Ready for a New Year?

Celebrate with a story...

Happy New Year?

Welcome to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and maybe a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Officer Tim Black moved to Holiday for a change of scene. He never anticipated wanting to change his single status at the same time, but the lady refuses to even date him.

Sandy Foster moved to Holiday to escape her dysfunctional family, changing everything about her life. Finding someone who wanted to share her life holds a never-ending spot on her uninspiring list of New Year's resolutions.

The tiniest misunderstanding and the willingness to set pride aside might make the difference between spending the New Year alone and a Happily Ever After...

http://www.amazon.com/Happy-New-Year-Holiday-USA-ebook/dp/B00HCQKGF4/ref=sr_1_1

If you prefer paperback, Holiday, USA Anthology 2014

All four novellas published in 2014 are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-USA-Anthology-2014-1/dp/150773459X/ref=sr_1_6

 

Ready for Christmas?

Celebrate with another story...

Christmas Lost

The twelfth novella in the series...

Welcome back to Holiday, USA, small town America, where nothing happens, except holidays... and a little romance, if the hero and heroine trust God.

Townie Karen Little is the resident quintessential spinster. She's lived in the same house her whole life, more than half a century. She knows she's stuck, but her plans for the future blow up in her face, on a regular basis. Why risk being wrong again?

After six years, Holiday Diner's owner, Alexander Hamilton, is still a newbie and Holiday's most eligible silver fox bachelor. Being the catch of the day for the single women of Holiday makes his vow to never marry again a challenge. Why test the three strikes you're out rule?

Sometimes, so much time passes, it feels like God has forgotten, but He is moving all the pieces into place for the right moment...

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BHC1CL9/ref=sr_1_1 

If you prefer paperback,  Holiday, USA Anthology 2016-17

All four novellas, 9-12, are available in their entirety in paperback, including the covers on the back, for those who enjoy collecting a series.

http://a.co/5ETTtmt 

 

Monday Quote

 

Monday Quote

 

"Old Fashioned"

I bought the DVD and watched it this past weekend. What a romantic movie!

The hero and heroine are flawed. In their own ways, they're both stuck in a pattern of attempting to not mess up while struggling to move forward. There are surface differences between them, but they share commonalities on which they're able to build.

Clay's aunt was priceless. His friends give a wide range of personality types; people at different places in their journey. Each plays a part in influencing who Clay is and ultimately influences Amber in who she chooses to become.

I saw myself. I've some changes to make.

This is the kind of romance I want to write.

Introspection...

I'm reading Tara Taylor Quinn's latest, The Truth About Comfort Cove. It's the third in the trilogy.

Whenever I read a TTQ book, I know it will take me longer than any other book of a similar length. I find myself stopping and thinking. Sometimes I have to put the book down and do a gut check for a few hours or even overnight.

When I started reading romance novels again, over 10 years ago, I approached it differently than I did when I first started reading them 25 years ago. The first time, I simply read whatever came my way. Some of it I liked, and some of it I hated. I figured it was a hit and miss kind of endeavor.

Ten years ago, my dearest friend offered to share one of her favorite authors with me. I enjoyed the book, and she sent me another by Diane Gaston. I was hooked. For the first time, I didn't search genre, as I always done in the past, I searched for authors. I know I've mentioned I have a very selective list.

When I started reading TTQ, it was the first time I knew I was reading an author who didn't simply write abuse survivors well, she knew. She graciously replied to several of my emails.

In this recent book, I realized it has been years since a man talked to me with any interest in wanting to know more about me, with the possibility of developing a relationship. To say I can be a bit off-putting would be a humungous understatement. I don't push away on purpose so much as habit.

Then her heroine explains that she likes men fine. She respects those she works with and with whom she has a professional relationship, like her accountant. Finally, she admits it's in her personal life she doesn't trust men.

I sat with it for a while.

I don't trust me.

I was taught to be subservient, to fawn, to do whatever I needed to do to please him no matter how much it cost me. I was worthless, so it shouldn't matter.

Some part of me never stopped believing I was worth more than I'd been lead to believe.

I know, now, I'm of worth, but I don't trust myself to hold to it when a man who captures my interest steps into my sphere. So I maintain a safe distance. I don't know how to change it.

One of my favorite posts of all time...

I know this is going to sound odd, but Patty Froese's post, yesterday, is one of my favorite posts of all time. I read a lot of blogs, but this is an I want this:

http://pattyfroese.com/?p=2759

I'm not jealous or envious. I'm very happy for her. I love romance. I also freely admit it's only a part of my life in books. An ugly childhood has left me with scars inside and out. No, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. It simply is. Everyone has their trials and tribulations. I endeavor to be open with mine so others won't feel alone. Feeling alone is something I understand down to my soul. Then came the day when I finally realized God the Father and Jesus Christ never left me alone. I have turned my back on them, but they were still there. I only needed to turn around and face them. So many times I hung my head in shame. I would reach out a tentative hand, and they were there waiting, ready and willing to embrace me. I do have a sacred romance in my life.

Thanks, Patty, for sharing.