Sweet and Clean Romance Ebook Sale by Camy Tang/Camille Elliot

For the month of May, I’ve got three books in Some Like It Clean!, a sweet romance ebook sale—Weddings and Wasabi, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 1: Archer (writing as Camille Elliot), and The Spinster’s Christmas (Camille Elliot).

My books are 99¢ each (but not all the books in the sale are the same price).

Those of you who already own those three books might like to browse the other titles to see if there’s anything that looks good!

Some Like It Clean! Ebook sale

Clean Romance for Kindle Unlimited by Julie Jarnagin

Are you a member of Kindle Unlimited? Are you always looking for great books and new authors to try out? Here's a great list of clean romances and series that you'll love.

Perfect Match Series



The Beach Brides Series



The Vegas Proposal



1-800-Cupid



Quinn



Romantically Ever After



A Little Romance



Seeking Fortune



If you're not familiar with it, Kindle Unlimited is a subscription that allows you to read a huge selection of books from Amazon for a monthly fee. For avid readers, it's a great deal. You can even sign up for a free 30-day trial.

Happy Reading!

Julie Jarnagin is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and ranched. These days she lives in Louisiana with her amazing husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma. 
www.JulieJarnagin.com

Sneak Peek at Jean C. Gordon's June 11 New Release

This month I'm sharing my excitement about being part of the Spring 2018 launch of the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance series with an excerpt from my Sweet Entanglement. It releases next Monday, June 11 (available for preorder now).

What is the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series? It’s tons of fun for readers! But more specifically, it’s a set of books written by authors who love romance. Grab a glass of sweet tea, head to the porch, and get ready to be swept away into this charming South Carolina Beach town.

The Indigo Bay world has been written so readers can dive in anywhere in the series without missing a beat. Read one or all—they’re all sweet, fun rides that you won’t soon forget. Also as special treats, you’ll see some recurring characters.

Excerpt: From Chapter One

Jesse Brewster ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth and tried to swallow the grit. He didn’t know if it was actual sand from the South Carolina beach he tried to sleep on last night or the tequila shots he’d downed like water after he’d gotten a good look at the monstrosity that was supposed to be his life-saving legacy.

“Sir, your public defender is here,” a male voice said.

Jesse opened his eyes to the neon yellow walls surrounding him, reflecting back every sharp ray of light from the inside lighting and small window. He squinted against the pain to his head. Someone here at the Indigo Bay, South Carolina, police department had some sense of humor painting the combination interrogation room/holding cell walls bright yellow with royal blue trim. The sleeping block and covers he was sitting on the and the table and chairs were the same blue. 

 “Thanks.” Jesse squinted again at the police officer’s name badge. “Officer Andrews” The man looked vaguely familiar. Probably his arresting officer. That would make sense, him being here for his arraignment.

“The dispatcher will bring you some breakfast. You can eat while you talk with your lawyer. The judge will be over as soon as he finishes her coffee at Caroline’s.”

“Coffee will be fine,” Jesse said. He closed his eyes against the yellow and held his head in his palms.

A minute later footsteps sounded. “Sir.”

What was with all this sir? Jesse shook his head to clear it. The bright paint hadn’t just affected his sight. His ears were also hallucinating.

“I’m Lauren Cooper, the public defender.”

He raised his head. No, his ears were right. It was Lauren.

“Jesse?” 

Her voice dripped with disbelief that matched his own. And he’d thought things couldn’t get any worse. “In the flesh.” He flexed his bicep, unable to resist going full obnoxious, in case she still harbored any positive thoughts about who, what he was.

“You didn’t have any ID on you, and apparently declined to identify yourself to the officer.”
By reflex, Jesse patted the back pocket of his jeans. No wallet. A vague picture of it on bar swam before his eyes.

Lauren dropped the folder she’d held to the table and pulled out one of the chairs, giving him a moment to study her. He raked his hand though his matted hair. She looked good. But when didn’t Lauren look good? Her crisp power suit did nothing to hinder his memories of the soft curves beneath them. His stomach churned with something that had nothing to do with his excess of tequila.

She motioned to the other chair. “If you’d care to join me, I’ll go over the charges. Ben … Officer Andrews said you may not have had the capacity to understand them last night.”

