Lyn Cote says One Month Down and 11 to Go! And Other Random thoughts!

I used to think that January was the L  O  N  G  E   S    T  of the year! But for at least the past decade it flies by just like every other month! Am I the only one who has noticed this trend? 

Also are you inundated by a slew of calendars every year?

And how about every non-profit that thinks you still do A LOT of snail mail and need return labels?

Also I thought that the Forever stamps were a good idea. Saved us from going to the post office to buy 1 cent stamps to get the right postage. But now I see that it's to keep us from noticing how high first class postage has risen!

I can remember 3 cent stamps. Slapping my head. I shouldn't have said that--yes, I am in my "golden" years. And who thought that nonsense up???

Would you like to share any random thoughts about something that you notice and adds to the job of sorting and outsourcing stuff you don't need?

I burn or shred the address labels, trash some things and Goodwill get some!--Lyn 

BTW-new book out this month!

Kat’s Strictly Business Partner debuts February 8^th!

by Lyn Cote

A spunky heroine takes on a wounded hero as partner, but will they keep it strictly business? 

Don’t miss this sweet, sometimes humorous, small town romance .

Click here for more info.

Shattered Trust by Laura Scott

 

Good morning from Laura Scott!

I just returned from a well needed vacation with my hubby so I'm a little behind, sorry about that. I decided to do my blog post today to talk about my new release, Shattered Trust. This is the fourth book in my Monroe Family series. This is firefighter Austin Monroe's story and he falls hard for single mom Lindsey and her son Josh. He is also her deceased husband's partner and best friend.

Trust is a big issue in this story, especially for Lindsey. And Austin's playboy lifestyle does not help matters. She doesn't want to be one of his many girlfriends. Especially since she had her son to consider.

I hope you consider giving Shattered Trust a try.

Shattered Trust by Laura Scott $2.99

Medical drama from the Monroe Family!

A deathbed promise…

Firefighter Austin Monroe knows his partner’s death is his fault. Guilt he’d take to his grave. When he’s called to the scene of a local fire, he’s surprised to find Lindsey and her young son among the victims. He wants to help, to fulfill his promise to his partner, but Lindsey is just as determined to go it alone.

Lindsey didn’t want Austin to know the truth about the pile of debt she’d uncovered after her husband’s death. Discovering the truth had shattered her, in more ways than one. She didn’t want or need Austin’s pity, but the more time she spent with him, the more she found herself longing for more. But how could she possibly learn to trust her heart, again?

Amazon B&N Apple GooglePlay Kobo Laura'sWebsite

How About Those Resolutions? by Susan Aylworth

We're 26 days into the new year. How are you doing with your resolutions? As I've mentioned before, I've lost the habit. Instead, I have some ongoing goals, and each year, I commit to doing better at achieving them. This year, I've branched out a little with a few new twists to those same old goals. Please allow me to share.

Since my husband's death and my move to a new neighborhood in a new state, I've tried to jump in with both feet, getting involved in community activities. This year, I want to branch out even more, reaching beyond my immediate neighbors to get to know more people. That means volunteering to help with events, cooking for community meals, inviting people into my home, and showing up prepared at Book Club, among other things.

I'm also making a greater effort to be kind to those who work in service jobs. In the distant past, I've had my turn waiting tables, cleaning motel rooms, working as a short order cook, and running a cash register. I want those who serve me in such capacities to know I see them--not as tools, but as my equals doing work that makes my life easier. I thank them, and, when they have name tags, I try to use their names.

In the upheaval of 2023, I didn't issue a single book. I plan to release five in 2024, maybe six. That includes one new Christmas Town novel and several in other series that are written and awaiting revision. Roughly a month into the year, I'm on track to achieve this number, starting with Always a Rainbow, the brand new Book 7 in the Rainbow Rock Romance series.

Improving my spiritual outlook is a constant goal. I'm studying scripture more intently this year and making an effort to take more time and thought with meditation and prayer. I'm watching programs and listening to podcasts that help me to find greater depth in my study.

