Spring into Life by Janice Lynn

Hello! Yesterday was the first day of spring. Yay! I'm in Middle Tennessee and the weather was rather cold and icky here. As would have it, the previous day was gorgeous and felt like spring. Y'all know I love Christmas so I'd understand if someone thought winter was my favorite season. It's actually spring. I adore the renewing of life that happens this time every year. Blah goes to vibrant colors and the world just feels better.

It's still a bit early for me to start thinking flowers and the like as I suspect this isn't our last cold snap. I try to buy flowers that will come back each year, but I always end up with lots that have to be replaced annually, too. I particularly love Zinnias. I usually start them from seed. Some years they are amazing. Some years, not so much. Here's a pic from a few years ago. :)

What about you? Do you go all out with your spring gardening at the first sign of spring or do you hold off until late spring? 

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  

Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

Wrapped Up in Christmas Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuyec
Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy https://amzn.to/47wB8qW
Wrapped Up in Christmas https://amzn.to/4gvI1wP

And the newest, WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE. Order your copy today. Amazon Barnes & Noble

Celebrating Women and Their Stories: Honoring Women’s History Month

March is a special month—a time to celebrate Women’s History Month and honor the incredible achievements, resilience, and contributions of women throughout history. As someone who loves writing about women helping each other through life’s milestones, this month feels especially meaningful to me.

In my books, the bond between women is a recurring theme, starting with my first story featuring Aunt Tee in 222 Redemption Lane. Aunt Tee believed in the power of connection and organized an event specifically so her nieces could reconnect. That one act set the tone for something I’ve carried through every one of my stories: the importance of women supporting, mentoring, and inspiring each other.

The theme of friends as mentors and inspiration is at the heart of my writing. Whether it’s a seasoned friend offering wisdom, a community rallying around someone in need, or sisters rediscovering the strength of their bond, these relationships are the soul of my stories.

It’s also something I’ve experienced firsthand. The women in my life have always been there to give me that little nudge when I’ve wanted to do something but didn’t quite have the confidence. Together, we’ve competed in Spartan Races, danced just because, and—my favorite—worked together to bring sweet, clean romance stories to readers like you. These moments remind me of the incredible power of encouragement and the joy that comes from shared experiences.

Women’s History Month is a perfect time to celebrate these connections. Behind every groundbreaking achievement or quiet triumph, there’s a network of women cheering, guiding, or simply standing by. It’s a beautiful reminder that milestones are rarely reached alone—and that lifting each other up can make all the difference.

This month, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the women who’ve impacted your life. Who has lifted you up during your milestones? Who are the women you’ve cheered on in return?

Let’s celebrate these connections and milestones and the incredible women who make them possible. If you’d like, share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear about the inspiring women in your life.

Until next time, let’s continue to honor, support, and celebrate each other.

- - -

222 Redemption Lane is available for free at your favorite online ebook retailer

Lyn Cote's 1st FREE EBOOK for 2025

 

What will it take for a clueless computer genius to notice the caring woman at the desk beside him? Will he solve the case before someone dies?

She has loved him since the day he hired her.

Unable to avoid her feelings for her boss, Annie’s about to quit the job she loves. But an unexpected call from Jack’s estranged, successful surgeon father upends Annie’s plan and Jack’s life. He wants nothing to do with his father.

But with Jack’s record with successful cyber security, he’s the man for the job. Jack wants to refuse. But Annie insists it’s a business decision. Secretly she believes Jack needs to face his father. This might crack open the “firewall” around his emotions.

Will he catch the hacker in time?

The cyber attacks increase possible danger to patients and their care. What if medicines are altered or given to the wrong patient? Lives are at stake. Will Jack stop the hacker and finally let God help him realize that Annie is a treasure who’s been in front of him all along? From a Carol Award–winning author, a heart-warming, clean and wholesome Christian romance with a mystery.

“Witty, uplifting romance with computer intrigue

I love Annie and Jack. Annie gains confidence and Jack learns to truly forgive in this well-written book… I was engaged in this story from page one. If you enjoy clean romance with some mystery, do not miss this book.”

Cick here to download for free.

Happy Pi Day! by Merrillee Whren

Every March 14, I can't resist talking about Pi Day. I won't be making a pie today because I'm not eating any sweets these days, but I am going to talk about the mathematical pi. I might celebrate with a pizza pie. Pi Day is celebrated on March 14 because 3, 1, and 4 are the first three digits of the mathematical Pi.

