Saturday, August 31, 2019

Bargain Books


 Get the first book in the Dalton Brothers series for 99 cents. 
Apple


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It's not too late for a bookcation this summer. Escape to Madison Creek and find out why readers are falling in love with this small lakeside town with a big heart.

Amazon
B&N
Kobo
Apple

Also available on audio

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Binge-read five inspirational romances filled with memorable characters, a touch of mystery, and heartwarming stories that you will carry with you long after the books are finished.
Amazon


A Valentine To Cherish
An Inspirational Sweet Romance

Only $.99 for a very limited time on Amazon.
Grab your copy today.
God has a special plan for a small-town woman and a road-weary singer.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

How I was adopted by 3 cats by Margaret Daley

How I was adopted by 3 catsby Margaret Daley
All my life I had dogs as pets. Although I liked cats, I never thought I would have a cat--let alone 3 but that is what I have now. Our dog died of old age and left my husband and me without a pet. I wasn’t eager to go out and get another pet right away. That didn’t make any difference. The first cat--Ringo-- was around nine months old when he came around our house. I couldn’t resist him. He was funny, pure white with one blue eye and one green eye (called odd eyes). He has never met a stranger. He is my greeter.

Okay we ended up with our first cat because I couldn’t see letting him roam around and fend for himself. That was going to be it. Then my son asked me to take a stray cat he’d found because he had a pit bull dog and couldn’t risk the kitten with the dog. We ended up with a second cat--Peppers or as I call her Peppy. She looks like salt and pepper--more pepper. She is the smallest of my cats--only weighing 6 or 7 pounds whereas Ringo weighs up to 18 pounds. She is my cat. If she had her way, she would sit on my lap all day and watch me try to write--very distracting. But I have to admit Peppy is a bit neurotic.
Now our third cat I had absolutely said we could not take in because we already had two cats that were picky about other animals. I didn’t see how it would work. But my husband made the mistake of making eye contact with a dirty, messy two month kitten who was whining at the back door of his business. He couldn’t turn her away. Charlie has become the one who makes us laugh the most. She gets into everything and knows where everything belongs in the house. This cat growls like a dog when someone comes to the front door and will hide from anyone who comes to visit.


So here I am with three cats who adopted a lady who was never going to have cats. Have you been adopted by an animal?

An Act of Love By Margaret Daley

When Dr. Max Connors discovers he has a thirteen-year-old daughter who was adopted by a family years ago, he feels betrayed. He locates where his daughter lives and decides to move to Tallgrass, Oklahoma, although he doesn’t know if he will reveal who he is. Rachel Howard, the widowed mother, is struggling with raising her daughter, Taylor, who has problems that interfere with her schooling. As neighbors, Max becomes involved with Rachel and Taylor and ends up helping them when he can. As Christmas nears and his feelings toward Rachel grow, Max must make a decision. Will Max’s secret destroy his dream to have a family?


Monday, August 26, 2019

Singing Praises, not quite as planned By Susan Aylworth

Our daughter, Rebecca, loves a challenge almost as much as she loves to sing. Becca and her eldest son, Caleb, signed up some months ago with a wonderful group that provided both challenge and the chance to sing; it also set them up for an amazing opportunity. In becoming part of the Millennial Choirs and Orchestra (MCO), they looked forward to several important concerts, their summer season culminating in a highlight performance in Carnegie Hall.

We heard their performance in Abravanel Hall in Salt Lake City. Titled "Nearer, my God, to Thee," the concert began with an astonishing and deeply moving arrangement of "A Mighty Fortress" and consisted mostly of heart-felt sacred music. Since the New York City performance was scheduled for mid-July, they also offered a patriotic segment.

Five groups of choirs and orchestras from around the southwest studied the same music, preparing to divide into three casts, each of which would have one big night on the stage in the renowned Stern Concert Hall inside Carnegie. Becca and Caleb were in the "blue" cast, scheduled for Saturday evening, July 13.
With a once-in-a-lifetime experience ahead of them, and a world-famous, sold-out concert venue awaiting, Becca and Caleb endured an intense rehearsal schedule, costume fittings, and all the expected preparation.

That wasn't all. The rest of the family wanted to see them in concert, and since they were going to be in Manhattan, they certainly wanted to take a few bites of all the Big Apple had to offer. Months of work, planning, sacrifice and saving led up to the big day.

There they were, rehearsing on the concert stage just hours before the performance, when the lights went out. At first, they went right on. Accustomed to having the lighting technicians at work while they were, they continued rehearsal, using only the battery-operated lights on the orchestra's music stands. When the blackout did not ease, the group became restless. This wasn't just normal light-testing, was it?