Recognizing that I've been highly blessed than many people around me, I've committed to reaching out more in charitable contributions. My goal to take commodities to the local Food Bank is going from five visits to six in 2024 with more offered in each visit, and I've increased charitable giving. 

These are my goals. They may not look at all like yours, but that's okay. We all came with different talents and interests and we've all been blessed with different gifts and resources. I'd love to hear how you plan to improve your own lives and the lives of those around you. What are your 2024 goals and how are you doing?

Susan Aylworth is the author of 25 published novels including small-town sweet romance series set in and near the Navajo Nation and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. as well as five books in the Christmas Town series. Susan lives near Utah's Rocky Mountains. Contact her at her website: susanaylworthauthor.com, @SusanAylworth, or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com. Susan loves travel, music, her large and scattered family, perfect raspberry jam, and hearing from readers. 

Are You A Party Person by Pat Simmons

 

Let the party begin!

In a few weeks, I'll reach a milestone in my life. To celebrate, I'm throwing a Medicare party. Yep. I'm working on my guest list of sixty-five friends who have impacted my life.  Five years ago, I did the same and had about fifty guests from grade school, high school, family, in-laws, and church friends.

I had an amazing time. Here is one of many photos taken from that party in 2019.

I kept it simple. All my guests had to do was show up. They didn't have to dress up or bring a gift. I wanted to celebrate their presence in my life. I hope to do the same this year.  For me, it's all about the fellowship and memories.

The day is also about reflection to remember the people, four of them, who are no longer here to laugh with or hug. I've outlived some of my classmates, relatives, and my father, so I'm thankful for birthdays, even if my hair is getting grayer every day. :)

I would love to hear about some of your theme parties.

For all the audio lovers, my publisher has a deal you won't want to miss. Hurry offer ends on January 31st.

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Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy sleuth passionate about researching her ancestors then casting them in starring roles in her novels. She is a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award for Best Inspirational Romance and the 2022 Leslie Esdaile Trailblazer Award recipient. Christmas Dinner was also an Emma Award winner for Book of the Year. Christmas Dinner and Here for You were featured in Woman’s World Magazine.

As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy Ghost as a life-altering experience. She has converted her sofa-strapped sports fanatical husband into an amateur travel agent, untrained bodyguard, and GPS-guided chauffeur. They have a son and a daughter. Pat holds a B.S. in mass communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has worked in radio, television, and print media for over twenty years. Visit her at www.patsimmons.net.

Camy Tang's Pink fuzzy stash buster blanket

Like many knitters, I have a lot of extra yarn, almost all leftovers from other projects, and I didn’t know what to do with it because there wasn’t quite enough to make anything except perhaps hand mitts or a scarflette, and I have tons of those.

So I decided to combine them all to make a blanket using Tunisian crochet!

I think it’s pretty! Here’s the Ravelry link in case you were interested: http://ravel.me/camytang/sbb

I showed the blanket to Captain Caffeine first, then to my friend Dineen Miller. After my visit with Dineen, I complained to the Captain:

Me: I showed Dineen my pink fuzzy blanket and she expressed the proper exclamations of praise for it.

Captain: Like what?

Me: “Oh, is this your pink fuzzy blanket? It’s so nice! I can’t believe you used all your stash yarn for it! I love how the pink fun fur makes it so cute and fuzzy! It’s so heavy! It’s so soft! It’s so pink! It’s so you!” (I pause for dramatic effect and give the Captain a Significant Look.)

Captain: You mean it’s not enough to say, “It’s nice”?

Me: (Incredulous look.)

Captain: I guess I can see the difference.

Me: !!!!!!!!!

Ahem Putting aside my husband’s complete lack of empathy, I love knitting and just shared a knitting pattern for the lacy fingerless mitts that appeared in my book Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 6: Martyr (writing as Camille Elliot). If you knit, I hope you check it out!

