Lyn Asks AGAIN Do you Like Puppies? Do You Like Christmas?

 

Then you're in luck! 

Lyn Cote here-My holiday novella, BENEATH NORTHERN LIGHTS, debuts TODAY. It's the first in a series of novellas by six Sweet Romance Authors. 

Each story has two things in common: a puppy or puppies and Christmas!

Each week starting TODAY Oct 1st, one Puppies for Christmas novella by a Sweet Romance Reads author will debut through early November!

Here's the line up:

Oct 1st-Beneath Northern Lights by Lyn Cote

Oct 8th-Mistletoe Puppy by Roxanne Rustand

Oct 15th-Christmas Redemption by Laura Scott

Oct 22nd-Puppy Love and Jingle Bells by Merrillee Whren

Oct 29th-Joy Comes to Bedford Falls by Susan Aylworth

Nov 5th-A Christmas Puppy to Cherish by Josie Riviera

So do you love puppies? Christmas? 

Then why not pre-order my book and the others. Just click the titles above one by one and learn more about the books. 

If you pre-order them, then you won't miss one.

OH, AND THE BEST PART-THEY'RE ALL 99 CENTS EACH-

So don't delay, click now!--Lyn Cote

Have you subscribed to our quarterly newsletter yet?

 We all live busy lives--am I right? You visit this blog because you enjoy reading books by our authors and getting to know them better. 

But do you have time to check in everyday?

Our quarterly newsletter is a way to make sure you don't miss anything important.

Like what--you ask?

Like parties, giveaways, new books and new authors! 

So look to your right and see the red print? Click there and join us!--Lyn Cote

Don't forget that our latest group project is released tomorrow! 

Is it too early for Christmas books? By Laura Scott

 

Hi everyone, waving from Wauwatosa Wisconsin where the leaves are still changing into glorious hues of red, yellow and orange!

I have a confession to make. In the past if anyone had asked me about Christmas when the leaves were still falling, I would have stuck my fingers in my ears and sang a song to tune them out. I live in Wisconsin, we do not look forward to the long winter and unfortunately the holidays are just the start of that cold and dreary season.

But that was before I began writing romance and specifically holiday themed stories! 

There is nothing more fun than writing Christmas stories, and that means celebrating the holidays a bit earlier than usual.

I'm thrilled to have the final book in my Lifeline Air Rescue series available as of October 1st! For those of you who haven't read this series, it all started many years ago when I was able to do a ride along with our Flight For Life helicopter. As it turned out, the flight nurse I was able to fly with that day was none other than David Mason, my old nursing school boyfriend! How is that for a coincidence?

We are both happily married but while we were waiting to be called out to fly, we chatted about old times, then went on to what it's like to provide medical care in the air. I soon learned very quickly it's far different than caring for patients in the ICU which is what I was used to.

It was not only a great experience but offered plenty of fodder for six Lifeline Air Rescue books! 

A Doctor's Christmas - Laura Scott $2.99

When Lifeline Pilot Megan Hoffman finds herself pregnant with her ex-fiancé’s baby, she is determined to remain independent and to raise her child alone. Normally keeping her distance from the rotating residents, isn’t a problem, until she meets the very attractive and very serious Dr. Drake Thorton who discovers her secret.

Drake hasn’t recovered from losing his wife and unborn child shortly before Christmas, but when he realizes Megan is pregnant and the baby’s father out of the picture, he finds himself unable to stay away. Megan is not only beautiful but an amazing pilot especially in a crisis. He opens himself up to friendship, and leans on Megan for support after discovering the identity of his birth mother. Will Drake learn to celebrate Christmas and allow himself to fall in love, again?

Amazon B&N Apple GooglePlay Kobo

So what is the earliest you'll read Christmas stories? Is October too early? Or will you read them year round? Inquiring minds want to know!

Until next time,

Laura Scott

Time with Friends - by @MagdalenaScott

A couple of weeks ago, I was in Indiana instead of traveling to Florida. Don't misunderstand me... I love my small town life. My home is cozy, Selina is happy, and we have great neighbors.

But for two years, the calendar had been counting down to a long weekend with five of my besties from school. One of the girls scouted out a fabulous condo for us to rent. Then Covid happened, and eventually, we decided to postpone until next year. We were all disappointed. But we're also healthy and want to stay that way. We want to keep our families safe too.

Instead of walking the beach with my besties, I've been hanging part-time with new friends. One of these folks is Ben Kincaid, the brother of Emily, Taylor, and Hannah.