The official declaration of Pi Day wasn't made until 2009 by the United States House of Representatives when they declared March 14 as National Pi Day. Previous to that a group of workers at the San Francisco science museum, the Exploratorium, celebrated the day. The fact that Albert Einstein was born on March 14 is an interesting bit of trivia to go along with Pi Day. Here is a little more trivia about Pi Day. The number can go on forever. In 2021, the University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland calculated that Pi can go on for over 62 trillion digits. Also on Pi Day you can get bargains on pizza. Click or tap here for some of them.
 

Since I'm a word person and not a math person, I have to bring reading into this post somewhere. In the last book of my Kellersburg series, Hometown Girl, my hero Wes is a math guy. He is an accountant for a medical devices company. However, his occupation has little to do with the story except that he plans to go into the ministry and leave his accounting job behind. Here's a little excerpt from the story. 

With jeans rolled up almost to his knees and sand stuck to his feet, Wes wiped the sweat from his forehead. He wished he’d taken the time to change into appropriate beachwear before he’d rushed out of the hotel room, but his need to escape had trumped changing into swim trunks and flip-flops.

      Wes held his shoes, with his socks stuffed into them, in one hand as he stood at the edge of the water and stared out at the waves. They rushed over his feet and washed away the sand. He tried to assess his feelings, but they were a jumbled mess of what ifs. The temptation to stay with Sam had inundated him, much like the waves covering his feet. His head pounded with the realization that he had almost thrown aside every conviction he’d ever had about God’s plan for sex.

     Wes’s thoughts skittered in his brain like the little bird racing across the beach. How could he have so easily fallen into that trap? He was studying to go into the ministry. He’d even completed his online ordination to officiate at his sister’s wedding. His accounting job had left him unsatisfied, and he wanted to do something that would make a difference in people’s lives. But if temptation could grab him like that, was he meant for ministry?

     A sudden sea breeze wafted across the beach and cooled his overheated body. Maybe if he stood here long enough, the breeze would cool his overheated mind. He needed to go back to his room and take a shower, but he couldn’t very well do that with Sam there. How long could he wander along the water’s edge? How long would it take him to get his head on straight?

     Praying about this whole thing should be his first order of business, but he couldn’t form a coherent prayer. Maybe this was one of those times mentioned in Romans 8. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

     Wordless groans. That was all Wes had.

     Taking a shoe in each hand, he held out his arms and let the breeze ruffle his shirt. He turned and looked back down the beach. His hotel’s yellow stucco walls stood out among the beige and gray of the other hotels. He had to face his fears. The biggest one right now occupied his hotel room.

     Who would ever have guessed that Samantha Dawson would turn into such a beauty, with dark-brown hair and eyes to match, and become his biggest temptation?

 

You can click or tap on the title of the book above to learn more.

Are you a math person?

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. 

 

Seven Brides for Seven Texans by Vickie McDonough

 

Do you remember the old tv series called Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? I'm pretty sure it was also made into a movie. I enjoyed the knock-off series called Here Come the Brides. I was much younger when it was on and had a bit of a crush on Bobbie Sherman. :) 

Now, you can read a similar series in book form. Seven Brides for Seven Texans is being re-released by Wild Heart Books in April, but you can pre-order it now and be one of the first to read it. You'll fall in love with these tough Texans and the special women who win their hearts.

In 1874 Texas, the wealthy patriarch of the 7-Heart ranch delivers an ultimatum to his seven independent sons: marry within the year or forfeit their inheritance. The directive sends these confirmed bachelors scrambling to secure their futures while protecting their fiercely guarded freedom.

While the youngest brother races to be first at the altar, the other brothers are more reluctant to tie the knot. The Hart brothers face unique challenges on the road to romance with a cast of remarkable women: a long-lost love haunted by the past, a former sweetheart guarding her heart, a cave-dwelling lady with mysterious money, a mail-order bride who falls for the wrong man, and a Civil War nurse willing to heal a scarred soldier's heart.

Will they find true love under the pressure of their father's demands, or will they sacrifice their inheritance to maintain their independence?

This fun series by an award-winning cast of authors is a great read. 

Pre-order now for only $5.99

Next month, I'll tell you about the sequel: Seven Brides for Seven Texas Rangers.

My novella in the series is #6 out of 7. Here's sneak peak:

Hartsville, Texas

1874

Stephen Austin Hart stood behind a parked wagon in the alley beside the blacksmith shop, watching the main road leading into Hartsville. The stage was due in five minutes, although that didn’t mean it would arrive any time soon. Or even today. 

Leaning back against the wall of the mercantile, he tried to stop the apprehension snaking through him. He hadn’t been this nervous since his first few battles during the War Between the States. Something in his gut told him he was making a huge mistake, but what choice did he have after his pa issued that ultimatum—get married in a year or lose his inheritance. 

