Southernism of the Week: At the end of holiday visits, you might have said, “It’s time to put the chairs in the wagon.” Or maybe “It’s time to put out the fire and call in the dogs.” Perhaps even “It’s time to swap spit and hit the road.” 😝

Doug and Kris were happy to see each other and their mom over the holidays, and they managed to get in some hiking in Arizona. This is Usery Park.

Kris says, "I set up the prior newsletter ten days early, since we'd be traveling, and made the comment about enjoying the Southwest when other parts of the country are covered in snow before the huge storm caused so much damage. ☹ You have our deepest sympathies if you suffered during the storm."

Kris and her hubby got hoodies for Christmas. They make great ferret pouches!

GPS Voice Commands mistake of the week: Us: “Look for gas stations."

GPS: "Did you say Great Destinations? ... Coombs Investigation? ..."

Find New Authors and Books

Mysteries, Suspense and Thrillers: Whether you like your mysteries historical or modern, with a touch of humor, romance, paranormal, or horror, you'll find something to read here!

Sweet to Steamy Rom-Coms: If you like romance reads with plenty of humor, check out this group of novels! 

The second book in Kris’s Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, Charming the Billionaire Cowboy, is out Jan 23 and up for preorder now! TC Tomlinson uses his Texas ranching family’s lottery win to buy an ostrich herd. When he catches a beauty with an escaped baby bird, TC assumes she wants to meet him for his money. A former vet tech, Hallie Armstrong moved to Last Stand to work at her aunt's wildlife rescue and heal from an attack. The rescue needs funds, so she tricks TC into a bachelor auction. But Hallie hasn’t left her past far enough behind… Read a sample on her blog.

FB brought up this memory of reader feedback on Kris’s romantic suspense, Valley of Gems: Best typo found - "She jumped over a gravely slope..." Filled with dead bodies?!? (should be gravelly). Funniest suggestion: ‘Maybe add “of the driveway” after “pulled out” to remove the potential for unintended sexual overtones?’ Whoops! 🤭 (See the Treasure Hunting Romantic Suspense series page on Amazon. Book 1 is only 99 cents and all are free in Kindle Unlimited.)

Books on our radar

Bright, Broken Things: A Good Things Come Prequel, by Linda Shantz: "Welcome to Triple Stripe Stables, a farm in the heart of Canadian Thoroughbred horse country… Nate’s heading east, and while everyone at home thinks he’s pursuing a career as a jockey, he’s really just running away. He lands a job starting yearlings on a small but classy farm in Ontario. Liv wishes she could be content at vet school, but a filly named Claire has ignited her real passion: riding racehorses. Meanwhile, a cherished mare on the farm carries a foal that will change both their lives." Readers say, "anyone who has an interest in horses will become entranced very quickly."

Worth the Weight (Q For Quarantine 1), by Lauren Alsten: "Qyra plus Quarantine equals heaping helpings of nothing to do, nowhere to go, and zero dating life -- until her long-lost college crush Josh shows up in the checkout lane of her hometown grocery store. When he learns she just opened her dream catering business, the hot techno whiz-slash-fitness guru offers to help her fix her nightmare of a website. Josh could be the real deal, but between his thoughtless teasing and his inevitable discovery of her private weight loss journey, will their dinner for two become a dine-and-dash?" Readers praise the snappy dialogue and say it's fun and sexy.

Temporarily Out of Luck (Hattie Cooks Mystery Book 3), by Vicki Batman: "Newly employed at Wedding Wonderland, Hattie Cooks is learning the industry when her former brother-in-law is found dead. All fingers point to Hattie’s sister, who is planning her own I Dos. Detective Allan Wellborn must investigate the murder of the well-connected Sommerville resident, which is sure to annoy someone. Can Hattie find out who murdered Tracey’s ex before Tracey is charged with the crime and her wedding is ruined?" Readers say this series is light and fun read.

The Sheriff's Son by Barbara White Daille: Facing the bankruptcy of her bookstore and a child who’s suddenly begun acting out is almost too much for single mom Sarah Lindstrom to handle. She’s already near her breaking point when the ex who ditched her back in high school walks into her store, dangling her son by his shirt collar. Tanner Jones has just returned to town as a new deputy sheriff. Kevin’s in deep trouble. And Sarah? Well, Sarah knows her entire life will be on the line if Tanner discovers the secret she's kept hidden from everyone in Dillon. The author has lots of cowboy romance novels too!

You're receiving this because you chose to sign up for our newsletter. If you want to unsubscribe, no problem – see below for the unsubscribe link. If you only want New Release Alerts, you can follow Doug on Amazon and/or follow Kris on Amazon or BookBub. See all of Kris Bock's links.

Visit the Amazon series page for Felony Melanie: Sweet Home Alabama romantic comedy novels or find the links to other ebook retailers.

Bonus ferret pic – or part of a ferret? What is even happening here? 

Take care, , and thanks for reading this far!