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We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving where I live. But as things wind down in these final months, I take as many opportunities as I can to think about the things I’m thankful for. It’s been a strange couple of years. I’ve lost loved ones, picked up new sports injuries, had to give up things that meant the world to me. My mental health has been not amazing. And my dad’s health is, well, starting its slow and unpredictable decline. But for all the bad stuff, there’s been a heap of good stuff—big and small—balancing the scales. Strange as it sounds, sometimes the bad helped me see and appreciate the good. Sometimes, the bad forced me to make good. Today, I’m thinking about how important it is to have kind, patient and supportive people in our lives. The kinds of people who, even just watching them from a distance, seeing how they operate, can inspire us. Good people give us the courage to say goodbye to old acquaintances, old habits, old patterns of thinking that hold us back, make us bitter. And it’s so easy to become bitter. Especially when the bad stuff plays on repeat. Like if our jobs suck, or so-called besties betray us, or the people we care about take us for granted. If it goes on long enough, we come to wear our bitterness like armour. Spoiler alert: it’s not very good armour. It doesn’t keep the badness out completely, and it prevents a lot of good from getting through. I’m thankful for the good people in my life today. People whose goodness got through and gave me the confidence to shed that hard outer layer. I’ve been fortunate enough to make some great friends, online and off. Their compassion and encouragement pulled me out of many rotten places. Sometimes we’re lucky enough to stumble upon people like that. Sometimes they even find us. The rest of the time, it comes down to choices. Who in our lives are we choosing to be friends with? Are they the kind of friend who love us enough to want to see us love ourselves? Do they support us, help us, care for us? Are they the kind of friend we’re thankful for? And, most importantly… can we be that kind of friend back to them? Well, then. It’s still six weeks to the end of 2019, but I think I’ve just chosen my new year’s resolution. On the friendships in It Starts With A Kiss When I started drafting It Starts With A Kiss, I wanted to capture friendship alongside the romance. Not just the friendship between the couple, but the love and support between everyone on Halcyon Aries. Celeste would have never found it in herself to do what she did, if not for the contribution of everyone in the team (yes, even Eleanor). It’s the friends we keep who influence us to be who we are, whether we’re here on Earth or out in space. It Starts With A Kiss Novella Science Fiction ~ Erotica Celeste is a talented engineer who doesn’t realize her job’s going nowhere fast. She’s a little naïve. She’ll cut code and solder cables forever as long as Owen’s around. Owen, on the other hand, knows exactly how badly things suck—he just doesn’t care. Sure, his skills aren’t what they used to be, but they’re still better than what Halcyon Aries deserves. Then it happens. The company’s toxic management team finally cross the line. As both techies race to upgrade the station and to free the team from their oppressive contracts, they come to learn that life—and love—can only ever be what you make it. Strap in for a steamy office romance in space, because sometimes It Starts With a Kiss! More About JL JL Peridot likes stories with a little danger, and only realised in her 30s that falling in love may be the most dangerous thing we do. She performs the duties of a writer from her home in sunny Australia, where she writes erotic romance and sometimes just erotica.
