December 18, 2025
Merry Christmas and Holiday Greetings, Dear Readers!
Two weekends ago, my daughter, oldest son, and I took the two oldest grand girls to see Disney on Ice. It was a festive weekend filled with cookie baking, a drive-through light show, and the epic Frozen/Encanto-themed show.
Social media is filled with photos of happy people doing all the happy things, especially this time of year. Staged or candid, these snapshots into the seemingly perfect moments don't tell the whole story. You won't see the screaming children in the backseat, wondering why the light show is taking thirty minutes to get through instead of the five-minute limit before a tantrum sets in (true story!). Or the full carton of spilled popcorn and resulting tears at the Disney show (also true!). And we can't forgot the fog of flour overtaking the kitchen when the three-year-old dumps a cup from two feet above the mixing bowl (*cough cough).
But these crazy moments are part of our memories too, giving us little anecdotes to share when thinking back to these events. It's these unpredictable, silly, chaotic, frustrating times when we're reminded that life isn't a choreographed string of perfect snapshots. I hope you're making imperfect memories this holiday season, filled with love and grace.
What's this you see? The next Port Chance novel, Locked on Love's Landing? YESSS!
I've finally been able to tear myself away from writing long enough to focus on finishing the blurb for Book #3 in the series. The tentative release date is February 25th, but it may happen sooner.
I love this photo behind the cover in the graphic. It was taken early one morning as I walked along the Mississippi River when the loosestrife was blooming. This area inspired the setting for the Port Chance series. The little town named LeClaire on the Iowa side of the river, home to the American Pickers guys and Buffalo Bill, is as charming as a small town can get.
Here's the blurb for Locked at Love's Landing:
Free-spirited Kit Wendell ferries people up and down the river through her fledgling business, Muddy Bottom Tours, and steering her own ship, both literally and figuratively, suits her. Never mind the perpetual questions about her relationship status from her close-knit family and nosy neighbors; she expected as much after settling back into her hometown of Port Chance. Then an old, unrequited crush—who’s dreamier than ever— moves into the rental house next door, and falling for her childhood best friend all over again may sink her.
Holden Berne grew up in awe of Kit’s wit and carefree spirit. Even as the golden boy of their small town, his star power felt dim in Kit’s presence. Wistful memories of lazy afternoons floating on the river, shared ice cream sundaes, and buried emotions marked their friendship. But then he left Port Chance—and Kit—behind and didn’t look back—a decision that still haunts him.
Now he’s back in town and walking directly into the path of a Kit-sized hurricane when she finds out his work project will temporarily shut down her tours. Will weathering the storm of hurt feelings and regrets sink Kit and Holden’s future together, or will their tempestuous friendship make way for smooth sailing into the uncharted waters of love?
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Check out these Sweet, Small-Town Romance titles. There are Christmas, cowboys, romcom, titles with pets as sidekicks, and more. The one thing these romances have in common is the sense of community in a small-town setting. I adore the beautiful covers, too!
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HO HO HO! It's the Clean My Shelves Giveaway Special Holiday Edition! This month we're all about Christmas, of course! I’ll pick FIVE lucky winners this time from those who send me their choice by replying to this e-mail. Also, this time I'm asking you to send a first and second choice since there will be more winners. It might save me an e-mail or two if you win and your first choice was already awarded. Please take note: all of these are lovingly USED paperback books. And so sorry, non-US friends, I can only ship within the country. If by chance I choose someone outside the U.S., I’ll offer a $5 Amazon gift card instead.
The choices are:
The Perfect Christmas by Debbie Macomber
A Cedar Cove Christmas by Debbie Macomber
It Happened at Christmas by Debbie Mason
A Cross County Christmas by Courtney Walsh
The Corner of Holly and Ivy by Debbie Mason
Christmas in Silver Leaf Falls by Brittney Joy
Alaska for Christmas by Jennifer Snow
Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Winter Wishes by Fern Michaels
The contest closes this Friday night, December 20th, at 7 p.m. CST. Winners will be notified via e-mail that night and have 24 hours to respond. PLEASE check your e-mail on Saturday! I'd like to get these in the mail before Christmas. Winners will also be announced in the next newsletter.
**BONUS ENTRY: Growing my Facebook reader group, D.E. Malone's Book Room, has been one of my 2024 goals, so if you're not already a member, come join us! Let me know in your e-mail that you've joined for an extra entry!
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I'm reading The Christmas Letters by Jenny Proctor at the moment, a funny romcom with an adorable cover. Next up is one of Katherine Center's older books that I just picked up at the library, Get Lucky.
I'll be taking a break from sending a newsletter next week, but I'll pop back into your inbox one more time on the 29th before the New Year with a reader survey and an incentive for giving me a little feedback. Until then, holiday cheers and Merry Christmas wishes.
NEW RELEASE!
Everyone in True Love finds their true love.
At least that’s what they say…
The final book in the True Love Arizona series is finally here!
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Facebook Page * Instagram
Goodreads * Readers Group
Port Chance Series * NEW BOOK *
New, small-town romance series! It's in Kindle Unlimited too.
That Woman on Thistledown Lane
Apple Blossom Dreams
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
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.
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.
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