tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45496405620975404132024-03-19T01:48:13.868-07:00Sweet Romance ReadsAuthors of sweet or clean romance share about their lives and their stories.Donna Fasanohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09386295931460318306noreply@blogger.comBlogger2557125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-81925888873087305102024-03-14T01:30:00.000-07:002024-03-14T01:30:00.128-07:00Spring Sale and Book Trailer by Merrillee Whren<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vteDH78RypNdOf-iKQpYT6MzjxYsJwJcyNaZci-pNkwcMkByWGcX0JTIgD57e4vgxFcnyUuPGwzglBwdlj-f7H5VR7vcXgTiwMoLUNbDr9Y1fF-BbD7McuvDM9Y0g3fA-pJfBHCR-qSw_9PFEJ8AR2-ga0C8Khk3MU2CwSpQPVmw3fY7fLOXLgfjyDQq/s940/Spring%20Sale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vteDH78RypNdOf-iKQpYT6MzjxYsJwJcyNaZci-pNkwcMkByWGcX0JTIgD57e4vgxFcnyUuPGwzglBwdlj-f7H5VR7vcXgTiwMoLUNbDr9Y1fF-BbD7McuvDM9Y0g3fA-pJfBHCR-qSw_9PFEJ8AR2-ga0C8Khk3MU2CwSpQPVmw3fY7fLOXLgfjyDQq/w400-h335/Spring%20Sale.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Technically it's not spring yet, but maybe the flowers are already blooming in your neck of the woods. Of course, in the southern hemisphere you are looking at the coming of fall. But a sale is always good no matter if it's spring or fall. So grab your copy of my book, <i><a href="https://www.merrilleewhren.com/book/hometown-cowboy/" target="_blank">Hometown Cowboy</a></i>, while it's on sale for 99 cents. You can read an excerpt by clicking or tapping on the title of the book.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa30skgPa3K_I49K8PoXSy_-kSPecqgdWLoOeaiByL2iePzc4h6_p2RxSzPTHI6n9NNG89pgg5X0bfD6zs3ozHgX1eB3WrJ5gqynBkF-W5AMhIIthiIbu9543Q2XFRGINlXTEpcURnkBpQ-H6GZAjtLxNQBMC_Eitr2H0QHaoxVSrb7-8QSPW-NBF8fAW/s940/Hometown%20Cowboy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaa30skgPa3K_I49K8PoXSy_-kSPecqgdWLoOeaiByL2iePzc4h6_p2RxSzPTHI6n9NNG89pgg5X0bfD6zs3ozHgX1eB3WrJ5gqynBkF-W5AMhIIthiIbu9543Q2XFRGINlXTEpcURnkBpQ-H6GZAjtLxNQBMC_Eitr2H0QHaoxVSrb7-8QSPW-NBF8fAW/w400-h335/Hometown%20Cowboy.png" width="400" /></a></div>You can find the ebook at these retailers.<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2S6Gdno" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div><span class="x193iq5w xeuugli x13faqbe x1vvkbs x1xmvt09 x1lliihq x1s928wv xhkezso x1gmr53x x1cpjm7i x1fgarty x1943h6x xudqn12 x3x7a5m x6prxxf xvq8zen xo1l8bm xzsf02u x1yc453h" dir="auto"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://apple.co/3ewTXiU" target="_blank">Apple</a><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://bit.ly/2PpOQZ4" target="_blank">B&N</a> <br /></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://bit.ly/3sRoXit" target="_blank">Kobo</a></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span>You can also check out the book trailer I made a few years ago with the help of my granddaughters. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span> </span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;"><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fnEdmlI4zh8" width="320" youtube-src-id="fnEdmlI4zh8"></iframe></div><br /></span><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">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 </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> page and sign up for her </span><a href="http://www.merrilleewhren.com/sign-up-for-merrillees-newsletter/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">newsletter</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS35YK1fapdXCzJRd2-NrDb8NrQTK9re12dQ2ULV_DUVGFBYGj8EtCiOGMILdC8RTvNbR4MLPUrUOGiN8Pk6majHxiWvYff0iG3Fgc9I87c8mXa0obDNclm53X8mJ8gEfmRLeao456s6BzHpfxO_7oHb-l0hk7Yk8wRTrbRA9wUlfskWl39HL6UqHtW09/s2240/KELLERSBURG,%20OHIO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRS35YK1fapdXCzJRd2-NrDb8NrQTK9re12dQ2ULV_DUVGFBYGj8EtCiOGMILdC8RTvNbR4MLPUrUOGiN8Pk6majHxiWvYff0iG3Fgc9I87c8mXa0obDNclm53X8mJ8gEfmRLeao456s6BzHpfxO_7oHb-l0hk7Yk8wRTrbRA9wUlfskWl39HL6UqHtW09/w400-h225/KELLERSBURG,%20OHIO.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span></div></div></span><p></p>Merrilleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-44341463912395787532024-03-11T00:00:00.000-07:002024-03-11T00:00:00.247-07:00A Whimsical Irish Love Story by Josie Riviera<p>Many of you may know that my daughter lives in Ireland, and I love writing Irish stories, using beautiful Ireland as the background.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EYnUpqdeq33Vjw76o779j5ghWiVkfvzqPAtU6PiTcvS6JbDXh3-LIgdLjK2T5IZ78MR1zF3vLwN70zMQSmOtUvzlnrfZxrrkFUE17GAlQvnRFRTnnSz1yLkvEgn2gjzPsrQ5VHpU1W5R9m4Tt1mEipLEezmBElwBdFedC-T8bIRrujS01xcx8PFfRhw/s1280/ireland-233369_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1EYnUpqdeq33Vjw76o779j5ghWiVkfvzqPAtU6PiTcvS6JbDXh3-LIgdLjK2T5IZ78MR1zF3vLwN70zMQSmOtUvzlnrfZxrrkFUE17GAlQvnRFRTnnSz1yLkvEgn2gjzPsrQ5VHpU1W5R9m4Tt1mEipLEezmBElwBdFedC-T8bIRrujS01xcx8PFfRhw/s320/ireland-233369_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p>Well, Ireland has a little something special up its sleeve that I didn’t know about until recently—the Puck Fair and the goat monarch! You assumed that Ireland was all about St. Patrick's day, but there's more...</p><p>So, I wanted to share this fun and whimsy event with you.</p><p>There’s a town in County Kerry where a wild mountain goat gets crowned as the "King of the Fair."</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pkE1rEIYUc2FO25I02UtjQsKVUeM-tKm6NztdKYw-85R6jimH2FsLoYBZqdNhkDN4cLxERjnyyIAzBov0EyK5vn_MWMbJTkm4OKRVFa7cjeU-Onbpd702du0zWjKzmJ5PIj_PNhsothh5nusxFNVoNhx7BMDFhUDCQOgKGhsn4dh20jyH5LjlOP49hQ/s1280/goat-1438254_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1280" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pkE1rEIYUc2FO25I02UtjQsKVUeM-tKm6NztdKYw-85R6jimH2FsLoYBZqdNhkDN4cLxERjnyyIAzBov0EyK5vn_MWMbJTkm4OKRVFa7cjeU-Onbpd702du0zWjKzmJ5PIj_PNhsothh5nusxFNVoNhx7BMDFhUDCQOgKGhsn4dh20jyH5LjlOP49hQ/s320/goat-1438254_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> Yes, really! This quirky tradition is centuries old!</p><p>After the “crowning” of the goat, the Puck Fair turns into a party zone with pubs opening, and soon the streets become an outdoor dance floor. </p><p>Delicious street food is also served, and who doesn't love street food? If you haven’t had a plate of mouthwatering boxty or warm, gooey Irish stew, then this is the place to visit. </p><p>So, whether you're enjoying the view from the Cliffs of Moher or exchanging Claddagh rings, or crowning a mountain goat, may the spirit of Ireland inspire you this March.</p><p>Sláinte to love and the Emerald Isle!</p><p><br /></p><p>If you love sweet Irish romance, and enjoyed watching The Dating Gane on television, this be sure to pick up a copy of my sweet Irish romance, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BX4LJC8" target="_blank">Maeve.</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_toEl6IKnFIb6aOHpBl_tiRQfXlQh1a3xe7vL3JaE-V_ROgIQVwBzpKGHybozEoiELEhaIoyKxLfRq7nKbR4ephzASRUd7vq9mlewNTgECK821GCDDwI2J4PlBlfKB8IqMge9-3yM_x-9RFGkfZF_kv1T9aV8Y0QPau_7eAzjl-joJH8zLUFxM2xjgzA/s522/Maeve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="522" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_toEl6IKnFIb6aOHpBl_tiRQfXlQh1a3xe7vL3JaE-V_ROgIQVwBzpKGHybozEoiELEhaIoyKxLfRq7nKbR4ephzASRUd7vq9mlewNTgECK821GCDDwI2J4PlBlfKB8IqMge9-3yM_x-9RFGkfZF_kv1T9aV8Y0QPau_7eAzjl-joJH8zLUFxM2xjgzA/s320/Maeve.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br /><p>Here's a short description:</p><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;"><i>He’s all business. She loves to laugh. When business conflicts with pleasure, what can possibly go wrong?</i><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">When the opportunity arises for Maeve to enjoy a week on the picturesque island of Corsica, thanks to Perfect Match, she can't resist. Although she's labeled herself as a workaholic on her dating profile, she hopes her match will share the same mindset. Little does she know that her journey will lead to more than she bargained for.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Enter Edward Newell, a no-nonsense businessman with one goal in mind: finding the perfect location for his successful hotel chain. Love and romance are the furthest things from his mind. However, when he crosses paths with the beautiful Maeve, sparks fly and their worlds collide in unexpected ways. As their connection deepens, they find themselves torn between their growing feelings and the demands of their individual lives.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: italic !important;">Maeve </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">combines beach island romance, opposites attract, and the intriguing allure of a billionaire. Follow Maeve and Edward as they navigate the complexities of their blossoming relationship against the backdrop of Corsica's stunning shores. Will they overcome the challenges when business conflicts with pleasure, or will their hearts be left broken?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start;">This sweet and engaging romance is perfect for fans of Irish love stories and tales that celebrate the power of second chances. Join Maeve and Edward and discover if a chance encounter on an island can lead to a love that will last a lifetime.</span></p><p><b>The best news?<i> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BX4LJC8" target="_blank">Maeve</a></i>, the ebook, is FREE for a very short time, so grab your copy today!</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">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.</p><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj16VAdD0e9x65blRgkuad3srq9doougATOcqZvR5uC_eVuMIGHYrx0gUhf5Wn4RnoBhQhiUik_stOQTYrcpvUq6Guw6rjRSxKKqRZgFjjAwac6YZ_D2CRpX3PjhxL_N6qg5swUKiWrN1dUkIFEmjvxoimsrj9tHVAFBNk62BxwlaOf90RB0BbEXIew=s400" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0263f6; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="400" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj16VAdD0e9x65blRgkuad3srq9doougATOcqZvR5uC_eVuMIGHYrx0gUhf5Wn4RnoBhQhiUik_stOQTYrcpvUq6Guw6rjRSxKKqRZgFjjAwac6YZ_D2CRpX3PjhxL_N6qg5swUKiWrN1dUkIFEmjvxoimsrj9tHVAFBNk62BxwlaOf90RB0BbEXIew=s320" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="280" /></a></div><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: -4px 0px 14px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><i style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;"></i></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: start;">Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website:<a href="https://josieriviera.com/" style="color: #0263f6; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"> josieriviera.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p></div>Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930730661273079224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-81947834350019430982024-03-10T05:00:00.000-07:002024-03-10T05:00:00.211-07:00Bargain Books: Maybe I'm the One<p> <b style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Maybe I’m the One, Cheryl St.John</span></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></b></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 20.7px;"></span></i></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDZZXc8a0yh9Ak-0dHtjOUm63MqWXHv9woiMk8tJ7bkLcliNLdjiVsJS55sX9srti6ztIkKnma92SXFDMdcfzvUXpoUV67u4Fvpl793JUw1H8Zx0FCfWEZB9c1yT8FClFKf5P1XGrcSDhDY7yydjHycsz9O29pUej2IbnkAt_LXj9YBr_0RlP/s300/Copy%20of%20MITO%20ON%20SALE%20NOW%20(300%20%C3%97%20200%20px).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="300" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDZZXc8a0yh9Ak-0dHtjOUm63MqWXHv9woiMk8tJ7bkLcliNLdjiVsJS55sX9srti6ztIkKnma92SXFDMdcfzvUXpoUV67u4Fvpl793JUw1H8Zx0FCfWEZB9c1yT8FClFKf5P1XGrcSDhDY7yydjHycsz9O29pUej2IbnkAt_LXj9YBr_0RlP/w400-h267/Copy%20of%20MITO%20ON%20SALE%20NOW%20(300%20%C3%97%20200%20px).jpg" width="400" /></a></i></b></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><i><br />Nashville</i><span style="background: white; color: #0f1111; line-height: 20.7px;"> fans will enjoy this story of a beloved country singer who returns to her roots and encounters the cowboy whose song she unknowingly stole.</span></b><span style="color: #0f1111; line-height: 20.7px;"><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Audrey Knox sacrificed to make a successful career in Nashville, but the bigger her star shines, the smaller her world has become. After an eye--opening incident on tour, she wants her daughter to experience small-town life as she knew it, so she takes a break from touring to reconnect with her roots and introduce the eight-year-old to life on <i>Big Pines Ranch</i>. Facing the past might be her biggest challenge yet.</span><br /><br /><span style="background: white;">Jericho Tanner has loved Audrey since they were children on adjoining ranches, their families entwined. He fills the void of intimacy, love and belonging with ranch work and his deputy position in Rockwell County, with aspirations of taking over as sheriff. Emotional vulnerability is frightening, and his walls are sturdy and tall. When Audrey and her young daughter show up in Spencer, he’s forced to see his wounds in a new light.</span></span></span><p></p><p><a href="https://tinyurl.com/MaybeImTheOne" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;" target="_blank">GRAB YOURS HERE</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqsLvTtT0V4Sw9QswD30jwGU7PdFzb6VcsvlWq-CYKRM2JySzoz_pWit9jlBSK3YAPd3PfkFgWmz-vNGFM3XIpZFZkXKJgNemh3cvtgKAYKyo0HzaXzhn5qCBstaJOfes6-mvJ-fL2K55dwuP1PvnjI4oMZ5SfVQ1gy9-L50s5_jiuYD0KhQf/s678/CSJ%20headshot.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="672" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqsLvTtT0V4Sw9QswD30jwGU7PdFzb6VcsvlWq-CYKRM2JySzoz_pWit9jlBSK3YAPd3PfkFgWmz-vNGFM3XIpZFZkXKJgNemh3cvtgKAYKyo0HzaXzhn5qCBstaJOfes6-mvJ-fL2K55dwuP1PvnjI4oMZ5SfVQ1gy9-L50s5_jiuYD0KhQf/w198-h200/CSJ%20headshot.jpg" width="198" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">USA Today bestseller Cheryl St.John writes historical and contemporary novels. Her stories have earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. One thing all reviewers and readers agree on regarding Cheryl’s work is the degree of emotion and believability. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.”</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-indent: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTG5zF0J36MAqkbRqzysB5m9BHrcWdhLjN72tHVuLmNeoyXgxPA7d8dIVkDcCfrNQ0XH29MzjDPiOCFDGzAOH4UiSv5tesl_fvMQFYQC1upT4ORAuCMkbg4NoAsjIBP6xC4aTbWth8MwPJQr1vjBfRQRXMc6lxba85feJ6sZ0jn6aBkS7wy0P/s6912/Sweet%20Romances%20by%20Cheryl%20St.John.jpg" style="font-family: arial; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="6912" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTG5zF0J36MAqkbRqzysB5m9BHrcWdhLjN72tHVuLmNeoyXgxPA7d8dIVkDcCfrNQ0XH29MzjDPiOCFDGzAOH4UiSv5tesl_fvMQFYQC1upT4ORAuCMkbg4NoAsjIBP6xC4aTbWth8MwPJQr1vjBfRQRXMc6lxba85feJ6sZ0jn6aBkS7wy0P/w400-h200/Sweet%20Romances%20by%20Cheryl%20St.John.jpg" width="400" /></a></p>Cheryl St.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00947267011326863581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-84930696478807823022024-03-08T22:51:00.000-08:002024-03-08T22:51:00.131-08:00Healing and Hope by Christine Bush<p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoieMNmUzy7tDSUjurZ5EfNJotRLH027-SvoMbYEgRIH-89CmNH79f8MdlwDAWUfXpev_ym-0SiRk3vWxgdeWJX8U1-lFGcYsjDtbb4-N2et5QcD3b7yVPZ9l-PhubqnUyjzD10WOJhX6I5KoUxoNXQM1odoyOBSVFo5_PLyGljMmHROSPwCJlF5Kj8Vxf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="272" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhoieMNmUzy7tDSUjurZ5EfNJotRLH027-SvoMbYEgRIH-89CmNH79f8MdlwDAWUfXpev_ym-0SiRk3vWxgdeWJX8U1-lFGcYsjDtbb4-N2et5QcD3b7yVPZ9l-PhubqnUyjzD10WOJhX6I5KoUxoNXQM1odoyOBSVFo5_PLyGljMmHROSPwCJlF5Kj8Vxf" width="209" /></a><br /><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Real life can be full of trauma, loss, anxiety, and
