Extending the Holiday Glow: Simple Ways to Keep the Cheer Alive All Year by Merri Maywether

The festive season, with its sparkling lights and shared moments of joy, may have passed, but who says the warmth has to fade away? As a writer of sweet romances, I believe in nurturing the spirit of love and cheer all year round. Here are some heartwarming ideas to keep the embers of holiday cheer aglow as we settle into our daily routines.

• Continue the Tradition of Giving: The holiday season often brings out our generous spirit. Why not keep it going? Small acts of kindness, like baking cookies for a neighbor or shoveling a walkway for someone who has had a rough day, can spread immense joy and keep the spirit of giving alive.

• Create Cozy Moments: Even without the holiday decorations, you can create cozy spaces in your home. Curl up with a good book (I know of an author who writes sweet romances set in small-town Montana), light some candles, and enjoy a warm cup of tea. These moments of tranquility are like hugs for the soul.

• Plan Future Gatherings: Organize small get-togethers with friends and family. A potluck dinner or a simple game night can recreate the communal joy of the holidays.

• Embrace the Outdoors: Nature has a unique way of lifting our spirits. A brisk walk in the park or a short hike can refresh your mind and keep you connected to the world's beauty.

Remember, the essence of the holidays is about love, kindness, and joy - emotions that know no season. Let's carry these beautiful sentiments with us throughout the year.

In the spirit of sharing and staying connected, I invite you to share your unique ways of keeping this warmth alive. 

What unique traditions, activities, or acts of kindness do you continue into the new year to maintain that festive spirit? 

Share your stories and ideas in the comments below. Let's inspire each other with ways to recognize the joy of giving and loving all year round!

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Looking for a read that embraces the gift of giving. Holiday Kisses is the story for you. 

Iris Sinclair has a secret. Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, she becomes the Holiday Kisses Angel. She leaves little anonymous gifts to warm hearts during the chilly season.

However, This year, her tradition takes an unexpected turn when her best friend, Jordan, starts seeing her in a new, romantic light.

As their friendship blossoms into something deeper, a challenge surfaces.

Someone is trying to find the identity of the Holiday Kisses Angel, and they have enlisted Jordan's help.

The Paradise Hills promise of a magical happily ever after is tested when the best friends are forced to choose between their blossoming love or the secret.

Holiday Kisses is available at your favorite online ebook retailer.  

|Get Holiday Kisses| 

Lyn Invites You to Download her FIRST FREE EBOOK of the year!

 I usually do four free promotions per year. So why miss the first one?

Can a shy girl find her moxie and her hometown hero?  Or “let” him win her?

Food blogger and columnist Hannah, recently “unengaged,” strikes out to help her parents get settled in their new house and show them the new forceful Hannah.  When she arrives, what meets her eye— just a foundation! What’s wrong with the builder—Guthrie?

How can Hannah achieve her hopes of helping her parents get settled well before snow flies. As she pursues her goal which involves the hardworking good-guy Guthrie, she and Guthrie both battle any temptation to love again. What will it take to bring these two stubborn hearts to a second chance at love?

BTW, you don’t want to miss Guthrie’s eccentric great aunts—Patsy and Penny—a hoot and a half!

Don’t miss this heartwarming story of love, faith and the power of forgivenessby a USA Today Bestselling author of over fifty romances.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE OR FOR MORE INFO.

January Anniversary by Merrillee Whren

This time of year people are thinking of the new year. Some make resolutions. Some find a word for the year. I don't do neither, but I often set some goals for the new year and take a look back at the goals I made the year before to see what I've accomplished. Last year I made some hefty goals, not all of them reached. No problem. I just push them into the new year. Even though I didn't accomplish all of them. I did accomplish a good number, and that makes the goal setting worthwhile. 

This year as I look at January, I was thinking about my parents who had a January wedding anniversary. They were married in 1945 near the end of World War II, but at the time they didn't know how soon the war would be ending. Victory in Europe would come a few months later and then victory in Japan would follow a few months after that. They were married in Amarillo, Texas. 

Here is a photo of them on their wedding day. My dad was a sergeant in the army, but thankfully, he never had to see combat. He trained pilots. He had wanted to be a pilot, but his color blindness prevented him from flying himself. I wish I had taken time to find more about their love story, but often the young don't think about those things. It's only when you get older that those kinds of questions arise, and unfortunately, my parents passed before I ever thought to ask that question.

