Life Isn't a Sprint it's a Journey by Kimberly Rose Johnson

The mantra of my life for several years now has been finding balance. I was stressed and too focused on writing. My health suffered as a result and so did my social life.

I've been trying to slow down a bit with my writing for two years. As I look back, I see that I truly succeeded in 2019. I only wrote three books and one screenplay. I realize this may sound counter intuitive to an entrepreneur, but it was necessary for me to find balance in my life.

Even though I only wrote three manuscripts and a screenplay, it has still proven to be a struggle to find balance because I've had multiple collections of older books compiled by my publisher which require marketing, and then I decided it was a good idea to do it with my indie books too. On top of that I dusted off an old manuscript and did a huge rewrite and published it as well. So in spite of writing fewer books, I've stayed busy, but not so busy I made myself sick, like I've done in the past.

Lately, on Fridays I've given myself permission to only do the minimum that is necessary to keep moving forward in order to enjoy time with friends or family. It's been delightful!

I hope as you finish 2019 you will take time to enjoy it doing the things you love.

The Sleuth's Conundrum was the only full length book I wrote in 2019, and it released this month. It's the third book in my Librarian Sleuth series. I'm currently writing the next book.

Here's the back cover description for The Sleuth's Conundrum.

Adam and Tara are sucked into a police investigation that might get Tara killed. Can Adam keep her safe or will he lose her forever?

Tara James, the local librarian assistant, is afraid her past will catch up to her when an infant is abandoned outside the Tipton County Library. Will news of the abandoned baby stir up publicity and force her to go on the run again?

Librarian Nancy Daley’s world has become complicated. Carter is pushing to set a wedding date, a woman was left for dead on the side of the road, and Tara, her assistant, is acting strange. Nancy is working every angle she can think of, but the case goes from bad to bizarre. Can she find the baby’s mother, help Tara, and plan her wedding without upsetting her life’s delicate balance?

Slow news days become a thing of the past for local reporter Adam Stacy when a dead body is discovered on the side of the road. Was the woman murdered or was it an accident? Adam’s feelings are growing for Tara, but she appears to have secrets she’s hiding. Is she somehow connected to the abandoned infant?

When things go from bad to worse Adam does everything in his power to protect Tara, but will it be enough?

Available at Amazon 

Do you ever go Novembering? by Alicia Street

I do. Novembering is what I call indulging in the deep nostalgia that takes over my brain in November. To me, it is a month for remembering. The summer is truly gone, and with Thanksgiving approaching and the Christmas holidays right around the corner, I can’t help but go back to thoughts of years past.

                                               Photo by Niklas Hamann on Unsplash

I love to take walks in the crisp autumn air and remember all the things I’m grateful to have lived and experienced. All the people who’ve touched my life and the things I’ve been lucky enough to do. A few years back, my mom passed away just before Thanksgiving, so memories of her warmth always fill me when I see the leaves turning red and gold. And I can’t seem to stop myself from collecting the prettiest autumn leaves and pressing them into the pages of a book—a yearly ritual my mom and I began when I was seven years old.  

Novembering is also that special feeling of returning to familiar rituals—like making cranberry sauce from fresh berries or sticking cloves in oranges to make pomanders or finding my grandmother’s big serving platter for the turkey—the kinds of things that bring up precious memories of days shared with family and friends year after year. By the time I get through the month of November and Thanksgiving arrives, I’ve catalogued a whole life’s worth of thankfulness.

Do you ever go Novembering?

As a thanks to readers I am offering The Sweetheart Test free through November19.

Alicia Street is a USA Today bestselling author and a Daphne du Maurier award-winner. She spent many years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher and is a compulsive reader of every genre. Alicia sometimes writes in collaboration with her husband, Roy, and is grateful to have the kind of marriage that proves romance novel love really exists.

Alicia loves to connect with readers~

Website   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads

New Release by Merrillee Whren

Today the final book in my Front Porch Promises series, A PLACE TO FIND LOVE, releases. Click on the title to read an excerpt. Even though I have a Christmas background, the cover doesn't look much like Christmas. It looks like summer. The story in the majority of my books have a time span of several months. This particular book starts in early summer, but the epilogue ends the following February. In between my hero has a special Christmas surprise for the heroine, because he knows how much she likes Christmas decorations. Here are several buy links.
Amazon
Apple
B&N
Kobo