He couldn’t lose the land that represented his future—land that had been in his family going on three generations. Here he was the oldest of the Hart brothers and still wifeless, while all of his brothers were now married, except Bowie. His youngest five brothers had hopped on the task of finding a bride like cats on crickets, and each one had met with success and was happier now than he’d ever seen them. He didn’t begrudge their success or happiness, but he sure didn’t like that his pa had forced them all to marry so quickly. 

Would Pa really deny him his inheritance if he didn’t marry? The huge ranch house that had been the family home all his life was supposed to go to him, as well as a big section of land due south of it. What if things didn’t go as planned? Could he lose everything? If that happened, could he ride off like Bowie had done, turning his back on his heritage?

Austin gritted his teeth. No. He couldn’t. The Seven Heart ranch was his home. His only option was to marry-no matter what. 

        Like any warm-blooded man, his eye had strayed toward a pretty woman when he encountered one, but he’d never thought much about marrying. He stayed too busy for that, trying to keep things in order and running smooth at the ranch. But soon he would be married. Wrapping his mind around that notion wasn’t easy, especially since he’d never laid eyes on his future wife. But soon…. 

        He pressed his hand against his vest pocket, feeling the familiar crinkle. He’d done something none of his brothers had thought to do—sent for a mail-order bride. His gut churned as if he’d swallowed soured milk. What if he didn’t like her? What if she was plug ugly? What if she took one look at him and hopped back on the stage?

  Austin blew out a sigh. Character mattered more to him than looks, when it came down to what was most important in a long-term relationship. He hoped his bride felt the same. He could face a homely gal each morning as long as her cooking was good and she was honest and faithful to him and God. But knowing that didn’t take the edge off his jitters. The most important thing was that he could not fail.

      He had a feeling he was already starting off on the wrong foot since he had agreed to Jenny Evans’ request to meet him and then to spend a few days getting to know one another before they married. What if she decided she didn’t like him? His brothers had said plenty times he was too cranky. Too bossy. They didn’t realize how hard it was to keep six rowdy brothers, such a large ranch, and thousands of head of cattle all moving in the direction of profitability. One bad year of drought or sickness could ruin all that his forefathers had worked so hard to build. And even though his father was still alive, somehow the load of it all rode on Austin’s shoulders.

        Throwing an unknown woman into the whole shebang wasn’t something he could prepare for. But, he had no other option. He’d made up his mind to marry—and he rarely changed it once he’d decided on which trail to take. But he still wondered what he’d do if she changed her mind, which he was learning from his five sisters-in-law was something women did a lot. He booted a rock. It rolled across the narrow alley and thunked against the far wall. He couldn’t shake the worry that his bride would find him lacking.

He had to make her want to marry him.

  But he had no idea how to do that.

    

March is finally here! by Josie Riviera

March is an odd month, weather-wise. One day it's sunny and warm, and the next you're searching for your winter coat again. But after the long winter, I'll take it. At least the daylight hours are getting longer (thank goodness for Daylight Savings Time), and the first tiny flowers are poking through the ground. Daffodils, and soon, Bradford Pear blossoms, as well as Redbud trees.

Down here in the Carolinas, we get a much earlier spring than what we used to get when I lived in upstate New York. 

Of course, March also means St. Patrick's Day. Whether you're Irish or not, it's a fun excuse to wear green and maybe grab an "Irish" lunch with friends. Plus, my favorite fast food restaurant sells those addictive Shamrock Shakes - I'm not saying I have one every week, but I'm not saying I haven't either. :)

If you're looking for a free sweet romance "Irish" read, be sure to grab a copy of 1-800-IRELAND.

A strong-minded Irishwoman is pursuing her dream. A disillusioned businessman is ready to retire.

Can two determined people find true love at the end of an Irish rainbow?

Also free on Kindle Unlimited.

Want even more Irish romance? Grab your copy of Irish Hearts. 

Four "Irish" sweet romances in one boxed set. 

The 4 books in the set include:

OH DANNY BOY

A reader favorite! This pot of gold could hold more than they bargained for…

1-800-IRELAND
A strong minded Irishwoman pursuing her dream. A disillusioned businessman ready to retire. Can two determined people separated by years find true love at the end of a rainbow?

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

Bonus Story: A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding
A woman who wanted more. A man who wanted her. Can they rediscover their love in the seaside town where it all began?

Grab your copy of Irish Hearts today. Available in eBook, paperback, large print paperback, and audiobook. 

What's your favorite thing about March? Drop a comment below and let me know!

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