark a lasting romance?




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After serving six years in prison for the false charge of manslaughter in the death of his wife, Kurt Jansen must overcome a world of bitterness if he wants to start a new life. But his first priority is securing a restoration job to pay a private investigator to find the real killer and a lawyer to get his kids back.

Hiring a convicted wife-killer isn't what kind-hearted Molly Finnerty bargains for as part of the prison ministry she supports. However, she begins to believe Kurt's claim of innocence and gradually finds a great deal to like about him—perhaps more to like than she should.

Can they overcome the past and find forgiveness and love?




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 https://www.amazon.com/Match-Made-Williamstown-Novella-ebook/dp/B07FY1WC8C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=jeacgoraut-20&linkId=825cc87ce11f23aa102c8d8e61534e86&language=en_USEllie Alexander is In love. And the only thing sweeter would be if Libby, her unmarried, unattached granddaughter, could find the same happiness. Maybe with a little help from her and her beau Blake Parker …

Libby Schuyler has avoided dating since her break-up with college-sweetheart Jack Parker. Out of nowhere, Jack shows up claiming Ellie is swindling his grandfather, Blake, through a travel agency partnership they’ve formed. Libby and Jack team up to protect their grandparents and get to the bottom of Ellie and Blake’s business and romantic relationship. While Libby and Jack fight their reignited attraction, Ellie and Blake conspire to bring the two together.


 Releases tomorrow, August 1

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Tempt your sweetheart with a delicious meal. In Recipes of Love, sixteen authors from Sweet Romance Reads have included favorite romantic dishes to set the scene for a perfect intimate meal at home—just for two. Meat, fish and vegetarian suggestions are included, and many recipes are quick and easy to prepare. Recipes of Love contains something for everyone to enjoy.




Monday, July 30, 2018

Sweet Romance Bargain Book for Lovers of Westerns!

Through the month of August, my book Journey to Respect, is on sale for 99 cents, marked down from $2.99. This is the time to buy!




Some call him half-breed and all call her a lady. Few in 1825 would judge them equals~


Rafe McKuen, the son of an Osage chief’s daughter and a successful American fur trader turned planter, has one foot in each world. Since childhood, he’s visited his mother’s tribal camp near St. Louis. And at his father’s New Orleans Plantation, he’s the “invisible” but beloved son. Where will he make his home--in which world?


Miss Eve Holcombe is an Eastern beauty with influential relatives. Her father’s unexpected and sudden announcement that they are going West startles Eve and worries her. Why, she asks. But her father has a secret and a plan he won’t reveal. He insists she trust him and what other choice does she have? If she stays in the East, her ambitious aunt will try to marry her off to her aunt’s advantage. 


Both Rafe and Eve are on a journey, a Journey to Respect. But such journeys are rarely uncomplicated or without dangers. And falling in love is the most dangerous of all.

To purchase, click here.


Saturday, July 28, 2018

Nashville, with Friends! --by Magdalena Scott


I am an introvert. I don't do well in crowds, and am lousy at small talk. I also do not make friends easily. Fortunately for me, I have been blessed with a few deep friendships, including the ones renewed last weekend...

If it's an even year, it's time for a girlfriend trip! This year, the six of us were in Nashville, Tennessee. Although our friendships began as early as kindergarten, in the small Indiana town where I still live, everyone else now resides in a different state. Our Tennessee friend hosted us in her lovely home. She also planned excursions to keep us busy, while leaving plenty of free time to sit around her living room and chat. It may have been two years since we gathered, but it always feels as if we pick up in the middle of a conversation.

Some touristy highlights:

 * Friday night show at the Grand Ole Opry! The evening's talented musicians ranged in age from 11-year-old Mason Ramsey to veteran "Whispering" Bill Anderson. (The music! The enthusiastic crowd! The MC doing ads for the live radio broadcast!) I love that all generations of musicians were represented, and seemed to have a real family feeling for each other.

 * A live show, Sunday brunch, and cruise aboard the General Jackson Showboat. We had good seats at the Opry, but at this show, our table was very near the stage. The quartet and three-piece band were all great. I was in tears when pianist Jason Coleman played a "duet" with his granddad, Floyd Cramer, by way of a video recording. It's a big deal that I bought a CD from Jason, considering how strict I am on purchasing "things" to bring into my minimalist life. Until that moment, my only physical souvenir was a magnet for the "trips" section of my fridge. On Monday, I unpacked my suitcase to "Legacy," and listen to it each morning.


 * A stroll through the always-jaw-dropping Opryland Hotel. Oh. My. Word. Here's a photo of me inside the hotel. (Yes there is a river. Waterfalls, too. Indoors. And of course, giant cowboy boots.) A man was playing and singing in one of the "open air" restaurants we passed. In the few minutes I listened, he did a beautiful job with both a John Denver cover and a Beatles cover. You can see my video of the hotel by visiting my Facebook page. I tried to upload it here, but no luck.

