Sunday, March 29, 2020

Giving Thanks by Laura Scott

Good morning from Wisconsin!

Our blog posts have covered self-care, inspiration and great bargain reads which are all important during these difficult times. Normally we focus on being thankful during Thanksgiving, but as a nurse who may be going back to the bedside sooner than I thought--I decided this would be a good thing to do now.

Here are all the things I'm thankful for:

Amazing doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all hospital workers going above and beyond during this national health crisis. (Special shout out to my son Jonathan RN)

The food we have to eat in spite of all the shortages. As I told my husband, now is not the time to be picky.

The home we have to shelter in, so blessed to have a place to stay.

Friends and family - because no matter how far apart we must remain, everyone is a phone call away.

Good books - I added this not because I'm a writer but because I've been able to take advantage of being forced to stay indoors to find new and great authors. We need these stories in order to relax so we can better deal with the harsh reality.

Wonderful music - again same reasons as above. I haven't always made time to listen to uplifting songs as much as I should and have been listening daily now.

God - He should always be first, but I wanted to end with Him. I have faith God will guide us through these uncharted waters.

So tell me what you're thankful for?

Laura Scott

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Writer and Cat Seek Suggestions - by @MagdalenaScott


Like many of you, I'm staying home most of the time these days. Perhaps unlike you, I live in a studio apartment with a cat as my only roomie. (The graphic above includes a photo of Selina, but no, that's not my apartment. Or the sidewalk I use daily.)

I'm trying to get outdoors for a walk each day, cook and eat healthy meals, get plenty of sleep (challenging as that is), indulge in plenty of cat cuddles (good for both Selina and me), and stay in touch with family and friends via email, text, and calls.

Self care always matters, and none of us should feel guilty for it. Click here to read Laura Ashwood's wonderful article on this topic.

One afternoon my self-care was a binge watch of Jane Austen's Emma. I'm also slowly revisiting some favorite old sitcoms: The Bob Newhart Show, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, among others. Selina and I discovered The Durrells in Corfu. That was her favorite because of the many animals. Watching The Durrells was a bit of a challenge because she kept jumping up looking into the TV and blocking my view of the screen--fun! (Sort of.)

Before Indiana's governor told us to stay at home, I ordered several paperbacks. They arrived just in time, as our beloved library is closed for now. Although I don't usually choose historicals, that's mostly what I purchased and I'm enjoying the return to "simpler" days.

Are you binge-watching or binge-reading during these challenging times? Do you have favorites to suggest? If so, please leave a comment. And for everyone, here is my wish for you and for our world: hope, joy, and peace.


USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott 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.


Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

Friday, March 27, 2020

How Do You Like to "Read" a Book? By Margaret Daley



Below is a post I wrote ten years ago. As I was reading it, I thought about what I wrote considering whether the print book was dying. Recently, I sent out my newsletter and asked my readers how they preferred to “read” a story. The print book was their favorite way. The e-book was second and the audio version was third. 

How do you like to “read” a book?

Is the Print Book Dying?

For years we have been hearing people predicting that the book was dying—on its way out the door. In the future people will read books on the computer or some kind of handheld device like the new Kindle at Amazon (which I do think is neat but way too expensive). I do think those devices will gain in popularity, but at least for the near future the book is alive and well—holding its own.
 
I read an article in an airline magazine on my way to Fort Lauderdale about a project that Microsoft was involved in.  It’s the high school of the future. The library doesn’t have books that you can hold in your hand. Everything is on the computer and all the students have their own laptops. They don’t have textbooks.
 
For the most part things are going along okay, but the students and teachers are complaining there are no books around. They must research on the Internet. Teachers go home and spends hours adapting work from the Internet to present to their students. They miss not having textbooks to supplement their teaching.
 
Now I don’t know about you, but I can’t sit at the computer all day and especially read on top of that a story on my computer. I think my eyes get tired from the light on the computer. Don’t get me wrong. I love my computer and what it can do, but I also love a good old-fashioned book to hold at the beach. So, I’m hoping there’s a place for both in the future.
 
What do you see happening in the next ten or twenty years?



Obsessed, Book 2 in Everyday Heroes—99¢ through April 10th
By Margaret Daley


Stalker. Arson. Murder.


