Live Nature Webcams by Cindy Flores Martinez

 

When the stay-at-home order began due to the pandemic, I found myself missing all the places I used to visit before everything changed. I know I’m not the only one!

One of my favorite pastimes is taking day trips. Living in Southern California means that I can visit the beach, or the mountains, or the desert and be back home that same day. During the stay-at-home order, I discovered that I can feel connected to these places through live webcams.

There are so many nature webcams that I enjoy, but here are a couple of my favorites.

Big Bear Eagle Cam:

I check this webcam more than any other because it overlooks an eagles’ nest in Big Bear, CA, which is a mountain town that I’ve visited since I was a child. 

As I write this, the male and female eagles named Jackie and Shadow are incubating two eggs, which are expected to hatch in a few days. The snow has made it such a challenge!  You can see pictures of snow-covered Jackie on the Facebook link on the webpage.

I can't get enough of Jackie and Shadow and the spectacular view.

https://friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagles/

Santa Monica Beach:

I’ve visited Santa Monica all my life, but it’s too far from where I live compared to the beaches near me. I often check the live webcam because the sunsets can be spectacular! You have to see one sometime.

https://explore.org/livecams/santa-monica-beach/santa-monica-beach-cam

There are so many other live webcams that capture the beautiful and inspiring beaches, mountains, and deserts all over California. I recommend them.

Do you have any favorite nature webcams? I would love to see them!

Cindy Flores Martinez is a USA Today bestselling author who writes sweet and 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

The Beauty of Everything Irish by Josie Riviera

March has arrived, and the renewal of Spring is upon us. It's time to look forward to things turning green--flowers blooming, birds singing, and everything Irish as we approach St. Patrick's Day.

I frequently set my books in Ireland, as my daughter lives there. As a sweet romance writer, I find Ireland to be a wonderful setting. The country is known as the Emerald Isle for the incredible landscape, a patchwork of shades of green. Full of history, tradition, kind-hearted people, the location lends itself to the sweetness of life. The Cliffs of Mohar soar 700 feet above the Atlantic. 

Enjoy windswept cliff walks where you will pass fields of sheep and cows, while the waves crash below. Or, the quaint village of Adare, which is touted as "the prettiest village in Ireland." In County Limerick, Adare is filled with thatched-roofed and ivy-covered cottages. Adorable cafes and pubs provide local fare locals and tourists alike. 

 If a castle is more your styles, Ashford Castle is located in County May. This 350 acre estate, once owned by the Guinness Brewing family, is often voted one of the world's best 5-star hotels. When the time is right, I hope you can explore Ireland in person. For now, a virtual trip for St. Patrick's Day is the next best thing. 

 Have you ever visited Ireland? Please leave your comments below.

Maeve, my sweet contemporary "Irish" romance, is 99¢ on a US Kindle Countdown, and perfect for St. Patrick's Day.

 Grab your copy today. Available in ebook, Paperback, Large Print Paperback, Audiobook, and Hardcover.

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 author page.

Remember to join our Sweet Romance Reads cafe!

The Long and "Short" of It... by Christine Bush

 

Historically, the majority of the stories I have written are book length. Some are categorized as “long contemporary”, some as “short contemporary”, and a few as “short historical”.  I’ve also written quite a few romance novellas, several of which have been included in romance anthologies.

There is a joy in writing a “big book”, where characters can be fully developed, time can span even generations, and plots can be multi leveled and complex.

But sometimes, as a reader as well as a writer, something short simply hits the spot.

When life is busy and time is cramped, there is nothing like an immediate “shot in the arm” of romance to jazz up the day.  Digesting a heartwarming story from beginning to end in a short period of time is often a joy in a too busy day.

                                                      

This is common among my mystery friends. Monthly print publications like “Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine”  have included a constant roster of brain tingling short works for years. With new digital publications short story has become popular in every genre, including romance.

My digital short story, “Cowboy Boots” is a short story about finding love in the second half of life. It was my first venture into writing about a heroine with lots of life experience, ready for the next phase of her life. 

 

  Cowboy Boots - Kindle edition by Bush, Christine. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Another short romance story is called  “Fear of Flowers”.  Many of us can think of something that stirs up a little ”terror” in our hearts.  In this one, our hero needs to get over his long time fear of water.  He’s head over heals attracted to his swimming instructor, but she’s come to believe that men are “players”, and she’s not about to lose her heart…no matter how big the bouquet he brings. Can they face the fears that are barriers to finding and accepting love? Spoiler alert.. of course they can! This is a romance, after all. Check out this quick read to find out how!

 

 Fear of Flowers (Flower Basket) - Kindle edition by Bush, Christine. Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

How about you? Do you like to read (or write) short stories? Any recommendations?  We busy folk would 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!

