The Art of Balance

I hope 2023 has started off well for you!

I have high hopes for this year. Last year was a big year of change and growth for my husband and I. This year I feel more settled and am ready embrace my new normal. That being said it hasn't come without its challenges and we are only 16 days into the year!

One of the biggest challenges I face is working an extremely challenging full time job and then coming home and writing. I managed it for a week successfully. This past week my evenings were filled with meetings, so no writing happened. I'm sure this is normal for many or you. 

How do you do everything?! 

What is your secret to successfully managing your time without making yourself sick? 

I put my health as a top priority so balance is key. Is that even possible with what I am attempting to do? 

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest USA. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

A Humorous Thanksgiving Memory by Kimberly Rose Johnson

When I was a girl my family would often gather with my mom's side of the family at my Grandparents' home for Thanksgiving. It was such a fun time to see all my cousins. We kids would color, play games, nibble on snacks, and have an all out good time together. One year though we had to dash out as soon as meal was over. There was no lingering like in past years.

My dad wanted to get to Montana by the evening of Thanksgiving. He had arranged for us to sleep in the church basement of the church my parents attended when they would visit Montana. I'm guessing we arrived around midnight, though I can't say for certain. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I don't think we turned on any lights. We simply rolled out our sleeping bags and went right to sleep.

The following morning  my mom awaked my sister and I in a panic. In the light of day she realized we were sleeping in a preschool! Yep, the church apparently had a preschool. She made us get up and we had to quickly dress and pack up anything we had out before the kids showed up. What a way to start a day!

As the clock ticked past eight in the morning and then nine she decided they must have closed the school for the holiday. Which made perfect sense to me since we were given permission to stay there. 

Though not funny at the time, I have fond memories of that crazy morning.

Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving memory?

If you enjoy stories that feature Thanksgiving I have one. It's called A Love that Lasts. It's included in a series compilation. Which can be found on Amazon.

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest USA. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 

Life Imitates Art by Kimberly Rose Johnson

 You know the saying that life imitates art? Well, it's true! 

In my upcoming release Found: An Almost Perfect Christmas my main character teaches 2nd grade in a small Montana town. She also substitute taught the first grade class. In my wildest imagination I never thought I'd be a substitute teacher, considering my degree is in behavioral science, yet that is exactly what I did this past Tuesday. I taught a first/second grade combo class in a small Montana town. The entire school district has fewer than 70 students in grades pre-K through eight. 

Here is the back cover blurb for my upcoming Christmas release which is available for pre-order on Amazon for only 99¢.

When a young boy’s life is threatened, his dad will do anything to keep him safe, including eliciting the help of his single and beautiful school teacher.

One of Hope Creek, Montana’s most desired single men has his hands full this Christmas with a new puppy litter, work, and a rambunctious young son. Now, someone has threatened to harm his son if he doesn’t reveal the location of a mystery woman.

Second grade teacher, Bethany Evans, loves her job, but she wants more. Could Toby and his dad hold the key to making this Christmas extra special, or will the trouble they are facing not only ruin Christmas but destroy their lives in the process?

From Selah award winning author, a Christian romance novella with a touch of mystery and suspense.

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest USA. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

Spring is in the Air By Kimberly Rose Johnson

 

I don't know about you, but I am welcoming spring with open arms. Winter is very hard for me. I'm not a fan of dark and cold days. I live in Oregon, so we do have daylight, but our daylight is shortened in November and especially in December. 

My favorite things about spring are the flowers and the longer daylight hours. Do you have a favorite flower? What's your favorite thing about spring? I'm trying not to think about the allergies that are sure to kick up due to all the new life sprouting. :)

The other day I discovered a recipe for a kale and avocado salad with a lemon vinaigrette. It's a great spring dish. I've been having it for lunch. 

Since I didn't create it, I'm posting the link to the recipe. Because there are avocados in it, so I recommend making it when you're ready to eat it. I learned the hard way that even with the lemon vinaigrette the avocados brown given enough time.