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can get stuck in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the “hats” that I wear in my life is working as a
therapist, often with clients dealing with any or all of these issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a firm believer that healing and growth
is very possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m also a firm believer
that sometimes it’s hard for an individual to even imagine the goal of
healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to have hope.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT4Bmcht7mNME5JkaziU-yq2Qo_k3gDSeWaKSlaqfjwcwwdM2pO4R9RtgtLfRaGrplR4TOOq-TUfI0FhbPejURTEiqPyvqVHCm-NIh9jgC7XRgixyna1pa0hvB7Zt3IyoUGc__EkysqkcYmedWuQqGXEBU75Wu-2uah8aU46xM7MZuR_o0pmeop0e9PA9m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1446" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhT4Bmcht7mNME5JkaziU-yq2Qo_k3gDSeWaKSlaqfjwcwwdM2pO4R9RtgtLfRaGrplR4TOOq-TUfI0FhbPejURTEiqPyvqVHCm-NIh9jgC7XRgixyna1pa0hvB7Zt3IyoUGc__EkysqkcYmedWuQqGXEBU75Wu-2uah8aU46xM7MZuR_o0pmeop0e9PA9m" width="145" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sometimes, I find that romance fiction is a most amazing way
to introduce the topic of hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
part of the motivation for my writing, for the characters I develop, for the
fictional scenarios in their lives.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">While my characters are absolutely fictional, their issues
are very true examples of what can happen in the reality of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with those fictional characters, the framework
of love and growth can be demonstrated in each story, showing an example of “happier
ever after”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The romance is one point of
the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But often, in my stories, the
character’s healing is just as (or more) important.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiERcITgxjE2ehhwEKhcuzgou5NBpvtvDcQESiV3MOi2cmKvqoUOQbDJBFGkBFsee5P48gYvmcAc2IAuxaRpO4bEBX4CTipLcHDvTGwVtVzJGu1jaAn9_Opfkk3a-PlpIvUPxvYMtWQyLGa9qsWDw6zvrt7I60FM7vmr1Kyo_vh8hreXGmvWUiXbVPgYM0h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="2005" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiERcITgxjE2ehhwEKhcuzgou5NBpvtvDcQESiV3MOi2cmKvqoUOQbDJBFGkBFsee5P48gYvmcAc2IAuxaRpO4bEBX4CTipLcHDvTGwVtVzJGu1jaAn9_Opfkk3a-PlpIvUPxvYMtWQyLGa9qsWDw6zvrt7I60FM7vmr1Kyo_vh8hreXGmvWUiXbVPgYM0h" width="217" /></a></div><br />Readers have often shared with me the power of being able to
see the healing on the page. Seeing the possibility
brings that hope that can lead to our own belief that healing is possible in
our own lives.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In my recent novella “Rachel’s Roses” our heroine deals with
the lack of trust that can get firmly embedded after a broken heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But our hero deals with another issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s stuck in the pain of a “water phobia”
that has undermined his self esteem all of his life. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What fears and
traumas can be lurking, often secret, in our own lives?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can face and heal these things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As our hero does.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqJHtLZW8wfr-aaWCmjg-5Bq396WgfmdKQcuXHygUot8qWNZeCXbBE8h8naCZCbrZ3-xhw9w60DcbeMfJQU4-9d_kZF0k9LE7Tuh8xOO-xg1oIHZPQ0Ng7DpxgptWPLJH3HGFZdAq1EF2eAx4BwxY1clUnbTcTmvnvxI9wSPz0LjQff5QIKSEXbGs1xQU/s840/rachels%20roses%20cover%20pdf_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="485" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqJHtLZW8wfr-aaWCmjg-5Bq396WgfmdKQcuXHygUot8qWNZeCXbBE8h8naCZCbrZ3-xhw9w60DcbeMfJQU4-9d_kZF0k9LE7Tuh8xOO-xg1oIHZPQ0Ng7DpxgptWPLJH3HGFZdAq1EF2eAx4BwxY1clUnbTcTmvnvxI9wSPz0LjQff5QIKSEXbGs1xQU/s320/rachels%20roses%20cover%20pdf_Page_1.jpg" width="185" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Rachels-Roses-Christine-Bush/dp/B0CNYNYT3D/ref=sr_1_1?crid=XMLBDW3LYF6A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ONP7BnddGq4UrbIoR0-AVxErROwrM6v06KC0u_CtJaTGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.4YGrNSr4tchQwS36ZhmKCWlA19LCN6MgVEZaBPeyq8g&dib_tag=se&keywords=christine+bush+rachels+roses&qid=1709822524&sprefix=christine+bush+rachels+roses%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1">Amazon.com:
Rachel's Roses: 9798869604491: Bush, Christine: Books</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In another novella “Christmas with the Cat Lady”, our hero
is drowning with grief after the loss of a child. What does it take to even
imagine healing from such a heart wrenching sadness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can a person even imagine laughing
again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How does life go on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Again, his journey reverberated with several readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To see an example, even fictional, can
provide hope. And the curiosity to imagine healing and to start on the path.<o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXTKOiQLoTLgH8mkaEJBLVj6k3HNwRCxE9c7XiA4900bWup9NjZBSsxm8OjFlO0lZdIKeS2bxVpoQm2Pu_7TFYMvbNc65rh71K8fxOJXX23X8t1IzAZYtCP-hYlwYL-ey8salsbqRNomeSUyyxj8zI2ieDin44-zgYkANEg90ZNNwdfwwyQXaPxaqELG/s1980/christmas%20with%20the%20cat%20lady%20web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="1241" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXTKOiQLoTLgH8mkaEJBLVj6k3HNwRCxE9c7XiA4900bWup9NjZBSsxm8OjFlO0lZdIKeS2bxVpoQm2Pu_7TFYMvbNc65rh71K8fxOJXX23X8t1IzAZYtCP-hYlwYL-ey8salsbqRNomeSUyyxj8zI2ieDin44-zgYkANEg90ZNNwdfwwyQXaPxaqELG/s320/christmas%20with%20the%20cat%20lady%20web.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cat-Lady-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B0773VN9HV">Amazon.com:
Christmas With the Cat Lady eBook : Bush, Christine: Kindle Store</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">There are so many different reasons for loving sweet romance.
The emotional, hopeful, inspiring stories can light up our lives in so many ways,
even unexpected ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">How about you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What gifts have your received in your sweet
romance reading or writing that have inspired you in your own life? I’d love to know.</span><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Love, <i>Christine</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><i><br /></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">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!</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762</span></i></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent"><i><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent</span></i></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Christine Bushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02577441962473344457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-19586724052631119732024-03-08T00:30:00.000-08:002024-03-08T00:30:00.159-08:00Bargain Book<p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOmahXycngRT-8cuips4vxP_6VAvzbn1dNRXwHIMb4nPsDiJcX2v9N3ffpKTB9p_9oWOELed3W9pVsZSesqWi0sqcXpSmEoVxackRF0wX7xZD1ZqVBvUUEApidSm3ltWMs2hng33Q-faC9FNCcm8v2xe8V6LDuQZErIAgLZn5GiGSwDt-FjTfLz060HGp/s1140/KOBO%20MERRILLEE%20WHREN%20HOMETOWN%20COWBOY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="760" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOmahXycngRT-8cuips4vxP_6VAvzbn1dNRXwHIMb4nPsDiJcX2v9N3ffpKTB9p_9oWOELed3W9pVsZSesqWi0sqcXpSmEoVxackRF0wX7xZD1ZqVBvUUEApidSm3ltWMs2hng33Q-faC9FNCcm8v2xe8V6LDuQZErIAgLZn5GiGSwDt-FjTfLz060HGp/w266-h400/KOBO%20MERRILLEE%20WHREN%20HOMETOWN%20COWBOY.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> Caroline Keller has recently returned to Kellersburg, her
hometown, after spending nearly six years teaching the children of missionaries
in Kenya. While there she lived through a horrific experience, and she feels
broken and in need of healing. She <a name="_Hlk157605912">hasn’t been able to
share her hurt, even with family and friends, until she meets Wyatt Bayer, her
old nemesis.</a> <br /></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;">Wyatt has spent the last ten years on the rodeo circuit with a
lot of success, but one mistimed ride on a bronc ends his career. He’s in need
of healing and is doing rehab at a nursing home in Kellersburg where he grew
up. He’s an angry man until Caroline walks into his room and tells him to be
kind. <br /></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: left;">Can two broken souls help each other heal and find love? <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Grab your copy now for 99 cents! <br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hometown-Cowboy-Kellersburg-Book-4-ebook/dp/B08YP5F916/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=Merrillee+Whren&qid=1618422578&sr=8-18" target="_blank">Amazon</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1557969527" target="_blank">Apple</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hometown-cowboy-merrillee-whren/1139005136?ean=2940162336020" target="_blank">B&N</a><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Merrillee_Whren_Hometown_Cowboy?id=F4q9EAAAQBAJ" target="_blank">Google </a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hometown-cowboy-3" target="_blank">Kobo</a> </p><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">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 </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> page and sign up for her </span><a href="http://www.merrilleewhren.com/sign-up-for-merrillees-newsletter/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">newsletter</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgqrNMRjavuWxsK3d2YNLzktNuZwaCjTkH9Nri32zFAnIhQzHN6fMZJ6M0KVyK3y1ZQXDCUBiklOysgqHI2fgSUvDHbK1gHG5xOcan7P4ztSAdgqyWDxR2_qf6vpy2mBo7LUnsravc9NIeoZu_YxqzMYxj81lTNrejNxkKEPUIFYyBUhbBqRxshNbrBfH/s2240/Kellersburg,%20Ohio%20red%20background.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfgqrNMRjavuWxsK3d2YNLzktNuZwaCjTkH9Nri32zFAnIhQzHN6fMZJ6M0KVyK3y1ZQXDCUBiklOysgqHI2fgSUvDHbK1gHG5xOcan7P4ztSAdgqyWDxR2_qf6vpy2mBo7LUnsravc9NIeoZu_YxqzMYxj81lTNrejNxkKEPUIFYyBUhbBqRxshNbrBfH/w400-h225/Kellersburg,%20Ohio%20red%20background.png" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Merrilleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-74808163966031192542024-03-07T06:02:00.000-08:002024-03-07T06:08:28.097-08:00End of a Series ~ Jean C. Gordon<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZiyUuGgovvVVCWojshdKKVZA2MPBSEA-FN_9r7-TCVgsRYCdrXx5aMcBYrexZsuPj987ZqRM2XsdQq5WVpEfyJ1Nb5-alYmWs4ZtzTkRnFR2yVzlCQFWknficiN4opDz7x6LAKUx9uDNLOXBYQ1J9qtqLZsW3Z0HVICUggKyKTjkW3_-fmFbupWXEXQ/s1200/272675225_3025631614363858_3233829080545240070_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZiyUuGgovvVVCWojshdKKVZA2MPBSEA-FN_9r7-TCVgsRYCdrXx5aMcBYrexZsuPj987ZqRM2XsdQq5WVpEfyJ1Nb5-alYmWs4ZtzTkRnFR2yVzlCQFWknficiN4opDz7x6LAKUx9uDNLOXBYQ1J9qtqLZsW3Z0HVICUggKyKTjkW3_-fmFbupWXEXQ/w400-h209/272675225_3025631614363858_3233829080545240070_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>Can their book boyfriends lead a book club of hopeless romantics to a real happily ever after?</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">As a reader, I'm always sad when a series ends. So with a combination of excitement and sadness, I'm announcing my latest release and the end of the Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge multi-author series— with a shout out to the great group of sweet romance authors I worked with on this series and the No Brides Club series. My new <i style="font-weight: bold;">Falling for the Guitar Man</i> is a companion book to my <i style="font-weight: bold;">Falling for the Scotsman</i>.</p><p style="text-align: left;">How about you. Are you a series reader? Do you have a favorite series?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXFsyq5n-bmfasfJurYNiDXOnsyZhpFghPt_5LhB3bI4iLVgOeOU_tql1GUwjQmSM390DKdCaCqavAsZfaYiV9OAIFDeH409RNlMHJoKshVIhrW-6grkpK5vIpKYCGUTWdLG4_gnfKT6EqBINAIBbOUariX8XA96ljbn5LPBWEEPPbczfQYuJfEq72_s/s2560/Falling-for-the-Guitar-Man-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXFsyq5n-bmfasfJurYNiDXOnsyZhpFghPt_5LhB3bI4iLVgOeOU_tql1GUwjQmSM390DKdCaCqavAsZfaYiV9OAIFDeH409RNlMHJoKshVIhrW-6grkpK5vIpKYCGUTWdLG4_gnfKT6EqBINAIBbOUariX8XA96ljbn5LPBWEEPPbczfQYuJfEq72_s/s320/Falling-for-the-Guitar-Man-Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Fiona Campbell can’t believe that her Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge book club is reading a romance with a rock star hero. Let alone a story that mirrors her younger years in Scotland. Younger years that the friends she’s made since moving to the States and taking on a partnership in Euans’s Distillery know nothing about. Moreover, she’s recently learned “her” rock star is a hometown boy.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Kyle McCabe is about to do something he’d vowed never to do: bring back his band, the one he destroyed with his personal downward spiral 15 years ago – Rebel Picts. It’s for a good cause, a benefit concert at the Willow Ridge summer festival to help the family of his deceased best friend and bandmate. Little did he know when he agreed to the concert that the cause of that spiral, Fee Campbell, now lives in Willow Ridge.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Initially, Kyle isn’t ready to forgive Fee’s youthful desertion that exploded their college relationship. When he needed her most, she abandoned him and the band and broke his heart. But as they work together on the concert and reviving the band, adult trust and love take root. That is until Fee repeats her teenage dump-and-run behavior.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As Fiona confronts her hidden history, she and Kyle must navigate a labyrinth of old wounds and new feelings. Will they overcome the shadows of their past mistakes to embrace a future together? Uncover the magic of forgiveness and second chances in this heartwarming tale of love rediscovered.</p><div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>The Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge series are sweet, small-town contemporary romances. Each book is a standalone and can be read individually or as part of the series.