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 Good morning! I’m here to talk to you about the much-maligned fruitcake. I know, I know, many of you dislike it intensely. (I think there is even a fruitcake launching event.) But I love it. Actually, I love all cake. Most of us think of fruitcake as the kind with the citron, candied cherries, nuts, and other goodies in a doughy goo. I have a different one to share--Grandmother’s Cake. Grandmother picked up this recipe during the war (that’s the family story, and hey, I’m not messing with it). Ever since I can remember, my grandmother would bake her cake for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. Her version is like a spice cake with nuts. Because of a special ingredient (listed in the recipe), the cake has a reddish-brown hue. Now, I am about to share the alarming part: this cake is really known as Tomato Cake. What??!! Why??!! It’s all because of the secret ingredient, tomato soup. Still freaked out? Please don’t dismiss this goodie. It DOES NOT taste like soup. Haven’t you had cakes with soda or mayonnaise in it? Do these sound weird? Here’s the recipe from my mom’s recipe file: Tomato Cake  My sister puts a lovely cream cheese frosting on hers and adds pineapple. Last time, she made mini-muffins. Honestly? Delicious. I challenge you to give it a try and see what everyone thinks (email me: vlmbatman@hotmail.com). Okay, I freaked you out about Tomato Cake/Grandmother’s Cake. If you still doubt me, here’s the link to check: https://www.campbellsoupcompany.com/newsroom/news/2015/01/05/a-spicy-history-of-campbells-tomato-soup-spice-cake/ I have another fruitcake treat to share. I call these: Fruitcake Bites Cut your fruitcake (the kind from the store is perfectly fine) into cubes. Using melting chocolate (like Wilton’s candy melts), follow the directions on the package and melt. Set the cake on cooling racks and drizzle or drip or dunk in the chocolate. Voila! Fruitcake Bites. Store in an airtight container. People think they are eating candy. LOLOL. Do I make these treats every year? No. Not really. Some years, Handsome and I have a quiet Thanksgiving. What I do like to make is Cranberry Crunch. It’s easy and even good for breakfast: Cranberry Crumble  Didn’t I say easy peasy? I tend to substitute butter for margarine and whipped cream for the ice cream, especially when serving for breakfast or during the holidays. Okay! You are off to a good start now. How about your feet are tired, your back is aching, and you need a rest? Try: Hopes and wishes and holiday kisses...Sommerville holidays  Find your holiday every after... Holiday Disaster: Days before Christmas, a librarian experiences plumbing issues and visits from Mr. Maintenance Man, who isn’t nearly as jolly as Santa Claus. The Littlest Angel: Two people. One ornament for the tree. Can a twosome find common ground and discover the true meaning of Christmas? Holiday Handbag Extravaganza: Christmas Countdown is on! A hunk-a-licious customer pesters a boutique owner to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town. More about VickiVicki Batman has sold many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and, most recently, three romantic comedy mysteries. Along the way, she has picked up some awards and bestsellers. Avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking, "What if??" Thank you for being with me today! May all your days be Merry and Bright!! Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com/p/more-about-me.html/ Blog & Newsletter signup: http://www.vickibatman.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction-133506590074451/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/VickiBatman/ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman/ Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/vickibatman/ Email: vlmbatman@hotmail.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman/ Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/vicki-batman/ Instagram: vickilbatman I love food, especially comfort food. Can you relate? J Fall is a great time for comfort foods like soups and stews, baked goods, all kinds of potatoes and pastas and savory dishes served with rice, fresh bread, and the like. But I don’t just like eating food, I enjoy cooking it, and writing it into my sweet, cozy books. Each of my books features home cooking or teas and coffees, or comfort meals at a local diner, or a potluck at someone’s home. Not all my characters like to cook, though. Two of those types are the hero, Beast, and heroine, Eva, in Two Together, a sweet contemporary romance that’s a take on Beauty and the Beast. Mrs. Kettle, Beast’s housekeeper, does most of the cooking, and this is one of her recipes, a smooth and creamy butternut squash soup (If you’re vegan, try this recipe instead). A light meal, Eva and Beast eat some for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning while they wait out a storm, and danger, at his Sierra mountain house. Like Beast and Eva, enjoy this soup anytime on a chilly day!  Photo via Pexels by Valeria Boltneva Mrs. Kettle’s Butternut Squash Soup 2 medium butternut squash, halved and deseeded 2 Tablespoons olive oil 2 large shallots (or use 1 Tablespoon dried minced onion), peeled and diced 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced ½ teaspoon dried thyme 1 bay leaf 1 teaspoon dried sage leaves salt and pepper 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version) 1 cup water ½ cup cream Directions
What’s your favorite comfort food? Two Together |
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What is the most challenging part of writing romance?
My biggest challenge is finishing a project, simply knowing when it’s done and it’s time to let go. Also, my stories don’t always fit neatly into the romantic subcategories. Maybe a romance is contemporary, as well as suspenseful, and is hot to the point that it brushes up against erotic romance. Knowing how to classify that story is difficult for me.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book?
I love to visit the settings of my stories, and my experience doesn’t have to be ideal, just genuine. For Steal My Heart, even being stuck in traffic on the 405 was relevant. The heat and pace of Los Angeles, the quality of the light there, bright, but hazy, and how it somehow permeates everything, the glare of the sun off of skyscrapers as the sun sets—all of this figured heavily in my storytelling. I especially love the energy of Southern California, and how it infused both the story and my writing with vitality.
