May 5, 2023
May feels like March, maybe even February, this week.
As my husband and I prepped the house for guests this past weekend, we looked out the window at one point and it was sleeting. Luckily, the wind stopped blowing and the sun peeked through the clouds long enough for our youngest son to capture his best friend's proposal to the young man's girlfriend on Saturday afternoon. Our son Josh introduced them over four years ago in the Wrigley Field bleachers, so it was most fitting that his friend asked if he'd photograph the surprise proposal (Josh is pretty skilled with his camera anyway). Josh even dressed in camouflage and hid behind a fallen log so she wouldn't spot him before the proposal. Sometimes you do what it takes to get the perfect candid shot. Josh said he took over 1000 photos! Oh, and she did say 'yes'!
While I wait for edits to come back for Love, Lies and Literature this week, I started mapping (literally!) the new series. I'm working with a graphics program to lay out the new town: where the series' characters will live, businesses, landmarks and natural areas. It's something I'll share when I release the book, but for now the map will live on my laptop as I tweak things. I've been writing short scenes of Book #1 for months as they come to mind. I can't wait to officially get started on the draft!
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Cora Martin can't believe she gets to coordinate the author visit of her literary crush and international best-selling romance writer, Renn Stone. She just wishes it didn't mean working closely with the awkward, shy guy overseeing Dog-Eared Books until his sister returns to Hendricks. Especially since she and Evan Hollis shared a disastrous first date a month earlier. Here's a short excerpt:
"Who else did Betty invite to this meeting?" Cora tried to sound nonchalant even though her throat had gone dry a moment ago after seeing a familiar form through the boardroom's window.
Jill ticked off a few names with her fingers before pausing. “Oh, and what’s-his-name? From Dog-Eared Books,” she added.
“Evan Hollis?” Her pulse still thrummed. Now they’d be sitting at the same table. Good heavens. What luck.
“Yes, him.”
“Why would Betty invite him?”
Jill gave an exaggerated shrug. “Your guess is as good as mine. Although—” Jill fluttered her eyelashes, feigning a swoon—“maybe Evan has something to do with the 'Romance Is In The Air' heading on the meeting agenda. He is pretty dreamy.”
Cora turned back to the coffeemaker so Jill couldn’t see the flush that was surely creeping up her neck. Why, after their disastrous first—and only!—date did she still feel this flustered?
LOVE, LIES and LITERATURE releases May 25th. Preorder it now for $.99!
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From now until the end of May I'm featuring at least two titles each Friday by some of my author friends and they're FREE! Click on the blue titles below to download.
Aloha Hideaway Inn by Elana Johnson
She's got big plans for her tropical bed and breakfast, but the new high-rise resort in the bay is throwing a wrench into everything. So Stacey Stapleton does what any savvy businesswoman would do—she goes to spy on the resort stealing her business and ruining the beautiful Getaway Bay skyline.
"Wow! This was just what I needed to calm me and lift my spirits at the same time, I do love a great romance story and of course a brilliant ending. Well worth reading." - Amazon review
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Mending His Past by Kristin Iten
A hurting veteran, the woman he loves,
and the rescue dog who needs him.
Read this sweet, small-town, second chance, wounded warrior romance series where everyone finds their happily ever after... even the dogs!
"The longer I read, the better this novel became until I couldn’t put it down." - Amazon review
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Do you want to be a part of a special group of fellow romance readers, ones who love small-town romance? Then join other like-minded book lovers in my tight-knit Facebook group. You'll get up-to-the-minute news about what I'm working on and personal anecdotes, photos, and other feel-good content. We hope see you there! (click on the graphic below to visit the group page).
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There are almost one hundred titles in this Clean and Wholesome collection of romance stories. Cowboys, billionaires, farmers, military heroes - so many leading men to swoon over in these sweet stories. I hope you find something you like!
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It was Grand Girl #2's second birthday yesterday so we're celebrating on Sunday. Other than that, my calendar is free so I hope to get some writing done this weekend in between planting flowers if the weather cooperates. I'll also be reading Colleen Hoover's November 9th which my daughter recommended. It's my first dive into one of her books.
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. Seven 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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