Parental Ironies...Also, Books
Jul 15, 2025 10:00 am
My college-age daughter is driving back to school with her new-for-her car. My 17yo daughter went with her and I'm feeling...lonely. One of the great untold ironies of parenthood is that when your kids are out living their best lives and making great choices and doing exactly what they should be doing, this little part of you is like, "But don't you want to come back home and live with me and be my best friend forever?" And it's not what you really want, but there's a tiny part of you that sort of does. But then if they actually were living in your basement, you'd be like, "What are you doing staying at my house forever? Get out and spread your wings." It's one of those contradictory emotions I wasn't prepared for.
And yet here we are.
I drew from some of my oldest daughter's characteristics in my book Click, which--serendipitously--I planned to put on sale this week. It's only $.99 through Sunday. Check it out. It's aimed for younger audiences, but if you're the type of grown up who is like me, you've love it too. ("It's cheap; buy it!" says the disgruntled missing-her-kids mom...)
And speaking of $.99 books... I've put From Gunpowder at that price permanently (or permanently-for-now). I want to get more of my books into more people's hands, so check it out below.
Their case may be getting cold, but their feelings for each other are just warming up.
When Macie Greene gets a job in the office at the police station, she never expects to be put on a case due to her hyper-observant eyes and ears. After all, she’s just a receptionist. But when she solves a case no one else can, she soon finds herself with a new job, and a new partner—the gorgeous, but standoffish, Tad Simmons.
Tad isn’t thrilled to have his solo gig interrupted by the new hire. He’s spent his entire life trying to prove that, despite his partial blindness, he’s better than anybody else at this game. Macie’s involvement threatens the careful career he’s built for himself. Not only that, but with her weird humor and self-effacing genius, she might even threaten the safe spaces he’s built around his heart.
However, when they both agree that a murder-suicide isn’t what it seems, they’re stuck working together. Trying to find enough proof of a murder-murder before the flicker of feelings between them gets too hot, or the case goes completely cold.
And all they’ve got for witnesses are a few nasty relatives, some boring phone messages, and a missing dog...
not a second chance at the one man she was never supposed to love.
Becky Davis has always known Finn Sullivan was off-limits.
Her best friend’s twin brother. Her high school crush.
Now he’s a firefighter who still takes her breath away with a single look.
She thought she’d buried those feelings years ago.
But being back in their small town has rekindled every emotion she tried to forget.
Keeping her distance isn’t just difficult—it’s breaking her heart.
And when Finn’s protective instincts threaten her career,
Becky must decide:
walk away before she gets burned…
or fight for the only man she’s ever truly loved.
Will she get her happily ever after—
or will her chance at love go up in smoke?
Life has a time limit. Love doesn’t.
For most of her 78 years, Maddie Cole has done things the ‘wrong’ way. But throwing out the societal rule book meant sacrificing romantic success for career highs — a move she’s never regretted...much. Now retired, she relishes the freedom to travel with her only daughter, Anne. Their latest trip is a long weekend in picturesque Bar Harbor, and Maddie is determined to enjoy every last minute.
Octogenarian Nate Jacobs has always taken pride in doing things the ‘right’ way. He built a successful legal career by following the rules, and now, retired and widowed, he runs a tight ship at the Hope Point Lighthouse B&B. Perhaps that’s why Maddie, with her disregard for convention, catches his eye.
When Anne is unexpectedly called away on work business, Maddie finds herself compelled to stay on at Hope Point, alone. Over breakfast conversations and long walks, Nate and Maddie’s friendship deepens, even as old memories return to haunt them.
Except this time, the past starts to clear a path for the future...
Chay Barkley has no interest in the fiery rebel who’s set her heart on another man. But God has other plans.
Katrina Milton is too stubborn, too reckless, and far too tempting for his peace of mind. Yet from the moment they met, she was seared into his soul.
She knows better than to fall for a man like Chay—steady, commanding, way out of her league. Her past is a mess of pain and regret. A man like him deserves someone with a clean slate.
But when a deadly threat surfaces, Chay refuses to let her face it alone.
From Seabrook Island’s shores to Colorado’s rugged mountains, he’ll risk everything to protect her—even if it means putting himself in danger.
Evil is closing in, but so is something neither of them saw coming. The burn between them is turning into an inferno. And this time, Katrina is all in.
A determined cowboy. A bold rebel. A heart-pounding, faith-filled romance packed with intrigue, redemption, small-town charm and unexpected twists.
She came home seeking peace. She found danger, secrets—and the man she never stopped loving.
When investigative journalist Meghan Collins returns to the quiet coastal town of Seashore Cove, she never expected to be swept into a firestorm of deceit. A beloved historic pier is reduced to ash—and the new interim fire chief, Cody Mitchell, is named the prime suspect.
Cody once broke her heart. Now he’s fighting for his career, his reputation, and maybe even his life.
Determined to clear his name, Meghan digs deeper—and uncovers corruption that reaches the highest levels of town leadership. When her own father becomes a key suspect and two townspeople go missing, the story turns personal—and deadly.
As Meghan and Cody search for the truth, old wounds resurface, sparks reignite, and faith is tested. But the closer they get to exposing the truth, the more dangerous it becomes…
Can they stop an arsonist before the flames consume everything—including their second chance at love?
Perfect for fans of clean romantic suspense, Framed by Fire blends small-town mystery, heart-pounding intrigue, and a sweet slow-burn romance you won’t forget.
Escape into heartfelt stories with the July Women's Fiction Book Fair! Enjoy a curated collection of FREE books that celebrate love, family, second chances, and strong female leads. Whether you crave small-town charm, emotional journeys, or uplifting reads—there’s something just for you.
Don’t miss out—limited time only!
Celebrate the warmth of mid-summer with a heart-melting collection of FREE romance reads! Life’s Sweet Splendors brings together charming love stories full of sunshine, second chances, and sweet swoons.
The July Free Clean Romance event is here! Enjoy heartfelt stories with tender moments, wholesome connections, and swoony happily-ever-afters — all FREE this month.
Facebook Group Jean Knight Pace Writes