Saturday, May 31, 2025

Lyn Cote Has a New Book Out!





by Lyn Cote

Before you begin this series, you will want to read the prequel, my FREE novella, “Where Honor Began. Click here and download it for free and at the same time subscribe to my monthly newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time!



The “Three Women of Courage” series chronicles the lives of a mother and her two daughters. Each, in turn, becomes involved in the dramatic and pivotal movements in 19th century America: abolition, women’s rights, and the Civil War. And each one meets her match—a brave man who can’t resist the pull to a fearless woman, All three by Lyn Cote, a Carol award-winning author of fifty novels.

Book 1: A Life with Honor: After the death of her grandfather, Honor Penworthy finds herself unexpectedly  destitute. She is forced to leave her Maryland plantation?and the slaves she vowed to free?and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. They marry out of mutual necessity. Samuel is drawn to Honor but since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child, he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone.

Their move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, still haunted by leaving behind her enslaved people, she begins her search for others who want to end slavery. Soon she becomes increasingly?though secretly?involved in the infant movement for abolition. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth about her work for freedom drive them farther apart or unite them at last?

Click here to get your copy for $2.99 




Monday, May 26, 2025

Lyn Cote's 2nd FREE book in 2025

 


Daughter of parents who counted President Washington as a friend, Sarah had a bright future.


An unjust scandal casts Sarah outside the new American society. She forsakes the 13 United States for French Colonial New Orleans. But sailing the pirate-ridden Caribbean is no place for an unprotected lady. Hired to protect her, Mac McKuen finds her and the new city and the untamed frontier more challenging than they could imagine.


“Totally engrossing and believable. Adversity, intrigue, love and hate all flowing seamlessly in these early Americans.” Sale through Thursday May 29th.



https://www.amazon.com/Journey-Honor-Sweeping-Historical-Patriots-ebook/dp/B06ZYSQTPC



Saturday, May 24, 2025

I'm Okay When My City is Okay by Pat Simmons

I am borrowing this quote from Keisha Lee, executive director of Annie Malone Children's Home. St. Louis City is not okay as long as residents don't have power, a safe place to sleep, and access to meals, but the community is stepping up to provide help, not waiting for government assistance to arrive.



Last week,  a deadly EF3 Tornado bulldozed a path through neighborhoods in St. Louis, Missouri,


county and city, killing at least seven residents.

Tornadoes aren't foreign to Missourians, especially in St. Louis, but this one had a powerful punch with winds at 152 miles per hour.

This was our second twister within three months, which happened a few blocks from my house in the county. 

Fast forward to May 2025. News reports say the 23-mile tornado damaged nearly 5,000 buildings with an estimated cost of $1 billion. 

Given the large scale of damages, it is my opinion that rebuilding may take decades, but St. Louis will rebuild.

#WeAreSt.LouisStrong



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Check out my newest release in the Intercessors series.








Thursday, May 22, 2025

K-Drama Vibes + Family Secrets = Trouble | Year of the Dog Excerpt

Year of the Dog has less suspense than my other books. It’s a romantic comedy suspense more on par with The Lone Rice Ball and Single Sashimi. Here’s a snippet that I wrote:

***

Mari Mutou wouldn’t have rammed her SUV into the sleek, expensive-looking Audi if her brother-in-law hadn’t been cheating on her sister. Really, it wasn’t her fault.

And if she’d been running late, as she usually did, she wouldn’t have even noticed the fire-engine red Corvette parked on the edge of the real estate agency parking lot, much less the two people in it. She’d have sped past it on her way to meet her potential dog training client.

But for once in her life, she arrived early for her appointment with Jim Tong, who had asked her to meet him at his workplace during his lunch hour. Her SUV hustled into the lot, looking for a shady spot under a tree or, barring that, next to a new-ish luxury car, whose owner would be less likely to ding her new teal-green paint job.

She found a good spot all right. Good viewing spot for the couple smooching in the Corvette. She couldn’t see the face of the blonde woman, but she got an eyeful of the forty-ish man macking in the middle of the day in plain view of everyone. Really, some people had no shame about PDA …

Wait a minute. She knew that man.