Resolutions or Rules for Life by Janice Lynn

In my upcoming release, Breaking the Nurse's No-Dating Rule, Nurse Julia has a rule book for how her life is going to go. She's made a lot of mistakes in the past and has convinced herself that sticking to the rules is the best way of staying on track to achieve her life goals.

What about you? Do you make resolutions each year or do you have a life's rule book that dictates your life? In some ways, I do have a book to guide my life as I believe in the Holy Bible, but beyond that I've sort of always had 'goal lists'. The first I recall was one I wrote at 16 years old where I made some goals for myself, some of which seemed so impossible that they were perhaps more life dreams. Unlike Julia, that list wasn't spurred by trying to avoid past mistakes as I was so young, but perhaps to avoid future ones and to push myself to achieve more. 

This past year, my only true resolution/goal for the year is something that I have been aware of for a while and wanted to work on being 100% consistent. At the beginning of a new year seemed a great time to commit to doing so. Mine had to do with social media and when I am wanting to convey compassion for someone and I write "Praying" or any form of implying I am that I stop whatever I am doing and actually pray right then. So far, I have stuck to that and I intend to do that as I want my words to be more than an expression of my compassion/concern, but to be words of action.

Julia's background wasn't as blessed as what my life has been. I haven't dealt with abusive or neglectful parents and have been fortunate to not deal with substance abuse. Julia has dealt with those things and overcome them. In her determination to do better, she has become very much a rule follower and doesn't allow herself to budge because of inherent fears she has of how she might slip up if she starts relaxing on her life guidelines. In general, I'm a rule follower. I like the order of knowing what to expect when rules are followed. I also like breaking the rules and being surprised by the outcome from time to time. Julia is still learning how to do that and that, sometimes, breaking the rules can be the best thing to happen. Fortunately, she has Dr. Boone Richards eager to help her with the lesson that love doesn't play by a rule book.

Are you a rule-follower or a rule-breaker? Do you like structured environments or not really?

Available January 23, 2024 or pre-order now from your favorite book retailer. 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble

Harlequin

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty 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, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  The WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS books are available at AMAZON Barnes & Noble WALMART & many other place where you buy books. WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE is coming Christmas 2024.

Extending the Holiday Glow: Simple Ways to Keep the Cheer Alive All Year by Merri Maywether

The festive season, with its sparkling lights and shared moments of joy, may have passed, but who says the warmth has to fade away? As a writer of sweet romances, I believe in nurturing the spirit of love and cheer all year round. Here are some heartwarming ideas to keep the embers of holiday cheer aglow as we settle into our daily routines.

• Continue the Tradition of Giving: The holiday season often brings out our generous spirit. Why not keep it going? Small acts of kindness, like baking cookies for a neighbor or shoveling a walkway for someone who has had a rough day, can spread immense joy and keep the spirit of giving alive.

• Create Cozy Moments: Even without the holiday decorations, you can create cozy spaces in your home. Curl up with a good book (I know of an author who writes sweet romances set in small-town Montana), light some candles, and enjoy a warm cup of tea. These moments of tranquility are like hugs for the soul.

• Plan Future Gatherings: Organize small get-togethers with friends and family. A potluck dinner or a simple game night can recreate the communal joy of the holidays.

• Embrace the Outdoors: Nature has a unique way of lifting our spirits. A brisk walk in the park or a short hike can refresh your mind and keep you connected to the world's beauty.

Remember, the essence of the holidays is about love, kindness, and joy - emotions that know no season. Let's carry these beautiful sentiments with us throughout the year.

In the spirit of sharing and staying connected, I invite you to share your unique ways of keeping this warmth alive. 

What unique traditions, activities, or acts of kindness do you continue into the new year to maintain that festive spirit? 

Share your stories and ideas in the comments below. Let's inspire each other with ways to recognize the joy of giving and loving all year round!

***

Looking for a read that embraces the gift of giving. Holiday Kisses is the story for you. 