Ben, was it? Jesse’s gaze darted from Lauren to the hallway the officer had disappeared into. He stood, letting the spinning in his head stop before he took the two steps from the sleeping block to the table. What did he care? He and Lauren were over. He’d made sure of that. They’d been growing apart, going in different directions. He didn’t need to get into the direction he’d been headed after his accident and his mother’s death—with himself or anyone else. Jesse looked around. He’d arrived at his destination. There was nowhere to go now, but up.

“Any questions?” Lauren pinned his gaze with hers. “Let me rephrase that. Did you listen to a word I said?”

“Public intoxication. Vagrancy. How’d I do?”

Officer Andrews appeared at the door. “Lauren, the judge is here.”

She rose. “We’re ready.”

He didn’t get a say? Jesse wasn’t sure he liked this take-charge Lauren. But wasn’t that one of the reasons he’d let her go? So, she could reach her potential, as his Mom might have said. His throat clogged with the loss that would always be too fresh.

“Before we go into the court room, I have an ID for your vagrant. Jesse Brewster and I are old friends.” She handed the officer a sheet from her folder.

So, they were still friends. Some of the darkness in Jess’s soul lifted, not that meant much. There was plenty left. He gauged the other man’s reaction. Aside from a raised brow, he didn’t have any outward reaction to Lauren’s statement.

“Brewster,” the man said, offering his hand.

Jesse wiped his gritty palm against the pant-leg of his jeans. “Under different circumstances, I’d say nice to meet you.” He forced a smile.

“Brewster,” the officer repeated. “You used to race. Motocross.”

“Yes, yes, I did,” Jesse said tightly, bracing for the judgmental look from the officer and Lauren. 

“We shouldn’t keep Judge Trexler waiting,” Lauren said.

If she’d interrupted for his benefit, because of their friendship, she shouldn’t have bothered. He knew what he’d done, who he was now far better than she did, and he was a big boy, ready to move past it.

They walked upstairs to the city hall adjoining the police department and into a large room with rows of chairs facing the court bench. A middle-aged woman sat behind it with another woman seated to her right and a man in a suit standing in front of the bench talking to them.

“Judge Trexler, the court clerk, and the city attorney,” Lauren explained as they entered the room.
 
Officer Andrews led Jesse to the front row, where the three of them took their seats, Lauren on one side of him and the officer on the other. The city attorney sat next to officer Andrews. 

The judge called the court into session. “Mr. Johnson and Ms. Cooper, please approach the bench.”

Jesse shifted in his chair as bits of the conversation drifted back to him. “Identified. No damage. Vagrancy. Vouch.”

“Mr. Brewster.” 

The judge’s voice jerked Jesse’s gaze from where it rested on Lauren’s back.

“Please join us.”

Officer Andrews walked him the few feet to the bench, as if he were going to make a break for it.

“You honor.” Jesse nodded in respect.

“The city attorney has agreed to drop the vagrancy charges since your wallet with ID has been found and turned into the court and to reduce the other charge to sleeping on the beach, a violation with a fine. How do you plead to the charge? You can consult with your attorney.”

“Guilty.” He had several things he’d like to consult with Lauren about, but his sleeping on the beach wasn’t one.

“Your plea is accepted. You can settle the fine with my clerk. Any questions?”

“No, but I want to clarify that I definitely am not a vagrant, and further, I’m not a tourist. I’m Indigo Bay’s newest property-owner.”

Team Macachek: Fall in love with the strong women and fearless men of the motocross circuit.

This is the 12th novel in the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series, but all books can be read as standalones.

ORDER 
VISIT INDIGO BAY

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About Those New Year's Resolutions ... by Jean C. Gordon

How are you doing with your New Year's resolutions? According to a Nielson survey, on average, only 64% of you are still keeping them (the percentage of people who last more than a month). Fewer than half (40%) of people's resolutions will still be in place come July 1. And only 14% of people over 50 actually achieve what they resolve to do. Younger people fare better, with 39% reporting success with their resolutions.