When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he's back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?
Buy links: AmazonBarnes and NobleAppleKobo and Google Play


Thursday, March 26, 2020

Escaping House Arrest



With the world closed for business and its occupants under self-enforced house arrest, we are all looking for a safe escape wherever we can find it. That makes getting out into Nature (when it's safe, of course) more important than ever.


It's redbud time here in NorCal, and jasmine time, and wisteria time, and a few fortunate people even have lilacs. (When did lilacs fall out of fashion?) Here, as in the rest of the state and much of the world, we are grounded, told by our governor to stay inside and away from others. Yet a quiet drive does not violate the standard and does allow us to break up the monotony of house arrest.

Observing the beauty in our natural surroundings still nurtures me, helping me to feel at peace with the world even in uncertain times. On this particular drive, I looked for signs of spring. They are everywhere. We live in one of five places on earth that enjoy a Mediterranean climate: the Med basin, California, central Chile, southern and southeastern Australia, and the cape of South Africa. That brings us early and lovely spring seasons, and a welcome escape from the indoors.


Another way to get out without danger is a nice walk in our park. Our city boasts one of the largest municipal parks in the nation. It's huge. Part looks like forest, but sits in the middle of town. Part is wildland where bears, bobcats, and mountain lions reign. It's also spectacular, built around a lovely creek with swimming holes eroded into the black basalt of the canyon the water has forged.



On a recent afternoon, my husband and I took a long walk in the park, waving at walkers on the other side of the roadway, some ten or twelve feet away. Even when we greeted people we knew well, we maintained social distancing as we chatted.

Of course, fiction is always a great escape. This week, March 23-30, the first book in the Seasons of Destiny series is on sale for just 99 cents. You can take a vacation in Destiny, California inexpensively. Tell your friends!

Compared with much of America, we have it easy. Many folks we know are suddenly tasked with home schooling while trying to work from home. They're struggling, but making it work. Unusual situations call forth our common humanity and necessary creativity.  Considering the circumstances, we're doing very well. Stay safe this spring!



Susan Aylworth is the author of 20 novels. Her newest series, "Seasons of Destiny," explores romance in every season of the year in the small, former Gold Rush town of Destiny, California.  Paris in the Springtime, Sunny's Summer,  Amber in Autumn, and Winter Skye are all available now in e-book and paperback. The first book is on 99c sale until March 30. Find Susan at www.susanaylworth.com. 

Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Bargain ebooks by Josie Rivera, Lyn Cote, Vickie McDonough, & Jean C. Gordon

Does it rain in Ireland?--Josie Rivera

Maeve, my sweet romance "Irish" ebook, is on a Kindle countdown.

Only 99¢!



He’s all business. She loves to laugh. When business conflicts with pleasure, what could possibly go wrong?

Grab your copy today.

Available in ebook, paperback, Large Print paperback, and audiobook.

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

A baby's future hangs in the balance-Lyn Cote



My inspirational romance  A HEART OF STONE is on sale till March 31st for 99 cents--regularly priced $3.99.

A baby girl’s future hangs in the balance~when Cash’s only sister leaves guardianship to her best friend instead of him. Unwilling to take the matter to court, Cash and Jane face the situation. Jane owns a dress shop in a small tourist town in the north woods of Wisconsin while Cash owns a multi-million dollar construction company in Chicago. How can they share custody of a toddler? Much to Jane’s dismay, Cash finds a way. But because Jane fell in love with Cash at her sweet sixteen birthday, having him almost daily in her life again shakes her to her core. Unfortunately Cash still only sees her as his baby sister’s friend. And after his mother’s abandonment and a failed engagement, he has a heart of stone. Will Jane hold so tightly to Angie that Cash finally loses patience and sues for custody or will Cash open his heart to Jane and all the love she has to give him?--Lyn Cote

For More Information or to purchase, click here.

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

The Prodigal's Shotgun Wedding by Vickie McDonough
A Prodigal's Hope for a Happy Homecoming is Derailed


Just 99 cents for a limited time



Clay left home after his brother’s death—a death for which he was responsible. After years away he’s finally returning, hoping for reconciliation with his father. But when the stagecoach he’s riding in wrecks and he is injured, he finds himself in a fight for survival.