Iris Sinclair has a secret. Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, she becomes the Holiday Kisses Angel. She leaves little anonymous gifts to warm hearts during the chilly season.

However, This year, her tradition takes an unexpected turn when her best friend, Jordan, starts seeing her in a new, romantic light.

As their friendship blossoms into something deeper, a challenge surfaces.

Someone is trying to find the identity of the Holiday Kisses Angel, and they have enlisted Jordan's help.

The Paradise Hills promise of a magical happily ever after is tested when the best friends are forced to choose between their blossoming love or the secret.

Holiday Kisses is available at your favorite online ebook retailer.  

|Get Holiday Kisses| 

Lyn Invites You to Download her FIRST FREE EBOOK of the year!

 I usually do four free promotions per year. So why miss the first one?

Can a shy girl find her moxie and her hometown hero?  Or “let” him win her?

Food blogger and columnist Hannah, recently “unengaged,” strikes out to help her parents get settled in their new house and show them the new forceful Hannah.  When she arrives, what meets her eye— just a foundation! What’s wrong with the builder—Guthrie?

How can Hannah achieve her hopes of helping her parents get settled well before snow flies. As she pursues her goal which involves the hardworking good-guy Guthrie, she and Guthrie both battle any temptation to love again. What will it take to bring these two stubborn hearts to a second chance at love?

BTW, you don’t want to miss Guthrie’s eccentric great aunts—Patsy and Penny—a hoot and a half!

Don’t miss this heartwarming story of love, faith and the power of forgivenessby a USA Today Bestselling author of over fifty romances.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR FOR MORE INFO.

January Anniversary by Merrillee Whren

This time of year people are thinking of the new year. Some make resolutions. Some find a word for the year. I don't do neither, but I often set some goals for the new year and take a look back at the goals I made the year before to see what I've accomplished. Last year I made some hefty goals, not all of them reached. No problem. I just push them into the new year. Even though I didn't accomplish all of them. I did accomplish a good number, and that makes the goal setting worthwhile. 

This year as I look at January, I was thinking about my parents who had a January wedding anniversary. They were married in 1945 near the end of World War II, but at the time they didn't know how soon the war would be ending. Victory in Europe would come a few months later and then victory in Japan would follow a few months after that. They were married in Amarillo, Texas. 

Here is a photo of them on their wedding day. My dad was a sergeant in the army, but thankfully, he never had to see combat. He trained pilots. He had wanted to be a pilot, but his color blindness prevented him from flying himself. I wish I had taken time to find more about their love story, but often the young don't think about those things. It's only when you get older that those kinds of questions arise, and unfortunately, my parents passed before I ever thought to ask that question.

 

Here is a photo of their cake topper. It is 79 years old. 

 

  Do you know your parents' love story?

 

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.

 

Puppy Adoption Tips by Josie Riviera

I hope that you enjoyed my sweet holiday romance, Cocoa's Christmas Love, as well as all of the other wonderful books in our "Puppies for Christmas" collection.

This month, discover the magic of winter and the enduring joy of puppy companionship in my latest boxed set, Pawfect Christmas Hearts. But first, let's prioritize your furry friend with essential puppy adoption tips for the winter season.

Winter-Ready Essentials: Start the year on a cozy note and ensure your pup is snug in a warm coat or sweater for outdoor walks.

Indoor Playtime: Engage your pup with indoor playtime, interactive games, and training sessions.

Health and Wellness Check: Prioritize your puppy's health by consulting your vet about their winter diet and hydration need.

Winter Safety Outdoors: Keep your pup safe during outdoor walks, avoiding harsh winter elements and harmful substances.

Create a Cozy Haven: Designate a warm and inviting space for your pup to retreat to.

Winter Wellness Routine: Establish a routine that nurtures your pup's well-being, ensuring they are happy and content.

Now that your pup is all set for a cozy winter, dive into the heartwarming romances of Pawfect Christmas Hearts – the perfect read to warm your heart on chilly January nights!