Who the heck are they, you ask? The Kincaid family is a big part of my Serendipity, Indiana sweet romance series. Emily, Taylor, and Hannah each has her own book. Their brother was mentioned throughout the series, and now I'm working on Ben's story.

I sort of feel as if I owe it to him. I mean, how much does a guy have to be ignored, right? Growing up with three sisters must have been rough.

Since I love big families and small towns, and since my brain thinks in series, it looks as if Ben's book will kick off a new trilogy. More on that later.

For a limited time, you can take a bargain trip to Serendipity.

Book one, SMALL TOWN CHRISTMAS, is free

Book two, EMILY'S DREAMS, is 99 cents

Book three, CHRISTMAS WEDDING, is $1.99.

Hey, a vacation is a vacation. And with this one, you don't have to pack a bag. 

Happy reading!

Magdalena Scott

Website: https://magdalenascott.com/

Do You Like Puppies? Do You Like Christmas?

Then you're in luck! 

Lyn Cote here-My holiday novella, BENEATH NORTHERN LIGHTS, debuts on Oct 1st. It's the first in a series of novellas by six Sweet Romance Authors. 

Each story has two things in common: a puppy or puppies and Christmas!

Each week starting Thursday Oct 1st, one Puppies for Christmas novella by a Sweet Romance Reads author will debut through early November!

Here's the line up:

Oct 1st-Beneath Northern Lights by Lyn Cote

Oct 8th-Mistletoe Puppy by Roxanne Rustand

Oct 15th-Christmas Redemption by Laura Scott

Oct 22nd-Puppy Love and Jingle Bells by Merrillee Whren

Oct 29th-Joy Comes to Bedford Falls by Susan Aylworth

Nov 5th-A Christmas Puppy to Cherish by Josie Riviera

So do you love puppies? Christmas? 

Then why not pre-order my book and the others. Just click the titles above one by one and learn more about the books. 

If you pre-order them, then you won't miss one.

OH, AND THE BEST PART-THEY'RE ALL 99 CENTS EACH-

So don't delay, click now!--Lyn Cote

Isn't it Christmas yet?

I

Autumn is officially here, and although it will be some time before the leaves begin to turn--at least, where I live, we are starting to feel fall in the air. For me, cooling temperatures mean thinking ahead to the holidays. Even though we haven't had Halloween yet, and Thanksgiving is still weeks away, I want the lift that comes each year with Christmas. I suspect we can all use a lift to our spirits.

This year, I’m delighted to be part of the “Puppies for Christmas” series, beginning this month. New releases start Thursday, Oct. 1, and continue for six weeks. These are all sweet and clean Christmas romances, often inspirational. Each is written by one of our Sweet Romance Reads authors, and each features the sparkly holiday, a romantic couple, and at least one furry companion. 

Here's the line-up:

Oct 1 - Beneath Northern Lights by Lyn Cote

Oct 8 - Mistletoe Puppy by Roxanne Rustand

Oct 15 - Christmas Redemption  by Laura Scott

Oct 22 - Puppy Love and Jingle Bells by Merrillee Whren

Oct 29 - Joy Comes to Bedford Falls by Susan Aylworth

Nov 5 - A Christmas Puppy to Cherish by Josie Riviera

Joy Comes to Bedford Falls introduces the Square Valley Ski Resort and the nearby town of Bedford Falls, California, also known as Christmas Town, since they celebrate the holiday all year. Claire Reiser arrives just days before Christmas, expecting to celebrate alone. Ben Scarge is also new in town, whisked in to manage the estate of his late Uncle Simon, a curmudgeonly miser who puts Scrooge to shame. Like Claire, he anticipates a lonely holiday. Then a furry visitor delivers a gift neither Claire nor Ben will ever forget. Welcome to Christmas Town! 

When to Buy a Book Because of It's Cover by Pat Simmons

 The book cover tells the story before you read the back blurb. I think I have some of the best covers designed by my previous traditional publishers and my graphic artist for my indie projects.

But this one, right here is special. As years of talking, it happened, I updated one of my covers to include my daughter. It would be nice to sell a lot of copies, but it will always be a collectible. I'm interested to hear how many of her friends think the story is about her, especially when she dated a guy with the same name as the hero.

At the time when I wrote it, I thought about my beloved cousin and the hero became Adrian.