That man was William. Her brother-in-law. Her sister’s husband of fifteen years.

What was he doing with that woman?!

Crunch! The truck jerked as if she’d run into something.

Oh, no. She had.

Her stomach clenched like a wrung-out rag. She was going to be sick.

She had hit a really nice car, from what she could see of its back end. Black racing-type. Expensive. And an extremely irate owner.

“What are you doing? Weren’t you even looking?” The man had barely any of the local pidgin accent in his crisp voice. He had Asian features (Japanese maybe? Or Korean? She wasn’t very good at being able to tell) but his short, softly waving hair was so dark a black it almost looked blue. Average height, but broad shoulders and a lithe, athletic grace as he walked—no, stomped toward her car. His hazelnut-colored eyes were irked and flashing, and a muscle pulsed in his strong jaw. In fact, he reminded her of a certain K-drama star ...

“Hello? Anybody home?”

“Huh?” She blinked, and visions of a painfully beautiful Korean movie star with his hair blowing in an artful wind dissolved into the angry real estate agent (she guessed—this was a real estate agency parking lot) who was making his immaculately tamed locks stick up at wild angles from pulling at it with long-fingered hands.

Oh, right. Fender-bender. Focus, Mari.

***

Year of the Dog released in the anthology Danger in the Shadows on May 13, 2025. Buy on Amazon or read on Kindle Unlimited!

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Veteran's, Memorial, & Labor Day-What Do They Mean to Us? by Janice Lynn

Most of us get excited over any day we get off work and it's even better if it's a paid holiday. There are several military holidays each year, although for most, most don't come as a paid holiday other than Memorial Day. 

We've just recently celebrated Armed Forces Day and will be celebrating Memorial Day soon. That used to not mean so much to me, but as I've aged I've come to appreciate the great freedom I enjoy as not everywhere in the the world has that privilege. My son is currently deployed. And, I volunteer as a medic to accompany WWII veterans on return trips to Normandy, France for D-Day anniversary events. Freedom and those who have done so much to provide it greatly matters to me

Armed Forces Day is for those still in uniform & is the third Saturday in May each year. It's to honor those who are actively serving to protect our freedom. 

Veterans Day is for those who have hung up their uniform. Veterans Day doesn't change by the day of the week, but is always on November 11th each year. The date is to commemorate the ending of World War I in 1918. 

Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor and remember those who never made it out of their uniform. Memorial Day is always the last Monday of the month in May. 

If you know much about my writing, then you know that my Wrapped Up in Christmas series feature Quilts of Valor. These are quilts meant to wrap those who've served in quilts of comfort, healing, and to welcome them home. Through my stories, I hope to provide satisfying romances that make readers feel the characters' journey, for the reader to laugh and maybe shed a tear or two. I also want to share my appreciation for our military in the stories, but in a way that hopefully isn't intrusive to the romance. 

I'm currently working on the fifth book in this series, Wrapped Up in Christmas Faith. and it will be available November 13, 2025.

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 Hope https://amzn.to/3Twuyec

Monday, May 19, 2025

💐 The Heart of Sweet Romance: Celebrating Moms and Second Chances by Merri Maywether

Around the world, Mothers are celebrated at various times in a variety of ways. 

💐 In the United States, we take a day to honor moms with cards, meals, and a little pampering. 

💐 In the United Kingdom, "Mothering Sunday" began centuries ago as a tradition of visiting one’s "mother church" and celebrating family. 

💐 In Mexico, "Día de las Madres" is filled with music, flowers, and family gatherings on May 10th. 

💐 In Ethiopia, families celebrate mothers during the Antrosht festival with feasts and song. No matter how or where it’s celebrated, the heart of the day remains the same: honoring women who love, nurture, and shape the world around them.

Mother’s Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, not because of the cards or flowers, but because of the small, heartfelt moments.