Each of the 3 books in this boxed set is a delightful gift wrapped in the spirit of the season, tied with a bow of adorable puppies. These stories are more than holiday romances; they highlight the power of love, second chances, and the enduring warmth of small-town communities.

In A Christmas Puppy To Cherish, discover that love knows no boundaries, not even those of communication, as an open heart leads to a heartwarming connection.

Christmas In The Air takes you on a journey where secrets shared on an airplane come to light under the twinkling holiday stars.

And in Cocoa's Christmas Love, the magic of the season is reignited through the gentle touch of a florist's Wishing Blooms, a rescued pup's unconditional love, and the transformative power of Christmas itself.

Grab your pre-order copy of Pawfect Christmas Hearts today. Available in ebook, paperback, and large print paperback. Audiobooks for each book sold separately.

Josie Riviera is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, historical, and inspirational romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully support husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovation.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: josieriviera.com

Meet the Highfield Family! by Christine Bush

 

Meet the Highfield Family…

Love, adventure, and mystery!  Meet the sons and daughters of tycoon Hugh Highfield.  Each has to strive to identify themselves to find their authentic path in the world, facing challenges and conflicts along the way.  And love?  It’s worth the effort!  Check them out!

 

Amazon.com: Noah's Bark eBook : Bush, Christine: Books

Noah's Bark

Hope Highfield has followed her own path, loving her life as a veterinarian in Ryerstown, Pennsylvania.  She likes to stand up for causes and save things, whether that means rescuing any kind of unloved animal, be they puppies, chickens, goats or a homeless teenager.  But the budget is tight when you are paid for your services in eggs or a homemade pie.  Noah Brandywine, the CEO whose beauty products  company is across the river from her veterinarian clinic, won’t answer her phone calls about testing on animals. He lives to rue the day…can he handle the strong minded independent woman who won't be ignored? Can he find the answers she is looking for so she'll believe his good intentions?

Amazon.com: Cindy's Prince: 9781499587241: Bush, Christine: Book

Cindy's Prince

Princeton Highfield is the youngest son of wealthy transportation magnate Hugh Highfield, graduate of Princeton University,  in the family tradition. So far, his biggest challenge in life has been to win an intense game of tennis at their Main Line country club.  But then he meets Cindy Castle, a hard working, Birkenstock-wearing librarian who is raising her orphaned niece and nephew. It’s like a reverse Cinderella story.  Cindy loves her life, and refuses his attempts to bring her into his moneyed world.  Instead she challenges him to use his gifts to make the world a better place.  But something has gone wrong, and her life is suddenly in danger. Is he brave enough to solve the mystery? Is he brave enough to love?

 

 Amazon.com: Sunny's Smile eBook : Bush, Christine: Books

Sunny's Smile

 Benedict Highfield is the oldest son of Hugh Highfield, successful, strong, retired from the Air Force as a hero.  He has a new mission, sent by his father to locate his missing younger sister Lucy, who had disappeared from her University, most probably with a most unsuitable boyfriend.  Last tracked to Arizona, and the Navaho Indian Reservation, he flies his new light plane to find her.  But his plane crashes, and he finds more than he expected, including a way of life that is certainly different, a very happy sister, and a challenging woman named Sunny. The residents of the reservation are having a major problem.  Can his abilities help solve the string of crimes that are happening?  And can he find a way to live in Sunny’s world, full of tradition and simplicity, instead of the wealthy corporate world that is waiting for him back in Philadelphia?

 Enjoy these fun reads as we nestle into our warm homes on these cold winter nights! I’d love to hear what you think about the Highfield’s and their stories!

Love,   Christine

Christine Bush is a USA Today Bestselling author of romance, romantic mystery, and suspense.  She can be found living in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania with her husband and 2 lazy cats, and spending time with her 14 grandchildren.   When she’s not writing, she’s teaching Psychology at a local college, and working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to hear from readers and writers!

 

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