I hope you find something to smile about today! Drop me a line in the comments and let me know your favorite thing about spring.

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

My Favorite Things About Christmas by Kimberly Rose Johnson

I imagine we all have our favoriting things about Christmas. At the top of my list are the decorations. Back in 2013 my husband and I went to Disney World for the first time which spoke to my love of Christmas decorations and lights. The castle in Magic Kingdom is incredible when it comes to lights and decorations. 

Another one of my favorite things about the holiday are the sweets. I had to go gluten free about five years ago and stopped baking at that time. Since then they've come out with flour mixes that actually work well with my old recipes, so I've been baking Christmas cookies. Yay! Last night I had my first Christmas tree shaped sugar cookie with frosting and green sprinkles. 

Another  favorite is watching Christmas movies. Last night we watched White Christmas. We began this tradition when our boys were young. When my younger son went away to college he told his friends about this movie. To this day, six years later, they still all get together to watch it, granted they must do online watch parties now. I think it's so cool that he brought our tradition to his friends.

Of course I enjoy Christmas books, but I'll read those whenever. So for me they are not specifically a Christmastime thing. If you're looking for some new reads, I have some Christmas books as well as a bargain book that I will list below.

What are your favorite things about Christmas?

A Christmas Romance Collection is currently available for only 99¢ or free to read with Kindle Unlimited.  

It's become a tradition for me to write a Christmas book every year. Here is a sampling of some of my books, or click here.

Until next time, Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!

Award winning author Kimberly Rose Johnson married her college sweetheart and lives in the Pacific Northwest. From a young child Kimberly has been an avid reader. That love of reading fostered a creative mind and led to her passion for writing. She especially loves romance and writes contemporary romance and romantic mystery and suspense with a heart.

Kimberly holds a degree in Behavioral Science from Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

You can sign up for Kimberly's newsletter via her website at: https://kimberlyrjohnson.com/

 

 

Bargain-Priced Sweet Romance Reads

 Choose a good book today! Just $0.99 in the Kindle Store!

Happy Reading!

Christmas In July - Bargain Books by Vickie McDonough, Kimberly Rose Johnson

Old West Christmas Brides

Vickie McDonough, et al

Christmas Romances Filled with the Spirit of the Old West

It is hard for a woman to make a decent living in the Wild West of the late 1800s, and as the Christmas season approaches, prospects for a happy celebration seem dim.

Unexpected Blessings by Vickie McDonough
Anna Campbell sets out to deliver two small orphans to their uncle in Texas during December of 1880. Erik Olson knows it’s impossible for those cute little pests to be his brother’s and refuses to accept them—regardless of Anna’s persistence. Little do they know that behind the scenes, Erik’s Uncle Lars and his buddies are doing a little matchmaking, hoping to give the children a father and a mother. 
Old West Christmas also includes:

A Pony Express Christmas by Margaret Brownley

A Wife in Name Only by Rosey Dow

Lucy Ames, Sharpshooter by Darlene Franklin

A Badlands Christmas by Marcia Gruver

A Grand County Christmas by Debra Ullrick

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Christian fiction

Veterinarian Pete Harding doesn't date single moms. 

After showing up to a blind date to find he left before she arrived, Keira is reminded why she doesn't date. She had true love once but a tragic accident ripped him from her and their son, who's now four and only wants a puppy for Christmas this year.Although off limits since she's a single mom, Pete determines to help Keira find the perfect puppy for her son. Keira wonders about Pete. He says he doesn't date women with children, yet she can't help but notice he behaves like a man who has more on mind than finding a puppy.

Will love break down Pete's walls and bring more than a puppy for Christmas? 

A Christmas Surprise was originally published in 2013 as The Christmas Promise.