Jolie is fleeing a nightmare situation. She desperately hopes becoming a mail-order bride doesn’t land her in a worse place. When the stage crashes and she spends the night alone with a wounded man, she wonders if her intended will still want her. If he doesn’t, what will she do? She has no money and nowhere to go.

Purchase Kindle ebook
#FreeKU

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

A Boxed Set as a benefit including the novella Trusting His Kiss 
by Jean C Gordon



  


99¢ with all Preorder Proceeds Benefiting Pets for Vets
Including Trusting His Kiss
By Jean C. Gordon

Twenty-one swoon-worthy heroes.
Twenty-one chances to fall in love.
Twenty-one happily-ever-afters.

This sweet contemporary romance anthology collection includes 21 original stories from bestselling and award-winning authors, Including WSJ and USA Today Bestselling Author, Judith Lucci.

Each piece written for this anthology is to benefit Pets for Vets. The Sweet Kisses Box Set is available for a limited time only. So preorder your copy before it's gone.

What a great way to help veterans who've been injured in service to our country and the Pets that need them.

Preorder links: Barnes and Noble | Apple | Kobo
Coming to Amazon soon

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Inspiration For A Time Such As This by Pat Simmons

For more than a month, we’ve been inundated with updates about the coronavirus, how rapidly it is spreading and the death toll. Although the disease can’t be ignored, I know many of us wish there was other news to report, but right now, COVID-19 is altering everyone’s lifestyle. We're a few days into the Stay-at Home Order in Missouri and Illinois. So for the next 30 days, what do you plan to do besides washing your hands?

If you’ve ever read any of my books, then you know I write Christian romance, clean and sweet stories about redemption, repentance and forgiveness. And a happy ending. I like to think of my stories as parables that explain Scriptures.

To me and many Christians around the world, the coronavirus is the handwriting on the wall that Jesus is coming back. Notice I didn’t say the end of the world. I hope while we’re on lockdown you’ll take a few minutes to draw closer to God as you read passages in your Bible or listen to the Bible on Tape. Don’t know where to start? Psalm 91 is comforting. Matthew 24 and 25 gives you the 9-1-1.

More than anything, I pray for God’s will, mercy, and grace.  As one of the Sweet Romance Reads author, I couldn’t think of anything else to inspire our readers.  In addition to some quiet time with the Lord, I do plan to use my down time to catch up on sewing projects (I've got plenty of fabric and patterns) or jump back into my genealogy research (have you checked out my Family Roots page on my website?). I don’t want the trail to get cold.

I also plan to work on my upcoming holiday book Christmas Dinner. What I really would like to do is learn a new craft--Book Page Folding. I created a Book Creations and Gifts Board on Pinterest, so please check me out. 

Until next month, be blessed and encouraged!
Pat
--------------------------------------

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 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.






Check out my new release!



Monday, March 23, 2020

Connection and Self Care by Laura Ashwood


As I sat and contemplated what to write this month for my blog post, I decided to just address the elephant in the room. Social distancing. Social distancing for me isn't hard as I am very introverted and most of my connections are already online. But my husband is social and this is hard for him. One thing I have noticed is that my anxiety is significantly higher these days though. So much uncertainty. I know I'm not the only one feeling it. So...what can we do?


This is a list I've put together with some ideas and suggestions I've seen over the past couple of weeks. It's not scientific. It wasn't copied and pasted. Just ideas that will hopefully help you get through this trying time.

  • Stay Connected. Use your Facebook messenger video call feature, FaceTime, Skype or similar app to stay connected with your loved ones. A virtual hug is almost as good. 
  • Create a daily schedule. You can't control what's going on outside, but you can control your environment. Sticking to a daily schedule will help with anxiety and keep you focused on what you can do. 
  • Get dressed every day. Self care is important. Take time every day to shower, get dressed and moisturize. :)
  • Get the games, puzzles and books out. Dust off the old board games and create tournaments. If you have unlimited WiFi, you can connect with others via video call and play together. Find a new author and read one or more of their books. 
  • Try some new recipes. Go through your cookbooks or assemble ingredients from your pantry and play your own version of Chopped. 
  • Read your bible/devotional. Stay connected with your faith. There are many bible verses that address fear and anxiety. Isaiah 41 and Psalm 34 come to my mind.
  • Talk. Whether in a Facebook group, with a friend over the phone, or with a family member at home - talk about how you're feeling. 
Most of all, please stay home if you don't have to be out and pray for those that do. 