Please share one piece of advice to aspiring authors—what do you wish someone would have told you?
The struggle with writing never ends. It’s a constant. The struggle to feel confident in my ability to write a great story from the first word to the last, knowing that I will smooth all the rough places and create something for readers to enjoy, is still a challenge even after having a book published. I’ve discovered that my self-esteem is wrapped up in how many words I wrote that day. Now that I’ve opened the door to all the stories in my head, there’s no holding back. I only feel complete when I’m sharing those stories.
What do you love the most about the month of November?
I love being in the midst of the holiday season— the sights, the scents, the decorations, and that anticipation as the air changes from heat to cool. It’s when the extra blankets and pillows come out to make everything warm and cozy at home.
Any last words before we go into the speed round?
Writing can be all consuming, and it is easy to neglect refilling the well. But it’s necessary to keep the words flowing. Whenever I visit settings for my novels, I inevitably find myself at a museum. I love art museums, natural history museums, and specialty museums. Wandering the halls and displays gives me time to mentally regroup and relax and just enjoy the beauty all around me.
Speed round!
City, suburb, or small-town?
I’ve lived in and loved them all.
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
Dark Chocolate
Wine, whiskey or punch?
Wine
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, or other?
Any excuse to dress up and party is always welcome.
Leather, lace, or silk?
Leather
Top, bottom, or against the wall?
YES, please. Also—desks, dining tables, pinball machines …
My biggest challenge is finishing a project, simply knowing when it’s done and it’s time to let go. Also, my stories don’t always fit neatly into the romantic subcategories. Maybe a romance is contemporary, as well as suspenseful, and is hot to the point that it brushes up against erotic romance. Knowing how to classify that story is difficult for me.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book?
I love to visit the settings of my stories, and my experience doesn’t have to be ideal, just genuine. For Steal My Heart, even being stuck in traffic on the 405 was relevant. The heat and pace of Los Angeles, the quality of the light there, bright, but hazy, and how it somehow permeates everything, the glare of the sun off of skyscrapers as the sun sets—all of this figured heavily in my storytelling. I especially love the energy of Southern California, and how it infused both the story and my writing with vitality.
Please share one piece of advice to aspiring authors—what do you wish someone would have told you?
The struggle with writing never ends. It’s a constant. The struggle to feel confident in my ability to write a great story from the first word to the last, knowing that I will smooth all the rough places and create something for readers to enjoy, is still a challenge even after having a book published. I’ve discovered that my self-esteem is wrapped up in how many words I wrote that day. Now that I’ve opened the door to all the stories in my head, there’s no holding back. I only feel complete when I’m sharing those stories.
What do you love the most about the month of November?
I love being in the midst of the holiday season— the sights, the scents, the decorations, and that anticipation as the air changes from heat to cool. It’s when the extra blankets and pillows come out to make everything warm and cozy at home.
Any last words before we go into the speed round?
Writing can be all consuming, and it is easy to neglect refilling the well. But it’s necessary to keep the words flowing. Whenever I visit settings for my novels, I inevitably find myself at a museum. I love art museums, natural history museums, and specialty museums. Wandering the halls and displays gives me time to mentally regroup and relax and just enjoy the beauty all around me.
Speed round!
City, suburb, or small-town?
I’ve lived in and loved them all.
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate?
Dark Chocolate
Wine, whiskey or punch?
Wine
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, or other?
Any excuse to dress up and party is always welcome.
Leather, lace, or silk?
Leather
Top, bottom, or against the wall?
YES, please. Also—desks, dining tables, pinball machines …
Steal My Heart
Hot contemporary ~ Romantic suspense
When a fantasy turns into a cold reality
Lexanne Harris had a plan down to the last sexy detail. Never did she think her attempt to spice up her love life with her boyfriend would involve her in a burglary with a sexier than sin thief whose emerald eyes and serious between the sheets skills are impossible to forget. As a police detective she is expected to stand on the side of the law and fight for justice. But what happens when the lines of justice blur and what’s wrong becomes way too tempting?