</b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Guitar-Man-Small-Town-Southern-ebook/dp/B0CV4M4QW4/" target="_blank">AVAILABLE AT AMAZON/KINDLE UNLIMITED</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSz_Gh2G_mVO4aV3i11PKnrV4xxJdMVyaAr4xebkC1L8WiKiPww7uK_GIJbR6MpByaNcsVn3AfE0n4Ylv0XjlBPixmdwhgA3c5PyjfEpMt4-Gi0ty7xf1gKaaJlaM0Z4-g9mx1yAUlSyXhQQIehgPYtwhs6pYnkrdYR7fhStsSOZ6FjkSHPDqKpv9ij0/s2560/Falling-for-the-Scotsman-Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSz_Gh2G_mVO4aV3i11PKnrV4xxJdMVyaAr4xebkC1L8WiKiPww7uK_GIJbR6MpByaNcsVn3AfE0n4Ylv0XjlBPixmdwhgA3c5PyjfEpMt4-Gi0ty7xf1gKaaJlaM0Z4-g9mx1yAUlSyXhQQIehgPYtwhs6pYnkrdYR7fhStsSOZ6FjkSHPDqKpv9ij0/s320/Falling-for-the-Scotsman-Kindle.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Sorcha Laurent’s family-owned distillery has become her whole life. A far cry from where she’d expected to be when she’d left school with her newly minted MS in Chemistry and a sparkling new engagement ring on her finger. The family-business emergency that brought her home to the small-town of Willow Ridge has cost her a fiancée and her dream job in medical research. Now she’s at the end of the five-year agreement to manage the family distillery. Sorcha is ready to get back to having a life of her own. It’s time to throw in the bar towel and figure out what new dream might replace the one she lost. Little does she suspect that dream might involve potential business rival and swoon-worthy scholar, Ross Campbell.<p></p><p style="text-align: left;">A former Scotland National Rugby team player Ross Campbell is on track to his dream job, a professorship at his alma mater Edinburgh University. All he has left is to finish his doctoral thesis, while earning a few bona fides as a history teacher at an exclusive boys school outside Savannah. The fact that people here in the States accept him for himself, not as a former rugby star nor an heir to the Campbell Beverage conglomerate, is only frosting on the cake. And there’s no overbearing grandfather around pushing him to join the family corporation. Ross expects all things to continue according to plan, but meeting fiery Sorcha draws him down an unexpected and surprisingly enjoyable path.</p><p style="text-align: left;">When Ross catches Sorcha’s eye at the Savanah Scottish Games because he looks just like her historical romance book boyfriend, little do they know where their chance meeting will lead. A 50-year-old connection between her grandmother and his grandfather. A centuries-old mystery about a rumored stolen whisky recipe. Feelings that neither have experienced before and don’t know how to handle.</p></div><p style="text-align: left;">Will Sorcha and Ross’s research sessions take them beyond solving the recipe mystery and their intertwined ancestry to true love? Can they break free of family obligations and interference to live their dreams in a future together?</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Falling-Scotsman-Small-Town-Southern-Romantics-ebook/dp/B09QQQDB7F/">AVAILABLE IN eBOOK AND PRINT AT AMAZON/KINDLE UNLIMITED</a></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-for-the-scotsman-jean-c-gordon/1141303675" target="_blank">AND IN PRINT AT BARNES AND NOBLE</a></b></p>Jean C. Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04078957977742428225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-47313952005582204752024-03-06T07:26:00.000-08:002024-03-06T07:26:32.213-08:00Bargain Books: Dancing in the Dark March Madness Sale<p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Dancing in the Dark, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Cheryl St.John</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eKOMItCcPD0vDBYnKg6GL3YSXjwRdcOvOcenpzMUONiPuDB8jp3iOiQncCjumh5PK8qX0XirDmdfjT5ITWNNaV5cm_ZHR30TJeBJ4MhTecSAt0lxSwnVre3CokgjSfJu7_Uu6gOtIeIwpaonrJRXLNt2HFlKwdxEK-AT36NeMKXcIoteQ_a3V7KgR8Vq/s2520/Dancing-in-the-dark-ebook-final-2-9-22%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2520" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eKOMItCcPD0vDBYnKg6GL3YSXjwRdcOvOcenpzMUONiPuDB8jp3iOiQncCjumh5PK8qX0XirDmdfjT5ITWNNaV5cm_ZHR30TJeBJ4MhTecSAt0lxSwnVre3CokgjSfJu7_Uu6gOtIeIwpaonrJRXLNt2HFlKwdxEK-AT36NeMKXcIoteQ_a3V7KgR8Vq/w254-h400/Dancing-in-the-dark-ebook-final-2-9-22%20(1).jpg" width="254" /></a></i></div><p></p></blockquote></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He’d had his own baby.
Without her.</span></i><i></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dusty Cavanaugh has
loved Kendra Price since she walked into the school cafeteria and captured a
dozen boyish hearts with the sweep of her stormy gray-green gaze and the lift
of her chin. College, marriage, and children had been the plan. But then Dusty
made a mistake.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kendra Price had never
wanted to be rich, but she’d wanted to be comfortable, which she was. She’d
never wanted to be famous, but to live her passion to the fullest and dance,
which she had. She’d wanted to marry Dusty, have babies and live happily ever after.
All she had left was dance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sweet romance by a USA
Today bestselling author<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">BUY LINK: <a href="https://amzn.to/42OMp3w" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6obK2mtCn-TKqIMl3FktHtukoKIyUW-pCkA0pJMWvrF6K8s63UV-t8YDcXegb7dyYXYGugp9LWSkejMdTt96h6ICubLm-H4ur20hfBgGfQADCpMAOmCkFVuHKKolU4fbmDd74v-WFqWkoaGpp7MV_rItZPc_wbCsA-mwlbhUsJ2x6Hyk2Fev6bXnWBRjO/s1024/22%20of%20MARCH%20MADNESS%20AG%20books%2099c%20correction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6obK2mtCn-TKqIMl3FktHtukoKIyUW-pCkA0pJMWvrF6K8s63UV-t8YDcXegb7dyYXYGugp9LWSkejMdTt96h6ICubLm-H4ur20hfBgGfQADCpMAOmCkFVuHKKolU4fbmDd74v-WFqWkoaGpp7MV_rItZPc_wbCsA-mwlbhUsJ2x6Hyk2Fev6bXnWBRjO/w640-h320/22%20of%20MARCH%20MADNESS%20AG%20books%2099c%20correction.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">MARCH MADNESS<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All 21 books in this
series are on sale for 99c throughout March.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Fans of Robyn Carr's
Virgin River Series will enjoy this multi-author series set in the fictional
tourist town of Spencer, Colorado.</span></p>Cheryl St.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00947267011326863581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-83246285722646686272024-03-04T22:30:00.000-08:002024-03-04T22:30:00.133-08:00Sandals in March....Something Rotten...and Roxanne asks a question about llamas<p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> How's that for a strange subject line? It <i>has </i>been strange here in the Upper Midwest, as far as the weather goes. From </span><span style="font-size: medium;">single digits at the end of last week, to almost eighty degrees yesterday. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It's only March 5th, but the shade trees are budding and the local orchard owners are worried about their apple crops. I hope the trees haven't been fooled by the unseasonable weather! How is it where you live?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There's a beautiful old community theatre in town where one can see excellent productions. It had been a long while since we'd gone, but I saw the musical "Something Rotten" on Broadway at least five years ago and thought it would be fun to see it again. The local talent blew me away. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, so I love to listen to people who can--and can do it so brilliantly!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I write romantic suspense, and my "brand" (my promise to readers) is that in addition to suspense and romance, they will find a warm thread of family relationships, a thread of faith, and an animal of some kind that makes a difference for the characters in the story.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Including an animal on my covers visually alludes to that, as opposed to covers promising gritty, intense, or even violent suspense. Usually, there's a dog of some kind in the story. My next release is <i>just</i> a bit different!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I posted a question about its cover on our Sweet Romance Reads Cafe, learned from those answers, then asked my cover artist for a tweak. Here is the new version.</span></p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyypJ4PokUD96Jmma1wfshNe9adxmsWYdlZXrPfnFvUmGvibo3qu-ANQMl2lVaGT-uwVBgRoy9O8Se9GyQNvyR9J1PVCxuiI_WjnENB-gr4W4rIXZq46wCyFlNPTsCHVvHID3bfyw9RX2SQTL1eT7CSxWH93_LPpu7oGR51zXTQC3OBO4UN7-ECliuYs/s3750/ROXANNE%20RUSTAND_last%20revision_FINAL%20TRUTH.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="2499" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTyypJ4PokUD96Jmma1wfshNe9adxmsWYdlZXrPfnFvUmGvibo3qu-ANQMl2lVaGT-uwVBgRoy9O8Se9GyQNvyR9J1PVCxuiI_WjnENB-gr4W4rIXZq46wCyFlNPTsCHVvHID3bfyw9RX2SQTL1eT7CSxWH93_LPpu7oGR51zXTQC3OBO4UN7-ECliuYs/s320/ROXANNE%20RUSTAND_last%20revision_FINAL%20TRUTH.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>Question! What do you think about having a llama on a clean romantic suspense cover? Intriguing...or jarring? This llama does appear throughout this light romantic suspense, with humorous notes. </span><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">I would love to hear your comments and suggestions. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Final Truth is available for preorder. <br /><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHSWMZD?ref_=pe_93986420_775043100">Click here</a></b> to buy, or read more about it!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One of the people who leaves a comment will receive a free copy of Final Chance.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">One last thing: would you like to receive a free ebook from a different Christian romantic suspense author every month? <b><span style="color: #ff00fe;"><a href="https://roxannerustand.com/">Click here</a></span></b> to sign up for my monthly newsletter, then check each issue for a link to receive your new book!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Wishing you all the best for a wonderful spring, </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Roxanne Rustand<br /></span><p></p><div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "system-ui", ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></div></div>RoxanneRustandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443712316288965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-4220954517805899862024-02-29T22:00:00.000-08:002024-02-29T22:00:00.131-08:00Lyn Cote Asks What was Your Favorite Trip?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZJaEQRPxbV05CoHpNhBKvubSu_dGwrlzxSU6ikH8zv4HOPm0vI4kYOhyphenhyphenwvzh5HVSsjYmr_Serp3Ueh83t7IIBmkP5v6YCFwhFp9K_nbzCTc7mhN_WJHAeLxePmmiM4vdtjrp-wMN7jekES07xMuSslwoJZhq8FHDl7zwU44be5dnBzRlJoGwc9SNkKY/s1632/Lyn%20and%20daughter%20as%20lumberjacks!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1632" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZJaEQRPxbV05CoHpNhBKvubSu_dGwrlzxSU6ikH8zv4HOPm0vI4kYOhyphenhyphenwvzh5HVSsjYmr_Serp3Ueh83t7IIBmkP5v6YCFwhFp9K_nbzCTc7mhN_WJHAeLxePmmiM4vdtjrp-wMN7jekES07xMuSslwoJZhq8FHDl7zwU44be5dnBzRlJoGwc9SNkKY/s320/Lyn%20and%20daughter%20as%20lumberjacks!.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My daughter and I as lumberjacks at a park somewhere in Wisconsin on a day trip!</div><span style="font-size: x-large;">After watching the weather channel this winter, I don't think ANYONE in the USA is having a "normal" winter. (If you are, I want to hear about it!'-)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Anyway this has made me long to go...somewhere but I have obligations keeping me here, enjoying the third most SNOWLESS winter in the history of the northwoods. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Wildfire danger has already started--dry grass and no snow causes this. So let's take our minds off what's going on outside our windows!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: underline;">Now for the February question</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Since I’m not planning on going anywhere soon, I’m asking: “</span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";">What was the best trip you ever enjoyed? And why?”</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Please</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"> leave a comment. Then I can travel with you vicariously! ‘-)</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSIb8iTkFpNjZmsqFJGCzqHfJVRBazto-LKBTe9kCA2YtHdfntFlbve27Zm4IpDbqnxEIjuOp_jIso8JdhXFO06bvVzrliYH-ZCG6MbGWmQfT9_E8m9GczEeSzg8bvmqUCuju_bfD9PhGvQPz3vm9xSkeqI1tCV6mzMqzHWkOOTh1DHk33lhtaz7t3bo/s300/WEB%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSIb8iTkFpNjZmsqFJGCzqHfJVRBazto-LKBTe9kCA2YtHdfntFlbve27Zm4IpDbqnxEIjuOp_jIso8JdhXFO06bvVzrliYH-ZCG6MbGWmQfT9_E8m9GczEeSzg8bvmqUCuju_bfD9PhGvQPz3vm9xSkeqI1tCV6mzMqzHWkOOTh1DHk33lhtaz7t3bo/s1600/WEB%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">My book, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJK1PN8J">KAT’S STRICTLY BUSINESS PARTNER,</a> came out last month. Kat, short for Katherine, owns a garden nursery. So far the response to Kat has been very positive. Here’s one: </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Yet another cute read by the fabulous Lyn Cote. I was anxiously awaiting to hear this story, and I wasn't disappointed.”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This is the final book in my “The Preacher’s Daughters” series. (And I’m trying to feel ‘fabulous’—first time I’ve been called that! Don’t worry—I won’t let it go to my head.:-)</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: x-large;">--Lyn</span></p><p><br /></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-67673846667364121692024-02-29T03:00:00.000-08:002024-02-29T03:00:00.133-08:00Laura Scott's New Release!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvRiqiFe2NBT3HWDTJVqCJGwDHt90bCyIggEt4bbxuKefDowEFeGEdwMtOuuvhFH2R9xpmgSxWMCdKTy5lSiIvHERPoOyV2-ksr0CR3uMTYQgYKcXE928vH4UlTG6nO8sVikejAXLFDIQPT80KyBG6J8ayrE7j-dEDA2mlebqXF_pgvgRztPKZgHhlcw/s4373/Laura%20Scott%20Pink%20and%20Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4373" data-original-width="3124" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXvRiqiFe2NBT3HWDTJVqCJGwDHt90bCyIggEt4bbxuKefDowEFeGEdwMtOuuvhFH2R9xpmgSxWMCdKTy5lSiIvHERPoOyV2-ksr0CR3uMTYQgYKcXE928vH4UlTG6nO8sVikejAXLFDIQPT80KyBG6J8ayrE7j-dEDA2mlebqXF_pgvgRztPKZgHhlcw/s320/Laura%20Scott%20Pink%20and%20Blue.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning! I'm thrilled to let you know about my latest release, Brock the second book in my Oath of Honor series.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've been blessed with many amazing notes, comments and reviews on my Finnegan First Responders series that I thought it would be fun to spinoff series featuring Rhy's tactical team. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">I've become a huge audiobook fan, so Brock is available in ebook, audio and print formats. My books are also available on all vendor sites. As an added bonus Brock is in ebook and audio from my website. My audiobooks on my website are offered at a significant discount, so don't hesitate to check them out.