But back to my question. I'm doing great with my resolutions because I didn't make any. Instead, as I've done the past few years with an online group of writers and readers I belong to, I chose a word for the year. My word is:

  

Not making any resolutions doesn't mean I don't plan. Incorporating my word for the year in my author planning, here's what I'm going to enjoy in my writing life in 2018:

• Finishing Sweet Entanglement, the book I'm currently working on for the multi-author Indigo Bay series. It will be released early summer.
• Putting together a new book proposal for Love Inspired, set in the Catskill Mountains.
• Writing a single dad novella for a multi-author book bundle that will be out in the fall.
• Adding to my Team Macachek series, with a Christmas novella.

In my personal life, I'm enjoying my family, my friends, and my volunteer work to the fullest. I'll also be enjoying a milestone birthday this year, but I won't say what one.

And on the immediate horizon, I'll be enjoying the Sweet Romance Reads Cafe's Valentine's Party on Facebook tomorrow. Catch me there hosting from two to three.

Be aware that new Facebook rules limits party participation to Sweet Romance Reads Cafe members only.  If you don't already belong, the link to the Cafe to join is below. Don't miss any of the party fun--games, giveaways, books, and more. Grand prize is a $25 Amazon gift card!

The Sweet Romance Reads Cafe Link

   The Party RSVP Link 

For My Future Releases

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A Holiday Favorite from Jean C. Gordon

For those of you who didn't get my cheesecake recipe yesterday at the Sweet Romance Reads Christmas Party on Facebook, I'm sharing it here today, too.

But first as an aside, the party threads and giveaways are still active until 8 pm this evening. Check out the after-party> HERE.

Almost Fat-free Cheesecake

1-2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
8 tablespoons butter or margerine melted

3 pkgs (8 oz each) nonfat cream cheese cubed (you can use regular cream cheese)
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 eggs
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cups nonfat sour cream (you can use regular sour cream)

Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar and butter. Press into the bottom and sides of a 10-inch spring form pan. In large mixing bowl, beat cheese until smooth; gradually add 1-1/2 cup sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add flour, and lemon juice. Mix well. Fold in one cup of sour cream. Pour into pan. Bake in preheated 325 degree oven for 60 minutes. Turn off oven and leave door ajar for 30 minutes. Combine other cup of sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and vanilla. Carefully spread over cheese cake, return to oven for 30 minutes with door ajar (do not reheat oven). Remove from oven, cool, and refrigerate at least 3 hours or over night. If desired, garnish with fruit.

For many years, I made my cheesecake for family gifts. Now it's just for us and my daughter and her family. So what holiday favorites do you have at your house?

And for your TBR pile, my new Love Inspired Romance releases December 19. It's already available at Harlequin.com

A Dad’s Second Chance
Widowed single dad Marc Delacroix doesn’t have time for surprises—especially one like Fiona Bryce. Finding out that she’s the biological aunt of his adopted daughter, Stella, is a big shock. While Fiona’s commitment to the little girl appears to be genuine, Marc wonders if he can truly trust her—or his own heart, which he vowed never to risk again. Fiona’s eager to connect with the sweet young niece she never knew she had, but Marc seems determined to keep her at arm’s length’s. Could Marc and Fiona’s shared love of Stella be the bond that transforms their fragile connection into a real family?

Amazon | Harlequin | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

 

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A Sweet Beach Journey

Many readers enjoy seeing the story behind the story, and bits and pieces of what go into growing a story. If that's you, I hope you'll enjoy this post. 

My Emerald Isle, NC Stories series began with my debut novel, BEACH RENTAL, released in 2011 ~ sweet romance & sweet inspiration ~ and featured Juli, Ben, Luke and Maia. BEACH WINDS followed in 2013 and was Frannie and Brian's story, with Juli, Luke and Maia as part of their lives. Now, the third novel, BEACH WEDDING, will be released on November 14. It's Maia's story. It unites all of the stories as only Maia can.

My family spent a week in Emerald Isle, NC back in 2007. At that time, I didn't know Juli's story was waiting to be born, but later, when the story came to me, I knew the perfect place to set it ~ the rental duplex where we'd stayed. It was named Sea Trace West at the time of our stay, but I renamed it Sea Green Glory for BEACH RENTAL.