The Romance Writers of America conference is scheduled to be held in the Opryland Hotel in July, 2021. So, romance writers, start saving your pennies! It's just a short walk from the hotel to the Opry, to the mooring for the General Jackson, and to the Opryland Mills Mall.

One of my favorite things about Nashville: 

Live music. Lots and lots of it! What is your favorite thing to look for when visiting a new city?

(In case any of my readers are wondering, I didn't run into any of the McClains of Legend, Tennessee. They're several hours southeast of Nashville, and...um...fictional.)

Happy reading!
Magdalena

USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and romantic women’s fiction. A lifelong resident of Small Town America, she invites readers into her world to find out what’s hidden just below the surface of those tiny dots barely visible on the map. Romance, mystery, and the journey to be one’s best self are all part of a day in her neighborhood. Readers have commented that they’d like to move to the imaginary towns Magdalena writes about, which she takes as high praise indeed.

Magdalena is a practicing minimalist, having downsized from a 3,000 square foot house to a studio apartment, where her Giant Closet continues to resist taming. When not writing at home or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel–carry-on baggage only–and is always pleasantly surprised at the kindness of strangers.

Visit her website: www.magdalenascott.com

And don't miss her Free Books page. You can download a series starter (The McClains of Legend, Tennessee and Serendipity, Indiana) from your favorite vendor by clicking here.


Thursday, July 26, 2018

Dreaming of Christmas?


Are you dreaming of Christmas yet? With the temperatures hitting record highs here in Texas, I know I am. On the things I love about Christmas is the wonderful books. There’s just something about curling up with a good Christmas romance and getting lost in it for hours.




If you attended the Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 Prelaunch Party last week, then you know that the collection is now available for preorder. You can find the links to purchase the boxed set at the end of this post.




My book, Ghosts From Christmas Past, is set in a small fictional Colorado mountain town called Bitter Creek.


GHOSTS FROM CHRISTMAS PAST by Mary Alford, Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author. She was the love of life, until a tragic accident on Christmas Eve left Charlotte Swenson in a coma. For eight years, Sheriff Dylan Parker of Bitter Creek, Colorado has held on to the hope that somehow his love will find a way back to him. When Charlotte opens her eyes, just days before Christmas, Dylan can’t help but believe a holiday miracle may grant his every wish.


What can be better than Christmas in the mountains…right? When you throw in a tragedy that took place years earlier, a heroine who just woke up from a coma and can’t remember anything, and the hero sheriff who never stopped loving her, let’s just say this Christmas will be like none before.
In Ghosts From Christmas Past, Sheriff Dylan Parker wants to help the heroine, Charlotte Swenson recover her past memories. He tells himself it’s simply because she is his friend, but Dylan never stopped loving Charlotte.
In an effort to help her remember the past, Dylan decorates her family home with dozens of Christmas lights, just like her family did when she was younger.
Then, he takes her to Trawick’s Drive-in where she and Dylan used to spend time when they were teenagers. They shared their first kiss there. Their high school years were intertwined. Together, they share a burger and a tender moment. But will they have the happy ending Dylan hopes for? You’ll have to find out….

What about you? What’s your favorite Christmas memory from when you were younger?       


Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 now available for preorder at these book retailers:



Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling Author Mary Alford loves to create characters and to throw them into situations that test their faith. A lifelong resident of Texas, Mary was inspired to become a writer after reading classic romantic suspense novels by her favorite authors. Writing her own novels is a dream come true. Mary Alford can be found at: www.maryalford.net or you can email her at maryjafordauthor@gmail.com.  Follow Mary on Facebook at "Mary Alford Author" and Twitter at "MaryAlford13".


Don't forget to join in the conversation at the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Sweet Romance Bargain Books

Dangerous Pursuit—99¢ until July 26th (FREE for KU readers)
By Margaret Daley
Reading about danger never prepared Samantha Prince for the desperate phone call from her brother in Brazil that sent her from the safety of her New Orleans bookstore into the rugged, inhospitable Amazon in search of him and a hidden treasure. And reading about romance never prepared Samantha to resist the mysterious appeal of Brock Slader, a guide she hired to help her in her quest.
Alone with Brock in an alien world of orchids and anacondas, primitive headhunters and very up-to-date gunmen, she struggles to keep their relationship strictly business. Will Samantha survive the dangers in the jungle only to have her heart broken by a man who lives on the edge—no strings attached?