Here's what Driven to Be Loved is about: It doesn’t matter how many years go by, love will always find a way….On the surface, Brecee Carmen has nothing in common with Adrian Cole. She is a pediatrician certified in trauma care; he is a transportation problem-solver for a luxury car dealership (a.k.a., a car salesman). Despite their slow but steady attraction to each other, neither one of them is sure that they're compatible. To complicate matters, Brecee is the sole unattached Carmen daughter when it seems as though everyone else around her—family and friends—is finding love.Through a series of discoveries, Adrian and Brecee learn that things don't always happen by coincidence. Generational forces are at work, keeping promises, protecting family members, and perhaps even drawing Adrian back to the church he had strayed from. Is it possible that God has been playing matchmaker all along?

Besides cute, sweet little babies on the cover, sweet cute puppies are the runners up. Don't miss the six book collection from our SSR authors. But today, September 24th from 4-7 pm EDT, the celebration kicks off in the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe. Join us! Then, every Friday in October, join them from 2 pm-7 pm, for fun, games, and prizes as they chat about their Puppies for Christmas series at Sweet Romance Reads on FaceBook:

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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. 

Her new release, Here for You, are receiving rave reviews. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Connecting with old friends - Laura Ashwood

Last week I got an unexpected call from a dear friend of mine from high school. She was wanting to get away for a few days and knew we lived by the big lake (Lake Superior), so she asked if I had plans and could she stay with us. We hadn't seen each other for a couple of years (we live nearly 500 miles apart), so I readily agreed. 

Fall up the north shore of Minnesota is amazing. We began our day by driving to Two Harbors so she could see the lighthouse. It's about a 90 minute drive there and we had a blast catching up and reminiscing. It was drizzly when we left my house and by the time we got to the lighthouse, it was really foggy, but it was really pretty. 

After we were done in Two Harbors, we continued north to Gooseberry Falls. There are two different series of waterfalls there and it was a nice hike. The weather had cleared by then and the temps were in the mid-60s. We continued catching up, we've really only seen each other three or four times in the last thirty years, and most were big events (our weddings) that didn't allow us a chance to really talk.

We continued north to Split Rock Lighthouse, which sits on a 168 foot cliff. It's a sight to behold. A mile long hike led to the beach where we made a rock stack and marveled in God's creation. I love the water and would love to live near the ocean, but not being even close to that in Minnesota, Lake Superior is the next best thing. It's so peaceful listening to the water rush against the rocks that litter the shoreline. 

No trip up the north shore is complete without a stop at Betty's Pies. It's a local landmark, and didn't disappoint. We each got a slice of pie called Great Lakes. It's the great taste of apple, blueberry, rhubarb, strawberry and raspberry all rolled into one. 

The return trip to Duluth and Canal Park was filled with talk about dreams and goals. It gave me an opportunity to reassess my own goals in a different way than when I plan at the beginning of the year. 

It was fun to take a look back, but I honestly appreciated our talk about what's to come even more. 

In this time of so much negativity and uncertainty and stress, it was nice to take some time with a friend and just appreciate some of the good things in this world. 

In my book, An Agent for Clarissa, Clarissa has a dear friend named Amy, who is much like my friend Pamela (she's on the right). She is probably my oldest friend, and while I have other close friends, this particular friendship will always be special.

Do you still have friends from school? I'd love to hear. 

Until next month....

xo, Laura

~~~~

Christmas Puppies are coming! Six of our SRR authors have written stories featuring a puppy for Christmas. Join them on the SRR Cafe tomorrow (9/24) from 2 pm-7 pm, for fun, games, and prizes.

~~~~

Visit Laura at her website at www.lauraashwood.com.

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Charleston by Janice Lynn

2020 has been difficult on so many for such a plethora of reasons. I could list out all the bleh things that have happened in my own life, but quite simply, I refuse to. Instead, my plan is to continue to keep my eyes and heart focused on all the good that still exists. 

My husband normally works on Saturdays, so any time he's able to take that day off and we get a long weekend together is a blessing. My middle son lives in Columbia, SC, and my dear hubby planned a quick stopover visit on our way to Charleston to celebrate my birthday. We were a little hesitant about traveling outside the state where we live, but never felt uncomfortable. Charleston has a mask mandate and the people there were genuinely kind. Our quick getaway wasn't nearly enough time to see all the amazing things this historic city has to offer, but it was a great start.

