Southernism of the Week: “His cornbread ain't done in the middle.” This one could come in useful as we deal with family during the holidays! We might not be able to gather in large groups right now, but nutty uncles can be just as nutty on Zoom.

Hey, and welcome new readers! Go here for your free preview of the series, Felony Melanie and the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or Visit the Amazon series page for Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels.

Kris says: “I dreamed that Doug and I were investigating something for research and this guy tried to trap us in his basement shop. We escaped but had to leave our masks behind, which made it harder to get through the city with mask mandates. Who would have thought that ‘I don't have a mask on me’ could ever become part of a thriller plot?”

The “I don’t have a mask” dream is the new “showing up without pants” dream.

Southern Food: “A classic Southern dish, hoppin' John is a hearty combination of rice, black-eyed peas, and ham hock or bacon.… A lot of Southerners believe that eating black-eyed peas on the first day of the year will bring prosperity and good luck…. The peas represent pennies or coins, and a real coin is often placed under the bowls.” –TasteAtlas.

Find New Authors and Books

Getting your young reader a Kindle for Christmas? Preload it with great books on sale and keep them reading through the holiday break! Check out great titles for kids 4-14! Get two of Kris’s books (written as Chris Eboch) for only 99 cents each: a mystery in ancient Egypt, and a fantasy adventure drawing on the Arabian Nights, both great to introduce history and culture in a fun way, for ages nine and up. You’ll also find everything from sweet picture books to funny middle grade. See the choices here: https://storyoriginapp.com/to/vDwzX5E   

Find loads of fantasy and paranormal Young Adult stories, and more! All books should be suitable for the 13-18 age group (and adults, of course). These novels, novellas, and prequels are all free with newsletter signup. Check out the YA Books Giveaway for this Christmas: https://storyoriginapp.com/to/fG3RbCK

A Christmas Proposal: A Peas and Carrots Short Story, by Hannah Lynn: One epic question. One epic disaster. Free with newsletter signup: “As soon as Eric met Suzy he knew he wanted to marry her. However, telling her turned out to be much harder than he thought. Laugh and commiserate with hapless Eric as he lurches from one crisis to another desperately trying to execute the PERFECT PROPOSAL.”

Vitrian Secrets: The Healing Mendez, by Dele Andersen: "Get ready for deep suspense and mystery such as Harry Porter, Twilight, Hunger Games and Percy Jackson." Free with newsletter signup.

Fake Wedding Boxset, by Jennifer Hartley: If you like Billionaires, Fake Marriage, and/or Friends To Lovers, "These are emotionally charged stories of a marital arrangement to protect a friend to feelings beyond what they were prepared for. Both books together in this set allow you to read the entire story in one sitting."