Easy Pumpkin Recipe by Cindy Flores Martinez

Pumpkin season is here, and I have an easy recipe to share. It's a cold pumpkin drink that you can enjoy all year long.

As you might know, some brands of canned pumpkin can taste bitter, so it's best to use a brand that you know tastes good.

Easy Pumpkin Drink

Ingredients:

1/4 cup canned pumpkin (add more if you prefer a thicker drink)

1 cup cold milk or milk substitute

1 TB sweetener (or more if you prefer)

1/8 tsp pumpkin spice

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a cup. That's it! 

Enjoy!

A Virtual Trip To Regency England by Josie Riviera

When writing, I “explore” the locations, some physically, and some by researching online. In fact, I travel to exciting places from behind my keyboard. Given COVID-19 and the state of the world, virtual traveling is the way to go, at least for now.

Regency Period in the United Kingdom is the setting for my Seeking series, which ran from about 1790 to 1820. Named for George, Prince of Wales who was given the title of Regent as his father, King George III, was deemed “mad” and unfit to rule. Unwilling to remove him from the thrown it was decided his son should rule as Regent and would become King upon his father’s passing. 

George had a fondness for the finer things in life and commissioned many projects at a tremendous cost, which added to his being rather unpopular. This period was known for the resurgence of art and culture. The fashion of the day was quite elegant with women wearing more modest clothes then popular in recent times. Men wore trousers of varying lengths and jackets with tails.

This was a great time for literature with Jane Austen writing all of her books. She was well known in society and revealed what the day in the life the aristocracy would be like. There were many other acclaimed authors, poets, and playwrights, including Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, and Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley.

The architecture was also something the Regent enjoyed. Architect John Nash was commissioned to upgrade Buckingham House into the Buckingham Palace we know today. Mr. Nash also developed the areas of Regent Street and Regent Park. Other beautiful examples of the time are The City of Bath where the famous Roman Spas are located, The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, and The Royal Pavilion at Brighton, the seaside retreat of the Prince.

I can just imagine the ladies and gentlemen of the day, strolling through the parks and the streets, and yes even Buckingham Palace. To this day, those places remain ready for us to enjoy and marvel in the history.

Someday, but for now, we’ll travel virtually.

 

I'm celebrating my brand new cover for Seeking Patience, my Regency Inspirational Sweet romance.

Travel back to Regency England with me and discover the world of the Romany Gypsies.

Do people prove their worth by strength, or by character?

Grab your ebook copy of Seeking Patience today. 

Also available in paperback, Large Print paperback, and audiobook.

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.

 

"Like" her Facebook page.

And remember to join our Sweet Romance Reads Facebook cafe.

Love in 2020... by Christine Bush

 

Many people have asked me  “Are you ever going to write a romance with a covid theme? Set in 2020 covid times?

Ick. My automatic reaction has been a vehement “NO!” 

I’m looking forward to healing and resolution from this painful time, and didn’t imagine putting it into a book.

But..  Yesterday, I heard a sweet TRUE story, so I thought I’d share it here.

A youngish man, quiet, brilliant, computer nerdish,
has always worked at home in Brooklyn, NY.  Dominick was encouraged and prodded by family to join one of the popular internet dating sites at Christmas last year. So he did.  And went on a few “first dates” with various stories attached. No second dates. 

By March, he was ready to give up. But then he read the profile of a young lady who sounded like a match made in heaven. They communicated by email.  They had a conversation on the phone. Marla seemed great! They set a date, planning to meet at a local restaurant on Friday night. He was looking forward to it.

But Friday, he got a text, calling off the date with no explanation.  Dominick called her, not quite willing to give up on her.

She was crying. And sick.  She had woken up coughing the day before, and the doctor had given her a test for the awful new virus that was rampaging in NY.  She had Covid19. She was stuck in her apartment, isolating, and hoping she didn’t end up in the hospital.

She had neighbors who dropped off food at her door, and checked in on her.  She was pretty sick for a few weeks, but slowly improved, not having to be hospitalized.

And she had Dominick. He had instinctively felt a connection to Marla, and he wasn’t going to let it go.  They couldn’t see each other, of course.  But that doesn’t mean they weren’t together. As soon as she could, they had long, meaningful telephone conversations, getting to know each other. Hour after hour.  They shared about their hopes and dreams, their childhoods, their careers. Their like and their dislikes. They zoomed together and showed each other family pictures and mementos from special moments in life.  They watched the same movie on their tv’s, while seeing each other on zoom on their laptops. Not exactly like being on the same couch, but together in their own way.

Slowly, Marla got better.  She had one negative covid test.  Then another two weeks later. Then another. She wanted to be absolutely certain she was free from the virus.

