Nothing Like July! by Susan Aylworth

I remember the long, lazy summers of my childhood. School let out before Memorial Day and didn't resume until after Labor Day. The time in between allowed for endless picnics, tree forts, neighborhood plays and parades and swim days, and peaceful, quiet naps in the shade of our mulberry tree. Of course, one of July's all-time favorite moments is the fireworks we enjoy on the 4th. The image below shows the fireworks display over the golden bridge in Sacramento, at the edge of Old Town.

The school calendar has stretched a little at a time until July has become the only summer month left to today's kids. But oh, what fun July can be! To celebrate the month, I'm sharing some of my favorite quotations about July and summer.

"July is a blind date with summer." - Hal Borland

What a fun idea! I can happily "date" summertime if July is the meetcute we share. 

From the Blue Mountain Blog comes this verse:

"Barbeques and picnics,/ Swimmers soaking up the rays./ Bike rides in the country./ Shady spots on sunny days.../ Summertime vacations./ Lemonade on front porch swings./ Special thoughts and memories of July's most favorite things."

Writer Jenny Han claims that "Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August." As one born in winter, I claim exceptions to that rule, but I can see where she gets the idea. 

World-class competitive eater Joey Chestnut has a different ambition: "I'd like to go out on top, preferably breaking a world record on the fourth of July." I've never aspired to become a competitive eater--although at times, I suspect I almost qualify--but setting any kind of record on the Fourth of July does sound like a thrill.

This summer, July for Roger and me brought travel and family time. We shared the Fourth with a son, the following week with our daughter, and the one after that with my sister, adding visits with a couple of brothers along the way. If July brings nothing but some extended family time, that's reason enough to love it. 

Happy summer! 

Susan Aylworth is the author of more than 20 novels. Watch for her Seasons of Destiny series coming soon and two new additions to her Christmas Town collection, available this holiday season. Over the Rainbow, the prequel to her Rainbow Rock Romance series, is available FREE at her website, susanaylworthauthor.com. Contact her on her Facebook author page or via susan.aylworth.author@gmail.com or on Twitter @Susan Aylworth. 

Hurray for 99 cent book sales! by Josie Riviera

I'm thrilled to offer my 99 cent book, Seeking Catherine, as part of Sweet Romance Reads July Book Blast. This short story is set in the Tudor era, and the hero is a Romany Gypsy. Seeking Catherine is a sweet/spicy short story!

Here's the blurb:

Bargained away to a brothel, she is beyond hope, beyond rescue…but not beyond the reach of the one man who can save her.

Sometimes, bonds between a man and a woman, however young, are meant to last a lifetime. But will it take more than a dose of Gypsy magic to chase away the doubts between two guarded lovers?

Even better, if you subscribe to my newsletter, Seeking Catherine will be sent to your inbox, FREE!

I LOVE my British narrator's voice, so consider purchasing the audiobook, also.

And, if you can't get to Ireland this summer, Oh Danny Boy, my newest sweet romance release, will take you to the Emerald Isle.  Snag your ebook or paperback copy today!

And don’t forget to sign up for the Sweet Romance Reads newsletter. Scroll down the right side of our blog and enter your email address under Newsletter Signup.

Our Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 pre-launch party is coming soon! Stay tuned for exciting details, as this party is so much fun!! 



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