One of my favorite gifts came from our youngest son. He was the one the siblings used to negotiate later bedtimes, family outings, and impulse purchases. When he was fifteen, he wrote a cookbook with an illustrated cover for me. It had the ingredients for several meals made up (surprise, surprise), his favorite dishes. In the days and weeks after Mother’s Day, I happily cooked every recipe. 

When I write my sweet romance stories, I try to honor the mother’s journey. Most of the time, it’s a day-by-day process—growing, learning, and figuring out how to navigate a life where every decision impacts not just herself, but the people she loves most. Moms are the quiet heroes—lifting others up while carrying so much themselves.

And then, I love to introduce the unexpected:
💐 Love that opens her eyes to even greater hope than she already shares.
💐 Someone who laughs at her jokes (because there’s a season where kids insist their mom isn’t funny—even though we all know she could have been a professional comedian if she didn’t love being a mom so much).
💐 Best of all, someone who shows her the beauty within herself that she may have forgotten—or never fully seen.


In my upcoming release, Make Room for Second Chances, Millie is that kind of mom. She’s doing her best for her son Michael, building a beautiful life while expecting nothing in return. When love finds her through friendship and kindness, it’s a sweet reminder that second chances come when we least expect them—and often when we need them most.

The scene I'm sharing today begins when Millie finds Matthew in the middle of a big mess. Her kindness naturally comes out when she's with Matthew, offering him exactly what he didn’t realize he needed: a little help, a little hope, and a lot of heart.

Here’s a little sneak peek:

“Michael, this won’t take long. I’ll get the big pieces, and you can sweep up the smaller ones with the broom,” she said, gently directing Matthew’s attention to the utility closet. “We can use a vacuum for the shards.”

Matthew tried to object, “I can take care—”

Millie didn’t let him finish. “You know what they say about many hands.” Then she gave him the smile. The one that made Matthew feel like it didn’t matter what they were doing. She enjoyed spending time with him.

( Make Room for Second Chances is a Kindle Unlimited story)

Mothers show us that love isn't just grand moments—it’s found in the little things: a homemade cookbook, a broom, a soft smile that says, “I’m here.”

I’d love to hear from you:
What’s one of your favorite memories tied to your mom, a mother figure, or a fictional mom who made you smile?

Wishing you a May full of blooming possibilities and heartwarming moments. 🌸


Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Reprise (Dance Like a Chicken Day) by Merrillee Whren

 

May 14 is Dance Like a Chicken Day. I've mentioned this day before in a two previous blog posts. The first time was in 2019 and the second in 2021. Four years later, I'm taking advantage of this topic again. In the previous two posts, I mentioned that the "Chicken Dance" is often used at weddings receptions. In the first post I talked about a book that was only forming in my mind with a secondary character from another book. At that point I knew these four things:

Number one: Caroline Keller was the heroine's name. 
Number two: The book would be the fourth book in my Kellersburg series.
Number three:  Caroline was the sister of Nathan Keller, the hero of Hometown Dad, book #3 in the series.
Number four: Caroline had recently returned to the United States after serving as a missionary on the African continent. I still hadn't decided in which country.

This is the graphic I used in both of the previous posts. 

I mentioned that I had no idea that the chicken dance would appear somewhere in that book. I always marvel at how my pantser writer's brain can come up with unexpected things. At the wedding reception for her brother, Nathan, Caroline finds herself pulled into the chicken dance. In the scene just before the dance, the hero of Hometown Cowboy, Wyatt Bayer, has just had a hard conversation with Caroline, when the son's of the bride appear to ask Caroline to dance with them. The dance scene is in Wyatt's point of view, and he sees the smile that replaces her troubled expression. Even when life is troubled, the chicken dance can make you smile. Here is an excerpt from that scene. 