Their first “in person” date was three months to the day they had first planned to meet. Can you imagine the romantic moment?  And they already knew each other deeply, honestly, and in a different way, probably, than they would have if they hadn’t been so physically separated for so long.

Yes, the happily ever after seems like it’s on the way.  They are happy, healthy, and taking their time.  So this is one covid story that came out well, and that brings me joy.

But I’m still not sold on writing fiction set in 2020.

How about you?  Are you interested in reading or writing stories set in the “Covid time?”

I’d love to hear.

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

It’s nostalgia time!  Today I’m sharing a link for my very first book, “Patient Heart”, a sweet romantic mystery! Available in ebook and in print.

https://www.amazon.com/Patient-Heart-New-Beginnings-Book-ebook/dp/B005IG6C0S/

 

 

 

 

 

The Life of a Freelance Copywriter by Kristin Wallace

While many may know me as an author, I also have a “day job” as an advertising copywriter. That means I come up with the words for marketing materials, from TV commercials and radio spots to print ads, and brochures. I also do a lot of social media and blog writing. 

 

Right now I’m working as a freelance copywriter so that means “I” am the boss! Before my current role, I worked at an ad agency for 10 years. 

 

My job requires me to do a lot of research so I can develop ad copy and blogs. I’ve learned so much about different subjects. When I was at the ad agency we worked extensively with hospitals and health plans. As a result, I learned so much about healthcare topics. I can tell you about heart surgery procedures, heart disease, orthopedic surgery, cancer treatment, women’s health, diabetes, rehabilitation techniques, and on and on. 

 

As a freelancer, the subjects I write about are a lot more varied. I work with a company that produces blogs and web pages for car dealerships. I have learned a lot about different models and car systems/features. With some of my clients, I’m assigned a blog topic. With others, I’m able to choose from a list of available topics. In a single day, I can go from writing about the best fishing spots near Branson, MO to the gas mileage of a Jeep Wrangler. Look at these topics…

 

·      Phishing schemes

·      Sensory processing issues

·      Remote learning

·      How to pick the right college

·      STEM education and STEM jobs

·      Best roof materials for hot climates

·      Best wheelchairs for seniors

·      Best camping sites in Missouri

·      Lead Magnets

·      How long laptop batteries last

·      Wound care

·      Backyard landscaping ideas

·      South Carolina real estate

·      Best Nashville neighborhoods

·      3D scanners

·      Training your dog to become an AKC Trick Dog

·      Dental implants

·      Different kinds of valves

·      Chevy Suburban

·      Mazda CX-5

 

Obviously, I’m not an expert on valves or AKC training. I don’t truly understand “scientific” medical terms (that’s truly another language). But I do know "a little bit about a lot of things". 

 

My job is all about learning new things and that keeps it interesting. I couldn’t do it without the Internet, though. It makes my job possible. Google is definitely my best friend. 

 

What’s the most interesting thing about your job?

 

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of sweet contemporary and inspirational romance filled with Love, Laughter, and a Leap of Faith. She is the author of the three best selling series, Covington Falls Chronicles, Shellwater Key Tales, and Palm Cove Tales.

Celebrate Labor Day with Some Fun Facts ~ Jean C. Gordon

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed in the US on the first Monday in September with parties and street parades. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans. But there's more about Labor Day you may or may not know.

• Labour (Labor) day originated in Canada in 1872 when a parade was held in Toronto in support of the Toronto Typographical Union's strike for a 58-hour work week.

• The first U.S. Labor Day was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882 in New York City, planned by the Central Labor Union. About 10,000 workers took unpaid leave and marched from City Hall past Union Square uptown to 42nd street, and ended in Wendel’s Elm Park at 92nd Street and 9th Avenue for a concert, speeches, and a picnic.

• Oregon was the first state to declare Labor Day an official holiday in 1887, followed by Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York in the same year

• By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1994, Congress passed an act that President Grover Cleveland signed into law, making the first Monday in September of each year the official Labor Day Holiday.

• Labor Day is considered the unofficial NFL season kickoff.  99.44 percent of the time, the NFL plays its first official season game the Thursday after Labor Day. As an aside, my Buffalo Bills are scheduled to play the Jets on the following Saturday, 9/13.

• The first Waffle house opened on Labor Day 1955, in Avondale Estates, GA.

• Labor Day is the unofficial end of hot dog season. According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat some seven billion hot dogs.

• You can wear white after Labor Day. The old tradition goes back to the late Victorian ere, when it was a fashion faux pas to wear white clothing after summer officially ended on Labor Day. According to Emily Post: White indicated you were still in vacation mode at your summer cottage.

In my upcoming new release, Sweet Tidings, the citizens of Indigo Bay are celebrating Christmas, not Labor Day. Come join them in Sweet Tidings and the five other Indigo Bay Christmas Romances.