Soon the Hall officials came in to report that something had happened, blacking out all of central Manhattan. Yes, their scheduled performance was on that night, the night the lights went out throughout the central city on the exact anniversary of the 1977 Manhattan blackout. July 13 also came during Manhattanhenge, the one time per year when the setting sun lines up with the downtown streets, making the sunset visible through the urban canyons.

For a short time, the musicians continued to rehearse, hoping and praying that the power would come back in time for their concert as scheduled. The Hall's staff knew when their fail-safe point occurred, the hour when it would be too late to load in an audience even if the power returned. When that time arrived, they came in to deliver the bad news: For the first time in its history, Carnegie Hall canceled a performance due to technical problems.

Imagine the heartbreak. This concert had been the focus of months of effort and sacrifice, not just for hundreds of musicians, but for thousands of their family and friends, many of whom had traveled to NYC to enjoy the experience with loved ones. Tangible disappointment chased them all.

As they exited the hall, one woman announced, "I came here to sing. Let's sing." Most of the orchestra members could not participate, given the difficulty of setting up instruments on 57th Street, but the singers quickly organized and an impromptu concert began. Their director came up with a makeshift podium and began leading.

As the sun set between the skyscrapers of Manhattan, the Millennial Choirs sang praises to God. Though they missed their opportunity to perform to the 2,800+ people who would have heard them inside the hall, they ended up singing to hundreds on the streets of Manhattan, many of whom would not have chosen to hear them on the stage. Several million have now heard their performances recorded on YouTube. (See #MCOINNYC I Stand All Amazed Carnegie Hall - NYC Power Outage; I Believe in Christ - MCO Outside Carnegie Hall, and others.)

The Millennial Choirs went to New York to sing praises in a famous hall, and ended up singing to the world.

Susan Aylworth is the author of 18 published novels. Her latest is SUNNY'S SUMMER, a sweet romance set in the Sierra foothills near her northern California home in the aftermath of the devastating #CampFire, also the second book in the "Seasons of Destiny" series. She is preparing to release AMBER IN AUTUMN, book 3; book 1, PARIS IN THE SPRINGTIME, is also available. Susan lives with her husband of 49 years, Roger. She loves to hear from readers. Find her at www.susanaylworth.com, @SusanAylworth, susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com, or facebook.com/Susan.Aylworth.Author. Also on Pinterest and Instagram.

Sunday, August 25, 2019

Lyn Cote Invites You to a Special Event

HI FROM LYN COTE. JOSIE RIVIERA AND I  ARE PARTICIPATING IN A WOW EVENT!
I think it's a WOW. Over twenty inspirational authors have banded together and are offering one perosn OVER 20 BOOKS! ENDS AUGUST 28TH!!


Saturday, August 24, 2019

The Grocery Store Legacy by Pat Simmons

I’m convinced grocery stores are designed to hook folks at an early age. As a matter of fact, it becomes a family affair. While moms shop for nutritional items, their children tag along for the goodies…or maybe the whole shopping experience.
Recently, I walked into Schnucks, a St. Louis’ family chain of stores. A little girl, maybe about five, ran circles around me on a mission to find a miniature shopping cart that had a long green pole with a flag that boldly read, “Customer in training.” The child took charge and steered her vehicle—shopping cart—behind her mother as if she had buying power too. Yep, the store was working on loyalty at an early age. 
Fast forward fifty, sixty, or seventy years and that same little girl has grown up, fell in love and had children of her own who now have families of their own. The customer in training has slowed down and leans on that cart to steady her while a loved one trails patiently nearby. It’s easy to spot the mother-daughter duo. I can see a glimpse of the youth the older woman once held, and if life is kind, the maturity that awaits the daughter.
Back to the shopping experience. For the old woman, it’s the thrill of perusing the merchandise on the shelves that keeps her going down the aisle. As far as buying power, she’s probably on a budget and can’t splurge on those goodies like extra fruits, vegetables, or cereal. Maybe, the first of next month.
Whenever I see this scenario, it warms my heart. One day, if the Lord wills, I’ll be that old woman. Will my son or daughter trail me, or will I be one of those sassy seniors who can speed walk through the stores to the envy of young folks.

A person smiling for the camera

Description automatically generatedPat 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: Still Guilty, Crowning Glory, and The Confession

Pat’s readership reaches across genres besides Christian romance and ethnicities. 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.
Look for her upcoming Christmas novella, Taye's Gift in the Small Town Christmas series October 2019.

Friday, August 23, 2019

50+ Sweet Romances All in One Place ~ FREE for Kindle Unlimited Readers



Attention KU Readers: Searching for your next favorite story? Look no further. More than 50 bestselling authors have teamed up to offer you a variety of #sweetromance books--including Sweet Romance Reads author Jean C. Gordon's NO TIME FOR APOLOGIES. All in one place. All in #KindleUnlimited. Enjoy.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~



When six friends make a pact not to let love get in the way of their careers, the No Brides Club is born. But could meeting the right man at the wrong time cause them to break their vows to each other?