The situation might be challenging but Lexanne is determined to get assigned to the case, recover the jewels and catch the culprit.
The question is: What will she do with her sexy cat burglar when she catches him?
When a fantasy turns into a cold reality
Lexanne Harris had a plan down to the last sexy detail. Never did she think her attempt to spice up her love life with her boyfriend would involve her in a burglary with a sexier than sin thief whose emerald eyes and serious between the sheets skills are impossible to forget. As a police detective she is expected to stand on the side of the law and fight for justice. But what happens when the lines of justice blur and what’s wrong becomes way too tempting?
The situation might be challenging but Lexanne is determined to get assigned to the case, recover the jewels and catch the culprit.
The question is: What will she do with her sexy cat burglar when she catches him?
More About Aimee
Having lived in both California and Texas, Aimee O’Brian now resides in the beautiful wine country. With her three children grown and experiencing their own adventures, she and her husband are free to explore the world. When she’s not reading, writing, or planting even more perennials in her garden, she can be found stomping through ancient ruins and getting lost in museums.
Author Ellen Mint sits down for an interview with one of her characters, Tristan Harty. ;-)
I would like to welcome Tristan Harty, the famous singer-songwriter who first rose to fame when he was only sixteen with his huge hit, My Half.
Tristan: *Politely chuckles* The feels a hundred years ago.
You look wonderful for your age. Don’t worry reader, his sapphire eyes—posters of which adorned many teenage lockers and bedroom walls—haven’t dimmed an inch.
Tristan: I’m starting to wish I’d worn sunglasses. *cough* Should we talk about what you asked me to bring?
Oh, yes. In honor of the upcoming holiday, I asked all of my subjects to bring a dish that they eat with every Thanksgiving. What do you have?
Tristan: This is a traditional hot dish with a tater tot layer over a mix of hamburger, gravy, and a vegetable mix.
And that’s something you’d eat for thanksgiving?
Tristan: Well, not traditionally as a kid. But when I moved away from Minnesota for my music, it became what I’ve always asked my Mom to make for every holiday home. No one makes it as great as her.
Tristan: *Politely chuckles* The feels a hundred years ago.
You look wonderful for your age. Don’t worry reader, his sapphire eyes—posters of which adorned many teenage lockers and bedroom walls—haven’t dimmed an inch.
Tristan: I’m starting to wish I’d worn sunglasses. *cough* Should we talk about what you asked me to bring?
Oh, yes. In honor of the upcoming holiday, I asked all of my subjects to bring a dish that they eat with every Thanksgiving. What do you have?
Tristan: This is a traditional hot dish with a tater tot layer over a mix of hamburger, gravy, and a vegetable mix.
And that’s something you’d eat for thanksgiving?
Tristan: Well, not traditionally as a kid. But when I moved away from Minnesota for my music, it became what I’ve always asked my Mom to make for every holiday home. No one makes it as great as her.
Speaking of Thanksgiving, what is something you’re thankful for?
Tristan: Reporters with more creative questions? *sighs* I am grateful for the opportunity from my label and fans for a second chance to try and win you back all these years later.
Has it been difficult reemerging into the spotlight after your rather boisterous exit eight years ago?
Tristan: That isn’t something I’d like to… My family. To answer your question, I am thankful to those closest to me who’ve forgiven my past indiscretions and helped me to grow. Even old musicians can learn new tricks, it seems.
Is there someone special who will be sitting down at your thanksgiving table to eat your tater tot hot dish with?
Tristan: No. No…no. I am far too busy with my new album and tour to let anyone into my heart.
That’s usually when love hits, when you’re most vulnerable and not looking for it.
Tristan: I will be on the lookout for any babies sporting crossbows then. Though, there is no denying how nice it would be to have someone to snuggle by the fire with. To serenade by the twinkling lights on the tree. *sighs* Perhaps one day.
Pride & Pancakes
When Beth Cho is tasked with interviewing elusive musician Tristan Harty, it’s hate at first sight. Despite his sapphire eyes and lithe frame, he’s got to be the most infuriating man on the planet.