Until next month, 
xo, Laura



Falling in love under the northern lights is romantic, but not always convenient...

Falling Five stories; five strong women. Follow the journeys of Lindsay, Eve, Elle, Lila and Bailey as they endeavor to pursue their destinies. And even though love is the last thing on their minds, will they open their hearts to the men of their dreams along the way?

Second Chances by Laura Ashwood - She just wants to get away. He has a deadline to meet. Will being stranded together in a blizzard give them a second chance at love?

Merry Christmas, Eve by Stacey Bryant - He crushed her family business. She shouldn't be attracted to him.

Bitty Love by Beth Gildersleeve - They have a broken past. Can his love change her mind?

Guilty Beginnings by Angie Wilder - A flirty game of cat and mouse. She's a thief. He's FBI. What could go wrong?

A Kiss Under the Northern Lights by Rose Marie Meuwissen - When opposites attract, will a city-gal photographer risk her heart in the wild?

(An anthology of sweet romance short stories by the authors of Northern Lights Writers, a MN Chapter of RWA)



Sunday, March 22, 2020

Sweet Romance Reads Bargain Books by Margaret Daley, Vickie McDonough and Laura Scott

Sweet Romance Reads Bargain Books 


Obsessed
Book 2 in Everyday Heroes
99¢ through April 10th
By Margaret Daley

Stalker. Arson. Murder.

When a stalker ruthlessly targets people she loves, a woman flees her old life, creating a new identity as Serena Remington. Her plan to escape the madman and lead him away from family and friends worked for three years. Now he's back. With nowhere else to run, her only choice is war. Quinn Taylor, her neighbor and a firefighter with expertise in arson, comes to her aid, but will it be in time to save her?

Buy links: AmazonBarnes and NobleAppleKobo and Google Play




The Prodigal's Shotgun Wedding
Vickie McDonough

A prodigal’s hope for a happy homecoming is derailed.

Clay left home after his brother’s death—a death for which he was responsible. After years away he’s finally returning, hoping for reconciliation with his father. But when the stagecoach he’s riding in wrecks and he is injured, he finds himself in a fight for survival.

Jolie is fleeing a nightmare situation. She desperately hopes becoming a mail-order bride doesn’t land her in a worse place. When the stage crashes and she spends the night alone with a wounded man, she wonders if her intended will still want her. If he doesn’t, what will she do? She has no money and nowhere to go.

On sale for $.99 / #FreeKU
Buy Link: Amazon  



Looking for a sweet emotional romance? A Doctor's Promise by Laura Scott is on sale for $0.99 from March 20-March 31st! 

Dr. Jared O'Connor has given his parents a promise--to find his dead brother's fiancee and child. But his mission is derailed when he meets beautiful flight nurse Shelly Bennett. The sadness in her eyes, mirrors his own, and he is drawn to her and to her young son in a way he's never experienced before. 

Shelly can't afford to be distracted by Jared's attention. Her son's upcoming testing may confirm he has kidney failure--there's no room for anything else in her life. But when Jared uncovers the truth, she realizes her days of running from the past are over. But can she forgive Jared long enough to accept his love?


Saturday, March 21, 2020

Happy Place Books

I woke up this morning to a sweet message from a friend with a link to an article that mentioned my book, Wrapped Up in Christmas.
The article tells of a lady who read my book via a library, learned about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, and then nominated a very deserving veteran to receive a quilt. Much as the hero in the book I'm currently finishing up, Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy that will be out later this year from Hallmark Publishing, the veteran in the article didn't feel he deserved a Quilt of Valor. Yet, when I read the words written about him all I could think was how happy I am that this true American hero was recognized this way. It made my heart so happy.