Kate Lewis left her family’s dairy farm and fell in love with everything about New York City--especially the high-powered, fast-paced world of finance. Once content to lie in the grass and watch clouds float across the sky, her biggest dream now is to work her way to the top of Wall Street.


Jon Smith is so much more than his plain name implies. He’s also a rising star in the world of finance, on a mission to save his grandfather’s cattle farm, and Kate’s former high school admirer.
When a shocking twist of fate puts these two in direct competition for a job they both covet, the last thing they need is any new sparks of attraction. Too bad fate isn’t done with them yet.


Will they give in to their attraction, or is their newfound rivalry too intense to put aside? Find out in this sweet big city twist on the classic second chance romance theme.






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Thursday, August 22, 2019

Bargain Books by Margaret Daley



Kobo is having a sale this weekend from August 22-26, 2019. I have two books in the sale. You will get 40% of the regular price, using this Promo Code: 40ROM



The link to the Box Set for the books 1-3 in Strong Women, Extraordinary Situations is:



The link to the Box Set for Deadly Fires and The Knight and the Damsel (two rodeo stories involving the Knight family): 

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

For the Love of Audio Books!

Today, I'm here to talk about another way to read, using your auditory senses. That's right, I'm here to talk about audiobooks.


Hands-Free Reading

This is where audiobooks are golden. Want to escape the traffic on the highway, long waits for an appointment, or to pass the time while waiting for your kids game practice to get over? Maybe conditions aren't prime to crack open a book, or your e-reader device is on low battery.

Maybe you're not too sure about audio. If that's the case, I've made up a few reasons to give books on audio a try.





 

There you go. Loads of reasons to give audiobooks a try. And I have one more. I'll be picking one visitor today who leaves a comment below to win a free audio code for my small-town romance, Snow Belle.
Winner announced tomorrow night right here.

Their big dreams might cause them to lose everything-- including each other.
Haley Madison packed her big dreams and drove to the Arctic. Well, all right, so it’s Madison Creek, Michigan. But for a Texas gal, this frozen land ought to come with a sled and huskies. If it wasn’t for her family’s rundown property, she’d have stayed where the sun shone bright and warm. However, she has grand ideas for her inheritance even if the town has thrown up their objections to her plans.

Ethan Winters hated going home and admitting failure. Sure, he has a special talent with the violin, but he has bigger ambitions than playing at the local bowling alley. And then there was the idea of facing his father. No, he wasn’t ready to go home just yet. He veered off the interstate and drove to a little town named Madison Creek. Maybe his luck would change.

When the southern Snow-Belle literally blows him off the road with her rogue snowblower... more than just his luck will change.
Welcome to Madison Creek Where Northern Hospitality Meets Southern Comfort

A Contemporary Inspirational Romantic Fiction Series

Sunday, August 18, 2019

New Releases from Sweet Romance Reads' Authors by Margaret Daley, Kimberly Johnson and Vickie McDonough #newrelease

August New Release for Sweet Romance Reads


The Sergeant's Sweetheart
Vickie McDonough


Scott Jantzen only had eyes for one girl in high school, but he never had the nerve to ask her out. Now an Army sergeant stationed in Kuwait, he gets Haley Tannehill’s email from her brother and reaches out. Will she respond to his request to chat via emails?
Haley almost deletes Scott’s email, but then she sees his comment about knowing her brother. She racks her brain but doesn’t remember him from high school. On a whim, she emails him back. She enjoys getting to know the interesting soldier—until the day he says he’s returning home and wants to meet her face to face.
Haley realizes that she’s lonely and agrees to meet. Will things turn out well? Or will this be the worst decision she’s ever made? 

Available on Amazon




The Lady and the Lawman
Vickie McDonough, et al

On Track for Love by Vickie McDonough
Missouri, 1875

A new job and a move to a new state put Railroad Agent Landry Lomax on track to meet Cara Dixon—a spirited woman holding a derringer on a train robber. This stubborn woman is not one he wants around his young sister, but then they end up in the same St. Louis boardinghouse. But could Cara’s gumption help him trap a gang of train robbers?

Also included:
Mistaken Marshal by Crystal L. Barnes
Love Conquers Oil by Annette O’Hare
Rocky Mountain Regrets by Kathleen Y’Barbo


Available on AmazonBarnes & NoblesKobo





An Act of Love

By Margaret Daley

When Dr. Max Connors discovers he has a thirteen-year-old daughter who was adopted by a family years ago, he feels betrayed. He locates where his daughter lives and decides to move to Tallgrass, Oklahoma, although he doesn’t know if he will reveal who he is. Rachel Howard, the widowed mother, is struggling with raising her daughter, Taylor, who has problems that interfere with her schooling. As neighbors, Max becomes involved with Rachel and Taylor and ends up helping them when he can. As Christmas nears and his feelings toward Rachel grow, Max must make a decision. Will Max’s secret destroy his dream to have a family?

