Hello ,

Here we are ... start of a shiny new year filled with all the promise of fresh starts and how do my beloved and I kick off 2023?

With a whimper!

I'm going to restrain myself from complaining about how Mr. Bloom deals with being unwell and focus on how I spent my weekend in bed.

Which was? Crying my damned eyes out and wondering why I keep putting myself through the emotional hell of Colleen Hoover's stories. I swore, after I read Regretting You (which drove me nuts but also ripped out my heart and pureed it), that I wouldn't put myself through that emotional abuse again.

But I spent twelve hours over the two days in bed listening to Reminders of Us, which Coni, a young friend of mine recommended when I asked her what I should read to distract myself.

I'd say my feelings for this book are the definition of a love-hate relationship but I just looked to see if there's actually a word for that and according to all the dictionaries the word is "ambivalence."

And ambivalence is the very last thing I feel about this story.

Mr. Bloom, who came into the bedroom a few times on Sunday afternoon while I was quietly sobbing, asked why I kept reading (I was actually listening to the audiobook) when it was clearly making me feel worse.

All I could say was that at a certain point in the story—like by the end of chapter one!—I had to know how this impossible situation could possibly be resolved.

It made me think of when we were both firefighters and all the car and motorcycle accidents we attended. Once the ambulance leaves, there's some relief, but I'd not stop worrying about the injured people unless the chief told us they were okay at the next practice.

On the one hand, reading a Colleen Hoover book when I was already unable to work was probably a good idea since it rendered me emotionally useless for the rest of Sunday. May as well have all my abilities in the dumpster at the same time, right?

Are you a CoHo? I think that's what Colleen Hoover fans are called... if so, how do you handle the rip-your-heart-to-shreds emotions in those stories?

And when you're already too unwell to work or be productive, do you read or listen to audiobooks or watch TV?

What kinds of stories help you feel better? I need someone other than dear Coni to get book recommendations from!

Books that will touch your heart ...

... but not throw it in an industrial blender to be pureed.

Two long-time friends…one impulsive seduction…zero percent chance their lives will ever be the same again.

"A wonderful story about second chances and taking life one day at a time and just maybe it's ok to lean on someone for support."

🧡 The hero and heroine in this story are both 55 years old. 🧡

Free everywhere!

Opposites attract like a magnet to steel, or in this case, Emerson to Steel

"This is a real gem, one that you definitely won’t want to miss! Kudos to the author for penning yet another heartwarming, feel-good story."

💙 The hero and heroine in this story are college students. 💙

Free in Kindle Unlimited

News from my writing desk

I've finished a draft of a new novel in a new series about a new band of brothers. Not sure what the series will be called, but the brothers are the fourth generation of a family that's grown a motivational speaking business to a billion dollars.

Virginia Beach, at your service. Rich clients pay me a pretty peony to keep their houseplants as healthy as their bank accounts. Most treat me well. But Will Power? That man is as charming as an infestation of mealybugs. Guess what Mr. Grumpy Billionaire—I am no shrinking violet and I will not wither under your dazzling, sexy-as-an-orchid-in-bloom, scowl.

Here's the cover! I adore it!

You can read the full story blurb and the first chapter (before my editor does!) on my website.

Read chapter 1 now!

I'd love to know what you think. I'm no Colleen Hoover—but I'm okay knowing that you'll be able to leave your house without having to wear sunglasses after you read my romantic comedies!

That's all the time I can manage at my desk. My tea is empty. I'm ready for some homemade bone broth. And maybe potato chips ... do you crave salt when you're sick? It's weird.

love&healthystuff,

Danika

xo

PS - If you love audiobooks—or want to see if you might love them—the subscription I use has hundreds of bestselling romance novels (Christina Lauren, Tessa Bailey, Katee Robert, Sally Thorne...—and 18 of Colleen Hoover's titles—and you can get your first 60 days absolutely free if you use my friend link. (After that, I think it's only $9.99 month in the US. It's $12.99 in Canada!)

xo

d