     “Aunt Caroline, Aunt Caroline.” Wyatt turned to see Ryan and Andrew, Melanie’s two sons, racing onto the portico. The boys stopped in front of Caroline. “You have to come and do the chicken dance with us.”
     Caroline looked at the two boys as a smile displaced her troubled expression. She stood. “Sure. I wouldn’t want to miss the chicken dance.”
     Wyatt followed behind while Caroline’s hard story stamped itself on his brain. Did this mean the end to their conversation and his plans? Probably. He figured she would never agree to go somewhere with him alone. He stood at the edge of the small dance floor and watched Caroline do the chicken dance with her nephews. He ached to make her that happy, but could she overcome what had been done to her? A dozen other questions danced in his mind to the frenetic tune filling the air.
     Nathan approached, a wide smile brightening his face. Wyatt looked pointedly at his friend. “You’re not doing the chicken dance?”
     “No. I’ll leave that to my wife and boys. I’m not sure who requested that silly song.” Nathan chuckled.  “I see you’re not joining in either.”
     Wyatt waved his cane. “I don’t want to fall on my face while I’m flapping my imaginary wings.”
     “Yeah, I see what you mean.” Nathan laughed. “Thanks again for finding this place for us. It’s great. Everything has been super.”
     “Glad to do it.” Wyatt’s thought wrapped around an idea. Maybe there was a way to take that trip to the ranch he’d planned with Caroline. “Did I hear your parents and the boys are staying here and enjoying the beach while you’re on your honeymoon cruise?”
     “That’s the plan.”
     “Do you suppose the boys would like to see a cattle ranch?”
     Nathan shrugged. “Why do you ask?”
     “The guy whose family owns this hotel also has a cattle ranch not too far away, and he’s invited me to visit. I’d like to do that, and I thought Ryan and Andrew might like to go with me.” Wyatt hesitated. “And I thought Caroline could drive us, since I can’t drive.”
     “Is this a ploy to get close to my sister?”
     Weighing his response, Wyatt stared at Nathan. “If it is, do you object?”
     Nathan clapped Wyatt on the shoulder. “No, but I’m not sure about Caroline.”
     “If she agrees, will it be okay with you?”
     Nathan shrugged. “You’ll have to run this by Melanie and my parents. Caroline can make up her own mind without my permission.”
     “I would like your approval.”
     “I think it’s Caroline’s approval you’ll need before mine, but I say go for it.”


I hope you enjoyed that little excerpt. You can buy Hometown Cowboy at these retailers.

Since the publication of this book, I've written two more books in the Kellersburg series, Hometown Hero and Hometown Girl. Please check out the whole series on my website. You can click or tap on here.

When you attend a wedding reception, if they play the chicken dance, do you participate?

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.


Monday, May 12, 2025


 

NEW RELEASE!


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 Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025

What a delightful book! Even though it was a long book, I had a hard time putting it down and when I was finished, I didn't want to leave the Hart family! I wanted to know how all of their futures turned out! After spending so much time with them, I felt like part of their family! award-winning cast of authors is a great read. 

From a Reviewer: 

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

Mail-Order Mayhem

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.

Purchase here:

Ebook

Paperback

Sunday, May 11, 2025

May Mornings: A Backyard Bird Story by Josie Riviera

You know what's making my mornings more delightful lately? My smart video bird feeder. What started as a simple gift that I purchased for myself after a book signing has turned into an amazing window into the secret lives of birds. In a few months, it's documented 30 different species visiting my yard. And the Carolina Wren has shown up 370 times!

May mornings are too perfect not to appreciate. The air still has a cool edge before the real Carolina heat kicks in, and my hydrangeas are starting to show off their first blooms of the season. I've already spotted three different shades of blue in the neighborhood.

Technology can be frustrating sometimes, but my bird camera is one of my best purchases ever. I used to see random birds and think, "Oh, pretty!" Now I'm getting detailed photos and data about every visitor. It's like having my own private nature documentary playing right in my backyard.

Even better, I can share the camera, so my husband, son, and granddaughters can also access the data.


I'm thrilled to offer all my readers a FREE inspirational eBook this month: A Homecoming to Cherish.


All relationships require a commitment, but is she ready to sacrifice her heart again?