Amanda Strickland wants her first Christmas as mayor of Indigo Bay to be a civic success from the animal shelter fundraiser to benefit gala to the traditional tree lighting. And movie-star acquaintance Eric Slade may be just the ingredient she needs to pull it all off.

Eric wants to put the paparazzi off him and the young co-star of his last film—and protect his fragile relationship with the grown son he never spent much time with when his son was growing up. When he proposes a pretend holiday romance between him and Amanda, it seems like a win-win for them both.

But what will happen when the pretend romance turns real and snafus on both sides threaten to crush their Christmas plans and hearts?

Sweet Tidings is the first book in the new Indigo Bay Christmas Romances Series, but it and the other stories are standalone and can be read in any order. 

SEE THEM ALL  

    For My New Releases
    Follow me on BookBub
    Sign up for my Readers Newsletter 
    Visit my Website 
    Facebook: JeanCGordon.author 
    Twitter: @JeanCGordon

Have You Signed up for the Sweet Romance Reads Quarterly Newsletter Yet?

If not, you can at the top right of the blog page.

A Kind Summer by Vickie McDonough

Summer was pretty kind to us in Oklahoma this year. Normally, we'll experience several weeks of over 100-degree weather, but this year we had a couple of cool spells and enjoyed highs in the 80s for a few weeks. Still, I'm ready for the cooler weather and pretty colors of fall. I just put a huge metal pumpkin in my front yard, and I'm pulling out my autumn decorations, so I can decorate my house. How about you? Have you done any decorating yet?

Cooler weather sometimes means staying inside and reading more. If you'd like to enjoy a quick read, check out my Hand-Me-Down Husband novella.

Ellen Stewart despises Lance Garrett. If not for him dashing into Isabelle’s life and stealing her heart and filling her head with his dreams, her little sister would still be alive and safe at home. When Ellen receives Lance’s letter requesting help with one-year-old Tessa, she rushes to Silver Springs, intent on taking charge of her young niece. A rugged ranch in the wilds of Texas is no place for a motherless baby.

But when she realizes how distraught Lance is over the loss of his wife and the depth of his love for his daughter, she can’t take Tessa from him—but neither can she leave. Though everything within her wants to flee back to the comfortable big city, something makes her stay. Tessa needs her father, for one—and he needs her. Ellen knows what it’s like to lose all she’d dreamed of.

When local townsfolk make a stink about Ellen living at Lance’s ranch unchaperoned, will they be forced to marry? Ellen doesn’t want a hand-me-down husband who could never love her, but could this marriage be God’s will for them both?

Vickie McDonough is the CBA, EPCA and Amazon best-selling author of 50 Christian romance books and novellas.

Purchase here / Free on KU

Lyn Cote Asks the September Question

Image by Лариса Мозговая from Pixabay

Now for the September question: School days, school days, dear old Golden Rule days—Now that’s a blast from long past. Anyway any memories of a favorite teacher and what she or he did to make you like to go to school?

I remember many good teachers--Miss LeFevre, Mrs. Greene, Mrs Williams, Mrs. Crawford. Mrs. Crawford made the biggest impact on my life.

If you’ve read any of my historicals and many of my contemporary stories, you know that I write books with many different kinds of people.That is due to Mrs. Crawford. My first writing mentor was my Junior-year English teacher, Mrs. Doris M Crawford, one of my first African-American teachers, who spent an hour after school every day that year teaching me how to write. I had asked her at the end of the first class—“I want to be a writer. Will you teach me how?” 

Her gift of time and taking an interest in me made all the difference. I just wish she’d lived to read my first published book but she died of cancer when I was in college. But I often feel as if she is standing at my shoulder as I write.

So what teacher made a difference in your life--or do you have a particular favorite fun memory of school days? Either is good. I waiting to hear from you!

BTW, my latest romantic suspense is on pre-order till Sept 8th at 25% off.

 In a small town where murder never happens, two people with a tragic history must work together to protect their families before another murder happens~

Bookstore owner, Sylvie Patterson and Detective Ridge Matthews share hidden pain over the long ago tragedy that marked them both. Because of the past, she knows she has no future with him. Sylvie’s cousin Ginger returns home to write her PhD dissertation and says these cryptic words before hanging up: Sylvie, I am going to wow you with a big surprise tomorrow! Finding Ginger lying dead at the foot of the stairs is not any surprise anyone would ever want. 

Ridge had come to town on a family matter. When he and Sylvie discover the body, as a state homicide detective, he’s ordered to stay and solve the murder. Murders don’t happen in small town Winfield—and he can’t get a break on the case. When Detective Matthews fails to discover any motive or solid clues for her cousin’s murder, Sylvie refuses to believe that she might be next. What if she’s wrong…Don’t miss the exciting ending to this northwoods murder mystery! For more info, click here.