As an author, we write books for many different reasons. Part of those reasons are selfish in the sense of I write because I'd go crazy if I didn't write the stories/characters in my head, and writing is a source of income to help take care of my family, although, as with many authors I have a day job that pays the majority of my bills. But another big reason authors write is to give the reader an escape, to help them lock away the world and enter a place where they can forget the stresses of work, of bad health, or family issues, of financial issues, etc. Storytellers tell their stories because of you, the reader. Because we love to spin a tale that tugs at emotions--good, bad, scary, etc. Sometimes we accomplish our goal and sometimes we struggle hitting those write notes.

This morning, I was an author needing an escape from all those icky things, and reading this article put my muse back into perspective a bit. Books touch lives and make a difference in so many ways. I've read books over the years that stand out in my mind as 'my happy place' books. Books I go to because I know they are going to take me on an emotional journey that leaves me satisfied with whatever that chosen journey was--romance, adventure, thriller, science fiction, etc. 

Have you ever read a book that you felt was life changing? I think the Holy Bible is a given for many people, so I'm going to add the caveat of other than the Bible. I'd love to hear which book and why if you're willing to share.

And/or, do you have one or more books that are your 'happy place' stories? Books you go to over and over because of the way they make you feel?

Y'all take care out there and I look forward to reading your comments. If you'd like to read the article, here's a link to the story: Korean War Veteran Receives Quilt of Valor

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 available at AMAZON Barnes & Noble WALMART

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

March 2020 New Releases from Sweet Romance Reads

March 2020 New Releases from Sweet Romance Reads 


Missing
Margaret Daley

Everyday Heroes, Book 6

Kidnapping. Evil. Redemption.

When two young girls go missing, Dr. Emma Reichs, a child psychologist who worked with the two teens, turns to Brody Taylor, an ex-Green Beret, who founded the Pals Center, a safe haven for kids, to help her find the girls. Brody along with his retired military canine, Charlie, is determined to find the people behind the kidnapping of young people in his community.

In the midst of the search for Piper and Maria, more children are taken. Brody and Emma realize they’re fighting against a ticking bomb to find the teens before they disappear for good. Their partnership brings them closer and awakens feelings for each other, but can they stay alive long enough to end the nightmare for the kids and still have a future together?

Available March 17th (you can pre-order now)
Pre-order: AmazonB&NAppleKoboGoogle Play, and Smashwords





Winter Skye

Susan Aylworth 

Book 4 in the Seasons of Destiny series 

Birthed in a drug cult has set Skye up for a lifetime of destructive behavior. Now in recovery, she works hard for the life she wants as an accomplished artist. That means never dating the men she meets at AA meetings. Then Pete walks in. Tall, dark, unequivocally appealing, he rings her every bell. Even her aunt finds him “as handsome and charming as the devil himself.” When Skye learns that Pete is also an artist, a sculptor in glass, how can she resist?

Peter Koury has sworn never again to date a recovering addict, but he can’t stay away from Skye. He could, perhaps, resist her striking appearance and girlish charm, but how can he avoid her when she literally falls into his arms? When he realizes she is the artist whose work he’s been admiring, he gives up even trying to withstand her magnetic appeal.

Two people with amazing talent, both poised on the edge of disaster, have so much going for them…and deep negative histories opposing. Each day is a battle as they fight for continued sobriety and for recognition in the art world. Can they make room for love to flourish? And can they trust it to last?

Coming this month.




Precarious Summer

Lyn Cote

Book 1 “Northern Shore Intrigue” series 

Beautiful shore, dangerous season

Summer tourists flock to the shore of Lake Superior—beautiful clean blue water, historic lighthouses, and thick pine forest. Audra Blair, a young single mom, is no longer going to work for someone else during the brief summer tourist trade. She has bought an old Victorian near the lakeshore and has opened “Audra’s Place,” a coffee shop-bakery in the mornings, and in the evenings, a carry-out pizza shop. Her future and her little girl’s hinges on its success. She is the sole support of her child, not wanting to have contact with the man who abandoned her when she told him she was expecting six years ago.