Buy link: Amazon:http://littl.ink/DanPurAm 



Be Still, My Heart—99¢
By Cindy Flores Martinez and 6 bestselling authors
Fall in love again with some of your favorite stories and discover new ones. Be Still, My Heart is ready to take you on a romantic and heartwarming journey. Buy this Christian romance collection today!
Amazon Buy Link: amazon.com/dp/B07C3HYW65



The Single Daddy Club: Derrick - FREE (Final days! Better hurry!)
By Donna Fasano

Ex-military man Derrick Richmond is solitary and satisfied. Then little Timmy is dropped into his lap and Derrick has to learn to be somebody's daddy. Fate might have denied schoolteacher Anna Maxwell a family of her own, but she still has plenty of love to give, if only someone would notice.

Anna agrees to teach Derrick all he needs to know about kids. Father and son will give her some precious memories, then the schoolteacher and the single dad will go their separate ways. Unless one little boy figures out a way to make Miss Maxwell become his mom!

Download FREE here:

Kindle        Nook        Kobo        iBooks        Google

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Too Close for Comfort by Pat Simmons

This past weekend, my husband, two sisters-in-law and niece headed to Branson for a family reunion, a four-hour scenic ride from St. Louis. Of course, drivers have to make a pit stop at Redmon Candy Factory in Phillipsburg, Missouri, next to the World’s Largest Gift Shop. If you like sweets, then you will be a kid in a candy store, literally.
Branson is Vegas of the Midwest with its shows, shopping, Silver Dollar City (great activities for children), and Ride the Ducks boat excursions—a popular tourist attraction.
More than twenty years ago, my husband and I took the excursion with our then small children during a summer vacation. The ride is a Branson “must do,” and the Simmons did it. It was an amazing experience to be in this big armor vehicle driving on land one moment, then heading into the water the next, as if it were going for a swim. It really was a “Wow” thrill.
Last week, the Duck ride became a horrific wow.  Watching the video of the doomed excursion, I couldn’t help but think what if that accident had happened while my family of four had been riding inside? Thank the Lord, we will able to walk away and say it was fun. Unfortunately, after last week’s accident, many families won’t share those same sentiments, including Tia Coleman who lost nine family members—her baby, husband, in-laws, and others.
While our reunion was celebrating family, others were mourning their loss. Here we are gathered around the fountain at our hotel, lighting candles to remember our loved ones who are gone.

Let us continue to pray for the healing, comfort, and good memories for the survivors and families of the Ride the Duck tragedy. 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pat Simmons has penned 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 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. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Doggy Tales by Milou Koenings


As those of you who read this blog know, we got a dog last November. Buddy is going to have his first birthday party next month, at the end of August. So I thought it was time for a Buddy update.

Buddy showing off his new collar

It’s been an interesting journey. We said yes to this homeless puppy who’d already had four homes in his first month and a half not so much because we could help him, but because I hoped he would help us. I am a big believer in animal therapy. Our family had gone through a lot of tragedies the previous year and we thought we needed a little life around the place to get us back on track.

Buddy has certainly done that. He’s a sweet, energetic, but well-behaved puppy. Since I’m the official dog-walker during the day (sometimes I can delegate the evening walk to one of the kids), he makes sure I’m finally getting out of the house. I'm the world's biggest homebody -- I pretty much never leave the house if I don't have to! So I credit Buddy with keeping me from turning into a total hermit. And if not for him, I’d never meet my step-goal and my fitness tracker would have been a worthless purchase.


Sunning himself after a bath
It’s also thanks to Buddy that I’ve finally met some of my neighbors. We live on a quiet street where people are very respectful of each others' privacy (which means we never see anyone). After living in an apartment building where no one’s front door was ever closed and everyone had lots of kids, and all those kids felt the building was one giant playground, I desperately wanted the privacy when we moved here. 

And now, after 8 years, I’ve finally met the neighbors! Or at least, all the ones with dogs. 

Since there are 10 dogs on our street not counting Buddy, that’s a lot of new friendly faces in my life.
With his best canine friend, Goor, our neighbor's puppy who is half Buddy's age but already twice the size. When they spot each other, they run towards each other and its an interminable doggy hug fest! 

One of the special-needs kids in our home has a lot of trouble speaking. (We named the dog Buddy, because it's one of the few words he can say.) He needs to practice, but it’s very hard work for him, and he gets frustrated when people don’t understand him. But apparently, Buddy understands, because when this child comes home from school, he sits down with the dog and talks to him for ages, telling him all about his day. It’s almost miraculous. 

And when they’re all done talking, they go out and play ball.
Having an animal around the house has been good for all of us in so many ways, from the youngest to the oldest. 




Another unexpected thing I’ve noticed is that I’m enjoying books and movies with animals in them so much more than before. I’ve even been looking around my local used bookstore for “All Creatures Great and Small” and watching "Daktari" reruns on YouTube. 

So far, none of my Green Pines Romances had featured an animal — except for Flip the Chameleon in The Kampala Peppermint Twist. I think I’m going to have to start incorporating more creatures in my books.