Things we loved about Charleston--The history. This city is packed full of history. Good, bad, ugly--it's all there. The historic district is home to some amazing antebellum homes. I never realized Charleston's wealth and role in the events that have shaped our nation, so visiting was a great history lesson, but I've admittedly much more to learn. We spent a lot of time walking around downtown, just admiring the homes and imaging a time long past. We also took a horse carriage tour. Lots of fun and even more great information about the history of Charleston. This city has seen more than its fair share of devastation between fires, earthquakes, and war battles. There's lots of evidence that can still be seen in the buildings from the earthquake from reinforcements to how some significantly slant. 

The Churches-- Charleston is known as the Holy City as they offered religious freedom to all. For that reason, there are many gorgeous churches throughout the area. 

The food!--Yum. We ate really well in Charleston, so it's a good thing we did so much walking. I didn't take pictures of most of the deliciousness we encountered, but I did a few such as these friend green tomatoes and dish from Hall's Steakhouse. It was a really nice restaurant and the food and service were excellent. When we got home, we had a card from our waitress thanking us for letting her serve us. Never had that happen before. 

The trees--There are some amazing trees in the Charleston area. The most famous of which is Angel Oak. We didn't make it there, but did visit Ellis Oak Park where there were also some gorgeous trees (and some pesky fireants! Eek!). 

The water--Charleston boasts a bay where fresh water and the Atlantic meet. There are an abundance of sea life, a light house that now sits out in the sea due to land erosion, and gorgeous sunsets over the bay.

Plantations--We only made it out to one--Middleton. It's a beautiful place and interesting to see that glimpse of the past and to learn so much about the culture and people of that time. We hope to visit several others on our next trip to the area.

Although my upcoming Hallmark Publishing October 27th release Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy is set in the South, it's in a fictitional town called Pine Hill, KY. What are some of your favorite Southern cities to visit and why? Or if you don't have a favorite one in the South, then where & why cause I may want to go visit? :)

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 is available at AMAZON Barnes & Noble WALMART

New Member Intro

 by Fran McNabb

A big thank you to the authors of Sweet Romance Reads for including me in their group. Since this is my first post to this blog, I’d like to introduce myself. I’ve been writing sweet romances since my first book was published in 2006 by Avalon Books. In fact, it was one of my fellow Avaloners, who told me about this group. (Thank you, Jean.)

Writers love the written word and most have a story about when they knew they wanted to be authors. My story isn’t exciting or unusual. I was a high school English and journalism teacher. My world revolved around words and literature. When I had to take an early medical retirement and found myself stuck in the house, boredom set in. I had always been a “closet writer,” so I had lots of old, typewriter pages of manuscripts stuffed under my bed. One day as I cleaned, I found these manuscripts and began to go through them.  That’s when I knew I had the time and the love of writing to do something with them.

I could have gone in many directions with my writing, but it was Avalon, a family-friendly library publisher, who took a chance on me. They published the first three of my books, and publishing with them led me to choosing my sweet brand. Montlake Publishing now owns those three books as well as one more. The Wild Rose Press has published two novels and one short story. (“Smoothing a Rocky Road” is my newest. It’s a short read in their One Scoop of Two Series.) I also have three books with Winged and six self-published books (three are still available.)

I enjoy creating stories where couples are awakened to the awareness of love and to the realization that their love can bloom. In my latest story, “Smoothing a Rocky Road,” my characters meet on the Gulf Coast, which is my home. The story is a quick beach read and features a local teacher and a pilot in the Air Force who is on temporary duty at Keesler Air Base in Biloxi. It can be found at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G8CBY5W/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_-cvtFb8J4105J

Again, I am thankful to be part of Sweet Romance Reads and I look forward to meeting the readers of this blog.

FRAN MCNABB grew up along the beaches, islands, and waterways of the Gulf Coast and uses this setting in many of her sweet romances. Visit her at https://www.FranMcNabb.com

Good Things Happen, Too by Merri Maywether

My first library class of the school year begins with wide-eyed five-year-olds. I have them sit on the ABC rug and read a story about being nice to our books. They appropriately gasp in horror at damaged books. 

” 

For years, I will see these children, suggesting books they might like, listening to them read, and developing a rapport. 

On the last day of sixth grade, the rest of the school holds hands London Bridge style, forming a school length human tunnel. The kids chant, “On to Jr. High,” as a celebratory send-off, and I am at the end of the line with a welcome sign. 

They are in a new building, but they are safe. The same person who greeted them on the first day of school will be with them as their middle school reading, writing, study hall teacher.. and librarian. 

This year’s seventh-grade class lost out on the tradition. They also missed out on the end of the year camping trip, and there were no goodbye hugs from the sixth-grade teacher. 

I heard about it on the first day of school. And the litany of 2020 woes began. 