Tristan Harty is already sick of reporters and this one is proving no different. Sure, she might be adorable with her ebony hair and big brown eyes. But her incessant need to dig into his past is dragging on his last nerve.
The bickering duo vow never to meet again, but Mother Nature has other plans for them, trapping them in a Vermont cabin via a blizzard. The more Beth learns about the aristocratic Tristan, the harder it is for her to keep her professional distance, just as Tristan discovers a familiar heart beating in the beautiful reporter’s heart.
But what happens when the snowstorm’s over, and the melted Tristan and enamored Beth are free to leave? Can their reluctant attraction bloom into a deeper love with the thaw of their judgmental ice. Pride & Pancakes is a sweet yet steamy contemporary story inspired by Pride & Prejudice.
Tristan Harty is already sick of reporters and this one is proving no different. Sure, she might be adorable with her ebony hair and big brown eyes. But her incessant need to dig into his past is dragging on his last nerve.
The bickering duo vow never to meet again, but Mother Nature has other plans for them, trapping them in a Vermont cabin via a blizzard. The more Beth learns about the aristocratic Tristan, the harder it is for her to keep her professional distance, just as Tristan discovers a familiar heart beating in the beautiful reporter’s heart.
But what happens when the snowstorm’s over, and the melted Tristan and enamored Beth are free to leave? Can their reluctant attraction bloom into a deeper love with the thaw of their judgmental ice. Pride & Pancakes is a sweet yet steamy contemporary story inspired by Pride & Prejudice.
More About Ellen
Ellen Mint adores the adorkable heroes who charm with their shy smiles and heroines that pack a punch. She has a needy black lab named after Granny Weatherwax from Discworld. Sadly, her dog is more of a Magrat.
Website: https://ellenmint.blog/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-mint
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/b50df9613d8f/ellenmint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenmintromance
ARC Street Team Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2290317014517824/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/introvertedwife
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17700737.Ellen_Mint
Instagram: https://instagram.com/Ellen_Mint_Author
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-mint
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/b50df9613d8f/ellenmint
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellenmintromance
ARC Street Team Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2290317014517824/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/introvertedwife
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17700737.Ellen_Mint
Instagram: https://instagram.com/Ellen_Mint_Author
101 years ago on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, the great guns fell silent. This makes today 11.11. 2019 – the 100th anniversary of the first time the world collectively tried to remember its fallen and those who served. At first it was just WWI but the remit has steadily increased as the Great war unfortunately did not end all wars nor did it stop the need for Armed Forces to defend our precious freedoms.
In the US, it is now called Veterans Day and encompasses all veterans. In the UK, it is known as Remembrance Day. While in the US, there is a public holiday on the Monday, in the UK the day is celebrated on the closest Sunday to the 11th with acts of remembrance at the various war memorials. In the UK, out of the many thousands of villages and hamlets, there are only 14 doubly blessed villages – villages where everyone who went came back both in the WWI and WWII and therefore do not have memorials. The rest have war memorials. The main act of Remembrance is at the Cenotaph in White Hall where the Royal Family as well as the Government, the leaders of the Opposition and many others place wreaths of red poppies, a symbol of Remembrance for the fallen as well as the hope for a peaceful future.
Wearing a red poppy during this time shows support for the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. The red poppy became the symbol of remembrance thanks to the tireless efforts of an American professor from the University of Georgia — Moina Michael. Her poem We Shall Keep the Faith which drew its inspiration from Canadian John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Field explains why she felt compelled to start this movement which spread from the US to Britain and beyond. Later in life she was known as the Poppy Lady and was honoured with a US postage stamp bearing her image in 1948.
In the US, it is now called Veterans Day and encompasses all veterans. In the UK, it is known as Remembrance Day. While in the US, there is a public holiday on the Monday, in the UK the day is celebrated on the closest Sunday to the 11th with acts of remembrance at the various war memorials. In the UK, out of the many thousands of villages and hamlets, there are only 14 doubly blessed villages – villages where everyone who went came back both in the WWI and WWII and therefore do not have memorials. The rest have war memorials. The main act of Remembrance is at the Cenotaph in White Hall where the Royal Family as well as the Government, the leaders of the Opposition and many others place wreaths of red poppies, a symbol of Remembrance for the fallen as well as the hope for a peaceful future.
