We are Thankful by the authors of Sweet Romance Reads

This year at Thanksgiving, several of the Sweet Romance Reads Cooperative authors have paused to reflect on their blessings. What are you thankful for this season? Please share with us in the comments section below.

“There are so many wonderful things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, but I'll keep it to this short list: Captain Cavedweller, sunny days, hope, sweet romance, roses, measures of grace, and really good chocolate.” ~ Shanna Hatfield

“I am thankful for my wonderful husband and the thirty-two happy years we’ve been married, for my two wonderful children, who aren’t children anymore, and for the wonderful life I have in my dream home in the countryside, doing what I love most, writing!” ~ Helen Scott Taylor

“I have so much to be thankful for. I am blessed beyond measure. Most of all, I am thankful for my family and the love we share.” ~ Merrillee Whren

“I'm thankful for friends, family, good health, and a cozy place to live. I'm also very grateful to be a member of Sweet Romance Reads.” ~ Magdalena Scott

“This past summer, my husband retired, we sold our home, and moved to the seaside where I watch the sun rise over the ocean each morning and I am filled with a deep and utter gratitude. When I think about my blessings, my family always comes to mind and warms my heart—my husband, my sons, and my daughters-in-law make me feel loved.” ~ Donna Fasano

“I'm thankful to be born a woman in a free country in a pivotal time in history. Life has never been so complicated, yet hold so many possibilities, especially for women.” ~ Denise Devine

“This Thanksgiving, as always, I'm thankful for my wonderful family, friends, and best buddy, Bailey, my French bulldog. However, I'm also very thankful to be doing what I love for a living and to the readers who've taken the time to let me know how much they've enjoyed my stories.” ~ Raine English 

“I'm thankful for the hope that God gives us as well as my family and friends. Also I'm thankful that I can do something I love as a job.” ~ Margaret Daley

“I'm thankful for my husband and children and our little granddaughter and for the prosperity I often take for granted.” ~ Lyn Cote

“I'm thankful for the love that surrounds me from family and friends, for every day of good health, and of course for my loyal readers. “ ~ Alicia Street

“I'm grateful for a new day job that will start in January! Totally exciting as it involves a move to a different state!” ~ Beate Boeker

“I am thankful for my husband, children, extended family and friends, and for the wonderful readers who make my life as a writer possible. I appreciate you all very much!” ~ Ginny Baird

Wishing you a very happy and healthy Thanksgiving holiday from all of us at Sweet Romance Reads.  

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What are you thankful for?

Two $5.00 Amazon Gift Cards will be randomly awarded to two readers who answer this question. Winners announced Monday, November 30^th.

Celebrating 65 years of Marriage by Shanna Hatfield

A few days ago, my parents celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

If you're like me, it's almost beyond the ability to fathom sixty-five years of marriage. It's just such a "WOW!" number.

After my mother threatened bodily harm upon me for throwing a surprise 50th anniversary party for them, I asked friends and family to shower them with cards for their 65th anniversary. When I spoke with them yesterday, they'd received almost fifty and were excited at the prospect that more might arrive in the mailbox this week.

As I talked to each of them about the wonderful milestone they reached, I asked what they thought made their marriage successful and lasting.

Mom's response: "Don't let the little stuff bug you, even when you know you're right and he's wrong."

Dad's words of wisdom: "Tolerance. You have to learn to have tolerance. If there's something you don't like, don't focus on it — ignore it. You can't stay married to someone you can't tolerate."

I think they'd both say their marriage hasn't been perfect, far from it. But it's been good and strong.

 

My parents met their senior year of high school. Dad was the new kid in town, having moved into the area just before school started when my grandparents left behind their peach orchard in Colorado and moved to an eastern Oregon farm.

Dad drove a motorcycle, played the trumpet in the band, lettered in sports and (according to Mom) caught the eye of many girls.

Mom had lived in the area since she was eleven, when my grandparents packed up five kids and a dog in a car and drove all the way from Missouri to their new farm. She loved sports (although the girls only had clubs for athletic endeavors way back then instead of teams), had a flair for sewing and (according to Dad) was full of sass and spunk.

She was also one of the "bathing beauties" chosen to represent the community when a new pool opened in town. (And please don't tell her I shared this photo or there will be one less author in the group when she puts a hit out on me.)