We had been in school for two weeks when I had had enough. People all over the country are facing unimaginable uncertainty. Our class sizes are so small, we were able to return to in-person school. The summer weather afforded our farmers abundant crops.

I had to put a stop to the negativity. My ponytail wagged as I spoke with emphasis. “Sometimes, bad things happen. We can’t blame a year for everything that goes wrong.”  That was code for, I hate to say it, kids, but you’ve been losing your favorite pencil at the craft center for years.  “That and 2020 has brought us good things.” 

Of course, they challenged me. “Name one.” 

Without missing a beat, I declared. “That’s easy. I get to see you for three hours every day, and that makes me happy.” I gestured my I told you so with my hands. “So while 2020 has had its struggles, it has brought me something amazing, too.”

Obviously stunned, eleven of my twelve students straightened.  The twelfth, a wiry, freckle-faced boy whose voice has the starting to change low tones, said, “I don’t think you’ll feel that way once you get to know me.” 

The moment was sealed in our hearts with the laughter that ensued.  

This year is rough. However, the fires of frustration have yielded some gold. My husband learned to wash dishes. We are grateful for our meals, whatever they contain.  We talk to more frequently to our children. The biggest takeaway, we have learned to love life when she isn’t perfect. 

Meet Merri Maywether

Twenty years ago, Merri Maywether went on a date with a very sweet man from Montana. Three weeks later, they were engaged and they have lived happily ever after. 

💖💖💖

If you are looking for a feel-good, happily ever after, small-town experience, I have a story for you. When I write my romance novels, the characters are inspired by the people I see on a day to day basis. Up here in what I like to call the far, far north, people work hard, live fiercely, and love knowing that they have a community behind them. When I'm not writing, I'm testing out an adventure that will end up in a book or trying a character's favorite recipe

If you're looking for more titles or quick reads visit my website Small Town Stories 

Vacation Time the Good the Bad and the Ugly

Last week my husband and I took a much needed vacation to Central Oregon. We spent the first couple of days in Bend. This is the view from our hotel room. I'm not sure if you can tell, but the air is a little smokey. Not nearly as bad as it would get in the days to come.

In spite of the smokey air we were able to enjoy ourselves and had fun taking long walks along the river.

The morning after we arrived we enjoyed a spectacular sunrise thanks to the smokey air.

The next day we headed to Sunriver, our favorite vacation destination as well as the setting for my Sunriver Dreams series. We were blessed with two nice days. Our favorite activity in Sunriver is riding bikes. I took this next picture while we were riding along a river trail. I really miss that blue sky!

While we were riding I spotted a huge buck through some brush. I've never been that close to a buck of that size. I took a picture, but it's too hard to see him in the pic through the brush.

Instead I thought I show this deer. There was a herd that came by every morning and evening. I couldn't believe how close they got to us. One morning I counted ten deer. There was a small buck in the herd too. Even though this looks like it could be a buck it's an illusion.

The next day wild fire smoke moved in, so we hung out indoors. We ended up leaving for home a day early because the smoke was so bad it was getting into the house we'd rented. While we were in Sunriver, fires in Oregon exploded. Entire towns were destroyed. The devastation is hard to comprehend. Places we'd driven through just days before are gone. 

We couldn't go home the way we'd come and ended up going two to three hours out of our way to get there, but that was nothing compared to what others were dealing with.

Here's the view from one part of our drive. Sadly it got worse. 

We are now at home. The air quality is currently above 500. We are hunkered down with taped up doors and windows. We used towels at the bottom of our doors to try and keep the smoke out. 

Smoke was getting in from our air ducts, so we've turned off our air and heat, closed and covered our vents. We'll get that dealt with once the smoke clears. In the meantime we have a space heater we move around from room to room as well as a good portable air cleaner.

I am grateful for the beauty we experienced in the early days of our vacation. I'm also grateful to have a home to come home to.

If you are a praying person please remember the states along the west coast. 

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Learn more about Kimberly and her books at https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

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Smiles by Merrillee Whren

 

 

What is better than a smile to brighten your day and your outlook? Today I'm going to share some quotes about smiles to hopefully brighten your day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have to admit to having my characters smile a lot. Sometimes their smiles aren't all genuine. They are smiling on the outside and crying on the inside. Sometimes we all have an occasion when we put on a happy face even though we aren't feeling it. But I hope that most of our smiles are happy ones.

Here are a few of my smiling characters. 

 

Do you have a favorite quote about smiles?

 

 

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.