Wearing a red poppy during this time shows support for the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, veterans and their families. The red poppy became the symbol of remembrance thanks to the tireless efforts of an American professor from the University of Georgia — Moina Michael. Her poem We Shall Keep the Faith which drew its inspiration from Canadian John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Field explains why she felt compelled to start this movement which spread from the US to Britain and beyond. Later in life she was known as the Poppy Lady and was honoured with a US postage stamp bearing her image in 1948.
On the Saturday before Remembrance Sunday in UK, there is the Festival of Remembrance which is broadcast on the BBC live. It serves as a focus to remember those who served and who are serving and the Queen and members of the Royal family attend. The most poignant part is when the war widows and widowers, sometimes accompanied by their young children enter. It is always an evening which focuses the mind on the great debt we as ordinary citizens owe to all those who serve.
Several years after I moved to the UK, there was a movement to reclaim the 11th of November as a day of Remembrance and now all over the UK at 11 o’clock in the morning, there is a two-minute silence.
So today, 11.11.2019 at the 11th hour, I will be making an act of Remembrance and thinking about all the members of the Armed Forces community – both in the UK where I now live and the US where I was born and how much they do to protect and defend those freedoms and privileges that I often take for granted. I know I owe them a debt of gratitude and am very pleased that there is a day where one can formally say – thank you for your service.
A Deal with Her Rebel Viking
November 11, 2019
Novel
Historical ~ Viking
Her terms: free her family
His terms: seduction?
Defending her home, Lady Ansithe captures outlaw Viking Moir Mimirson. The prisoner will be the ideal ransom for her father, who’s being held hostage by the Danes. Yet Moir’s flirtatious negotiations exhilarate practical Ansithe as much as they surprise her… Can she be sure that this hardened warrior will work with her and not betray her? And what of his stolen kisses—can she trust those?
Novel
Historical ~ Viking
Her terms: free her family
His terms: seduction?
Defending her home, Lady Ansithe captures outlaw Viking Moir Mimirson. The prisoner will be the ideal ransom for her father, who’s being held hostage by the Danes. Yet Moir’s flirtatious negotiations exhilarate practical Ansithe as much as they surprise her… Can she be sure that this hardened warrior will work with her and not betray her? And what of his stolen kisses—can she trust those?
More About Michelle
Michelle Styles writes warm, witty and intimate historical romance in a wide range of time periods including Viking, Regency, early Victorian, and the Roman world. Born and raised near San Francisco, California, Michelle currently lives a few miles south of Hadrian's Wall with her husband, three children and menagerie of pets. An avid reader, she became hooked on historical romance when she discovered Georgette Heyer, Anya Seton and Victoria Holt in her school's library. Her website can be found at www.michellestyles.co.uk
My grandfather fought in the Big One, WWII. He was awarded a bronze star. He saw some serious action. It was a different time then. You didn’t talk about the atrocities that you experienced. You either bottled them up inside or drank them away as my grandfather did.
But we’re all romance readers here. In this genre we tend to romanticize the military. Every book is about an ex Ranger or SEAL. They save the day and win their HEA with the heroine. They may have started slightly damaged but are saved. The ultimate hero’s journey. Does this make us forget that not everyone gets their happily ever after?
Now I’m not saying we shouldn’t have romances that have the Rangers, SEALs, Special Forces, or any military. I just want everyone to remember on Veteran’s Day that for every ten of them, there was one who didn’t make it back and twenty who came home and are struggling to get that happily ever after. Please take some time tomorrow and remember all the heroes.
A friend of mine’s daughter wrote this very poignant poem that says a lot. I thought it was appropriate to share.
This is a tribute to my brother, the soldier
Oh Brother
Oh brother,
Pulling my hair and making me cry
Paying me off in ice cream
Telling me it’s fine
You are the epitome of a child
Oh brother
Ignoring me in the hall
And not answering my calls
You are the epitome of a teenager
Oh brother
Realizing the necessity of family
But leaving me out of the mix
You are the epitome of a high schooler
Oh brother
You are 18
Do you miss me?
