October 12, 2022
I'm traveling this week, but I still have a few fun things to share. It seems to be a pattern that I travel whenever a book release date looms. It's a different kind of busy than the writing kind, but the to-do list is pretty long over the next ten days with getting-ready-for-the BIG-DAY stuff.
Early reviews for Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides will start to trickle in as soon as the paperback appears in the Amazon store any day now. The weather here dipped into the thirties this past weekend for the first time this fall. I like to think of it as a welcoming sign for the upcoming Christmas-y release.
(It's not quite a sleigh, but I thought the couple was cute)
Before I started writing this book, I looked at sooo many sites about antique sleighs and restoring them. One thing I found interesting was the runners on early sleighs were typically made from bentwood. As delicate-looking as some of the single-seat sleighs appeared, I hadn't considered anything other than metal to withstand harsh elements and uneven surfaces. And there are so many old sleighs out there for auction and sale. I'd love to wrap myself in a shearling blanket with a thermos of coffee and have someone take me through the snow-covered countryside. Wouldn't you?
Speaking of coffee, here's an excerpt from another one of my favorite scenes:
One of the Two Tree Coffee baristas headed toward Fallon’s corner. At first, Fallon thought she might be talking too loudly. Or they’d noticed she hadn’t yet ordered anything and wanted her to get a coffee or leave. Fallon had her excuse ready: she’d been deep in thought about answering an email and got sidetracked. Of course she planned on getting a coffee. Something sweet too, maybe a muffin or scone, whatever the barista recommended. But when the young woman named Danielle, according to her name tag, set a glass mug of hot chocolate in front of her with a peppermint-coated chocolate stir stick poking out from the whipped cream top, Fallon forgot all about her ready-made excuse.
“What’s this?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the cheery confection. It looked pretty enough for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
“What’s going on?” June cut in. Her boss's face inched closer to the monitor on the other side of their conference call.
“It’s from him,” the barista said, pointing discreetly behind her.
Fallon held up the drink so June could see. “I have a secret admirer, I guess?”
She peered around the barista toward the front counter. Kade leaned against it on one elbow, the other hand hooked in his front pocket. He nodded, a little grin turning up one corner of his mouth.
“June, I’ve got to go.” Fallon moved the mouse cursor over the exit button to end the call while her pulse hit a higher rhythm.
“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me who ‘him’ is.” June’s saucer-eyed face loomed closer to her screen, searching for the answer.
“I’ll talk to you later.” There was a “Wait, no!” before Fallon clicked the cursor to cut June off mid-protest.
“Thanks so much,” she said to Danielle. Fallon found a dollar bill for the barista, tucked it into her palm, then rose to see what Kade was up to.
As Kade watched her approach with that same easy smile, Fallon swallowed hard. She didn’t understand the skip-beat tempo of her pulse.
What was this all about?
LOVE, LIES and SLEIGH RIDES, book #5 in the Blueberry Point Romance series, releases October 21st! It will also be in the Kindle Unlimited program. I can't wait for you to read this sweet Christmas story between a holiday-averse heroine and the ex-Marine who has returned home in time for his hometown's Holly Days Festival.
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Check out the paperbacks below for October's Clean My Shelves Giveaway! I've read every one except Reunion at the Shore and recommend them all. 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 10/16/22, 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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LOOKING FORWARD TO 2023: I'm not one to wish away the days, but I cannot WAIT until next September! I'm joining a slew of other romance authors in Galena, IL at the historic DeSoto House Hotel for the Romantic Galena Reads Book event on September 9th! So far, I've heard that fellow sweet romance authors Nancy Naigle and Christina Butrum will be attending too; authors are being announced daily in the Galena Reads Facebook group (FYI: you'll see authors of all heat levels highlighted there). It's also Ladies Weekend so there will be so much to do. If you've never visited, Galena is the best small town in Illinois. Check out Midwest Living magazine's guide to Galena in this article for a sneak peak.
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WHAT'S ON MY NIGHTSTAND: This week I'm reading Rachael Bloome's new release, Blessings on State Street and thoroughly enjoying it. I have one Sweet & Swoony recommendation for you today. Katharine E. Hamilton's newest title looks absolutely delightful! It's Book #1 in the series and I can't wait to start it, judging by the cute cover.
A SWEET & SWOONY TITLE
(click the cover to visit the sales page)
Determined to provide a wonderful life for her daughter, single mom, Reesa Tate, makes a gutsy move to a cabin in the forests of Piney, Arkansas. Not only is it a short distance away from her estranged parents, but it’s overseen by an odd, slightly reclusive man named Theo Whitley, whom she can’t quite figure out. Can Reesa and her daughter find happiness in Piney? And can Theo open his heart to new possibilities?
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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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