Available on Amazon




The Edge of Truth

Kimberly Rose Johnson

Two DEA agents
One undercover mission
Lives changed forever


The DEA sends two of its best agents, Kara Nelson and Jeff Clark, to Central Oregon, to shut down a major drug ring. Kara and Jeff usually work alone, but Operation Trail Ride throws them undercover together in a way neither of them expected.

A notorious Miami drug lord wants Kara dead. Can these agents pull off the greatest acting job of their lives—and manage the sparks flying between them?
Or will they die trying?

Edge of Truth is the first book in the Law Enforcement Heroes series. A romantic suspense series with nail biting suspense and a splash of romance. If you like engaging characters, small-town antics, and page turning suspense, then you’ll love Kimberly Rose Johnson’s Law Enforcement Heroes series.

Available on Amazon


Friday, August 16, 2019

The Edge Of Truth by Kimberly Rose Johnson #NewRelease

Over a decade ago I started writing. I had and still do have a passion for reading romantic suspense, and I wanted to write one. I had an idea for a story so I went for it. 
I had three very patient critique partners who were all quite a bit ahead of me in the craft. One had been published multiple times and the other two were on the cusp of publication. They mentored me with such kindness and patience. I learned so much from each of them.
Thanks to that manuscript I found an agent, who though was unable to sell that story, it did make it to committee once. My agent suggested I write a contemporary romance without suspense so I did, and she was able to sell it to Love Inspired Heartsong Presents. My career took off after that. I've been writing like crazy since 2012 to meet one deadline after another. I took a break from traditional publishing for one year to catch my breath, then landed another contract with my current publisher, who happened to be one of those ladies from my original critique group all those years ago.
Isn't if funny how life works sometimes. I feel like my career has come full circle because that book I wrote all those years ago is finally published. I decided rather than go through the submission process again, I would publish it myself, and I'm so glad I did.
Edge of Truth has been a long time coming. Once I decided to publish it, I edited it, updated the technology, improved the writing and hired an editor. It was so much fun working on the book that in essence started my career since it is the story that landed my agent.
Here is the back cover blurb.

Two DEA agents.
One undercover mission.
Lives changed forever.

The DEA sends two of its best agents, Kara Nelson and Jeff Clark, to Central Oregon, to shut down a major drug ring. Kara and Jeff usually work alone, but Operation Trail Ride throws them undercover together in a way neither of them expected.
A notorious Miami drug lord wants Kara dead. Can these agents pull off the greatest acting job of their lives—and manage the sparks flying between them?
Or will they die trying?
Edge of Truth is the first book in the Law Enforcement Heroes series. A romantic suspense series with nail biting suspense and a splash of romance. If you like engaging characters, small-town antics, and page turning suspense, then you’ll love Kimberly Rose Johnson’s Law Enforcement Heroes series.

Buy Edge Of Truth to join the adventure of this page-turning romantic suspense today.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Have Stories Will Travel by Merrillee Whren

The photo above was taken in Marienplatz, a square in Munich, Germany. In the past ten years, I've been fortunate enough to visit most of the countries in western Europe. Travel opens up a person's  imagination as well as revealing history and current events.

After seeing all these new places, I wanted to incorporate some of my experiences into one of my books. I wondered how I could possibly do that when all of my books are set in the United States. The book I'm working on now is the sixth book in my Front Porch Promises series, and it is set in Tennessee. How could I possibly get my characters to some place in Europe? I came up with a plan.

 My hero and heroine, Jeremy and Whitney, work for a company that is mostly internet based. Think Amazon on a small scale, run from a little town in Tennessee. The head of the company wants to expand to Europe, and he is sending the two of them to Germany, Belgium, and The Netherlands to negotiate some deals. Most of the book takes place in the US, but it is fun letting my characters experience something new.

Jeremy and Whitney do well on their adventure to those three European countries and come back home with some great deals for their company, but a surprise twist takes them back to one of those countries. I can hardly wait to write that part. I'm what we writers call a pantser, because, for the most part, I have no idea what is going to happen next as I write. But in this unusual case, I'm writing toward this big twist that popped into my mind as I was writing an earlier part of the book.

Here are some of the sites my characters will see.
A Maypole in Viktualienmarkt, a market area in Munich.
 
A golden carriage in the museum at the Nymphenburg Palace near Munich.
 
The Grand Place, a central square in Brussels, Belgium
 
Working windmills in a small town near Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
 
Do you like to learn about faraway places when you read fiction? Do you have a place you've read about that you would like to visit?

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.