 

Here is a photo of their cake topper. It is 79 years old. 

 

  Do you know your parents' love story?

 

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 Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter.

 

Puppy Adoption Tips by Josie Riviera

I hope that you enjoyed my sweet holiday romance, Cocoa's Christmas Love, as well as all of the other wonderful books in our "Puppies for Christmas" collection.

This month, discover the magic of winter and the enduring joy of puppy companionship in my latest boxed set, Pawfect Christmas Hearts. But first, let's prioritize your furry friend with essential puppy adoption tips for the winter season.

Winter-Ready Essentials: Start the year on a cozy note and ensure your pup is snug in a warm coat or sweater for outdoor walks.

Indoor Playtime: Engage your pup with indoor playtime, interactive games, and training sessions.

Health and Wellness Check: Prioritize your puppy's health by consulting your vet about their winter diet and hydration need.

Winter Safety Outdoors: Keep your pup safe during outdoor walks, avoiding harsh winter elements and harmful substances.

Create a Cozy Haven: Designate a warm and inviting space for your pup to retreat to.

Winter Wellness Routine: Establish a routine that nurtures your pup's well-being, ensuring they are happy and content.

Now that your pup is all set for a cozy winter, dive into the heartwarming romances of Pawfect Christmas Hearts – the perfect read to warm your heart on chilly January nights!

Each of the 3 books in this boxed set is a delightful gift wrapped in the spirit of the season, tied with a bow of adorable puppies. These stories are more than holiday romances; they highlight the power of love, second chances, and the enduring warmth of small-town communities.

In A Christmas Puppy To Cherish, discover that love knows no boundaries, not even those of communication, as an open heart leads to a heartwarming connection.

Christmas In The Air takes you on a journey where secrets shared on an airplane come to light under the twinkling holiday stars.

And in Cocoa's Christmas Love, the magic of the season is reignited through the gentle touch of a florist's Wishing Blooms, a rescued pup's unconditional love, and the transformative power of Christmas itself.

Grab your pre-order copy of Pawfect Christmas Hearts today. Available in ebook, paperback, and large print paperback. Audiobooks for each book sold separately.

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.

Sign up for her newsletter and get a FREE ebook on her website: josieriviera.com

Meet the Highfield Family! by Christine Bush

 

Meet the Highfield Family…

Love, adventure, and mystery!  Meet the sons and daughters of tycoon Hugh Highfield.  Each has to strive to identify themselves to find their authentic path in the world, facing challenges and conflicts along the way.  And love?  It’s worth the effort!  Check them out!

 

Amazon.com: Noah's Bark eBook : Bush, Christine: Books

Noah's Bark

Hope Highfield has followed her own path, loving her life as a veterinarian in Ryerstown, Pennsylvania.  She likes to stand up for causes and save things, whether that means rescuing any kind of unloved animal, be they puppies, chickens, goats or a homeless teenager.  But the budget is tight when you are paid for your services in eggs or a homemade pie.  Noah Brandywine, the CEO whose beauty products  company is across the river from her veterinarian clinic, won’t answer her phone calls about testing on animals. He lives to rue the day…can he handle the strong minded independent woman who won't be ignored? Can he find the answers she is looking for so she'll believe his good intentions?

Amazon.com: Cindy's Prince: 9781499587241: Bush, Christine: Book

Cindy's Prince

Princeton Highfield is the youngest son of wealthy transportation magnate Hugh Highfield, graduate of Princeton University,  in the family tradition. So far, his biggest challenge in life has been to win an intense game of tennis at their Main Line country club.  But then he meets Cindy Castle, a hard working, Birkenstock-wearing librarian who is raising her orphaned niece and nephew. It’s like a reverse Cinderella story.  Cindy loves her life, and refuses his attempts to bring her into his moneyed world.  Instead she challenges him to use his gifts to make the world a better place.  But something has gone wrong, and her life is suddenly in danger. Is he brave enough to solve the mystery? Is he brave enough to love?

 

 Amazon.com: Sunny's Smile eBook : Bush, Christine: Books

Sunny's Smile

 Benedict Highfield is the oldest son of Hugh Highfield, successful, strong, retired from the Air Force as a hero.  He has a new mission, sent by his father to locate his missing younger sister Lucy, who had disappeared from her University, most probably with a most unsuitable boyfriend.  Last tracked to Arizona, and the Navaho Indian Reservation, he flies his new light plane to find her.  But his plane crashes, and he finds more than he expected, including a way of life that is certainly different, a very happy sister, and a challenging woman named Sunny. The residents of the reservation are having a major problem.  Can his abilities help solve the string of crimes that are happening?  And can he find a way to live in Sunny’s world, full of tradition and simplicity, instead of the wealthy corporate world that is waiting for him back in Philadelphia?