  

Their courtship began around the time they graduated in the spring of 1949. Dad spent several months gone with the Navy Reserves, but when he returned, they picked up where they left off.

They were just 19 and 18 when they vowed to love one another for a lifetime.

The day of their wedding, my dad hopped on a train and rode it to town from where he worked a few hours away. Mom was a telephone operator at the time, working a swing shift. She left work at 9 p.m. and hurried to the farm of her soon-to-be in-laws where the wedding would take place.

In the hour before the clock struck midnight, they were joined in marriage in a very simple ceremony. They both wore gray suits, the flowers were gladiolas, and their two-day honeymoon was a camping trip.

Not the stuff of fairy tales, but perhaps, just perhaps, the stuff of a happy ever after.

 I never once wondered or worried about my parents getting divorced. They were a united front against the storms or life as well as the joys of triumphs.

From observing them, I learned a lot about relationships.

Dad has never met a stranger. He is my definition of a "people person" since he can talk to anyone, anytime and leave that person feeling like they've just made a good friend. He's easygoing and lighthearted and a lot of fun.

Mom is the one who wants to take care of everyone, making sure they're fed and comfortable. She's more serious and the one who is always thinking, pondering, worrying.

Somehow, somewhere in those sixty-five years of marriage, they found a balance that works for them. Dad has a great sense of humor (sometimes at Mom's expense) that she's learned to indulge or ignore, as the individual case my warrant. In the last few years, I've particularly noticed how well they work off each others' strengths to overcome their weaknesses. They've given an all new meaning to the term "helpmate" for me.

 As I create characters and build relationships in my stories, I'm grateful for the example my parents have given me of what a real lifelong love looks like.

One that's lasted sixty-five years and is still going strong.

To enter to win a random drawing of a digital copy of The Cowboy's Summer Love, answer this question in the comments below:  What one word of advice for a happy marriage would you share with a new bride?
 Winner will be notified Wednesday, August 12.

Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield is out to make it happen one story at a time. Her bestselling sweet historical and contemporary romances combine humor and heart-pumping moments with realistic characters.

When she isn’t writing or consuming unhealthy amounts of chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller, and fondly recalls the days of her youth spent on an Eastern Oregon farm.

She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.

Find Shanna’s books at:
Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple

Shanna loves to hear from readers! Follow her online:
ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter

Best Summer Ever by Aileen Fish

When I posted here last month, I mentioned how excited I was about the pending birth of my grandson. Well, he must have heard, because he arrived later that night!

A little backstory: I had moved halfway across the country almost fifteen years ago, and absolutely loved the Midwest, but hated being so far from my daughters. I knew I could never be so far away when the grandkids started to arrive, so I moved back. Best move ever! I'm ten minutes away from my grandkids and with this amazing job I have as an author, I can juggle my schedule to spend time with them.

At this point, our new bundle of love Xander just sleeps and eats, so Mom and I entertain the princess. This usually involves snuggling with her while she plays, as she's a "lap kid". If she can steal my phone or iPad, all the better for her! (She has an iPad of her own but it's much more fun to steal Grandma's.)

We've been swimming once a week which has reminded me how much I love the water. I want to so a bit more juggling with the clock to make time for me to swim daily, or close to it.

We had our first venture to the movies this week to see "Minions". The princess enjoyed it, but did get bored after about an hour. I'm amazed she didn't beg to play with my phone through the entire thing!



I suppose this is what you call a staycation, but I prefer to think of it as life. The princess cries when it's time to go home, and spends so much of her time saying "I love you." I can't imagine anything being more rewarding and spirit-renewing than time with her. I'm looking forward to when the young prince can contribute to the conversation.

Do you have local and/or inexpensive ways to take a break from your normal routine? I'd love to hear about it!

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USA Today Bestselling Author Aileen Fish is an avid quilter and auto racing fan who finds there aren't enough hours in a day/week/lifetime to stay up with her "to do" list. There is always another quilt or story begging to steal away attention from the others. When she has a spare moment she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and their families. Her books include The Bridgethorpe Brides series and the Small Town Sweethearts series.

Stay up to date with book releases at her website or on Facebook

Giving Thanks for Changes by Patricia Forsythe

A few weeks ago, Alicia Street blogged about ‘Novembering’ the nostalgic feeling we get in the fall that makes us think about the past and the changes we inevitably go through.  Many times, we think that change is a bad thing, but when we stop and consider, it usually turns out to have positive benefits – including adjustments to our attitude about change itself.