A few years later, shortly after BEACH RENTAL released, a reader contacted me to tell me she had added the book to the library she kept for readers in her father's beach house, a duplex rental, in Emerald Isle. He was a veteran, and his story touched me because my great-uncle, also a WWII veteran, had suffered a stroke and he fought to recover, but ultimately lost. 

 

If you've read BEACH WINDS, you'll see that connection as part of the story and you'll see Frannie, herself, do battle herself to discover the truth about her history and her life. The original Captain's Walk (actually named Sea Castle) is shown here. For the purposes of the story, I changed it from a duplex to a single dwelling and added a roof-level deck. I've never actually been inside so my physical descriptions of the house are totally fictional, and this view is of the back (street-side). But every time I think of it, I think of the owner, his daughter, BEACH RENTAL in the library closet, and my own great-uncle.  

MLXL​​

In 2015 when I attended my niece's beach wedding, I had already begun working on BEACH WEDDING, but I didn't understand the full story yet. And before it was finished, I agreed to write THE HAPPINESS IN BETWEEN and THE MEMORY OF BUTTERFLIES for Lake Union Publishing. BEACH WEDDING went onto that back burner we're all familiar with. By the time, I returned to it, this year, to finish the story, the story had changed. I won't give away any plot spoilers, but BEACH WEDDING, as Maia's story, may not be what you're expecting...but then, that's Maia. She is a strong-minded woman and has her own way of doing things.   

BEACH WEDDING crosses from Emerald Isle, to Morehead City, to Beaufort, and even travels up to Merrimon, NC, but most of the story plays out in Beaufort where Maia's heart is. Here's a picture of her bench with its view of the marina, the one she goes to for lunch or phone conversations, or even to meet friends, and Joel. 

​​SLXL

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU READ THE THREE NOVELS IN ORDER FOR BEST ENJOYMENT: BEACH RENTAL, BEACH WINDS, BEACH WEDDING. If you're interested in a recommended reading order for all of the Emerald Isle, NC books, here it is: BEACH RENTAL (novel), BEACH TOWEL (short story), BEACH WINDS (novel), BEACH WALK (novella), BEACH WEDDING (novel). 

**SALE**BEACH RENTAL will be on sale for 99 cents 10/20 through 10/22 so if you haven't already read BEACH RENTAL, here's a great opportunity for a deal. You'll find it HERE. 

**NEW RELEASE**BEACH WEDDING book release on 11/14**PreOrder HERE. 

BEACH WEDDING (third novel in the Emerald Isle, NC stories series) 

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Along the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the Crystal Coast ~ from the Front Street Gallery in Beaufort, NC, to the beaches of Emerald Isle and across the sound to Morehead City ~ Maia Donovan has watched her friends find true love, and has dreamed of her own happily-ever-after, but wishes and reality don’t always match up.

When Maia met Joel Sandeford, she thought she’d found a man worth risking another broken heart over. But she’s hesitant. Joel lives out of town and always seems to be working. Maia, too, works long hours and spends most of her time managing the Front Street Gallery. She fears the distance and their work ethics may spell disaster. But Maia doesn’t realize the biggest impediment to her happily-ever-after may be herself, and the memories she’s hiding in her heart—that part of her heart that still belongs to her first true love.

~::-::-::-::~ 

Grace Greene is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of women’s fiction and contemporary romance set in her native Virginia (Kincaid’s Hope, Cub Creek, The Happiness In Between, The Memory of Butterflies) and the breezy beaches of Emerald Isle, North Carolina (Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, Beach Walk, Beach Towel, Beach Christmas). Her debut novel, Beach Rental, and the sequel, Beach Winds, are both Top Picks by RT Book Reviews magazine. For more about the author and her books, visit www.gracegreene.com or connect with her on Twitter @Grace_Greene and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GraceGreeneBooks.

The Vegas Proposal Cover Reveal by Julie Jarnagin

Hey Sweet Romance Readers! I'm excited to reveal a brand-new cover.

I'm so happy with how it turned out, and I hope you love the story. It will be here just in time for Valentine's Day.

If you click on "Follow" under my photo on my Amazon page, they'll send you an email alert when it's available. Or you can sign up for my newsletter for updates - http://eepurl.com/5y5k

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? What did you think? 