 And in case you’re looking for a long one………

Christine's  “Sunny’s Smile” is a sweet romantic mystery set on the Navajo reservation!

https://www.amazon.com/Sunnys-Smile-Christine-Bush-ebook/dp/B071NS96NP/

 

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

Finally...a new project by Kristin Wallace

Last year became something of an unintentional hiatus from writing...at least the fiction writing side of my life. Some ongoing health problems made it nearly impossible to focus the way I needed in order to create stories. Plus, I'm sure the ongoing COVID crisis made things even more difficult. 

BUT...a writer friend convinced me to be part of a holiday box Holiday Fake-Out. As the title suggests every story centers around a fake holiday date. This set features an eclectic mix of authors, including NYT Bestselling author, Heather Graham. The set features many different kinds of romance, from contemporary and suspense to paranormal. 

Holiday Fake-Out

Need a date for the holidays? Oh joy…We've got you covered with 22 fake holidates to heat up your season!

Travel from small towns to cosmopolitan cities, snow covered mountains to gorgeous mansions. You'll

meet sexy billionaires, brainy tech gods, buff journalists, sinfully cocky athletes, and sizzling hot chefs. They're naughty and nice (and everything in between) and they're enough to fulfill any romantic fantasies.

These 22 swoon-worthy heroes are ready to be your *fake* plus-one at holiday events, from Christmas weddings to Chanukahand Kwanzaa celebrations. Each starts out as a charade, and though they might lie to family, friends, or co-workers, they won't be able to fool themselves when a very real romance develops.

As for my, I am returning to a familiar place...A place called Covington Falls, the setting for my popular inspirational series. I'm introducing a new family this time. Actually, a few of them debuted in my first book, Marry Me. I'm enlarging the family tree of Covington Fall's mayor...or rather his wife's family, Catherine Manning.

Christmas Charade - Covington Falls Chronicles

The story revolves around Magnolia (Maggie) Lewis. She left Covington Falls over a family rift and the desire to follow her dream as an artist and sculptor. Now, she has to return for her cousin's Christmas wedding. She can't go back alone, however, because everyone thinks she has a boyfriend. (It was just a tiny lie.) A non-boyfriend who has no idea he's about to get dragged into her family drama. 

Convincing Liam Sullivan to be her fake date to the wedding is only the first challenge. She needs to make sure she doesn't fall in love with him for real.

AMAZON  /  ITUNES  /  BARNES & NOBLE   /  KOBO 

(Google Play coming soon!)

Take a Virtual Trip to Heart Island with Jean C. Gordon

With spring and romance in the air, what could be more romantic than a trip to a castle on a heart-shaped island? I know of one that fits the bill ~ Boldt Castle ~ which isn't TOO far from me. I'll admit right off that I've never actually been to Heart Island, but I've long meant to visit it. 😀 So let's go.

We're headed west first on the Thruway (I-90) before we turn north toward Alexandria Bay and the Thousand Islands. The Thousand Islands are a group of more than 1,800 islands in the St. Lawrence River, straddling the border of the U.S. and Canada.

While we're driving, here's the romantic/tragic history of the castle. In the late 1800s, George C. Boldt, millionaire owner of the world famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City, set out to build a full-size Rhineland castle in Alexandria Bay, on Heart Island. The creation of the grand structure was a display of his love for his wife, Louise.

Beginning in 1900, 300 workers including stonemasons, carpenters, and artists fashioned the six-story, 120 room castle, complete with tunnels, a powerhouse, Italian gardens, a drawbridge, alster tower (children’s playhouse), and a dove cote. Not a single detail or expense was spared.

But in January 1904, tragedy struck. Louise died suddenly. Boldt telegraphed the island and commanded the workers to immediately stop all construction. Broken hearted, Boldt couldn't imagine his dream castle without his beloved Louise. He never returned to the island, leaving behind the structure as a monument of his love.

For more than 70 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to decay and vandalism. Then the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property and renovated it to be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Heart Island is accessible from the U.S. and Canada only by a tour boat or personal pleasure craft. We're taking our personal pleasure craft. Feel that river spray. Arriving at the island's docks, we're off to the castle and our virtual tour starting with the Alster Tower, followed by the Castle itself, Dove-coat, Entry Arch, Garden and Grounds, and Power House: TAKE THE VIRTUAL TOUR.

What did you think? I can't wait to see it in person. Maybe this summer . . .

And while we're in the Adirondack Mountains, I invite you to take a side trip east to Paradox Lake in my March 11 new release Trusting Her Heart.

Spending time in the small town of Paradox Lake, NY, is the last thing that Emily Hazard wants to do. Her childhood memories, including the despised nickname Jinx, are anything but fond. However, Emily’s brother Neal is deploying overseas and needs someone to stay with his teenage daughter Autumn while she finishes her senior year. Emily is going to attempt to juggle working remotely as an assistant art director for an advertising agency in New York City and keeping an eye on her niece.