A friend I worked with has had a number of health challenges over the past few years, from foot surgery to breast cancer to diabetes to shingles to kidney stones.  Yet through all of this, she has been cheerful and upbeat every time I talk to her.   She has overcome every one of these health issues and while she contributes it to good medical professionals and care, I think ninety percent of it is her attitude.  Whenever we talk, she mentions something for which she is grateful or thankful. 

The thing about change is that it creates our future.  Our attitude about it sometimes has a bigger impact than the change itself, so we might as well embrace it.  And that’s where being thankful comes in.  Every year in November, Thanksgiving rolls around here in the states.  It’s a national holiday not meant to celebrate heroes or military triumphs or anything except being glad for what we’ve got and sharing a festive meal with friends and family.  It is a chance to slow down for a day and concentrate on what we are blessed with, such as certain foods that only come out once a year.  I mean seriously, who wants to roast a turkey in July?  Or eat pumpkin pie?  We also get to enjoy the people we’re blessed with and long for the ones who are no longer with us.


Christmas has become too commercialized, but we don't have to be part of that.  We can choose to have a smaller, more thoughtful, more giving Christmas if we want.  And as the end of the year approaches, we can reflect on the changes we've experienced, even though some of them were ones we didn't like.     

Change is going to come whether we want it to or not, so we might as well enjoy it.


We will be sending out a Christmas enewsletter with a collection of Christmas stories you won't want to miss! To sign up, please scroll down on the right and enter your email address under Mailing List. And don't miss our Santa's Sweet Romance Reads Bash on Facebook on Weds Dec 17th-noon to 8 p.m. Eastern. Sign up to join in the fun here: http://on.fb.me/1yqvdOe

Patricia Forsythe is the author of more than thirty books, some of which have been print published by Harlequin and Kensington and some which she has self-published as ebooks.  Her current series takes place in Lucky Break, Arizona and her newest release is Lucky Break: Homecoming in the Sweet Christmas Kisses boxed set.

Thanksgiving Take Two- by Karen Rock

There are so many traditions surrounding Thanksgiving. Strangely, my favorite always happens after Gobble-Day. Nope. I’m not talking about a gluttony of shopping on Black Friday, although I never miss that either! I’m talking our family’s “friendly” competition on how to most creatively use Thanksgiving leftovers. Whenever one of us makes a new dish, we’re sure to tout it, looking for the praise, respect and the envy our cooking ingenuity surely deserves. lol. Since I was raised to believe that waste is a crime right up there with Murder One, my relatives and I go to extreme lengths to squeeze out every possible usage of what’s left of the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, rolls, gravy and so on. The more ingredients you can incorporate, the more impressive your recipe. Over the years, my sisters and I have swapped a lot of them, and here are a few of my favorites:

1. Thanksgiving pot pie. Between two readymade pie crusts, mix the gravy, veggies, turkey and stuffing together. Add chicken broth if needed. This gets rid of a lot of the leftovers and it’s delish.

2. Turkey soup. Even the turkey bones don’t go to waste! Boil them to get a rich broth and the scraps of meat that are impossible to pluck will fall right off. Win- win! Add the leftover vegetables and turkey along with pasta spirals at the end of cooking. Very filling and bonus points for using the carcass ;)

3. Potato Pancakes. Cold mashed potatoes make the best potato pancakes when mixed with egg and cheese and shaped into ovals before frying.

4. Turkey Stuffing Casserole. This will use up your stuffing, turkey, veggies, and turkey broth. Layer the turkey on the bottom with gravy, add veggies then spoon stuffing over it and top with grated cheese. Yum.

5. Pumpkin Pie Casserole. To use up your excess slices of pumpkin pie, mix in rolled oats, maple syrup and other ingredients with chopped-up pumpkin pie and bake for thirty minutes.

6. Turkey Tacos. Yes. My Mexican-food obsessed sister thought of these and they are really good. Shred the turkey meat and toss in frying pan with taco seasoning. This also works, though I haven’t tried it, with burritos or enchiladas… no plain turkey sandwiches for this bird!

7. Cranberry sauce. Yes. Even this gelatinous goop has another role beyond bringing color to the holiday table. It’s actually really good on a peanut butter sandwich, the tartness giving the traditional dish something special. Also, if you mix the cranberry sauce with cream cheese and leftover roasted nuts it makes an amazing cracker or pretzel dip.