Here's a little about the book:

A celebrity wedding would save her family’s Las Vegas chapel—as long as she doesn’t fall for the groom.

The Traditions Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas has been in Claire Grigg’s family for three generations, and she dreams of restoring the struggling chapel to its original glory. When Claire discovers the chapel’s financial problems and the strain it’s putting on her parents’ marriage, Claire commits to doing whatever it takes to save the business.

Vegas is the last stop on Ben Karr’s tour, and he’s afraid he’ll soon be added to a long list of one-hit wonders. He’s determined to prove that his talent deserves to be taken seriously and all the sacrifices his grandmother made were worth it. He’s known more for his frequent break-ups with famous women than his music. Until he can repair his public image, Ben’s label refuses to invest in another album.

Ben devises a radical plan to save his career—a fake wedding to his starlet ex-girlfriend—but the adorable chapel director and her talk of true love and commitment is making him rethink the scam. Will Claire and Ben let go of their dreams and risk it all to grab onto a shot at true love?

Julie Jarnagin is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet and inspirational romance. She grew up in a small Oklahoma town where her family farmed and ranched. These days she lives in a not-so-big city with her amazing husband and two young sons who tolerate all her nerdy quirks. Julie earned a B.A. in Journalism / Professional Writing from the University of Oklahoma and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. 
www.JulieJarnagin.com

Sign up for her newsletter to be the first to learn about new clean romance and Christian fiction releases and free books: http://eepurl.com/5y5k

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

Courage by Christine Bush

Courage.. 

When was the last time you were brave?

Life can be downright scary.  This includes the big things, as well as the small things.

 

There are lots of big things I have faced that have taken bravery. 

Facing aging and a health issue.

Moving to a new place, and starting over.

Starting a new job.

Losing someone and dealing with grief.

Going back to school.

Being a parent.

Taking care of aging parents.

Starting a new relationship.

 

But daily doses of courage are needed, too.

Like saying no when the schedule is too full.

Initiating a tough conversation to clear the air.
Daring to listen to someone whose ideas and lifestyle are different.

 And like the one I faced today, as a writer:

Looking at that blank page one of a new manuscript, and having to courage to begin. I love to write about courageous heroines, feisty individuals who face life, love, and conflict with panache.

But I have voices in my head that make me feel less than feisty sometimes, despite the many books I’ve written.

“I  can’t do it again.”

“The market’s too tough.”
“It takes too  much time.”
“No one will like it.” 

I find it takes super hero courage to talk back to that negative voice. 

One day, years ago, when I was facing a lot of change and self doubt in many areas of life (including my writing), a supportive friend reminded me how many new things I had tackled. 

“You need to trust yourself again. Try something totally daring and new,” she said. “What’s the scariest thing you can imagine yourself doing?”

 

 

I closed my eyes.  “Flying a plane.  Believing in myself enough to learn to soar though the air, defying gravity.” 

So I did.  I took a series of flying lessons in a Cessna 170. I studied the flight book on the ground and learned to work the controls on the instrument panel in the sky, alongside a hard nosed flight instructor. I soared. It was terrifying. It was exhilarating. 

 

It proved something to me.  I am strong and smart and competent enough to learn whatever I set my mind to. Trust myself.  Theory, skills, practice… soar. 

The experience helped me find my courage in many, many life challenges.  Big and small. 

Today, it helped me write page one.  I can do this.

 

How about you?  What do you need courage to do?  How do you find it?

 

Christine Bush is the award winning author of many books and novellas of sweet romance and light mystery. She also writes Middle Grade Fiction. When she isn’t writing, she can be found working with clients as a Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice, or teaching Psychology at a local college.  She lives with her family and two crazy cats in northeastern Pennsylvania, and loves to hear from readers and aspiring writers.

Her  book “Cindy’s Prince” can be found at  http://www.amazon.com/Cindys-Prince-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B00IFSRVJ2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1393781746&sr=1-1&keywords=christine+bush+cindy%27s+prince

www.ChristineBush.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christine-Bush-Author/213919128638762

http://www.amazon.com/Christine-Bush/e/B001KHSLRG/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1392688497&sr=1-2-ent