 Enjoy these fun reads as we nestle into our warm homes on these cold winter nights! I’d love to hear what you think about the Highfield’s and their stories!

Love,   Christine

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!

 

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

 

 

 

Snowstorm Romance ~ Jean C. Gordon

Yesterday, while I sat all cozy next to the wood stove in our living room, waiting for our very late first snowstorm of the winter to start and looking for a topic for today's blog, "Snowstorm romance" popped into my head. So, wondering how popular that particular romance trope is, I Googled it. Very popular, it turns out. The first link that appeared in my search was to Good Reads and a Listopedia lineup of 159 romances in which the hero and heroine are snowbound or a snowstorm plays a significant part in the story.

When that list didn't seem to include any books by sweet romance authors that I read, I decided to check the Sweet Romance Reads blog authors. Googling each of them, I found that four of them definitely have "snow" books: Lyn Cote, Josie Riviera, Roxanne Rustand, and Cheryl St. John definitely do. If any of the other Sweet Romance Reads bloggers do have snowstorm romances, please let our readers know in the comments.

And just when I was about to type that I don't, I remembered I do: Trusting His Kiss, the novella that kicks off my Paradox Lake series. How about you? Do you like "snow" stories?

~~~~~~~~~~

Life is complicated for nurse and widowed mother of three, Kari Hazard. Her 15-year-old son Myles is rebelling, and she's unsure how to handle it. Still, Kari is not immediately thrilled with the actions Myles’s handsome new school guidance counselor is taking.
 
Eli Evans is a former Air Force officer and can relate to Myles’s feelings regarding his father, who was killed in Afghanistan. Eli also finds Kari extremely attractive, but an issue from his past could pose a problem for any prospective relationship.  However, an even larger obstacle is Kari’s residual anger and complicated emotions toward the military and her late husband.
 
In the small town of Paradox Lake, fate (with a little help from Eli’s mother) keeps pushing them together. Can Kari and Eli leave the past behind them and find a way forward to new love?

Welcome to Paradox Lake
Any fan of sweet romance will love the stories of small-town love in the Paradox Lake Sweet Romance series. Grab your tea or coffee, settle into your favorite chair, and be swept away into the cozy Adirondack town, where complex characters navigate challenging situations as they find their way to love. Whether it’s love at first blush, old flames reuniting, or second chance romance, you’ll find pure reading enjoyment and satisfy your craving for sweet, wholesome romance. 

Part of an ongoing series full of familiar faces, each story will stand on its own. With novel and novella lengths available, there’s something for everyone. Paradox Lake is written by USA Today Bestselling sweet romance author Jean Gordon, who’s penned stories for the No Brides Clubs Series, Indigo Bay Series, and Harlequin Love Inspired, as well as for multiple sweet romance collections.

Only 99-cents

Coming to the end...

 

Do you ever reach the last book of a series, or even a series on television, and wish it would go on and on?

I've been watching the tenth and final season of Doc Martin on public television. The doc is a curmudgeonly sort with an abrasive lack of people skills, but the series has been filled with humorous characters and subplots that I have come to love and I will miss them.

Another series (among many PBS shows I enjoy) I am grateful for is All Creatures Great and Small.  Being an avid animal lover, this series has been a joy--and the setting is a delight, because I love reading fiction set in Ireland, Scotland, and England. It is still running, and I wish it would never end. But that time will come, too.

What about you? Do you have some favorite, ongoing television series to recommend? I would love to hear about them! 

As a writer, I find writing the final book in one of my Christian Romantic series a little sad, too. Creating characters and writing multiple books in that world becomes part of me--as if some of those folks have become friends.

DEADLY EVIDENCE will be released on January 30th. It is the fourth and final book in my DEA Agents series, and is available for preorder HERE. 

The good thing for readers, though, is that the books can be read in any order. So, if you missed the other releases this past fall, it's not too late!

I hope you had a wonderful, blessed Christmas and that the coming year will be a blessing as well.

All my best,

Roxanne Rustand