Voice recognition mistake of the week: “I hope that fear brings you many lovely gifts.” Makes a scary kind of sense. Sometimes fear does lead to exciting new things! (but I meant "this year.")

It's been hot and unusually humid in New Mexico. On a recent hike, we spotted this teeny tiny horned lizard (a.k.a. horny toad) trying to look ferocious. It's about an inch long.

Fun fact: In Pride and Prejudice at The Cat Café, the female main character, Liz, is studying animal intelligence. She mentions studies with elephants. Learn more about Zoo Tampa's three-year study of elephant cooperation here.

The Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series features the workers and customers at a small-town cat café, and the adorable cats and kittens looking for their forever homes. The Pride and Prejudice adaptation features fresh twists to delight both fans and new readers.

I've been getting in some good cuddles with Bear Bear the ferret. ❤

He's slowing down but hanging in there. We're taking him on our vacation to Flagstaff, where we'll spend a week hiking and seeing some new sites, at high elevation where it's cooler. Bear Bear gets to stay in the hotel room in his playpen.

When I return, I'll start book 2 in my new paranormal mystery series, tentatively titled Scry Murder! The series will launch in spring of next year.

Find More New Books and Authors!

Blackmailing the Duke, by Melanie Rose Clarke: “In London’s elite community, Lady Hannah Breckenridge strives to improve the lives of those around her and resists her parents’ efforts to match her. She attempts to blackmail Michael Colborne, the powerful Duke of Crawford, because she believes he is harboring a mistress. The Duke is actually protecting his sister. And he has another secret: he made an agreement with Hannah’s father for them to wed. He may need to use a little blackmail of his own.”

Mad About the Musician, by Lottie Morgan: “Jazz has a complicated history with Winter Cove and is hesitant to return, but she’s hired to help at a tree farm and the summer music festival—one of her favorite events growing up—is just around the corner. Nick dreamed of becoming a musician, but when his parents retired, he stayed to help his brothers run the family business. With the upcoming music festival, Nick wants to play again, but how will his brothers react?” This romantic comedy about following your dreams in life and love is a “sweet second chance romance.”

Cozy Corner—Cozy Mystery Book Sale: Cozy mysteries make great beach reads, poolside reads, or “I'm not going out in that heat” reads. 🔥 Check out a selection here!

Sweet Romance Giveaway: Explore romance stories featuring cats and dogs, cowboys and brides, cozy small towns or adventurous holidays. Each is free when you sign up for the author's newsletter (unsubscribe any time).

Bonus ferret foto: A throwback with Panda and Bear Bear:

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Did you get your freebies? Find them all here: a cat café romance novella, an Accidental Detective short story, and 22 recipes from the cat Café. Plus get a Sweet Home Alabama short story and a preview of my brother’s comedy, Totally Rad Wormhole.

Learn more about the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys sweet romance series, the Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels, and the Furrever Friends cat cafe sweet romance series.