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brock by Laura Scott $3.99</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bQo56IWvSFgoj7nrhOLCVTJLQbMbeMHfdkhXGyxC2es2PTPUEg4NjMD4KfDJzMA0vvgeg9lYngo9Ft1-G26e8etZueZPQrHvuDlU-UQJBa1L32rK6MnxhrJfcXYsd3uVba7t5n_SLsyv8SZzqBxYsF87JzViaJ_nRF5soM4o0QwjXQEgK83jSZiy9Ns/s1200/LauraScott_Brock_800px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bQo56IWvSFgoj7nrhOLCVTJLQbMbeMHfdkhXGyxC2es2PTPUEg4NjMD4KfDJzMA0vvgeg9lYngo9Ft1-G26e8etZueZPQrHvuDlU-UQJBa1L32rK6MnxhrJfcXYsd3uVba7t5n_SLsyv8SZzqBxYsF87JzViaJ_nRF5soM4o0QwjXQEgK83jSZiy9Ns/s320/LauraScott_Brock_800px.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700 !important; text-align: start;">From<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="a-text-bold a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 700 !important; text-align: start;">USA Today</span><span class="a-text-bold" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 700 !important; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bestselling Author Laura Scott</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic !important; text-align: start;">Oath of Honor - A promise to protect and serve.</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic !important; text-align: start;">Marriage under fire!</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><div style="caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Tactical police officer Brock Greer can’t bring himself to divorce his wife despite how she’d left him five months ago for another man. But when he stumbles into the kitchen at their once favorite restaurant, he’s shocked to find Liana speaking in rapid fire Chinese to a tall Asian. And even more horrified when that same man pulls a gun, pointing it at Liana’s head.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span style="caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Liana Wong has no idea why Brock had shown up at the restaurant in his police uniform, but worse he’d blown her cover. When she’s tracked to several locations, it’s clear that the leader of the sex trafficking ring wants her dead. And the only way to survive is to team up with Brock, despite his deep mistrust. Is it possible that working together to destroy a common enemy will save their marriage?</div></span></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3SMxFOb">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brock-laura-scott/1144313464?ean=2940185871898">B&N</a> <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/brock/id6471161916">Apple</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Laura_Scott_Brock?id=8hblEAAAQBAJ">GooglePlay</a> <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/brock-17">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.laurascottbooks.com">Laura's Website</a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /></span><p></p>Laura Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694857095398241303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-3113976989601447672024-02-28T04:00:00.000-08:002024-02-28T04:00:00.135-08:00Cheryl St.John: Reading full-length novels or novellas<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I read both. I’ve read big fat novels, medium-length novels as well as novellas. I enjoy both. As long as a book keeps the tension high and is consistently making me care what happens next, length isn’t an issue. As for novellas, I prefer them in an anthology, where there’s more than one story to read—although sometimes that can be disappointing if one tale is great and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer;" tabindex="-1"></a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; white-space-collapse: preserve;">another isn’t.</span></span></p><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Writing full-length novels or novellas & shorts:<br />I’ve written plenty of full-length novels as well as several novellas. A common remark from readers when they read one of my novella-length stories is that they wish it had been longer. I’ve only written a couple of actual short stories, but they were quick to write and a good way to use a character who doesn’t really have a bigger story to tell.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />What’s your preference or do you read any length books?<br /><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">
</span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">All of my Aspen Gold books are on sale for 99c throughout March.<br /></span></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Grab your copies now: <a href="https://amzn.to/3hl5a5g" target="_blank">CLICK</a></span></span></span></p></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
</span></span></span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></span></span></div></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi430v7IgIEXeIxDQu0GHUorM8ufkTO61M-nE52SEysFxG4RuJLAgdhvMBxl6nZcr2nHhhiDG6d1GRVfayc47W8YlGq-e_f1boThDeA_Xua8jQ_iOdSzdaRb4fjPEgr3LiLQscX7FyTudVRAL6TqSv_fijhCx7Je7GO-ZEeFa74tDC4GYytC2AiqvnX6837/s2560/Whisper-My-Name-ebook-Final-3-27%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi430v7IgIEXeIxDQu0GHUorM8ufkTO61M-nE52SEysFxG4RuJLAgdhvMBxl6nZcr2nHhhiDG6d1GRVfayc47W8YlGq-e_f1boThDeA_Xua8jQ_iOdSzdaRb4fjPEgr3LiLQscX7FyTudVRAL6TqSv_fijhCx7Je7GO-ZEeFa74tDC4GYytC2AiqvnX6837/w400-h640/Whisper-My-Name-ebook-Final-3-27%20(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></span></span></div></div></blockquote><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"></span><span style="color: #050505;"></span><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br />Whisper My Name
</span></span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk45618861"><i><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">She was the girl behind the headlines<o:p></o:p></span></i></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;">Laurel Whitaker has been her name for fifteen years. Anyone
hearing her true identity would know who she was, and she’s had enough of
cameras, questions and stares. Spencer, Colorado is a great place to blend in
among the tourists. But unwanted attention comes in the worst possible form—a
tough, perceptive, and all too determined lawman.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Sheriff Joe Cavanaugh looks out for people—his large loving
family, his teenage daughter, anyone in his county who needs him. But the
mistrustful young woman staying in the lake house beside his property goes out
of her way to avoid his help, and that’s suspicious. Instinct tells him she’s
hiding something…and attraction motivates him to uncover her secrets.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="text-indent: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;"><a name="_Hlk45618602"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Will Laurel’s truth be his undoing…or hers?</span></a></p><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div>Sweet Romance from a USA Today Bestselling Author</span></span></span></div><div dir="auto"><span style="color: #050505;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">
<a href="https://tinyurl.com/CherylStJohn" target="_blank">Sign up for my newsletter</a>. I do a monthly drawing.
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</span></div></div><div class="x11i5rnm xat24cr x1mh8g0r x1vvkbs xtlvy1s x126k92a" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div>Cheryl St.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00947267011326863581noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-35733013377700221182024-02-26T03:00:00.000-08:002024-02-26T03:00:00.134-08:00Celebrate Galentines Day!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT-DKUydvXrldWiSwXXTGcNU1rBhQ35juUw4fhueP7XYTw7XGU0A2Hv-b1MRBFx1Kw5q0_6Vf4IIWuTV_VKp5afHiTcTpkOxbRuNjHUb2XO5VSz5BAkI-9o0IKqkEHZvJ5rgHYjFlLQplvdD07zCAv9ny2f0NldOEamGBcHlDypHWY2KFsfLZmC5992h3/s4080/balloons%201.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQT-DKUydvXrldWiSwXXTGcNU1rBhQ35juUw4fhueP7XYTw7XGU0A2Hv-b1MRBFx1Kw5q0_6Vf4IIWuTV_VKp5afHiTcTpkOxbRuNjHUb2XO5VSz5BAkI-9o0IKqkEHZvJ5rgHYjFlLQplvdD07zCAv9ny2f0NldOEamGBcHlDypHWY2KFsfLZmC5992h3/w168-h224/balloons%201.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>Valentine's Day is all about Cupid, hearts and flowers, and romantic love. Since this was my first February 14th without my sweetheart who died last April, I decided I did not want to spend it alone. I have gal pals who are also without their partners, and I knew they probably didn't want to spend the evening alone either. <p></p><p>Taking a clue from an old TV show, I invited a group of ladies to join me for a Galentines party. On the evening of Feb. 14, a good group gathered at my home.</p><p>Wanting to do it up right (this was self-preservation, after all), I sent formal invitations in the mail. As the time drew near, I bought flowers and balloons, set the table with a dark red tablecloth and the china inherited from my late mother-in-law, and decorated with abandon. My home looked party-ready when the doorbell began to ring at 5:30.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc1f6TAnllw7netUOnn2cWbj4t0nyWEjmlgvLTA88vQ-4iW_FYqVgyySLwL0E0bKwBGhEEcIiNqNp9l6aCnejTkWhhtVLUkbkW5Rh-5iZirl_5ylgc69uGKx4IqBx7t8i8VDczQkrfvMNwBSpv5zMD0-3IqExFefelkN-reHWi_wCFExgpHVEGbfn5ApC/s4080/roses.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinc1f6TAnllw7netUOnn2cWbj4t0nyWEjmlgvLTA88vQ-4iW_FYqVgyySLwL0E0bKwBGhEEcIiNqNp9l6aCnejTkWhhtVLUkbkW5Rh-5iZirl_5ylgc69uGKx4IqBx7t8i8VDczQkrfvMNwBSpv5zMD0-3IqExFefelkN-reHWi_wCFExgpHVEGbfn5ApC/s320/roses.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Dinner was potluck. I cooked the basics and others brought side dishes and homemade rolls. The food was delicious and we enjoyed complimenting one another's cooking and sharing recipes.</p><p>The real fun began after dinner. I brought out a bowl filled with carefully folded paper slips, each containing a question or prompt. As the bowl arrived, each of us would draw out a slip, read and respond to the prompt. </p><p>They were getting-to-know-you questions such as "tell us about your education, formal or through life experience" or "describe a funny, sweet, or embarrassing first kiss." We learned about favorite movies, songs, and actors, discovered secrets about one another's families, and laughed. So much! </p><p>The party broke up early, since none of us are party animals and we all had things to do on Feb. 15, but we have talked about it often in the time since. We just may decide to make Galentines Day an annual event. For other ladies without partners but with gal-pals, I highly recommend giving it a try.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>LEAP AHEAD: </b>Remember that big project you resolved to get done this year? We have an extra day this year. This Thursday is a great day to leap forward, so let's jump in and get that project going. Or not. But let's do enjoy this extra day. "<span style="background-color: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Google Sans", Roboto, arial, sans-serif;">This is the day which the LORD hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118).</span></p><p><b>A SIDE NOTE:</b> This is my mother's birthday. Happy Heavenly Birthday greetings to Anonna Hubbard. Love you, Mama! </p><p><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Susan Aylworth is the author of 25 published novels including two </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">small-town sweet romance series set in and near the Navajo Nation and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. as well as </span><span style="background-color: white;">five books in the Christmas Town series. Susan lives near Utah's Rocky Mountains. Watch for more books coming this summer and fall in both the Rainbow Rock and Christmas Town series. Contact her at her website: susanaylworthauthor.com, or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com, also @SusanAylworth. Susan loves travel, music, her large and scattered family, perfect raspberry jam, and hearing from readers. </span></span></span></i></p><p><br /></p>Susan Aylworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950324917778043680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-70169019437940758712024-02-22T03:00:00.000-08:002024-02-22T03:00:00.131-08:00Mochi making in A DANGEROUS STAGE by Camy Tang<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEjKPzos0c0VZYVB7WeuZhwYOt_WWRtyUgLljbSyKhzH4K4d_sJBope6Zrw65C4CCxrO64X1bV4EW-W4JWnAfhOTO190if-8KFvDARF_Z50ldODTjgdOj1eIBU7bX8-dL9ufzy-SAtLtAGDS5Y-Eb0a-oJVdQOsJwFb7A7vZ4nYbRfghEogE/s640/6b3915d7405de8c2145c929fa7bdce8b.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEjKPzos0c0VZYVB7WeuZhwYOt_WWRtyUgLljbSyKhzH4K4d_sJBope6Zrw65C4CCxrO64X1bV4EW-W4JWnAfhOTO190if-8KFvDARF_Z50ldODTjgdOj1eIBU7bX8-dL9ufzy-SAtLtAGDS5Y-Eb0a-oJVdQOsJwFb7A7vZ4nYbRfghEogE/s600/6b3915d7405de8c2145c929fa7bdce8b.jpg"/></a></div><br />
Can you guess what this is? This is mochi and manju (bottom right) from Shuei-Do, a shop in San Jose Japantown that specializes in these Japanese sweets.<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mochi" target="_blank">Mochi</a> is a rice cake made with sweet rice that’s been pounded into this sticky, slightly chewy texture. It can be a plain dumpling (my mom adds it to soup for New Year’s) or it can be filled with a variety of things like sweet red bean paste (azuki or adzuki), sweet white bean paste, and even peanut butter or fresh strawberries.<br />
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My family would always have a mochi-making session before New Year’s so Grandma would have mochi for the traditional mochi soup. After she passed away, my mom took up the mantle and this past December I helped her make mochi for the mochi soup.<br />
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Update: I found this video I’d made years ago of my grandma and my mom making mochi for New Year’s!<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6b_emIhP0XY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Even though my grandma usually only ever made mochi in late December, there are some families who make sweet mochi (for snacks or desserts) throughout the year just like Shuei-Do and other mochi shops. So in a scene in <a href="http://camytang.com/books/protection_for_hire_series/2_a_dangerous_stage" target="_blank"><i>A Dangerous Stage</i></a> where Tessa is visiting Mrs. Akaogi, I have her making mochi.<br />
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Mrs. Akaogi is making mochi filled with sweet red bean paste, or azuki beans. (It’s also spelled adzuki beans but I’ve only ever seen it spelled azuki in Hawaii, which is an interesting cultural note that has no doubt added infinite value to your life. ;) So Mrs. Akaogi’s mochi balls would probably look similar to the one in the top left in the picture. That mochi actually has white bean paste rather than red bean paste—a mochi filled with red bean paste would look a little darker.<br />
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Captain Caffeine does not care for mochi—the sticky texture isn’t his favorite—but I grew up on this stuff and love it! It kind of fills the same role for Japanese children as chocolate chip cookies do for American children—it’s a sweet treat. However, mochi is a bit of a pain to make and most people don’t make it that often.<br />
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So now when you read that scene in <a href="http://camytang.com/books/protection_for_hire_series/2_a_dangerous_stage" target="_blank"><i>A Dangerous Stage</i></a>, you’ll know exactly what Tessa is raving about!