Available in eBook, paperback, large print paperback, and audiobook. FREE on Kindle Unlimited.

Grab your copy of A Homecoming to Cherish today.


If you're looking for your next great read, the complete Sweetwater Springs series is my newest release and now available in a boxed set. These three sweet romances will transport you to a charming small town filled with hope, heart, and the kind of community we'd all love to find.


The three books in the boxed set include:

WHISPERS OF LOVE IN SWEETWATER SPRINGS
One mysterious letter. Two childhood friends. A love story decades in the making.

WHISPERS OF MAPLE MEMORIES IN SWEETWATER SPRINGS
A century-old secret. A stolen chronicle. Could unearthing their past cost them their future?

WHISPERS OF HOLIDAY MAGIC IN SWEETWATER SPRINGS
A struggling baker, a determined financier, and a small-town mystery where secrets spark holiday magic.

Grab your copy of Whispers of Sweetwater Springs today at the special introductory price!

FREE on Kindle Unlimited.


Who else is fascinated by the hidden world of birds in their backyard? Drop a comment below and tell me about your most frequent visitors.


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

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Looking Back at 2015

Skipping ahead two years from last month’s blog, in 2015, Harlequin released Winning the Teacher’s Heart, the first book in my Love Inspired series The Donnelly Brothers. Winning the Teacher's Heart  was later rereleased as Her Very Own Champion, book five in my Paradox Lake sweet romance series. I also released a holiday novella, Holiday Escape, as the second book in my Team Macachek series.

Writing/Publishing Tidbits

With the popularity of cowboy and rodeo short romances and my lack of inclination to write cowboy books, it struck me that motocross racers were similar to rodeo competitors. That thought was behind both of my 2015 books.

She’s never had a champion before. She doesn’t need one now.

High school history teacher Becca Norton is too sensible to expect a fairy tale life with a knight in shining armor. But she never dreamed she’d be on her own, a divorced single mother fighting for her kids, her home, and her heart. The last thing she needs is a reformed bad boy on a vintage motorcycle “rescuing” her. And taking her breath away.

Motocross champion and local bad-boy-made-good Jared Donnelly is back in Paradox Lake. He’s here to give back to his hometown and polish up the tarnished Donnelly family name. With a motocross school to give needed guidance and encouragement to troubled kids like himself, he doesn’t have time for a romance with Becca. She was out of his reach in high school, and with the even more complications of single motherhood, she should be off limits now. Except he can’t deny the attraction when old flames fan hot. What starts as simple attraction becomes a complex battle for a happy ever after Jared never knew he wanted so bad.

Jared’s hitting too close to home for Becca, with the proximity of his school and the growing connection between Jared and her son. It doesn’t matter that Jared’s kindness to her and the kids melts her long-frozen heart. She can handle her life and family just fine. She should be pumping the breaks with him, especially considering the brewing trouble with her inlaws over custody of her kids and the bad blood with the Donnellys. No good can come of tangling with the town bad boy, no matter how much he’s reformed. Her heart, however, has other plans and is fighting for the happy ending and all the fairy tale feels love has to offer. How high will the price tag be, and is she ready to pay?

Could the best way for Jared to show his love for Becca be to walk away from her and Paradox Lake or to stay and fight—winner takes all? Find out in this engaging small-town sweet romance with a hint of historical family intrigue.

BUY: Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo |

TEAM MACACHEK: Meet the strong women and fearless men of the motocross circuit


Bridget O’Brien lost her fiancé to a dangerous job. And, while she’d love to have a relationship like the one she lost, the last thing she wants is one with another man who willingly puts his life in danger. Luke Foster is a motocross racer whose track record with women runs short and no-strings-attached on both sides. He’d never seriously pursue a forever-after woman like Bridget.

All they want is a holiday week away. Bridget from her well-meaning family’s condolences about her planned Christmas Eve wedding and her memories of a future that won’t be. Luke from his family’s annual critique at which he and his life choices always fall short of expectations.

But, under the blue Caribbean skies, anything can happen.

BUY: Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo