March 15, 2023
Growing up, I was one of those kids who hid behind the students seated in front of me so I wouldn't get called on. Worse was when I had to get up in front of the class to give a report or recite something. My eyes would water, my face would burn, and my heart would beat so fast I thought it might jump from my throat and flop around on the floor like a beached fish.
I got better as an adult but I still dreaded public speaking. I tried to conquer my fears by reading lessons at church and talking about my books during library presentations. Then the pandemic hit and that threw any progress I'd made for a loop. So I came to a conclusion during the last year that I was finished trying to like public speaking.
But then a teacher friend contacted me in November, saying her class had read my middle grade novel. Would I talk to her book club. Yes, of course, I answered. And then her teacher friend, also a mutual acquaintance of mine, bought twenty copies of the same book last month, and asked if I'd speak to her classes. You bet, I said.
So, on Monday I spoke to three groups of 6th graders while seated in a comfy chair at the head of the classroom ⏤ over 50 kids in all. They'd written me charming letters which the teacher shared with me beforehand so I knew what questions they wanted me to answer. I brought a messy manuscript copy marked with revisions, a map I'd made of the town, and a binder full of photos which helped me during the writing process for a little show-and-tell. Three classes in three hours. And I'm happy to say my pulse stayed within the normal range the whole time.
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In case you missed the news, the four-book Hearts in Hendricks series is now available on all retailers⏤Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple, and more! It's the first series that introduced Hendricks and Blueberry Point Lodge to readers, and so many characters who continue to be featured in the Blueberry Point books. I've been featuring one in each newsletter for the last month so today I'd like to highlight Book #4 - Love Like Forever.
What I loved about writing this book was getting to know Sean Stetman's witty younger brother, Matt. He's funny, humble yet undeniably irresistible, and a master carpenter who's in charge of Carmen Navarro's parents' remodel while they're out of town. That puts feisty Carmen in Matt's direct path and boy, do the sparks fly!
Here's a fun excerpt:
When Betty left her at the computer to return to the circulation desk, Carmen resumed her job search. She typed in “North Shore” and waited for the search to yield results, if any.
The icon spun in a never-ending loop. Carmen watched, willing it to share good news.
It disappeared. The screen turned gray. Then not one, but two positions popped up.
Carmen leaned forward, her nose inches from the screen.
She gasped. Unbelievable.
A second-grade position was posted this afternoon. And holy cannoli! In Hendricks.
Her fingers shook as she clicked on the details tab. At H.G. Marsch, the charter school she’d attended from preschool to eighth grade. She wouldn’t have to move out of town. The classes were small. Relatively new building. This was way too good to be true.
Carmen sat back in her chair when spots appeared before her eyes. She’d been holding her breath. A laugh escaped her, a little hoarse bark, and Carmen earned a look from the assistant librarian shelving books nearby.
She did a little dance in her chair and at that instant, Matt Stetman breezed through the library doors, stopping on the mosaic sunflower tiles in the foyer. He paused like he expected a round of applause or something. Carmen’s first instinct was to duck, but she’d look foolish trying to hide behind her small laptop screen. Instead, she gave him a little finger wave when he spotted her.
Please don’t take up all my time. She wanted to draft this cover letter in peace.
But shock must have registered on her face and also the excitement of finally seeing a local job opening. His expression probably mirrored her own—open-mouthed excitement. Now she’d never get rid of him.
He sauntered over and sank into the chair opposite her. “I know I’m not one hundred percent responsible for that smile. But it’s all right. I’ll believe you if you lie and say I am.” He crossed his arms with a self-satisfied smirk. And Carmen swore he was using his hands to plump up his biceps for effect. Seriously? She clamped down on her lips to keep the chuckle under control.
“Maybe ninety percent responsible.” She’d humor him. The new posting made her giddy.
“Really? I’ll take it.”
She moved the cursor around when her screen went dark. That job posting wasn’t leaving her sight. “What are you doing here?”
He scooted around to sit next to her as if her curiosity was an invitation. In doing so, his chair leg clashed loudly with the table leg. He cringed, looking toward Betty at the main desk, but Betty didn’t notice. “I saw your car in the lot. I wanted to say ‘hi.’”
Carmen pressed a finger to her lips. “I almost got kicked out for laughing. Keep it quiet.”
“Wait, back up. You were laughing by yourself?” He glanced around the library again. “Now I really need to know what’s going on.”
Carmen turned her laptop toward him. She tapped the screen. “See that? That’s a job posting for H.G. Marsch School. Second grade.”
His brows lifted. “Fantastic. Did you apply?”
Even if Matt was a little overbearing, Carmen loved his enthusiasm. It was infectious. And, boy, did she need that sometimes. “Not yet. I literally just saw it.” She couldn’t get her hopes up, but what an opportunity. She pressed her palms against the side of her face, staring at the screen.
“I know some people there. I can put in a good word.”
“NO!” She bit down on her lip and glanced around the library. She lowered her voice. “I mean, that’s not necessary, but thank you. I have references for that.” She couldn’t imagine what Matt would say about her; he barely knew her. No, she had to make sure everything was legit and professional. She wanted to earn this on her own merit, and not because of her connections to a well-liked yet slightly oafish contractor.
You can find Love Like Forever at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play and more! Plus, Love Like Water (Book #1) is free to get you started on the series.
Here's one link to all retailers: books2read.com/u/mdjLQy
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The Sweet and Swoony Romance Giveaway on Prolific Works comes to an end this March 31st, so a big goodie package is up for grabs this month as a special thank you from the authors. If we’re new to you, we are 90+ sweet romance authors who have written exclusive sweet romance novels that you can download for FREE! Click on the above graphic to go to the Facebook page.
What’s in the prize package:
• Thirty-One Gifts Sweet & Swoony Romance Canvas Tote
• The Love List by Elana Johnson
• Peach Blossom Hollow by Jean Oram
• Just a Cowboy’s Convenient Marriage by Jessie Gussman
• Holding onto Love By Liwen Y. Ho
• The Mechanics of Mistletoe by Liz Isaacson
• Intriguing Lord Adelaide by Wendy May Andrews
• Her Christmas Kiss by Melissa McClone
• Regency stickers from Sally Britton
• Swag pack from Kerry Evelyn
• lip gloss, pin, recipe cards from Melissa McClone
• “Books are my love language” journal
& More!
To enter, visit the Sweet and Swoony page on Facebook for details on how to enter. Entries accepted through 3/25/2023.
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Here's your March pot 'o gold in the form of a sweet romance book collection, many titles by some of your favorite authors. Check out these cowboys, military heroes, dashing barons, athletes, and more. There's a favorite trope for everyone! I hope you find something you like!
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Clean My Shelves Winners
Linda H. - A Brambleberry Summer
Joanne S. - The Best of Me
Congratulations to the winners!
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What am I reading this week? Maybe it's the time change still, but I haven't been reading as much at night as I normally do. I'm still in the midst of Rachael Bloome's new novel, New York, New Year, New You. It's different than her Poppy Creek books but just as charming. I like the big city setting and the main character's crazy competitive family.
What are you reading this week?
Where to Find Me and My Books
Facebook Page * Instagram * Goodreads * Readers Group
Hearts in Hendricks series:
Now on Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Google Play, & more!
Love Like Water: books2read.com/u/mZLjz5
Love Like Fire: books2read.com/u/bwqd5G
Love Like Air: books2read.com/u/ml8rQ7
Love Like Forever: books2read.com/u/mdjLQy
Blueberry Point Romance series
More small-town romance in Hendricks, MN at Darcy and Sean Stetman's romantic inn. Eight books, all in Kindle Unlimited!
Find the series here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089N4HJGN
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 it here as well as the rest of the Silver Leaf Falls books.
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