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<a href="http://camytang.com/books/protection_for_hire_series/2_a_dangerous_stage" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6NDTGrbfzVJN8yfSjbQrsKtdU-qtVINkGxNCvwjq5LXv89ROTE9H_ZxY3k3O13sLoJxXw0I8pbHTzmEofDjBSbC1EnWX4eC-5XVYJxKJH_ZmVi_eJ_faTZanp_qGvHxE8ykMGAw4j1x4/s320/DangerousStageweb.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>Tessa Lancaster worked for her uncle in the Japanese mafia until she was sent to prison for a murder she didn't commit. Now, after finding God behind bars, she takes odd jobs as a bodyguard to keep her distance from the family business.<br />
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In <i>A Dangerous Stage</i>, the second book in Camy Tang's Protection for Hire series, Tessa gets caught up in the web of lies surrounding a shady singing competition. Hired by one of the contestants, she works with Charles Britton—the lawyer who sent her to prison—to discover the dark figures manipulating the contest from behind the scenes.<br />
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Tessa's abilities will be tested like never before as she's forced to balance the safety of her client's family and her deepening relationship with Charles. In the midst of the chaos, she holds on to her faith to keep her safe and bring down the shadowy organization.Camy Tanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00790591988777275651noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-40716170679925924042024-02-21T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-21T01:00:00.136-08:00The first American Novel by Janice Lynn<p>Did you know that what's widely considered the first American novel was printed in Boston on January 21, 1789? That's 239 years ago. The Power of Sympathy by William H. Brown isn't something I'd typically pick up to read. Honestly, it sounds like something I'd avoid reading as I like happy endings and this one isn't in my opinion. I haven't actually read it, but I am familiar with the plot and ending. Still, I am appreciative of what that first book started as I do love to read and am so grateful to have so many wonderful options.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1loFtJ6V03jqK_RpdRuGmR0tCy7FlEiYck8G5qXM6O1sEsNGHwhs9JpvCCBmSX0KT6V2NRnObg2QC0S9trNid4XvHXvfqJ-4OIsQalP2tS4jIgXj_1kDAQiYTAKTwdQI6nd-VSjP-TeiCMC2gwL8mZQExPCYgH_QIeoZEPDBFspVRt_lOqM1JCfV7E9CG/s993/Power.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="633" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1loFtJ6V03jqK_RpdRuGmR0tCy7FlEiYck8G5qXM6O1sEsNGHwhs9JpvCCBmSX0KT6V2NRnObg2QC0S9trNid4XvHXvfqJ-4OIsQalP2tS4jIgXj_1kDAQiYTAKTwdQI6nd-VSjP-TeiCMC2gwL8mZQExPCYgH_QIeoZEPDBFspVRt_lOqM1JCfV7E9CG/s320/Power.JPG" width="204" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Interestingly, The Bay Psalm Book is also described as the first book prublished in America and was also printed in Masschusetts. It came out in 1640 and a copy recently <br />sold for over $14 million. So, I've tried to discern why they both get credit for being the first book in America and it seems that The Bay Psalm Book was printed in 1640, making it truly the first book printed in the US and The Power of Sympathy is the first published book that was also written in the US. At least, that's the way I interpret what I can't find.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGVlzodm5AW6ljhDcdVFRKh7xr_YQwx8c6oOfK5BUJItSaIzkgha7UX-BXhwJc7MJrC1wr2yvtK3TI8_bJYdgoo-BVvaBxFvmbqenhDjDwHOeHInQ8FaBeIcMu237qj7PyBGYxoonLe3hoT74rxinRYJKkf_17M73WQHsu46AqfDqDHOi3T7Aq0p-Dolh/s1668/094809BA-BA47-4345-A752-C14922C8D0FB_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1668" data-original-width="945" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGVlzodm5AW6ljhDcdVFRKh7xr_YQwx8c6oOfK5BUJItSaIzkgha7UX-BXhwJc7MJrC1wr2yvtK3TI8_bJYdgoo-BVvaBxFvmbqenhDjDwHOeHInQ8FaBeIcMu237qj7PyBGYxoonLe3hoT74rxinRYJKkf_17M73WQHsu46AqfDqDHOi3T7Aq0p-Dolh/s320/094809BA-BA47-4345-A752-C14922C8D0FB_1_201_a.jpeg" width="181" /></a></div><p></p><p>The reality of it is that regardless of my thoughts on those specific books I am very grateful to both for paving the way to something I'm passionate about---BOOKS! Lots and lots of books. We've come a long way!</p><p>So, it's not the first novel written in America, nor is it the first published novel in America, but Breaking the Nurse's No-Dating Rule is my latest published novel. Unlike The Power of Sympathy, I promise that there's a happily ever after at the end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7awMYkV174IE_0_gEin6dQ8mshdlmtbqHxsqXANk-9TSOHnEehQnUqiOxlYFLCcepOyLSJ8tN6go8yqaCJH5PKOysig3HkAYHslRyRJdAYcj4Lqp9T3WU5xlPq1DVXgWJF5jY23S23pQEuRqcL7mnjMqwUELMZgQ9vPRqT2Koc3eBwE_DM1rfr6fxwB__/s1903/IMG_8046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="1229" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7awMYkV174IE_0_gEin6dQ8mshdlmtbqHxsqXANk-9TSOHnEehQnUqiOxlYFLCcepOyLSJ8tN6go8yqaCJH5PKOysig3HkAYHslRyRJdAYcj4Lqp9T3WU5xlPq1DVXgWJF5jY23S23pQEuRqcL7mnjMqwUELMZgQ9vPRqT2Koc3eBwE_DM1rfr6fxwB__/s320/IMG_8046.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Available January 23, 2024 or pre-order now from your favorite book retailer. </div><p><a href="https://amzn.to/3U2SmaT" target="_blank">Amazon</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breaking-the-nurses-no-dating-rule-janice-lynn/1143657315" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780369749888_breaking-the-nurses-no-dating-rule.html" target="_blank">Harlequin</a></p><p><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #111111; font-size: small; text-align: center;">USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #111111; font-size: small; text-align: center;">JANICE LYNN </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: small; text-align: center;">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. </span><span face=""arial" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-size: small; text-align: center;">www.janicelynn.com The WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS books are available at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9TMS5V" style="color: #8a8a8a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">AMAZON</a> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/wrapped-up-in-christmas-janice-lynn/1130555079" style="color: #8a8a8a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="https://www.walmart.com/ip/Wrapped-Up-in-Christmas-9781947892644/604011306" style="color: #8a8a8a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">WALMART</a> & many other place where you buy books. WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE is coming Christmas 2024.</span></p><p><br /></p>Janice Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06192734468630387053noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-21139205843655560572024-02-19T05:00:00.000-08:002024-02-19T05:00:00.132-08:00Baking and Reconnecting with Friends and Family by Merri<p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br />February has more than one sweet holiday. We all know about Valentine's Day—February is also <bdi class="group-0 word-0-1 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">National <bdi class="group-0 word-0-2 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">Bake <bdi class="group-0 word-0-3 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">For</bdi> <bdi class="group-0 word-0-4 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">Family</bdi> Fun</bdi> Month</bdi>! </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">This month-long celebration is all about more than baking tasty treats; it's about the wonderful connections we build while working together in the heart of our homes.</span></p><p data-words="26" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoCCOI6OqXZnxMiiUCQOkVnFzgBYwuz-kktwzNo6oE9xP7Fy6aRsO67KvFenXa-ldsUCju5mdyl12UEfqpieZWwa2jPL_B7Ug4_sleXCab9P5fGUhfHqSMT386uQnah8OAOWRKqUdPmvO5nSUULhR5eSrihk3Bihl-lkR61h2KweVvFrSykdfoUSc1OHY/s300/National.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYoCCOI6OqXZnxMiiUCQOkVnFzgBYwuz-kktwzNo6oE9xP7Fy6aRsO67KvFenXa-ldsUCju5mdyl12UEfqpieZWwa2jPL_B7Ug4_sleXCab9P5fGUhfHqSMT386uQnah8OAOWRKqUdPmvO5nSUULhR5eSrihk3Bihl-lkR61h2KweVvFrSykdfoUSc1OHY/w200-h167/National.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br />Baking is a fantastic way to bond with family. In the realm of sweet romance, it can also create a backdrop for heartwarming connections between characters.</span><p></p><p data-words="35" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Imagine a cozy kitchen in Montana. Our main character, Annie, a widow and single mother, is reconnecting with her childhood friend Noah. As the evening grows late and hunger strikes, Annie suggests whipping up a batch of biscuits and gravy.</span></span></p><p data-words="34" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">As <bdi class="group-0 word-0-0 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">Annie and Noah</bdi> roll dough and reminisce about old times, the kitchen fills with laughter, shared stories, and heartfelt conversations. Suddenly, the bridge between the past and the future doesn't seem so intimidating.</span></span></p><p data-words="48" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Through the simple act of baking together, <bdi class="group-0 word-0-0 active" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">Annie and Noah</bdi> rediscover the warmth of their friendship and the depth of their connection. It's about more than the biscuits baking in the oven; it's about the bonds they're reigniting, one conversation and one sprinkle of flour at a time.</span></span></p><p data-words="48" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"> While this scene was from a story I've written to show the characters reconnecting, it also serves as a reminder that amidst life's changes, the comfort of familiar company and cherished traditions can anchor us. </span></span></p><p data-words="59" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">As we celebrate baking this month, be it with bread, cookies, or any of the other sweet treats we love to enjoy, let's remember that it's about having fun with the food we create and the connections we nurture along the way. </span></span></p><p data-words="21" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I’ll end this month's blog with a sample of Annie and Noah's heartwarming story. Here's an excerpt from </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">For A Visit</span></em><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">. </span></span></p><p data-words="0" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">*****</span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="45" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjkn3ihNj4Y5DM3GXyoxB3I4o4jwi-zG6Azye-FfFed2Z_D68t7kW9PQKC0E0PZsj5FquBkg7vKR9xYyRonRsTdLVVYysTPz9qhjNaXucWkVUepoJfiWayvwjiqugkfsBxkL1KAFgwJdJHmm5ZiHD0Qp28IfiHdU6AccmOfsE0lbC176CEfBn-kAT29aB/s2560/For-A-Visit-Generic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1730" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAjkn3ihNj4Y5DM3GXyoxB3I4o4jwi-zG6Azye-FfFed2Z_D68t7kW9PQKC0E0PZsj5FquBkg7vKR9xYyRonRsTdLVVYysTPz9qhjNaXucWkVUepoJfiWayvwjiqugkfsBxkL1KAFgwJdJHmm5ZiHD0Qp28IfiHdU6AccmOfsE0lbC176CEfBn-kAT29aB/w141-h210/For-A-Visit-Generic.jpg" width="141" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br />Annie smiled at the change from the Noah she remembered. When they were in high school, he’d tell Jesse and Annie every detail of his dates. There were still a couple of women she couldn’t look in the eye because of some things Noah shared.</span><p></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="20" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">"What about you? Have you dated since Jesse?" He paused as though searching for the correct word, then said, </bdo><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“Left?”</bdo></bdo></span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="61" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Three years had passed since Jesse died. He died doing what he loved, riding the quad. So while she was sad for herself, Annie always thought if it was his time to go, that was the best way for it to happen. <bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“No, I didn’t have it in me to see anyone else.”</bdo> She admitted. <bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“And J.R. keeps me busy.”</bdo></span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="14" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“Jesse said that would happen.”</bdo> A wrinkle formed in the middle of Noah’s brow. </span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="86" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“What?”</bdo> Annie had no idea Jesse and Noah talked about her. Although it made sense. Jesse had survived cancer in his twenties. After facing death, he approached life differently. Sometimes when they lay in bed, he’d ask her what she’d do without him. Annie always said she didn’t want to think about life without him. Now she was living it. If he were to come back and ask how she was doing, Annie would have said that she was right. Life without him was too hard. </span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="22" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“You’re too young to stop living.”</bdo> Just as Noah said it, the timer signaling that the biscuits were finished baking went off. </span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="52" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">The sound startled Annie into moving. She pulled the oven mitts out of the drawer and opened the door. After the initial wave of heat passed, Annie inhaled the aroma of warm biscuits, and her mouth watered. She set them on the counter and said, <bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“I need to get your biscuit recipe.”</bdo> </span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="18" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;"></bdo></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsNla14X3cS9E96YO2SM_t9ZI7KrEC5ldBMPK3sseecTUCQZ0ful2EzgPSIApZ-SGpqJtMIxaIINxSslSUAo2-treDp-FMVD-A6F3kiCVrAXM9atZAN-ZLqIGclOkh0o9UAyIEjEAdZnrObsrrg5JcI1uu-jlU1XJQhqC3rjzskd7TtINpN1wU33vbUYd/s1024/Biscuits.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsNla14X3cS9E96YO2SM_t9ZI7KrEC5ldBMPK3sseecTUCQZ0ful2EzgPSIApZ-SGpqJtMIxaIINxSslSUAo2-treDp-FMVD-A6F3kiCVrAXM9atZAN-ZLqIGclOkh0o9UAyIEjEAdZnrObsrrg5JcI1uu-jlU1XJQhqC3rjzskd7TtINpN1wU33vbUYd/w200-h200/Biscuits.webp" width="200" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;"><br />“Some things are best kept secret,” Noah’s eyes sparkled. <bdo class="dialogue" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; scroll-margin-top: 1rem;">“Besides, if I don’t tell, you’ll invite me back.”</bdo> </span><p></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="41" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Annie wished it were true. That he’d stick around to make biscuits whenever she had a taste for them, but she said nothing because it would be too harsh to remind Noah that he was only in town for a visit.