Someone in town is dangerously unhappy and begins setting booby traps that explode into flames. The tourist season is the life-blood of little Winfield—nothing must make tourists stay away. Carter grew up here and his wild youth follows him-in spite of his spotless record in law enforcement in another department in the state. Many, especially Audra’s uncle, question whether he has reformed. More booby-trap fires push Carter to question whether he is really sheriff material. And as he’s drawn to Audra, her uncle does whatever he can to undermine Carter. Can Audra and Carter break free of the past and have a future together? And will Carter crack the case before someone is severely injured or dies?

Available Here for pre-order - 99 cents till March 26th


Monday, March 16, 2020

Cover Reveal from Kimberly Rose Johnson

I have been eagerly awaiting this day. Direct Threat is book one in my Protection Inc series. I plan to do a rapid release of the first three books by releasing one book a month beginning June 1st. 

This series will focus on a team of bodyguards who are all former police officers.

Here is the back cover blurb for Direct Threat.

One little girl.
Two bodyguards.
Only one chance to guard their hearts.

Protection Inc. co-owner, Carissa Jones, an ex-cop turned bodyguard, has one goal—keep her young client safe. When her business partner brings in a new guy to help, she discovers her heart desires more. Can she still do her job and follow her heart without compromising her client’s safety?

 Marc Olsen, a former Military Police officer, struggles to find his way as a civilian. He agrees to help out an old friend for the summer. He gets more than he bargained for when he’s assigned to work with the feisty co-owner of Protection Inc.

When sparks fly faster than bullets, will the bodyguards be distracted from their task, or will they work together as an even stronger team?



Saturday, March 14, 2020

Happy Pi Day by Merrillee Whren

Several years here on the Sweet Romance Reads blog I have blogged about Pi Day. It just seems like a fun day to combine homophones Pi and Pie. I have to admit that I like Pie better than Pi. In case you've forgotten from your school days, Pi is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, which is approximately 3.14159. All of you math enthusiasts may know that Pi is an irrational and transcendental number that has been calculated to over one trillion digits beyond the decimal point. I also think it's interesting that most pies are a circle.

Pi Day also fits in with my upcoming release, the first book in my Pinecrest series. My heroine is super smart and a math and computer whiz. Here is a cover reveal and a blurb about the book. Be looking for a chance to preorder the book in the next couple of weeks.
Eight years earlier Jillian Rodgers left her childhood sweetheart, Sam Lawson, at the altar in search of her own future because she realized she wasn’t ready to get married. But when her mother is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Jillian returns to her hometown to help her family. She wonders if this could mean a second chance for Sam and her.
Sam has gone on with his life, becoming a high school teacher and part time youth pastor with a dream of building a home for troubled kids. When he encounters Jillian again, he knows he has to put the forgiveness he teaches into practice, but he has no desire to get his heart broken again and tries his best to stay clear of the woman he once thought would be his partner for life.
The circumstances of small-town life bring them together more often than Sam would like, and he finds himself falling for her all over again. But Jillian hasn’t been completely honest about her life. When that comes to light, can he still forgive and forget? Can they have a second chance at love?

What are your feelings about math?



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.

  
 

Thursday, March 12, 2020

My Irish DNA: an Update by Cindy Flores Martinez





St. Patrick’s Day is only a few days away, so I’ve decided to share an update on my search for my Irish ancestors, which I’ve written about before.


A few years ago, my mom gave me a test kit from AncestryDNA, and the results showed that I had 4 percent Irish ancestry and cousins from Northern Ireland. My mom’s test results from Family Tree DNA and 23andMe also revealed DNA cousin matches who lived in Northern Ireland and whose families had been there for many generations. It was such a surprise!

I embarked on a search for answers, and I’ve discovered that several of my cousin matches are the descendants of well-known Irish immigrants who moved to Mexico to work in the mining industry where my ancestors lived. It’s possible that one of them is my ancestor.

The one who stands out the most is Mr. McManus who was born in Northern Ireland in the 1800s, opened a business in Mexico, and had children with a Mexican woman. When they grew up, some of them lived in the same small town where my great grandmother was born. It’s an amazing coincidence. One of them could have been her father. I plan to keep searching for records.

What about you? Have you learned anything unexpected through an ancestry DNA test?




Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author who writes Christian Romance. She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world. You can learn more about her at www.cindyfloresmartinez.com