For a little incite into the heroine, Whitney Hamilton, here is an interview.
Interviewer: Tell me the most interesting thing about you.
Whitney: Maybe that I speak five languages, English, French, German, Dutch, and Spanish
Interviewer: Wow! How did you come to learn so many languages?
Whitney: Languages have always come easy for me, and I studied a couple in high school and college and learned the others on my own because I worked as an interpreter in my previous job.
Interviewer: What is your job now, and do you still use your language skills?
Whitney: I used to live in Atlanta, but I had to move home to Pineydale, Tennessse, because my mother needed me to help with my ailing father. I was fortunate to find a position with the company where I interned when I was in college. I haven't used my language skills much in this job, but the company owner is planning to expand his business overseas, so I'll get the opportunity to use those skills again.
Interviewer: Even though your father was ill, were you happy to return to your hometown?
Whitney: Sadly, my father passed away a couple of months ago, and now I'm caring for my mother, who seems to have developed dementia. This has been tough, and Pineydale has a lot of bad memories for me.
Interviewer: Do you mind telling me about them?
Whitney: I'm not going into detail because I hurt a number of people, and I deeply regret that. So being back in my hometown brings up all those painful memories.
Interviewer: On a lighter note, what do you like to do for fun?
Whitney: I've been pretty focused on my job and taking care of my parents. I haven't made much time for fun. I do like to play golf, but that's usually business related. In fact, my boss asked me to take the new employee out for a golf lesson, not something I'm looking forward to because he's the younger brother of my old boyfriend. Too many bad memories there.
Interviewer: I guess that didn't bring us to a lighter note. Let's try something else. What do you like to read?
Whitney: Again work and taking care of my mother have occupied my time, but my coworker has challenged me to do more Bible reading. I'm up for the challenge.
Interviewer: That's a good challenge to take. If you could go back in time, where would you go, and why?
Whitney: That's easy. I'd go back to the summer of my high school graduation and stand up to my parents and not let them dictate where I should go to college. The one bad decision to do as they said rather than what I wanted led me to make a bunch of other foolish decisions. I'd like to undo them all, but I know that's not possible. I have to live with those and try to do better going forward.
Interviewer: That's a good way to look at it. We can't change the past. Now for the last questions. What is most important to you, and what do you want out of life?
Whitney: Right now the most important thing is taking care of my mother and making sure she gets the help she needs. Since I travel a lot for my job, I need a caregiver who will be there while I'm gone. As far as what I want out of life, I want to do well in my job and find peace with those I've wronged and peace with myself. I'm learning that God will help me in that quest.

As a reader, which do you prefer? Books that have a longer time span or books that have a shorter time span?

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.

 

Bargain Book: Wrapped Up in Christmas by Janice Lynn

Yay! Hallmark has my book, Wrapped Up in Christmas, on sale for .99. Not sure how long this sale will last, but I am excited they are running this promotion. If you've not picked up your copy of this sweet, up-lifting romance as discussed by Candace Cameron Bure on the Miracles of Christmas Preview Show and by myself & Cameron Mathison on Novmeber 8th's Home & Family talk show on Hallmark Channel, now is an excellent time. The book includes a cinnamon swirl bread recipe and Quilts of Valor quilt pattern.

 Buy Now at Amazon

Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky, has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects - like making a quilt for a wounded warrior. 

Bodie Lewis is lost. All he's ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker. 

Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn't immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she's turning into a bed and breakfast. Sarah's presence and the spirit of the small town bring Bodie something he thought he'd left far behind on the battlefield: hope.

www.janicelynn.com

Easy Cake Recipe by Cindy Flores Martinez

Have you ever tried Tres Leches Cake? It’s one of my favorite cakes, and I have an easy recipe to share.

In my latest Christmas story, Mia’s Gift, which is part of the Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series, my heroine Mia owns a cupcake shop with her best friend Diane. In a scene, Mia talks about having baked Tres Leches Cupcakes as a child.

Tres Leches means “three milks”, and there are many cake recipes that start from scratch, but my easy recipe makes a light and yet flavorful cake that’s just as delicious.

Easy Tres Leches Cake

1 box yellow cake mix (and the ingredients to bake the cake)

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 container whipped topping

Directions

Bake the cake according to the instructions on the box in a rectangular pan. Let it cool.

Poke holes all over the top of the cake with a large fork.

In a bowl, mix the three milks together and spoon the mixture over the cake letting it soak through. Some recipes say to use the whole mixture, but I use only half.

Refrigerate for a half hour and spread whipped topping over the top.

Optional: garnish with strawberries or other fruit and/or cinnamon

Enjoy!

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Where to buy: AMAZON

Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes Christian Romance. She has an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Screenwriting. Her debut novel, Mail-Order Groom, started as a screenplay and movie project, which she shopped around Hollywood, New York, and other parts of the world. You can learn more about her at www.cindyfloresmartinez.com

November is the Month of Gratitude by Josie Riviera

For many of us, November is the month when we celebrate Thanksgiving.

But, how can we nurture gratitude in our hearts?

Here are some simple ideas that may jump-start the season of giving.

Say "thank you" more often. Your loved ones do many things for you during the day, whether it's walking the dog, preparing meals, or brewing the morning coffee. Express your gratitude by saying "thank you" for everyday, mundane tasks.

Then, take the time to share with people how much joy they give you.

We've all heard the term, "Count your blessings," and are aware that many simple items in our lives are considered luxuries elsewhere.

So, give a name to your blessings, write them down, and share these blessings with your friends and family.

Many of my readers are aware that my daughter lives in Ireland, and I won't see her for Thanksgiving. However, I'll make a point to call her, and let her know she is missed and loved.

