That orchid looks just like mine did .. and that man's chest and arms? Mr. Bloom's. (In my vivid imagination, at least!)

Hello plant-loving !

You are a plant lover, right? I mean, even if you're not a green thumb or if you, like me, fall into the category of "I like cut flowers since when they die it's not my fault," everyone loves a shrubbery!

At least, that's what I always thought until walking the dogs around our little village one evening two autumns ago, we passed a neighbor's house with two orchids sitting at the end of their driveway and a sign that said, "Take them if you can bring them back."

I picked them up knowing damn well I wouldn't be able to save them, but having full confidence in Mr. Bloom's blooming abilities.

"What are doing?" my darling husband asked giving me his grumpy bureaucrat's scowl.

I rolled my eyes. That glower may intimidate strangers and small children, but to me it just looks like he has indigestion.

"Well, you can bring them back to life, so I'm following the instructions on the sign."

He looked at the stalks and shook his head. "I have no idea how to care for orchids. And these look dead."

"Well, they will be dead if we leave them out overnight. Obviously nobody else cares to save them. Let's just bring them home, you can can work your magic with Google, and if they die, at least we know we tried to save them."

Fast forward many, many months. Perhaps a year, even. Dave continued to water and fertilize the two stalks. One eventually shriveled up and died.

But one stalk was a fighter. She started to bud. And then to flower. I sat and talked to the buds and flowers almost every day, encouraging Orcky to keep blooming and to stay healthy!

Dave thought I was crazy—but #1, it worked. That not-dead-yet plant produced twelve beautiful flowers. And #2, Dave already thought I was crazy. I'm the lady who stands on the deck at the front of our house and yells hello to anyone walking by. Being a motivational speaker to plants? It just fits!

The gorgeous orchid above and how it came to be in our home inspired the first chapter in The Billionaire's Shrubbery. I'd give little Orcky extra fertilizer as thanks, but, she's gone back into a deep hibernation. Dave wants to bury her, turn her back into soil, but I'm just not ready to say goodbye. She was a wonderful muse and perhaps, if I'm patient, will inspire more chapters in new books.

Want to know what kind of plant Virginia, the heroine in The Billionaire's Shrubbery, finds on the sidewalk and takes home? It's not an orchid—it's way better!

Read the first 3 chapters of The Billionaire's Shrubbery

Steamy new releases from my friends!

If a heroine who talks to plants isn't your thing (honestly, we need to talk, if that's the case!), perhaps I can entice you with a hockey romance from Carrie Elks and a soccer romance from Liz Lincoln!

Strictly For Now is a standalone, steamy opposites-attract hockey romance featuring an over-40s hero, a strong, professional heroine and a love match that will make you smile and swoon. 😍

Meeting Her Match is a stand-alone, steamy, enemies(ish) to lovers soccer romance featuring a diversity of characters, Olympic aspirations and one situation that you'll want to read the content warning for before you download the story. 🫣

And two free books for you

Montana Inspired by Kim Law

Two longtime friends . . . right time, right place?

Read the standalone prequel to the Wildes of Birch Bay series then binge the full series!

Blue Sky by Alana Albertson

The one rule I swore to myself that I would obey. As a United States Naval Officer and a pilot for the world famous Blue Angels, I always play by the rules.

Don't sleep with the nanny.

Let me know what you think of the first three chapters of The Billionaire's Shrubbery.

And it would mean the world to me if you added the book to your "Want To Read" shelf on Goodreads. That simple action can help more people find the story, which, by all accounts is bringing its early readers great joy! (You can see many of the reviews on Goodreads.)

And then let me know - Have you ever found plants on the side of the road? Did you take them home or leave them? Or maybe ... are the person who leaves plants for others to find!? I want to hear that story!

love&greenstuff

Danika