</span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="41" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">Link to Buy For A Visit </span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="41" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">|<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GFL4TMT" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/for-a-visit/id1427727936" target="_blank">Apple</a> | <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/for-a-visit-1" target="_blank">Kobo</a>|</span></span></p><p class="paragraph-first-line-indent" data-words="41" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 30pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">***</span></span></p><p data-words="38" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">This is where the excerpt ends. To keep the conversation going, I’d like to ask: Do you have a favorite sweet romance novel or movie that features baking or cooking as a central theme? Share in the comments. </span></span></p><p data-words="0" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px 0px 13.8pt; padding: 0px;"><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #414141; font-family: Arial, serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></p>Merri Maywetherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12760210148577039428noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-87454544495480351812024-02-14T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-14T00:30:00.138-08:00Growing Old Together by Merrillee Whren<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr-GZeRhvvf_UxntAgdSRAR3Okezoij310OJJKTUPoSKRrHHvxngyHIPfEcCdpOZqWGN0rJ7l6v721MGjYsqmDoBHjkm1mZbQCUSVJgCp3kXNBRfwwidDRWOEf5gVVRK28z8mdE0uCX35LGu_M95Wp-qgDovhk_lsg0js6KnwgPH9SB7eRg7fbVJu3OVG/s940/Growing%20Old%20Together.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr-GZeRhvvf_UxntAgdSRAR3Okezoij310OJJKTUPoSKRrHHvxngyHIPfEcCdpOZqWGN0rJ7l6v721MGjYsqmDoBHjkm1mZbQCUSVJgCp3kXNBRfwwidDRWOEf5gVVRK28z8mdE0uCX35LGu_M95Wp-qgDovhk_lsg0js6KnwgPH9SB7eRg7fbVJu3OVG/w400-h335/Growing%20Old%20Together.png" width="400" /></a></div><br />For the most part romances are about young love. There are some books out there with older heroes and heroines, but they are in the minority. I know my books all feature heroes and heroines in their twenties and thirties. I do have a couple of older secondary characters that have a romance. In my book, <i><a href="https://www.merrilleewhren.com/book/hometown-promise/" target="_blank">Hometown Promise</a></i>, the hero's grandfather finds a new love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBGFXcOKIZ-vanmBzFl00RP4pr6baSN3zoU8xPKS5QR-JaQ5WU35kaqqpQXDirhAzl5TA7wEK79Cr8jslTHaZ-Dxnd5xc8Twpb8tm1d62mZbJpUWUmacJJrBwSiX_ThQUB2VM-5rH_im1mzFi5TbxFMw_VGHS98p-ZVh3iyA1HreXJ-DhMrAhXfAfqTXr/s940/Hometown%20Promise%20meme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBGFXcOKIZ-vanmBzFl00RP4pr6baSN3zoU8xPKS5QR-JaQ5WU35kaqqpQXDirhAzl5TA7wEK79Cr8jslTHaZ-Dxnd5xc8Twpb8tm1d62mZbJpUWUmacJJrBwSiX_ThQUB2VM-5rH_im1mzFi5TbxFMw_VGHS98p-ZVh3iyA1HreXJ-DhMrAhXfAfqTXr/w400-h335/Hometown%20Promise%20meme.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Today my husband and I have been married 48 years. Two more years to 50. And yes, we were married on Valentine's Day. That's us in the photo above. We've had our ups and downs, but through it all our love has grown. Every year we get a little grayer and have a few more wrinkles, but that doesn't matter. We still enjoy each other's company and share a lot of laughs. We enjoy traveling together and seeing new things. We love to hike and see the beauty of God's creation all around us. Our granddaughters bring us joy, and it is wonderful to see our grown daughters as successful adults.<p></p><p>Each time I start a new book, I remember those early days of young love. I know those fictional characters will somehow work out their differences and find true love. I'm glad I found mine and that the thrill of young love has become a treasured love through the years.</p><p>Do you ever read romances with older characters?<br /></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">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 </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MerrilleeWhren.Author" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Facebook</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> page and sign up for her </span><a href="http://www.merrilleewhren.com/sign-up-for-merrillees-newsletter/" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #115dd1; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">newsletter</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18.48px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMNvUYxKATOyJm6ky67tevPXyJJCV9WpBYxfd-Z-4CJEoJEfNQmR4mruP56N5lztqIvfNnJgqlhRhYLhzyLBieSD4V-y8jasIJy7Mmtuocj4fh3iZMzNRoTswVKjAALFA6_ErL5M6Mgq_9QW6zeRpfdchy2PR3TTU2MC_qE8DOCfQRZjy073Nt8J-2TzI/s2240/KELLERSBURG,%20OHIO.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="2240" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMNvUYxKATOyJm6ky67tevPXyJJCV9WpBYxfd-Z-4CJEoJEfNQmR4mruP56N5lztqIvfNnJgqlhRhYLhzyLBieSD4V-y8jasIJy7Mmtuocj4fh3iZMzNRoTswVKjAALFA6_ErL5M6Mgq_9QW6zeRpfdchy2PR3TTU2MC_qE8DOCfQRZjy073Nt8J-2TzI/s320/KELLERSBURG,%20OHIO.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Merrilleehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08617320163408645299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-48628541739308980522024-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:002024-02-11T00:00:00.142-08:00Unconventional Love: A Fresh Perspective on Valentine's Day by Josie Riviera<p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Valentine's Day, traditionally a celebration of romantic love, often focuses on couples exchanging chocolates, flowers, and heartfelt cards. But this year, let's redefine the narrative and celebrate love in all its forms—romantic, platonic, and self-love. Whether you're in a relationship or happily single, Valentine's Day can be a day of joy, connection, and appreciation for the diverse expressions of love.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP_HmK-0sZwj-reXO_VRHfIH6yi8nj5JY3qdsYccDWpwrzqay5ZVRs-rfO5JYRB2s8ArQzsCI2TDDmmJEulJjLAsy1APhd4T73gYC7NdMNYocfJu2YSYMv27dJ9p6EVRgcCQ45PWun69GhviNon45xC67fIkVusFBpe2VTa8JhZL8s312tgt0TpYgAKc/s1280/paper-3215196_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1280" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbP_HmK-0sZwj-reXO_VRHfIH6yi8nj5JY3qdsYccDWpwrzqay5ZVRs-rfO5JYRB2s8ArQzsCI2TDDmmJEulJjLAsy1APhd4T73gYC7NdMNYocfJu2YSYMv27dJ9p6EVRgcCQ45PWun69GhviNon45xC67fIkVusFBpe2VTa8JhZL8s312tgt0TpYgAKc/s320/paper-3215196_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">1. Self-Love Affair:</span>
Begin the day by indulging in acts of self-love. Treat yourself to a spa day, a favorite meal, or a quiet moment with a good book. Embrace the concept that self-love is the foundation for all other relationships.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">2. Galentine's Day Extravaganza:</span>
Celebrate the love and camaraderie of friendship with a Galentine's Day gathering. Whether it's a virtual brunch or a cozy movie night, cherish the platonic bonds that bring laughter, support, and understanding into your life.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">3. Love Letters to the Universe:</span>
Engage in a reflective exercise by writing love letters to the aspects of your life that bring you joy and fulfillment. Express gratitude for your passions, achievements, and the people who have shaped your journey.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">4. Random Acts of Kindness:</span>
Spread love beyond your inner circle by performing random acts of kindness. Send a thoughtful message, share a compliment, or perform a small gesture that brightens someone else's day. Love has a ripple effect, and your actions can create a positive chain.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">5. Cultural Exploration of Love:</span>
Explore different cultural perspectives on love by diving into literature, films, or traditions from around the world. Gain insights into how diverse societies express and celebrate love in their own unique ways.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">6. Nourish Your Passions:</span>
Rediscover and nourish your passions. Whether it's art, music, writing, or any creative pursuit, spend time engaging in activities that fuel your soul and remind you of the unique love you have for your interests.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">7. Virtual Connection:</span>
For those in long-distance relationships or separated from loved ones, embrace virtual connection. Plan a virtual dinner date, play online games together, or simply share stories to bridge the physical gap and strengthen emotional bonds.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">8. Nature's Love Affair:</span>
Connect with nature by taking a walk, enjoying a picnic, or simply basking in the beauty of the outdoors. Nature has a way of grounding us and reminding us of the simple yet profound essence of love.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-weight: 600;">9. Mindful Meditation:</span>
Cap off the day with mindful meditation. Reflect on the various forms of love in your life, cultivating a sense of inner peace and gratitude for the interconnectedness of all relationships.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This Valentine's Day, let's break free from the conventional and embrace a celebration of love that knows no boundaries. Whether you're celebrating romantic love, the love of friendship, or the love you have for yourself, let this day be a unique expression of all the love in your life. </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What's better than FREE? Grab your FREE ebook copy of my sweet, Valentine romance, </p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Box-Valentine-Book-ebook/dp/B081J8FJ41" target="_blank">A Chocolate-Box Valentine</a>,</i> today! Available in ebook, paperback, large print paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.</p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjw3XVEWZZ3JvKeD3d-rnWq2nxBqAsuX8rPq75Sx0fOfZpIyZWr1F0abk5v4azjokGiUNbOxBJTtudsO-6KoZcUsRwlsvS6KMecgPp2X3R6aWzKYTQ4VQEv60WgPnsX6JDYvJPKe28rbXcSympDzK8HOJnsJH46zZsV3bwuQ1tteBbQu61WKXJ-_4Smg/s1200/free,%20a%20chocolate-box%20valentine.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjw3XVEWZZ3JvKeD3d-rnWq2nxBqAsuX8rPq75Sx0fOfZpIyZWr1F0abk5v4azjokGiUNbOxBJTtudsO-6KoZcUsRwlsvS6KMecgPp2X3R6aWzKYTQ4VQEv60WgPnsX6JDYvJPKe28rbXcSympDzK8HOJnsJH46zZsV3bwuQ1tteBbQu61WKXJ-_4Smg/s320/free,%20a%20chocolate-box%20valentine.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><p style="font-style: normal;">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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj16VAdD0e9x65blRgkuad3srq9doougATOcqZvR5uC_eVuMIGHYrx0gUhf5Wn4RnoBhQhiUik_stOQTYrcpvUq6Guw6rjRSxKKqRZgFjjAwac6YZ_D2CRpX3PjhxL_N6qg5swUKiWrN1dUkIFEmjvxoimsrj9tHVAFBNk62BxwlaOf90RB0BbEXIew=s400" imageanchor="1" style="color: #0263f6; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="125" data-original-width="400" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj16VAdD0e9x65blRgkuad3srq9doougATOcqZvR5uC_eVuMIGHYrx0gUhf5Wn4RnoBhQhiUik_stOQTYrcpvUq6Guw6rjRSxKKqRZgFjjAwac6YZ_D2CRpX3PjhxL_N6qg5swUKiWrN1dUkIFEmjvxoimsrj9tHVAFBNk62BxwlaOf90RB0BbEXIew=s320" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; box-sizing: border-box; max-width: 100%; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="280" /></a></div><p style="font-style: normal;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: collapse;"></i></p><p style="font-style: normal;">Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website:<a href="https://josieriviera.com/" style="color: #0263f6; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"> josieriviera.com</a></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; color: var(--text-primary); font-family: Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol", "Noto Color Emoji"; font-size: 16px; margin: 1.25em 0px 0px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></p>Josiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05930730661273079224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-72940317823105885532024-02-09T00:30:00.000-08:002024-02-09T00:30:00.150-08:00Location! Location! Location! by Christine Bush<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOKEZuAxe0XUJfx_kw9ZPzJsZcKxcRV3R0IhHWPlFjJn_6efnTRZnu3QOeLoMuAEhrBhd6HJT0A2cdIWvUk7SPIdQoFee1_paQ6pc6pP6SKnBXxc7oU_tu79oCxhXkEjW_GCe8pbn11V3_p0mp_mT0O3xjRszxJr6_kAiBcwVXA1UaJUAlc90-Bz9KzyVB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2400" data-original-width="1838" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOKEZuAxe0XUJfx_kw9ZPzJsZcKxcRV3R0IhHWPlFjJn_6efnTRZnu3QOeLoMuAEhrBhd6HJT0A2cdIWvUk7SPIdQoFee1_paQ6pc6pP6SKnBXxc7oU_tu79oCxhXkEjW_GCe8pbn11V3_p0mp_mT0O3xjRszxJr6_kAiBcwVXA1UaJUAlc90-Bz9KzyVB" width="184" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Location,
location, location!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">When you
find a book you enjoy, how important is the location of the novel to you?</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I have
written book set in many places, some that I have visited and found fascinating,
some I have lived in, a few (historicals) that I have researched and imagined.
I love a variety of locations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">My
newest book “Curtain Call” is set in a place very close to my heart.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s a sweet romantic mystery, the second in
my new series “Strawberry Manor Mysteries”.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The first is titled “Swan Song.”</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi_PEK1TXuWNNuK4V__CJGt6-K0Q6AwysiVm8GRc_GTiBRjEe0TAfFuf6gletem7Fd5y-6s0Wu7rS7_lAiuaiG-T8r3PotGYnrqGuz0o0vzHCj42U03KTUwxxD94hJxB83rlS0L25vGGrnnaq2kEGzjFZBqYQASo7qB6Kb9ZH4Ywp2Uv7JC0mjlOzioLi/s1752/CC4pdf.pdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi_PEK1TXuWNNuK4V__CJGt6-K0Q6AwysiVm8GRc_GTiBRjEe0TAfFuf6gletem7Fd5y-6s0Wu7rS7_lAiuaiG-T8r3PotGYnrqGuz0o0vzHCj42U03KTUwxxD94hJxB83rlS0L25vGGrnnaq2kEGzjFZBqYQASo7qB6Kb9ZH4Ywp2Uv7JC0mjlOzioLi/w202-h320/CC4pdf.pdf.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> <br /><br /></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9hhxSKlDO7NpiqpKkqIc-hHZ6pDgo9Ju11Pz2lBb44BaKZnTOXe2E_QiE4NJ5qOlWAc9OtkguUL4lQwDzjl9uO8L0HndftQgjchLvjpd8SzjfIv7R6NPC9ieqm2g2rA4TUSW-UQnLnz0kTdoalK6meCGfiEJcEBSIKAXjsrCvHxY7O4KYStSG4QeKlys/s499/swan%20song3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9hhxSKlDO7NpiqpKkqIc-hHZ6pDgo9Ju11Pz2lBb44BaKZnTOXe2E_QiE4NJ5qOlWAc9OtkguUL4lQwDzjl9uO8L0HndftQgjchLvjpd8SzjfIv7R6NPC9ieqm2g2rA4TUSW-UQnLnz0kTdoalK6meCGfiEJcEBSIKAXjsrCvHxY7O4KYStSG4QeKlys/s320/swan%20song3.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>The
setting is the little town of “New Hope, Pennsylvania”, a famous artist and
theater colony in Bucks County, nestled along the beautiful Delaware River.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It’s my hometown!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JVs4DInAFI4NIhyphenhyphen1mTrqWtM4rz7yi2NJ3bsGmjNlcFpvSfD5Syrjpq-nNVuf2jnp82A_Nx0kq1A31N9Qmx28iRm_vtXZiT0WOb0-Z0DTxD45maG_fzWEswvE6X2t7x6f2Q3iROrM_6u_6UeM-PyfxCK87VJB0Vy16jNhPgVMmj7p1Omla71Oz6jcpJPt/s960/new%20hope1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="656" data-original-width="960" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JVs4DInAFI4NIhyphenhyphen1mTrqWtM4rz7yi2NJ3bsGmjNlcFpvSfD5Syrjpq-nNVuf2jnp82A_Nx0kq1A31N9Qmx28iRm_vtXZiT0WOb0-Z0DTxD45maG_fzWEswvE6X2t7x6f2Q3iROrM_6u_6UeM-PyfxCK87VJB0Vy16jNhPgVMmj7p1Omla71Oz6jcpJPt/s320/new%20hope1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></p>Many
years have passed since I darted through the streets and shops of New Hope, and
much has changed.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">New shops have
replaced some of the old.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Restaurants
have blossomed in old mansions and churches that were once homes and houses of
prayer.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Tourism is a mainstay now. Housing
