February 8, 2023
Hi everyone!
Here's some fun news to start off your Wednesday! I'm moving up the release date a bit for LOVE, LIES and VALENTINES since everything is ready to go earlier than expected. Look for the ebook to go live on February 13th, just in time for the holiday - woohoo!
As promised, here's a little excerpt from Chapter 1:
Three hours later, Maggie wheeled the rented SUV into the parking lot outside of the Flint Hills Motel. The “V” in the “no vacancy” sign blinked like it was on its last breath, but otherwise the single-story motel looked tidy and inviting. Through the large picture window of the front office, a silver-haired woman stood at the counter talking with two people. Maggie couldn’t wait to check in, change into her pajamas, and read. Maybe she could bargain for a packet of tea from the breakfast buffet.
She trudged into the lobby as the couple finished up at the counter and left. The smell of buttered popcorn filled the air, reminding her she hadn’t eaten since grabbing that yogurt parfait at one of the airport kiosks before lunch.
“Can I help you?” the woman asked, the lenses of her glasses tinted blue from the computer screen she studied before she glanced at Maggie.
“I’d like to check in. Maggie Patton.”
“Lucky for you. You’re the last one to claim the last room.”
“I did have reservations, didn’t I? I made them weeks ago.”
“Of course. I meant that everyone else has arrived. Trying to beat the storm, I guess. You’re all set. Room Six.”
Behind her, the door opened with a burst of frigid air. Four people crowded into the tiny lobby, lugging bags and one little dog whose nails skittered across the tile floor. Their voices rose above the hostess’s while she pushed a little plastic bag across the counter toward Maggie. The group was so loud she had to lean closer to hear the woman.
“Door should already be open,” said the woman. “Here. I forgot to restock your bathroom. I haven’t had time to breathe, let alone finish prepping the rooms today. Sorry.”
The dog jumped on Maggie’s leg, yipping for attention. Distracted, she peeked into the bag. Shampoo, conditioner, lotion.
“Open?” Strange that the room would be left unlocked. Maggie chalked it up to small-town trust. If she wasn’t so tired, she might say something. Besides, the crowded, noisy lobby grated on her nerves. She shifted her bag to the other arm, grabbed her toiletries bag, and squeezed past the newly arrived guests.
Outside, the crisp February air was refreshing as she breathed deeply. A blanket of clouds hung overhead as the moon tried to break through it. Its faint glow did little more than give Maggie a sense that Lake Superior was somewhere across the road. Maggie clicked the lock button on her key fob one more time for good measure as she made her way down the sidewalk to Room Six.
She noted a light was already on in her room as she approached the door. It was a nice touch, turning a light on for guests instead of being greeted by a darkened room. Her alarm had awakened her fourteen hours ago, and her weighted eyelids felt every minute of it.
“Give me a pillow and a decent mattress, that’s all I ask,” she grumbled to herself as she turned the doorknob and shouldered her way into the room.
The lamp on the dresser was indeed on. To her right, movement caught her attention.
She dropped her bag. “Oh!”
A shirtless guy lounged across the bed, one arm flung over his head while it rested on the headboard. Startled, he grabbed a pillow to cover himself. To his credit, he looked as shocked as she was.
He cleared his throat.
“I’m a pretty generous guy, but I’m telling you right now: Sharing this bed is not an option.”
Love, Lies and Valentines is Book #6 in the sweet, small-town Blueberry Point series. Look for it in Kindle Unlimited if you subscribe to the service.
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I announced a couple weeks ago that the Hearts in Hendricks series is now at all retailers. This was my first romance series which introduced readers to Hendricks, Minnesota and all of its charming and quirky folks. LOVE LIKE WATER, Book #1 is FREE for those of you who have yet to dive into the series. You can read it at your favorite retailer now by clicking the graphic below.
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I've been one of the 90+ authors in the Sweet and Swoony Romance group for almost a year now. We've each written an exclusive, never-before-published novella to give away to readers as part of the promo. This month I'm one of the featured authors! So, I invite you to join me and seven others while we take turns talking about our stories and other books, and hosting giveaways each day this month. My contribution to this promo is LOVE BETWEEN THE LINES, a story connected to the Blueberry Point world. If you love books and budding romances and celebrity author crushes, you'll love this one!
I'll be on the Facebook page again this Saturday (Feb. 11) chatting some more about Love Between the Lines and my other books, and of course giving away prizes. Hope to see you there!
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sweetandswoonyromance
Get all the FREE Books Here: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/Nrn2nGAb63NDQmOOOM69
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And here's yet another collection of sweet romance books, many by some of your favorite authors. Check out these cowboys, military heroes, dashing barons, athletes, and more. There's a favorite trope for everyone! https://books.bookfunnel.com/loveisintheairchristianandcleankindleunlimited/bwgf0zu9y9
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What am I reading this week? I picked up The Lighthouse by Jessie Newton from one of the TBR piles on my shelf. It's SUPER long, and I usually don't like long books, but this one looked interesting. Below, Macie James has a cowboy waiting to meet you if you're between books. What are you reading now?
SWEET & SWOONY TITLE
(click the cover to visit the download page)
FREE BOOK ALERT!
Falling for him means betraying everyone she loves.
The Cupid Ridge Dude Ranch series is a sweet, clean contemporary western romance series filled with swoon-worthy cowboys in a small-town setting.
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Where to Find Me and My Books
Facebook Page * Instagram * Goodreads * Readers Group
(Clicking on the graphic below takes you to my Amazon author page)
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