With his career and life in flux, Drew Stacey is currently working for a group of non-profits that is planning to rent the Hazard family's campgrounds on Paradox Lake for a summer program. Deciding it's a good idea to have a man around while he is gone, Neal has asked Drew to stay at the house with Emily and Autumn while Drew prepares the campgrounds.

A minor fender-bender as soon as she hits town, has Emily battling old insecurities. However one person doesn’t view her as a slightly klutzy disaster magnet, and that's the disturbingly attractive Drew. The spark between them is immediate, but Emily’s emotional blinders regarding the town, threaten to derail any prospect of a relationship. Can Emily see beyond the past?

Welcome to Paradox Lake
Any fan of sweet romance will love settling into 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. 

BUY: Amazon | Apple Books | B&N | Google Books | Kobo

Available in Paperback, too, from Amazon and Barnes & Noble

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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Questions about covers! And drawings for a free book or an Amazon gift card. Roxanne Rustand

 

When you cruise through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your other favorite retailers, do book covers make a big difference in whether or not you stop scrolling and decide to give a book a closer look?

I'd really love to hear your thoughts, because I am in a bit of a dither over the covers for my 2021 Northern Pines series. My cover artist gave me exactly what I thought I wanted for the first book--ONE MORE DANCE--pretty flowers. I've seen those types of covers on books by other authors.  

But there are also many covers that show a setting more specific to the book--a seashore, a quaint B&B, or characters. 

Instead of using something that simply looks pretty, I'm wondering if I should be more "on point" with my future covers--more tied to my brand.  A brand reflects what readers can expect from a given author. Mine is "Faith, family, and four-footed friends--a life in the country" and it appears at the top of my website CLICK HERE . It hints at what I write: clean and wholesome romance and light romantic suspense or mystery novels, with ranch, small-town and rural settings...usually, with animals.  

Which in turn, reflects who I am.  Did I mention that I've always had lots of animals throughout my life? ☺ The menagerie grew exponentially when our children came along, but dissipated a bit after they grew up (no more birds, bunnies, pet snakes, tarantulas, and lizards in the house!) But we still have horses, rescue dogs, a half-dozen fat and friendly barn cats, and a very noisy peacock. And from my very first novel, animals of all kinds have found their way into my stories. 

Back to covers--so, what do you think? Does the current flowery cover of ONE MORE DANCE catch your eye? Or should I request a new cover more specific to my brand, and the story--about a small-town, female veterinarian whose troubled past and future collide?  I recently posted some possibilities on the Sweet Romance Readers Facebook Cafe, and this photo was the favorite.

Leave a comment and you'll be in drawing for a free e-copy of SNOWBOUND WITH THE COWBOY and a ten-dollar Amazon gift card  (one winner for each.)

ONE MORE DANCE  is now available for pre-order for just $.99 and releases on March 19th.   Here's a link to read more about it, or to buy: CLICK HERE   

Here's a little blurb...

When veterinarian Kate Mathers drives past the scene of an accident and sees two ambulances race away, she whispers a prayer for those involved, not realizing it's her husband's car in flames down in that ditch, and a woman died in his car--a complete stranger.  And now Jared is in the ICU on the verge of death.

Kate is at his bedside, trying to face his precarious situation and the fact that someone is targeting both her husband and her veterinary practice...and wondering how their perfect marriage could have gone so wrong.  Or did it?

If only they can have one more chance to talk and forgive, and one more dance in each other's arms...

All the best,

Roxanne Rustand

Sweet Potato Soup by @Donna_Fasano

There is nothing more comforting during the cold winter months than a bowl of hot, flavorful soup. Here’s my recipe for Sweet Potato Soup. Enjoy! 

Sweet Potato Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

3 medium tomatoes, chopped

1 1/2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped

1 carrot, peeled, chopped

4 1/2 cups chicken broth (store-bought is fine)

1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

1/3 cup chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter

1/2 bunch fresh parsley, minced fine

Directions:

1. Add the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Sauté the onion until golden, about 8-10 min. Add the garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, and cinnamon. Stir in the tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrot. Cook and stir for 5 minutes.

2. Pour the broth into the saucepan. Add salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 25-30 minutes.

3. Remove the soup mixture from heat. Using a food processor or blender, blend the soup and peanuts until almost smooth. Return to the saucepan. Whisk in the peanut butter, and cook on medium heat until just heated through. Serve warm topped with minced parsley.

What comfort foods do you enjoy on chilly winter evenings?

Donna Fasano is a USA Today Bestselling Author of sweet romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction. Learn more about her at her website. Sign up for her newsletter by clicking here.