July 13, 2022
The North Shore of Minnesota in July is wonderful, I have to say. I missed it desperately when we came home last week to humidity and heat. Temps were in the lower 70s there, with sunshine most of the time, and so many wildflowers along the roads (gigantic lupines in white, purples and pinks!). The mosquitos and gnats were out in force, but with a regular dousing of repellent, we enjoyed a few hikes, kayaking and fishing.
It was so nice to be back in the "Hendricks" area. So many details in my two series have been inspired by this area that it almost feels like home when I visit. My favorite place to pop into is Drury Lane Books which inspired Dog-Eared Books. It's the cutest clapboard shop with Lake Superior as the backdrop. They hosted a children's story hour outside on the Saturday we visited. The grand girls were more obsessed with playing on the rocky shoreline (the shop is THAT close to the water's edge!) than listening to the storyteller, but I guess that's the downside of hosting a story hour outside.
There's so much I have to share with you this week so I'd better get to it!
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We're on Week #2 of the Small Town Romance Summer Reading Road Trip on Instagram (whew, that's a mouthful!). In case you missed last week's newsletter, this is an Instagram-only event, so you'll need an account there to participate if you don't already have one. But there are PRIZES!! ⏤ a good enough reason to add a new hangout, if you ask me.
Yesterday we stopped in Maple Bay, Minnesota for a visit in Brittney Joy's novel, Starting Over in Maple Bay. On Friday, we'll be in Hendricks, Minnesota (YAY!) where Love, Lies and Lavender takes place.
What's in this for you, aside from reading some pretty awesome romance novels? Simply by following the 8 of us, you can enter to win one of two $20 gift cards. If you read all 8 books and find the "souvenir" in each one, then you’ll be entered to win a GIGANTIC Road Trip gift basket, valued at over $200!
It's filled with things like travel games, audiobooks, 8 signed paperbacks, coloring books, ebooks from the participating authors, a travel mug, a water bottle, drink mixes, a neck pillow - and more! All the things you need to go on a Road Trip with us this summer - all without leaving your house!
Annnd, each author is offering their own giveaway for the month, too.
The 8 books and the author's Instagram names are:
The Day He Drove By by @authorelanajohnson
It Started with a Sunset by @megeaston_author
Starting Over in Maple Bay by @brittneyjoybooks
Love, Lies and Lavender by @dmalonebooks
Mistletoe Kisses by @maciestjames
The Proposal by @author_jessmastorakos
Springtime Love at the Homestead Inn by @Kimberly_Krey
Love at Turtle Dove Inn by @susan_warnerauthor
**All the books are in KU.
I hope you'll join us on Instagram for this fun reading vacation!
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I have a sale going on for A Forever Kiss in Silver Leaf Falls to coincide with this Christmas in July promotion. I know, my novella isn't a Christmas book but author Brittney Joy has her book, Christmas in Silver Leaf Falls, on sale in the promotion so I discounted mine too. This is your chance to get both of them for ninety-nine pennies each! Also, check out the holiday-inspired titles in the promotion while you're at it (click on the graphic below to see all the titles).
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All right! It's time for your favorite giveaway and mine - the Clean My Shelves Giveaway! If you're new to my newsletter, I have been slowly emptying my shelves of books that I've read or haven't read (and won't any time soon). Of course I can't resist a good book sale, so I've added more from sales and/or Little Free Libraries that I've come across too. That means some of you will be the recipients of my shelf-cleaning projects and book-buying habits! I've added a few Christmas titles this month in recognition of the whole Christmas-in-July thing. Here are the titles you have to choose from this month:
I've read How to Walk Away, Kiss the Girl, and How to Make an American Quilt and can recommend all three. I’ll pick TWO lucky winners from those who send me their choice by replying to this e-mail. Please take note: all of these are lovingly USED books. Sorry, non-US friends, I can only ship within the US. If by chance I choose someone outside the country, I’ll offer a $5 Amazon gift card instead.
The contest closes on Sunday night 7/17/22, at 7 p.m. CST. Winners will be notified via e-mail on Monday and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen. Winners will also be announced in the next newsletter.
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Lastly, my recommendation this month is Rachael Bloome's new release, The Hope in Hot Chocolate. You can always count on a sweet, heartfelt story when you open one of Rachael's books. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
A SWEET, SWOONY RECOMMENDATION
(click the image to visit the sales page)
One charming small town.
Two business rivals. And a whole lot of chocolate...
"Rachael Bloome has a unique way of bringing her characters to life. Not only do her words bring you into their lives and their world, but help you to feel and understand their emotions. I highly recommend this series." - Amazon review
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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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