developments have exploded on the outskirts of town on land that was once
active farm land.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Some things are very
different.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVCkF8LzyCiVCLFkEn43igjgNtWXyqc3wdHutsvesY-MVKkGTG1tOzmnySBWGiPJUz0KabJzJLjciqHtKPkay9J-Mlfhec5YKL2QR4jh8FQiM1vMpRILiJovfAl8qR-Ft0VNu6cKbwlnNInrMF9brUocIYRer6vIS6FnnV6SoRCSTfFS1r4mc1Ul_TyEA/s550/new-hope%20del%20river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="365" data-original-width="550" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhVCkF8LzyCiVCLFkEn43igjgNtWXyqc3wdHutsvesY-MVKkGTG1tOzmnySBWGiPJUz0KabJzJLjciqHtKPkay9J-Mlfhec5YKL2QR4jh8FQiM1vMpRILiJovfAl8qR-Ft0VNu6cKbwlnNInrMF9brUocIYRer6vIS6FnnV6SoRCSTfFS1r4mc1Ul_TyEA/s320/new-hope%20del%20river.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">But much
remains the same.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I had a lot of fun incorporating
those real places into my story, as well as using my imagination to add details
that are fictional.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Strawberry Manor,”
the delightful bed and breakfast established by my heroine, Charley McAdams, is
imaginary. It sits north of town along the river.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA-7-CvCuXUHQJvRIj-dDt10Hlzu7I-CIouk1bT4o_FhMFQBdEr2CbfHOroIAUujD8izK-F3rjDqC-TmlU_K4tjMwKR8eMnoGjGfiQbwt3kacNGwTBJhEBBg7I7a7XWZPSyi2M6O-u1fciWVmdX4KAqTueKWejCQ5VyRfiEsQWswxwtonX5R5Viki7OkU/s400/new%20hope%20boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitA-7-CvCuXUHQJvRIj-dDt10Hlzu7I-CIouk1bT4o_FhMFQBdEr2CbfHOroIAUujD8izK-F3rjDqC-TmlU_K4tjMwKR8eMnoGjGfiQbwt3kacNGwTBJhEBBg7I7a7XWZPSyi2M6O-u1fciWVmdX4KAqTueKWejCQ5VyRfiEsQWswxwtonX5R5Viki7OkU/s320/new%20hope%20boat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The amazing
and historic “Bucks County Playhouse” is real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It sits in the center of town, and has been bringing entertainment, laughter,
and talent to the area since 1939.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had
the joy of working there as a teenager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was an usher (I loved this as I got to see all the shows free!),
worked in the concession stand, and occasionally assisted with set painting and
assistance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_zYV0xEfWuW9aOYxwYJuoOKqV8pW4vgT15y1ois3g8kghlo_hC4KXtM51mQxcQLQQTExitehYeHAsPutaeneaUeKqaGtqeja9hu0PVeWZebWEt5jEzl1N8r735bMZXWxevQabOMW_JiQLrJXgQdpL71QnogEgWKOUWU6Ap3m1cGuYqvJCabVCplj4r8/s800/Bucks-County-Playhouse-New-Hope-PA-800x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVM_zYV0xEfWuW9aOYxwYJuoOKqV8pW4vgT15y1ois3g8kghlo_hC4KXtM51mQxcQLQQTExitehYeHAsPutaeneaUeKqaGtqeja9hu0PVeWZebWEt5jEzl1N8r735bMZXWxevQabOMW_JiQLrJXgQdpL71QnogEgWKOUWU6Ap3m1cGuYqvJCabVCplj4r8/w400-h300/Bucks-County-Playhouse-New-Hope-PA-800x600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><o:p><br /></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It was a
time of amazing experiences, like chatting with a very young Liza Minelli who
was starring in “Time Out for Ginger,” and sneaking her off set to get an ice
cream cone from the famous “Gerenser’s Ice Cream” in town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many, many famous actors graced the stage
there (and still do!).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYyo6MLocmcWf_14wi38uX6x4zcXz1reSuBQim8dvSk7hqdW1zyMMCC8L6x0R15qUkAGNKwtjS6Zfk-Ni3ar6WHuaqHQmLnEMVIdPUeue9weokt199EYvyoNbAtuYf51JOeQ2_Pt2RleFIc4Yad_cKqeTDfu7WFYCrqPoY7WS-HGIDSH_7dKcHg9Fqc-Sq" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYyo6MLocmcWf_14wi38uX6x4zcXz1reSuBQim8dvSk7hqdW1zyMMCC8L6x0R15qUkAGNKwtjS6Zfk-Ni3ar6WHuaqHQmLnEMVIdPUeue9weokt199EYvyoNbAtuYf51JOeQ2_Pt2RleFIc4Yad_cKqeTDfu7WFYCrqPoY7WS-HGIDSH_7dKcHg9Fqc-Sq=w137-h200" width="137" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It was
natural to weave the theater influence of the town into my stories. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters are all fictional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So are the crimes that (of course) get solved
in my mysteries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I wanted to
incorporate the essence of that unique little artistic community that meant so
much to me growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How
about you?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you like settings that
remind you of your past experiences?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Or
maybe they inspire you to go to new destinations.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I’d love to hear!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Here’s
the first two books of the “Strawberry Manor Mysteries” series.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I hope you enjoy them!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, <i> Christine</i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ltC702Lkfw-RRlqKq9bRPlhM6TWhBoRanadfb9XbU7M6zyCYrCU8c_SvQoRPRJHaXiSsHbAiHHuoGoDb02wkJTjx9pm5mnVw9L1vCYXmo27HsxgLx0Si_LKdBJ_KlYH4cybDU8WtA7PwH-oUVRLPuFGW9N0WHrOANVtDt38t5G7tbKfQTIEjSUEbvFbP/s499/swan%20song3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="313" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ltC702Lkfw-RRlqKq9bRPlhM6TWhBoRanadfb9XbU7M6zyCYrCU8c_SvQoRPRJHaXiSsHbAiHHuoGoDb02wkJTjx9pm5mnVw9L1vCYXmo27HsxgLx0Si_LKdBJ_KlYH4cybDU8WtA7PwH-oUVRLPuFGW9N0WHrOANVtDt38t5G7tbKfQTIEjSUEbvFbP/s320/swan%20song3.jpg" width="201" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br /></i></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Song-Christine-Bush/dp/B09TF21N61/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ONFEP8PYSVVJ&keywords=christine+bush+swan+song&qid=1707152877&sprefix=christine+bush%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-1">Swan
Song: Bush, Christine: 9798424148651: Amazon.com: Books</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleO2iQDaHsZl1ymV4mS0dQIxJK39V6FJ_Hh42j53BcNj1iSneIv42k1LZN_xCJXFXSCE83r34UUNJBuzyKuD1pvYXBl5uV2lsqmKnQe7YXnz8iopV66iia6K5PQyAJvYkzEe4ljQQpfCKJRNG4aZgxZ_xb-g1fhPAyIwXMrP_2kqR4cdeWbChWgtp6wBx/s1752/CC4pdf.pdf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1752" data-original-width="1100" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgleO2iQDaHsZl1ymV4mS0dQIxJK39V6FJ_Hh42j53BcNj1iSneIv42k1LZN_xCJXFXSCE83r34UUNJBuzyKuD1pvYXBl5uV2lsqmKnQe7YXnz8iopV66iia6K5PQyAJvYkzEe4ljQQpfCKJRNG4aZgxZ_xb-g1fhPAyIwXMrP_2kqR4cdeWbChWgtp6wBx/s320/CC4pdf.pdf.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curtain-Call-Christine-Bush/dp/B0CRQ9P86G/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1KVAQ3QDAV3WK&keywords=christine+bush+curtain+call&qid=1707152931&sprefix=christine+bush+%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1">Curtain
Call: Bush, Christine: 9798869805867: Amazon.com: Books</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">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!</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762</span></i></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent"><i><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: hyperlink;">http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent</span></i></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Christine Bushhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02577441962473344457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-18319363612574622352024-02-07T22:00:00.000-08:002024-02-07T22:00:00.144-08:00Ta-Da! Lyn Cote Announces her New Book-Out Today!<p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><em style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"></strong></em></p><h2 style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.875em; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.333em; margin-top: 0.667em; overflow-wrap: break-word; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><span style="color: red; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Kat’s Strictly Business Partner debuts Today!</span></strong></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4X47jBoY3hJmi0oX7FG1yw2OeTlDYaVX9rKo7U-9zJ1jfOsjYwALrU_8gd_RHc9MZXbQWHKrxTpXTrWzqqxhWNsCqUDTePe6dmF42-gDith-9BpGE1Qydu5JilIZXy84uD0wRUYZYYnmXE-HYa8x2klI6uhVX2nulUzGlMbdK_NPU2eocYnn20cMdw/s300/WEB%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="200" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5i4X47jBoY3hJmi0oX7FG1yw2OeTlDYaVX9rKo7U-9zJ1jfOsjYwALrU_8gd_RHc9MZXbQWHKrxTpXTrWzqqxhWNsCqUDTePe6dmF42-gDith-9BpGE1Qydu5JilIZXy84uD0wRUYZYYnmXE-HYa8x2klI6uhVX2nulUzGlMbdK_NPU2eocYnn20cMdw/s1600/WEB%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: red; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><br /></span></strong></div><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><em style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="overflow-wrap: break-word;">A spunky heroine takes on a wounded hero as partner, but will they keep it strictly business? </strong></em></p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Independent Kat, short for Katherine, Simmons lost her father a year ago. Now the family business, a garden nursery, is in danger because of his medical expenses. She’s forced to take on a partner from the big city. </p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">A year ago Gage Farrell’s life changed due to a fatal boating accident. He’s recovered mostly but lost a fiancée and has forsaken his workaholic lifestyle. He senses his new partner is prickly and uneasy with their partnership. He wants to keep matters all business too. But only heaven knows if they will succeed!</p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">Don’t miss this sweet, sometimes humorous, small town romance with a very happy ending!–Lyn.</p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;"><a href="https://amzn.to/495ZW9o" style="background: none; color: #2a2ab8; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: none;">Click here for more info. </a></p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">This is book 4 in my THE PREACHER’S DAUGHTER series:</p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">1-HANNAH’S HOMETOWN HERO</p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">2-ABBY’S SECOND CHANCE</p><p style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; overflow-wrap: break-word;">3-LUCY’S UNLIKELY LOVE</p><p><span style="font-family: Arial, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">4-KAT’S STRICTLY BUSINESS PARTNER!</span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-2658512549400413702024-02-07T01:00:00.000-08:002024-02-07T01:00:00.146-08:00What's Up with You for February? ~ Jean C. Gordon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTeOwVqx_BjhQo7D5H0MWgYkA1to3qpkpCPYJ2fAYauxKlslBEV-nIrvKnBImAHiUVO2ShU8NlJRurSW6drXQmXNpn-10s_B_p9DskgT6gLhKu6ubLN2vvOP7Izz4tUjmmKABerFjKqP0dBgssGnK9FKCCis09K52qjn_EZu8RRFpG3qiXMSYnUh5KIo/s1062/Screenshot%202024-02-06%20at%202.46.14%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="792" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTeOwVqx_BjhQo7D5H0MWgYkA1to3qpkpCPYJ2fAYauxKlslBEV-nIrvKnBImAHiUVO2ShU8NlJRurSW6drXQmXNpn-10s_B_p9DskgT6gLhKu6ubLN2vvOP7Izz4tUjmmKABerFjKqP0dBgssGnK9FKCCis09K52qjn_EZu8RRFpG3qiXMSYnUh5KIo/w299-h400/Screenshot%202024-02-06%20at%202.46.14%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="299" /></a></div><p>I don't know about you, but February looks like it's coming up eventful for us. First, we have a new puppy in the house. Clover. He's a lab. His mom is yellow and his dad is black. The big guy with him is our Bunda.</p><p>Next, I have a cover reveal for my second book in the nine-book multi-author Hopeless Romantics of Willow Ridge. series. What do you think?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGka7PPBztn_4Er21fgZZvA34CMcBABIEddDtUUq2oxP1qT6HeU_zyGkWZRP-R2DppDqsMFSRc2U7Q5udhMr5QrjRK-UVNdCCpDRULW5-z2q9b1ceyHbbFljHArsCrBevXtFu62pMshrUcRjQNaGOv3FT3OnFf5HjsJEwZF4IOSf6ZB0GN0zB8Y9qWMeo/s2560/Falling-for-the-Guitar-Man-Kindle.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1707" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGka7PPBztn_4Er21fgZZvA34CMcBABIEddDtUUq2oxP1qT6HeU_zyGkWZRP-R2DppDqsMFSRc2U7Q5udhMr5QrjRK-UVNdCCpDRULW5-z2q9b1ceyHbbFljHArsCrBevXtFu62pMshrUcRjQNaGOv3FT3OnFf5HjsJEwZF4IOSf6ZB0GN0zB8Y9qWMeo/w266-h400/Falling-for-the-Guitar-Man-Kindle.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CV4M4QW4" target="_blank">PREORDER ON AMAZON/KINDLE UNLIMITED</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">Then, of course, there's Valentine's Day. My husband has been hinting about doing something special. I'll have to wait and see what.</p><p style="text-align: left;">At the end of the month, it's our daughter's birthday. I've always been one for doing up birthdays big. My husband's family hardly noted them. Who else loves to celebrate birthdays?</p><p><br /></p>Jean C. Gordonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04078957977742428225noreply@blogger.com0New York, NY, USA40.7127753 -74.005972812.402541463821152 -109.1622228 69.023009136178842 -38.849722799999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-73432846150576933562024-02-06T06:23:00.000-08:002024-02-06T06:30:40.703-08:00What are you looking forward to the most this year?<p> <span style="font-size: medium;">February is already here. How did <i>that</i> happen so quickly?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The weeks between Halloween and New Year always fly by. There have always been book deadlines during those months, plus the holidays to prepare for, and special family events as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Two of our boys, and now our two newest grandbabies have December birthdays. We have all of the joys of Christmas plus four birthdays to celebrate within two weeks! Life is full, for which I am so grateful. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What are you looking forward to this year? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I am looking forward to <i>not </i>scheduling any book deadlines in November or December, because that adds too much stress at a busy time time of the year. I'd like to be able to savor those birthdays and the true meaning of Christmas. And enjoy time with family, without working into the wee hours.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">My other hope is that I can finally achieve the dream of truly downsizing. My husband is more of a minimalist, while I am a sentimental "saver." </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I bought The Art of Swedish Death Cleaning long ago, and though we have no plans to move, it must be such a feeling a joy to give away so much of what one accumulates over the years. Yet...those sentimental feelings make it difficult. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Are you better at this than me? Do you have any suggestions?</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvLI8Ng4zlO9HaQKBw14X0QgS-_wN_vBdxE8uKxOwkjdjM11da_lgl8SFD2QO43cOzxc0AqJgdGJXlOsFWGduXSKDGDrn3Yd6suyT2OWbsMBb82jRjO4qLvChtgyJ2Kw38I3tgJJBYIjI37UsbgWq5Qe9gAo5ASjGcj6OyhmdCYq6lxR784aaFivjxso/s3750/%20%20%20%20%20%20IMPROVED_COVER_DEADeadly%20Evidence.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3750" data-original-width="2499" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvLI8Ng4zlO9HaQKBw14X0QgS-_wN_vBdxE8uKxOwkjdjM11da_lgl8SFD2QO43cOzxc0AqJgdGJXlOsFWGduXSKDGDrn3Yd6suyT2OWbsMBb82jRjO4qLvChtgyJ2Kw38I3tgJJBYIjI37UsbgWq5Qe9gAo5ASjGcj6OyhmdCYq6lxR784aaFivjxso/w156-h234/%20%20%20%20%20%20IMPROVED_COVER_DEADeadly%20Evidence.jpeg" width="156" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">In case you missed it, I have a new book out. DEADLY EVIDENCE is set on a Texas ranch, and is a Christian Romantic Suspense. It's part of my DEA Secret Agents series. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DEADLY-EVIDENCE-romantic-suspense-Special-ebook/dp/B0CMQ4FF5D/">CLICK HERE</a> if you would like to learn more!</span><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Oh, and one thing more---FREE books!</span></b></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I'm part of a Christian Romantic Suspense Round Roubin throughout 2024.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Each month, I'll be offering a link for a FREE book by one of twelve other authors. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">That link will only be available in my author newsletter. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If you would like access to those links, you can sign up for my newsletter by simply <b><a href="https://roxannerustand.com/">clicking here</a></b> to reach my website. The newsletter signup is on my home page. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Wishing you all the best,</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Roxanne Rustand</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>RoxanneRustandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443712316288965799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-56615070170603779662024-01-31T22:00:00.000-08:002024-01-31T22:00:00.137-08:00Lyn Cote says One Month Down and 11 to Go! And Other Random thoughts!<p><span style="font-size: medium;">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? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Also are you inundated by a slew of calendars every year?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">And how about every non-profit that thinks you still do A LOT of snail mail and need return labels?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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!</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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???</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">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?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I burn or shred the address labels, trash some things and Goodwill get some!--Lyn </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">BTW-new book out this month!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3ZI4macv0X3kNmbhVp8D274sEDrnvBQllcM8twv2dMlNkP1kimAJonG5rybjmcHLpE48lYHg-eltD3L7qDDXAH7BWdtuzVKff1dcEXfqtFkCqxiJXymu-K-clz3YGv1mF-Tke_xbgTzn4r5pePeb3Gpd_ijWY59LhUhKdk8HsXEySA671_lEcjKhE6Y/s1125/KOBO%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3ZI4macv0X3kNmbhVp8D274sEDrnvBQllcM8twv2dMlNkP1kimAJonG5rybjmcHLpE48lYHg-eltD3L7qDDXAH7BWdtuzVKff1dcEXfqtFkCqxiJXymu-K-clz3YGv1mF-Tke_xbgTzn4r5pePeb3Gpd_ijWY59LhUhKdk8HsXEySA671_lEcjKhE6Y/s320/KOBO%20LYN%20COTE%20PREACHERS%20DAUGHTERS%204.jpg" width="213" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Kat’s Strictly Business Partner debuts February 8<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"><sup>th</sup></span>!</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">by Lyn Cote</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A spunky heroine takes on a wounded hero as partner, but will they keep it strictly business? </span></p><div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Don’t miss this sweet, sometimes humorous, small town romance .</span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 16px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJK1PN8J " target="_blank">Click here</a> for more info.</span></p></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-8842903041460758512024-01-30T04:00:00.000-08:002024-01-30T04:00:00.144-08:00Shattered Trust by Laura Scott<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyu-HWXVcYKVOfv6Ze40iaryQv7Z0oNVNotvbOoVmAl530nkU0H7Rh0e4t8wyv17Qtqef4hc9h_O56wmpgzCBkegnsfV_dlaC-b-lI-lIMkG72_578yQbEpe_GZsq8ohapjxXPIbS1kw8XR906ynVxKbs4DeINJf5vBjPJCoHoA_y5Ya-Zhcgano3JD8/s4373/Laura%20Scott%20Pink%20and%20Blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4373" data-original-width="3124" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyu-HWXVcYKVOfv6Ze40iaryQv7Z0oNVNotvbOoVmAl530nkU0H7Rh0e4t8wyv17Qtqef4hc9h_O56wmpgzCBkegnsfV_dlaC-b-lI-lIMkG72_578yQbEpe_GZsq8ohapjxXPIbS1kw8XR906ynVxKbs4DeINJf5vBjPJCoHoA_y5Ya-Zhcgano3JD8/s320/Laura%20Scott%20Pink%20and%20Blue.jpg" width="229" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Good morning from Laura Scott!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">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.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-large;">I hope you consider giving Shattered Trust a try.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Shattered Trust by Laura Scott $2.99</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrR_XHqnLfNKuLv7lUY-cXvfm_FM0srLcuZOFyAySPlmZTeer3RSNRtjSUzF_zCfEfP4dbmyvAlmJH_C8XnVP6s_WUyJ9g_Tu9jpreaNiWZo7bZ5vZ_kiKp9c29nGp5S9wC3m4VasEGPqNH47neaFIVWH-VTXdWK4i1ECrnzWoVUfY_PhxI5RkUa9Hvs/s1200/LauraScott_ShatteredTrust_800px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHrR_XHqnLfNKuLv7lUY-cXvfm_FM0srLcuZOFyAySPlmZTeer3RSNRtjSUzF_zCfEfP4dbmyvAlmJH_C8XnVP6s_WUyJ9g_Tu9jpreaNiWZo7bZ5vZ_kiKp9c29nGp5S9wC3m4VasEGPqNH47neaFIVWH-VTXdWK4i1ECrnzWoVUfY_PhxI5RkUa9Hvs/s320/LauraScott_ShatteredTrust_800px.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic !important; text-align: start;">Medical drama from the Monroe Family!</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></span><span class="a-text-italic" style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic !important; text-align: start;">A deathbed promise…</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />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.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />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?</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(15, 17, 17); color: #0f1111; font-family: "Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start;"><a href="https://amzn.to/48IXwNH">Amazon</a> <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shattered-trust-laura-scott/1144279151?ean=2940185938362">B&N</a> <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/shattered-trust/id6470518941">Apple</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Laura_Scott_Shattered_Trust?id=lnrqEAAAQBAJ&hl=en_US&gl=US">GooglePlay</a> <a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/shattered-trust-21">Kobo</a> <a href="https://www.laurascottbooks.com">Laura'sWebsite</a></span></span></div><p></p>Laura Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14694857095398241303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-88939936726475543632024-01-26T03:00:00.000-08:002024-01-26T03:00:00.133-08:00How About Those Resolutions? by Susan Aylworth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAvhc_YzPX2qwSGuga4vYcjLFX5PjvPRM_0OTOPNB9tbvvDWscpD6dqHvtR4-K56FZU3N8Wmarl4bh8jzTvg0-0MQGOVDhTxBz5PO99PXzOVJx39I3efE9NtVDvh1DJAb-uBl9WbhZjnllacB1ctBgAYhvHKNMOzMXVU0ihs0_RNVtSRrhleSkZJFVdT/s148/goals.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="148" data-original-width="148" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RAvhc_YzPX2qwSGuga4vYcjLFX5PjvPRM_0OTOPNB9tbvvDWscpD6dqHvtR4-K56FZU3N8Wmarl4bh8jzTvg0-0MQGOVDhTxBz5PO99PXzOVJx39I3efE9NtVDvh1DJAb-uBl9WbhZjnllacB1ctBgAYhvHKNMOzMXVU0ihs0_RNVtSRrhleSkZJFVdT/s1600/goals.jpeg" width="148" /></a></div>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.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFzCulEsIRc4H7KnrZIQCpioeAuDioa9XavOhgCzRSyZixhitPa5CzvXzX4j8PP4yqDdJgWQHNl1gTAT-lyXzEUO9_mnsKaeuQc7dbt1mOMPOCuUPJwqhWPUpMqhaO-n5JFztM_QXuzA8-54vkhWVFo-1m4SSa8R1C-BGDUCCnD-XZM4JZnN8CEWvWDhY/s210/waitress%20%201.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="97" data-original-width="210" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFzCulEsIRc4H7KnrZIQCpioeAuDioa9XavOhgCzRSyZixhitPa5CzvXzX4j8PP4yqDdJgWQHNl1gTAT-lyXzEUO9_mnsKaeuQc7dbt1mOMPOCuUPJwqhWPUpMqhaO-n5JFztM_QXuzA8-54vkhWVFo-1m4SSa8R1C-BGDUCCnD-XZM4JZnN8CEWvWDhY/s1600/waitress%20%201.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlKM7F5FeUdAVwtRCDkh2vBXGbYR6X1BAiFOWMGc6H5Vpuk_znwYaFWTo_x53rQlVp5k5GDRrtYar_kSLP3BCDkVityYP6d3TxHVpboL3CgXrc0MO0onH5_05LNJ9HrSgYn8cwu2BL91EJz6H5AtP69ztH9TG3eQ8uLzAbLZSjZUkH1J4BcCfiy_NmxxX/s2560/ALWAYS%20A%20RAINBOW.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlKM7F5FeUdAVwtRCDkh2vBXGbYR6X1BAiFOWMGc6H5Vpuk_znwYaFWTo_x53rQlVp5k5GDRrtYar_kSLP3BCDkVityYP6d3TxHVpboL3CgXrc0MO0onH5_05LNJ9HrSgYn8cwu2BL91EJz6H5AtP69ztH9TG3eQ8uLzAbLZSjZUkH1J4BcCfiy_NmxxX/w120-h193/ALWAYS%20A%20RAINBOW.png" width="120" /></a></div>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 <i>Always a Rainbow, </i>the brand new Book 7 in the Rainbow Rock Romance series.<p></p><p>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.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvx3_sCRkDgjWQx5CWmXPqhLN3ifyX4T_VPFgW1e8rXc0V2A4zItJpCttCGlsIU8s6-M12-kyUfxLzBWs4RJmpzkelqs_9RTCbV7DGURJbV8uHjKPuROKgf2SednMi1SDAWcs5YgyfEaS-MjFPSWZ3vv97iIFBi8SRxHYs1VaTeyHYurkFIYsQ7ObGsum/s640/food.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="640" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicvx3_sCRkDgjWQx5CWmXPqhLN3ifyX4T_VPFgW1e8rXc0V2A4zItJpCttCGlsIU8s6-M12-kyUfxLzBWs4RJmpzkelqs_9RTCbV7DGURJbV8uHjKPuROKgf2SednMi1SDAWcs5YgyfEaS-MjFPSWZ3vv97iIFBi8SRxHYs1VaTeyHYurkFIYsQ7ObGsum/w200-h134/food.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>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. <p></p><p></p><p>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?</p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><i>Susan Aylworth is the author of 25 published novels including </i></span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">small-town sweet romance series set in and near the Navajo Nation and in the Sierra Nevada foothills. as well as </i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">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. </i></span></p>Susan Aylworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12950324917778043680noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549640562097540413.post-41744966896520740782024-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:002024-01-24T08:30:00.154-08:00Are You A Party Person by Pat Simmons<p> </p><p>Let the party begin!</p><p>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.</p><p>I had an amazing time. Here is one of many photos taken from that party in 2019.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc7q1AHGcgO7ONcZGL6muZYw0gcKTnIyTGLZgUm6_mf1rIuQwiFXBajlFU8WwrhHNeMrzwNq4ClAdHDUxS_2oqjBsmAORG3_viochl4Zv0jN-WYADzS-uYur77KsfhtySbMi4GdgR_oUWfQo5Mov0t_yqFhqw650abEyTptIS-1Y2Rkrl4QcwKgqVl44/s640/IMG_1757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc7q1AHGcgO7ONcZGL6muZYw0gcKTnIyTGLZgUm6_mf1rIuQwiFXBajlFU8WwrhHNeMrzwNq4ClAdHDUxS_2oqjBsmAORG3_viochl4Zv0jN-WYADzS-uYur77KsfhtySbMi4GdgR_oUWfQo5Mov0t_yqFhqw650abEyTptIS-1Y2Rkrl4QcwKgqVl44/s320/IMG_1757.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">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.</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">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. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwH86TPHYlxD1XAn3f8e80FZNwi8MGa4nWpQe3vv3TAYHD4biuGoscnPZrPU5Z0LpXkQd5sA5hzIoIrle_wrhFHbSkszb6WILLsrRUWe3Fi1aTcgDEsU5wCLrRcAweofsG79Sja9dTTsYs1GBO5xSNXDqQfrqz-EqpjBGMpotoILmxZLOv1I_8-fjJZ4/s1200/news%20collsge%202024.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwH86TPHYlxD1XAn3f8e80FZNwi8MGa4nWpQe3vv3TAYHD4biuGoscnPZrPU5Z0LpXkQd5sA5hzIoIrle_wrhFHbSkszb6WILLsrRUWe3Fi1aTcgDEsU5wCLrRcAweofsG79Sja9dTTsYs1GBO5xSNXDqQfrqz-EqpjBGMpotoILmxZLOv1I_8-fjJZ4/s320/news%20collsge%202024.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I would love to hear about some of your theme parties.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">For all the audio lovers, my publisher has a deal you won't want to miss. Hurry offer ends on January 31st.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audiobooks.com/promotions/promotedBook/594960/love-led-by-the-spirit?refId=114698&utm_campaign=ASMPpromosends&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=279176766&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_5G6XM1Xt5sEXvau2FV0YJ1ROwzsIEYpVkY1x-YsM40rTt30EyVBiNS3BE6hXokz0CbVaVFoZNAJagShNOHt7ihpMxyE3WRCyqw8uztJoN36O5bjc&utm_content=279176766&utm_source=hs_automation" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="488" data-original-width="746" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28R00U4sYjMJGXzsEU-XAJr6Wcl_e4Zv72VW4YFGYs6fSabDhDtNqjBEIBXAwIgklurP2dOfJq7QrBtYceRpOG6z2u3clpIAu8cK58I75kIA_GJ0SJ_F5SITZdYM8_pWdh9XFfViX3Eatu-gNAWf3nrEqxSuAOwszI9i5g4pKfoUn8MfLC9PBjlCFH40/s320/love%20led%20by%20thespirit%20promo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">*************************************************************************</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOLQLM8ZEpmcjStAYKwQq2PQaMET1TOh2ghuuOXhRvv9n3zfnPxOZhCZkJx2i2WcVU84AK73j2Y97WLl0exnSH7QisZ_l-4ykE1JQr4yDWf3KTiV_NFSIfpSkPdOZXSO10NC7jk0bUBGp7cPNTEuJcNTi5vRmqIuXZwCnRAySqnxvHh-sXFNKeTNfHEM/s3000/2019%20Pat%20simmons%20Headshot%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="2400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxOLQLM8ZEpmcjStAYKwQq2PQaMET1TOh2ghuuOXhRvv9n3zfnPxOZhCZkJx2i2WcVU84AK73j2Y97WLl0exnSH7QisZ_l-4ykE1JQr4yDWf3KTiV_NFSIfpSkPdOZXSO10NC7jk0bUBGp7cPNTEuJcNTi5vRmqIuXZwCnRAySqnxvHh-sXFNKeTNfHEM/w160-h200/2019%20Pat%20simmons%20Headshot%202.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><br />Pat Simmons is a multi-published Christian romance author of forty-plus
titles. She is a self-proclaimed genealogy <a name="_Hlk141698444">sleuth
passionate about researching her ancestors then casting them in starring roles
in her novels.</a> She is a five-time recipient of the RSJ Emma Rodgers Award
for Best Inspirational Romance and the 2022 Leslie Esdaile Trailblazer Award
recipient. <i>Christmas Dinner</i> was also an Emma Award winner for Book of
the Year. <i>Christmas Dinner </i>and<i> Here for You</i> were featured in <i>Woman’s
World Magazine</i>.<o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a Christian, Pat describes the evidence of the gift of the Holy
Ghost as a life-altering experience. She </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">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. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pat holds a B.S. in mass
communications from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and has </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">worked in radio,
television, and print media for over twenty years. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Visit
her at <a href="http://www.patsimmons.net.">www.patsimmons.net.</a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB2EWncZEFyDP7Ujz6EeHO9Kb405m40c8FGCozEtHrPLafpa71DC_ipel17DXrZ7GjYieAIvRVbP2E1zPU8c3TYsxMPYiHEe9_EeBT-LBfwt_vTDUdCtTE2yB_HlojOmvapWBHTDpg1-bywJxwXAlDz-MLhyphenhyphenfVbZgUtutZZLt84d72hqijcmo5AFuI2I/s893/Screenshot%202024-01-23%20201553.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="514" data-original-width="893" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsB2EWncZEFyDP7Ujz6EeHO9Kb405m40c8FGCozEtHrPLafpa71DC_ipel17DXrZ7GjYieAIvRVbP2E1zPU8c3TYsxMPYiHEe9_EeBT-LBfwt_vTDUdCtTE2yB_HlojOmvapWBHTDpg1-bywJxwXAlDz-MLhyphenhyphenfVbZgUtutZZLt84d72hqijcmo5AFuI2I/s320/Screenshot%202024-01-23%20201553.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Author Pat Simmonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13891110914115492786noreply@blogger.com2