What are you grateful for? Please leave your comments below.

 

I'm grateful for all our readers and wish everyone who celebrates a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving.

 

Do you love sweet emotional romances and a great bargain?

Leading Hearts: First Books in Series,is a new release! 3 full-length stories in one bundle.

All books in my sweet romance bundle are first in the series.

Bundle includes:

A Love Song To Cherish, (contemporary inspirational romance tackles addiction)

Seeking Fortune, (a reader favorite Romany/Gypsy inspirational romance,) and

 1-800-CUPID, (home-flipping series.)

These books have something for everyone.

Snag your ebook copy at the special, introductory pre-order price of only 99¢ for all 3 books.

Also available in Paperback.

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.

To see her latest family adventures, follow her on Instagram.

And remember to join our Sweet Romance Reads Facebook cafe.

New Christmas Books from Sweet Romance Read Authors #sweetromance

Christmas Next Door

Vickie McDonough & Susan Page Davis

Visit an Old West Texas town where a mysterious benefactor leaves gifts each Christmas, but also where four pairs of neighbors battle over hearsay, secrets, and mysteries.
THE MARSHAL NEXT DOOR by Vickie McDonough (1885)
The marshal’s deputy claims he’s seen the marshal’s young sisters snooping around businesses where there have been recent thefts. Marshal Yates can’t believe his sisters might be the thieves and seeks out a woman to mentor the impetuous teenagers. But when evidence is found against his sisters, will he have to arrest them at Christmastime?

THE SPINSTERS NEXT DOOR by Susan Page Davis (1886)
THE OUTLAW NEXT DOOR by Vickie McDonough (1887)
THE GUNSLINGER NEXT DOOR by Susan Page Davis (1888)

Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, & Christianbook

Christmas is the season of giving, but Sara isn’t sure she is up to the task.

Playing secret angel in high school was fun, and now, years later, Sara has the opportunity to do it once more on a bigger scale. She enlists the help of Gabe, her long-time best friend, to come up with a deserving recipient. But something is off with Gabe—he’s more attentive than usual.

The Christmas season has put Gabe in a reflective mood. His evaluation of his life has left him lonely and wanting more. But can his heart have its desire? That’s up to Sara.

Can these two long-time best friends navigate their changing relationship, or will the romance Grinch steal their Christmas joy?

Available exclusively on Amazon so can read it for free with Kindle Unlimited. 

Could granting a child's simple wish change a family's future?

Friendship, memories and wishes are powerful things and in the small town of Snowflake, Colorado they combine to form a memorial to a lost friend. Following her death, Charity Hart left six of her close high school friends, including Caro Price, fifteen hundred dollars each and an assignment to use that money to grant someone else’s secret wish by Christmas.

Temporarily back in Snowflake to help her beloved grandmother recover from an illness, nurse practitioner Caro is on the hunt for a recipient for her secret angel gift. A chance encounter in a specialty store focuses Caro’s interest on a red-headed little girl fascinated by a nativity scene.

Caro’s grandmother has matchmaking on her mind as she pushes Caro and her neighbor, Simon Novak, together. It turns out that Simon coaches the little redhead’s older brother at the high school. With Simon’s help, Caro tries to learn more about the family and it quickly becomes apparent that the widowed mother and her two children are struggling financially. But is there more going on than meets the eye, for Caro sees flashes of fear in their eyes.

Christmas is the season of wishes, and Caro, with God's guidance, is determined to make one little girl’s dream a reality! And, maybe, just maybe, fulfill a dream of her own!

Available exclusively on Amazon. Read FREE with Kindle Unlimited. 

An Act of Love

By Margaret Daley

When Dr. Max Connors discovers he has a thirteen-year-old daughter who was adopted by a family years ago, he feels betrayed. He locates where his daughter lives and decides to move to Tallgrass, Oklahoma, although he doesn’t know if he will reveal who he is. Rachel Howard, the widowed mother, is struggling with raising her daughter, Taylor, who has problems that interfere with her schooling. As neighbors, Max becomes involved with Rachel and Taylor and ends up helping them when he can. As Christmas nears and his feelings toward Rachel grow, Max must make a decision. Will Max’s secret destroy his dream to have a family?

Amazon

Mia's Gift

By Cindy Flores Martinez

Mia Rosa is thinking of leaving Snowflake, Colorado for good. Her cupcake shop on Main Street isn’t doing well, and seeing her ex-fiancé around town is awkward. When she receives a letter from her old high school friend, Charity Hart, asking her to be a secret angel, she’s convinced that she can’t go through with it. But Mia soon learns that handsome Jesse Quinn and his fifteen-year-old niece, Kristi, are in desperate need of a miracle. The group home where Kristi lives is shutting down, and no other foster homes are available in Snowflake. Will Mia be able to secretly grant Jesse and Kristi’s wish for Kristi to stay in the town she calls home?

FREE with Kindle Unlimited
https://www.amazon.com/Mias-Gift-Small-Town-Christmas-Wishes-ebook/dp/B07X9GFHL7