8. Pumpkin Pie Milkshake. Okay. This is out there, but my brother-in-law, Kevin swears it’s amazing. You mix pumpkin pie with ice cream and a little sugar in a blender and top with whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon or nutmeg.

9. Vegetable Frittata. Everyone in the family will clean up the veggies if you bake them in a frittata. I am a witness!

10. Stuffing. It’s my favorite part of Thanksgiving and I can waste a spoonful. Use it to stuff mushrooms and top with cheese for a great appetizer.

Who says Thanksgiving gets to be the best meal of the year?! I hope you enjoyed the leftover ideas. Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday season ahead ☺

Thanksgiving Traditionless - by Magdalena Scott

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

Okay, it's my second favorite after my birthday, but as far as national holidays, I love Thanksgiving best. That's because the day is not about stuff, but about gratitude, and I am a huge fan of gratitude.

Maybe my love of this holiday is what caused my freakishly high distress level when I found myself again this year, officially Thanksgiving Traditionless.

My life has changed so much in the last several years, and somehow Thanksgiving never got its own plan. Easter has a tradition. Christmas Eve has one, and Christmas Day.

But wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving was going to arrive without appropriate planning by me.

It does, you know. It arrives whether we're ready or not. Suddenly on the fourth Thursday of November, everybody is giving thanks, and--hey! That's it, isn't it? All I really have to accomplish is that. I've already eaten two big turkey dinners, one with family and one with church family. I've shared hugs and good wishes and listened to a fabulous choir song, and watched children play. I've touched base with people I had lost track of, and been blessed by those relationships.

On the official day this year, I will have dinner with another group of family. One morning this weekend I may go walking with a dear friend. Saturday I get to attend a baby shower, and my kids are coming over afterward for board games and biscuit pizzas.

Turns out my Thanksgiving tradition this year is Giving Thanks. Maybe by 2015 I'll come up with something more "set in stone," but then again, maybe not. Being flexible can add to the joy of the journey, when I realize it's a blessing.

Magdalena

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USA Today Bestselling Author Magdalena Scott is the author of several books in the Ladies of Legend, Tennessee series, and recently published Small Town Christmas, the first story in her new Serendipity, Indiana series. She loves to connect with readers, and invites everyone to visit her website, www.magdalenascott.com.

We Give Thanks

As those of us in the United States pause to celebrate with our families and reflect on what we are grateful for, high on our list are the readers who allow us to pursue our passion for writing sweet love stories. While many of us would write even if the books never saw the light of day, having them enjoyed by so many readers gives us such joy. We are thankful for each and every one of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Sweet Romance Reads Authors

A Thanksgiving question: Who’s your cake baker? by Ginny Baird

When I reflect on this past year, I’m intrigued by something that touched me deeply. It was a Facebook post by fellow sweet romance writer Kristin Wallace, with whom I’d participated in the Sweet Christmas Kisses bundle. She’d shared her wonderful news about becoming a USA Today Bestselling Author, and several of her author friends had baked her a cake. Brought champagne, even. How very lovely.

Isn’t that the kind of connection we all long for? People who will support us in good times and in hard, and who will be there when we need them? What can be more special than sharing an achievement with that sort of person and having him or her celebrate right along with us?

I suppose we’ve all had our “cake bakers” throughout ours lives. Maybe yours was a parent or a sibling? Perhaps a certain teacher, or a mentor of another sort? One thing I’ve learned is that none of us needs a passel, as long as we’ve got one solid someone in our corner. Even if, during those toughest times, we had to rely on a higher power, or be a “cake baker” for ourselves.

When I think of being grateful this Thanksgiving, I’m mindful of the family and friends who’ve stood by me during every step of my journey. No doubt you’ve had your “cake bakers” too. What a fitting holiday to acknowledge these individuals and all that they’ve given us over time. May the candles on your cake burn brightly, this season and beyond!

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Ginny  Baird writes sweet romance and romantic comedies, often centering on holidays and those who’ve given up on finding true love. Her contribution to the Sweet Christmas Kisses bundle is Mistletoe in Maine, a story about a single mom who finds a new future in Maine. Find the USA Today bestselling box set Sweet Christmas Kisses: Fourteen Sweet Christmas Romances at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo and Google.