Available at Amazon in Kindle Unlimited and in audio

Happy Father's Day via Kimberly Rose Johnson

The first Father's Day was celebrated on June 19, 1910 but it wasn't until Woodrow Wilson made Mother's Day official in 1072 that the day became a nationwide holiday.
Check out this link to read more about it on the Farmer's Almanac.

Here's a picture of me and my dad when I was a baby. I had to take a picture of a picture, so I apologize for the quality.

Any guesses as to the decade this is?

Can you recall a book you've read that featured a great dad? The one that comes to mind for me is Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick.

A Writer's Take on Instagram & A #FreeBook by Kimberly Rose Johnson

I reluctantly joined Instagram toward the end of 2018 at my publisher's urging. I'm not one to do anything halfway, which is one of the reasons I resisted for so long. The other reason is, I rarely remember to take out my phone to snap a picture. I've missed more photo opps than I care to think about.

I have gradually warmed up to the platform, and it's now one of my favorite time-wasters lol. I enjoy looking at other people's photos, especially the travel photos. Oh my goodness, I seriously have the travel bug now, and in part I blame my Instagram habit. 

I'm curious how many of you are on Instagram and what you like to follow there. 

Here are a few of my recent posts that I especially like. I'm working hard to create visually interesting photos that people will enjoy. I have a ways to go, but I'm actually enjoying the learning process. Go figure lol.

In case you haven't heard, Until I Met You is free wherever it is sold online. It's the prequel to my Brides of Seattle series. 

I hope you will take advantage of this free gift. Happy Reading!

#SweetRomance #Bargain Books!

WHERE HER HEART IS
The McClains of Legend, Tennessee, Book #3
99 cents for a limited time!

Get your Valentines Day on with this small town sweet romance set in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains.

Betsy McClain left Legend, Tennessee two years ago, with a broken heart, a baby to care for, and precious little else. She's done well in the city, and so has daughter LizBeth Ann. A heartfelt request from Dorothy McClain is the only thing that could bring them back to Legend, even temporarily.

Mike McClain wants to get to know his only child, but Betsy isn't cutting him any slack. Good looks and the old McClain charm seem to be failing him. Betsy is not the same love-struck girl he married, nor the girl who left Legend in a flurry of anger and tears. But he's changed too. Can't she see that?

Mike has won his daughter's heart. Can he also regain her mother's trust?

Apple Books
Kindle
Kobo
Nook

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Second Chance Valentine - The Ocean City Boardwalk Series
On sale for $0.99 for a limited time! 

Save $2 off the regular price.

One romantic summer at the beach with Alex left its mark on Josie, but she left town with a broken heart. Now years later, she’s back, and cupid shows up in the form of a little girl turned matchmaker who just might give Josie and Alex a Second Chance Valentine.

Available in the Kindle Store

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A Love Song for Kayla is free until Feb. 16th

When two strangers cross paths their lives are forever altered.

Kayla Russel hates Valentine's Day and has all but given up on finding love until a new guy to town walks into her flower shop right before her least favorite day of the year. There is something mysterious about him that intrigues her, but when she finds out the truth everything changes.

Derek Parker wants to leave his old life behind, but it proves to be harder than he'd anticipated when his past finds him. Now the woman he has come to care for feels deceived.

Will his secrets come between them and destroy what could have been something wonderful?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2sH1C9F

When Wade Dalton moves to a small Florida beach community for peace and quiet and a new job, he encounters the four little kids next door who are anything but quiet. Because of difficult circumstances, the little noisemakers live with their young aunt, Cassie Rankin, who is their guardian. Wade is drawn to her determination, giving nature, and beauty, but she’s at least a dozen years younger than he is—way too young for him. At least that’s what he keeps telling himself. Besides, he has issues that would only make life more challenging for Cassie and her charges. So he plans to stay out of their lives, but four little blessings refuse to let that happen.

You can get FOUR LITTLE BLESSINGS now for 99 CENTS!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WSuvL2
B&N: http://bit.ly/2tglNsd
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2SkoojY
iBooks: https://apple.co/2tc8FEH