What are some of your favorite books or movies that starred animals?


Milou Koenings is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes romance because, like chocolate, stories with a happy ending bring more joy into the world and so make it a better place.




Her other Green Pines sweet romances, I Love You Three, Reclaiming Home, The Kampala Peppermint Twist, Sweet Blizzard are available on Amazon,   Amazon.uk, iBooks, Nook, Kobo and all your favorite e-book retailers.








Sign up for her newsletter, so you'll be first to know about new releases!



Sunday, July 22, 2018

Summer Reads by Julie Jarnagin

Do you tend to read more or less in the warm summer months? I've found myself reading less because we've been out and about with fewer days to spend curled up with a good book.

Or maybe it's simply the season of life I'm in, right now. Even when we go to the beach, my time needs to be spent with my eyes on busy 4-year-old and 9-year-old boys. I'm going to make it a point to finish out the summer strong with some time for myself and some great books.

If you're looking for some new reads, I hope you'll consider these.










Julie Jarnagin is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and ranched. These days she lives in Louisiana with her amazing husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma. 
www.JulieJarnagin.com

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Christmas in July.... with Roxanne Rustand

Hi everyone!

What an exciting week it has been.  Our 2018 Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 anthology has now been "packaged' in its final form as an e-book, and the pre-order links are now done.

That means you can go to Amazon or your favorite format, search the title, and order it early for just 99 cents! We even had our  Facebook launch party a few days ago.  The ball is rolling!  Were you at our party? It's always hectic, and fun, and the readers who join the festivities have a chance at winning the prizes that all of the anthology authors offer.


I've already pre-ordered my own copy, so when it is released in September, I can start reading the novellas by all of the other authors. Every one of them is a USA Today Bestselling Author, A Publisher's Weekly bestseller, or a national bestseller, so I know I will enjoy each story...and hope you will too!

I'll post the links below my signature at the bottom of this post, just in case you'd like to get the anthology at this super price and then be sure to receive it in your reading device automatically when the anthology is released.

My novella in the anthology, Christmas in Paris, was great fun to write, because it brought back all of the wonderful memories of spending two weeks in Paris with my daughter just this past May.





What a great time we had there--so many experiences, such wonderful food, and the patisseries---oh my goodness! I blogged here on June 5th about our day at Monet's Gardens and some of the gorgeous museums, so I won't reiterate what I said then, but here are a few more photos!  Yummy!





The French clearly take food very seriously, and it shows.  Just look at the bottom photo, of the display cases for bread.   Bread!  I felt as if I was standing in Tiffany's! If you click on the photo you can see it larger, and see what I mean!   :)

I hope you are having a wonderful summer, with lots of good books to enjoy.  Take care, and God Bless!


Roxanne Rustand
USA Today Bestselling Author
Montana Mistletoe, Love Inspired 12/2018
Falling for the Rancher, Love Inspired  6/2017 
follow me at:  
https://bookbub.com/authors/roxanne-rustand 
amazon.com/author/roxannerustand
www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand 
www.facebook.com/Roxanne.Rustand.author 
http://tinyurl.com/RoxanneRustandNewsletter
www.roxannerustand.com 









Pre-order Sweet Christmas Kisses 5  here:












Wednesday, July 18, 2018

~Cover Reveal~ No Time for Love by Raine English

The No Brides Club, a new sweet contemporary series, is releasing in January and February 2019. Here’s a sneak peek of my cover. It’s book 1 from the series.




~*~



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.


Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Celebrate Christmas in July with Sweet Christmas Kisses 5! by Liwen Y. Ho

Today's the big day many of us Sweet Romance Reads authors and readers have been waiting for! It's the day of our pre-order party for Sweet Christmas Kisses 5!



I'm so thrilled to be part of this boxed set of nine sweet romance novellas, from USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and award-winning authors.


Here's a peek at all the lovely stories in this set:

Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 brings you heartwarming contemporary romances that celebrate the joy of the season around the world, including snowy Maine and the sun-kissed skies of Florida, the mountains of Colorado, small-town Illinois and South Carolina, New York to San Francisco, and even the glittering lights of Paris and the old-world charm of Florence. The Sweet Christmas Kisses 5 bundle features all-new, standalone novellas that will make you smile and fill your heart with the Christmas spirit.


Pre-order this collection here:

My story from the set is The Love Clause, a romantic comedy starring two enemies-turned-lovers who get into the holiday spirit with a little help from a couple of mischievous matchmakers (her mom and their boss). 


Come find out more about my book, and the other stories from Sweet Christmas Kisses 5, during our pre-order party today! We'll have games, giveaways, and more! To join the event, simply click here: https://www.facebook.com/events/248312419262656/

I look forward to seeing you at the party!





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!