November 12, 2025
Hello Dear Readers:
Last week I was in our walk-up attic to sort some of the stuff that has accumulated over the thirty years we've lived in this house. It's funny (funny strange, not funny ha-ha) how the attic has become a catch-all for objects that aren't fit for use but aren't yet ready for the dumpster, second-hand store, or garage sale.
Children's books. Various styles of dining room chairs. Childhood trophies. My wedding dress. A wine barrel. Framed art. Radios.
The list is lonnngggg.
It reminded me of my writing process in a way.
When I'm working on a book, I tend to write, write, write during the initial draft, then cut some of what I've written when I read through the document again. It could be dialogue that doesn't ring true for the character, an over-descriptive passage about the setting, or sometimes an entire chapter.
Instead of deleting these extraneous words, I add them to a separate file. These paragraphs sit there, in this Literary No Man's Land, until I might use them as inspiration for another time. The files are my laptop's version of our attic.
I'm not big on tossing great gobs of stuff so it's painful to cut words AND attic collections. But I know that organizing clutter makes way for clarity, so I'll wander upstairs again this week to do a little sorting. Maybe this time I'll carry something out of the attic instead of adding to it.
* * * * *
The countdown is on for Christmas in Port Chance to arrive,
November 30th to be exact!
I can't wait to share Sadie Wendell's and Hayes Kelley's love story with you.
One aspect about this book that I adored writing is the connection Hayes makes with Jumpin' John Goodwin and his Shoppe of Curious Goods. In each of the Port Chance books, one or both of the main characters seem to find exactly what they need in Jumpin's extraordinary antique shop. It's no different in a Christmas in Port Chance and the love object Hayes finds for Sadie ties in perfectly with the Christmas story. I wonder what he finds...
Preorder now so Christmas in Port Chance pops onto your Kindle the minute it's released.
* * * * *
LOCKED ON LOVE'S LANDING was nominated for a spot for this year's Swoony Awards, a reader-nominated list -- whoohooo! It's sitting at around 50 amongst 500+ other titles. It could use a little more love to climb higher in the ranks, so if you wouldn't miiiind.....VOTE HERE on Goodreads, please. Voting ends November 30th!
* * * * *
November marks the time of year when I'm all about reading Christmas romances going forward. It's the perfect time to curl up in my favorite reading spot with a fleece throw and a hot chocolate to dive into the holiday books. This collection has all of the sweet and festive vibes. Check out the pretty covers here and find your next book for some weekend reading.
* * * * *
**ORDER PAPERBACKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS**
Give the gift of reading to yourself or someone you know with paperbacks of the Hearts in Hendricks, Blueberry Point Romances, or the Port Chance series! Place your order now to get ahead of holiday shopping. Paperbacks are $10 each which includes a bookmark, holiday book sticker and shipping costs. Check out the order form here. I'll also accept Venmo @dmalonebooks23. The last date I'm shipping books will be Friday, December 5th.
(Click on the image to go to the sales page)
Some Christmas gifts don’t come wrapped—they get developed.
"This sweet romance was a delightful, quick read. I really enjoyed getting to know Sienna and Colter as they both found themselves back in their hometown during the holiday season." ~ Amazon review
* * * * *
The only thing more dangerous than the ice… is falling for him again.
"Jett and Harley’s story was so sweet! This was a perfect short story to be able to read in one sitting. Definitely recommend!" ~ Amazon review
Facebook Page
Goodreads
Readers Group
Port Chance Series (3 books)
New, small-town romance series! It's in Kindle Unlimited too.
That Woman on Thistledown Lane
Apple Blossom Dreams
Locked on Love's Landing (NEW BOOK!)
Hearts in Hendricks series (4 books):
Available on Amazon, and it just returned to Kindle Unlimited in September 2024 too! See the series page here.
Blueberry Point Romance series (7 books)
More small-town romance in Hendricks, MN with Darcy and Sean Stetman's romantic inn as the backdrop. Seven books plus a season-inspired, four-novella collection. Find the series here.
A Cafe Au Lait Kind of Love. Read this as a stand-alone romance or as part of the multi-author small-town Coffee Loft series featuring swoony romances set in charming coffee shop settings. They're in Kindle Unlimited, too!
Silver Leaf Falls series
Multi-author small-town romance series, all in Kindle Unlimited! Read my book as a stand alone or as part of the series. You can find A Forever Kiss in Silver Leaf Falls here as well as the rest of the Silver Leaf Falls books.
0 comments