You send when you can
But its not often enough
You are the epitome of an adult
Oh brother
The country needs you
You don’t make it cry
You are no longer a child
You don’t ignore the calls
You are no longer a teenager
You realize I am part of the family and address me as such
You are no longer a high schooler
You try to call and message more
But you are still addressed as an adult
You just realize people
People like me
Need you
You are the epitome of a soldier
Morgan Petersen
But we’re all romance readers here. In this genre we tend to romanticize the military. Every book is about an ex Ranger or SEAL. They save the day and win their HEA with the heroine. They may have started slightly damaged but are saved. The ultimate hero’s journey. Does this make us forget that not everyone gets their happily ever after?
Now I’m not saying we shouldn’t have romances that have the Rangers, SEALs, Special Forces, or any military. I just want everyone to remember on Veteran’s Day that for every ten of them, there was one who didn’t make it back and twenty who came home and are struggling to get that happily ever after. Please take some time tomorrow and remember all the heroes.
A friend of mine’s daughter wrote this very poignant poem that says a lot. I thought it was appropriate to share.
This is a tribute to my brother, the soldier
Oh Brother
Oh brother,
Pulling my hair and making me cry
Paying me off in ice cream
Telling me it’s fine
You are the epitome of a child
Oh brother
Ignoring me in the hall
And not answering my calls
You are the epitome of a teenager
Oh brother
Realizing the necessity of family
But leaving me out of the mix
You are the epitome of a high schooler
Oh brother
You are 18
Do you miss me?
You send when you can
But its not often enough
You are the epitome of an adult
Oh brother
The country needs you
You don’t make it cry
You are no longer a child
You don’t ignore the calls
You are no longer a teenager
You realize I am part of the family and address me as such
You are no longer a high schooler
You try to call and message more
But you are still addressed as an adult
You just realize people
People like me
Need you
You are the epitome of a soldier
Morgan Petersen
More about Jessica
Jessica McBrayer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family. She enjoys reading voraciously as well as writing and is often daydreaming about her next book. A die-hard San Jose Sharks fan, you can find her during hockey season wearing her favorite player’s name on the back of her jersey and yelling at the TV. She never wants to find out what the world would be like without Harry Potter or hockey in it.
Hi! To start off, please tell us your name, where you’re from, and what you write.
M. S. Spencer. I’m from all over—born in New York state, lived in Maryland, France, Morocco, Boston, Egypt, Turkey, Chicago, Washington, DC, Virginia, and Florida. I write cozy murder mystery and romantic suspense.
How did you become an author? Please share a bit of your journey with us.
Like most writers, I began to write as soon as my chubby baby fingers could hold a crayon. I wrote all the time—from poetry to academic papers, to stories. Until my house flooded, I had journals going back decades. I wrote my first novel in the 1990s which never saw the light of day because my beloved husband threw out the only copy by mistake. I managed to get published in 2009—mainly because the submission process had gone from the expensive and laborious snail mail process to online. Yes, I’m that lazy. Ten years later, my thirteenth has just been released.
What are you working on now? Do you have a recent or upcoming release?
Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance, released October 30 from the Wild Rose Press.
In its final draft is Mrs. Spinney’s Secret, a mystery romance set in Maine—in the same town as The Penhallow Train Incident. I am not much into series, but I love the denizens of Penhallow and Amity Landing so much I had to let them live on in a new story.
The working title is Mrs. Spinney’s Secret. The story opens with Cassidy Jane Beauvoir, proprietor of Mindful Books and chairman of the Board of Overseers of Amity Landing, confronted with a Hollywood cabal that wants to make a movie in her tiny village. Her objections are overridden by the townspeople, and her initial misgivings must vie with a growing attraction to the film’s director Jasper MacEwan. Unfortunately, both the movie and their romance are hindered by a series of incidents—some fatal, some simply painful. The two must set aside both their differences and their romance to search for answers not only to the mystery, but to the whereabouts of a long lost hoard of English gold.
What is the most challenging part of writing romance?
I write mystery romances, so I have to juggle both the romance and the puzzle. I suppose it gives my hero and heroine something to do besides smooch 😊. The hardest part is probably coming up with new ways to describe the first kiss.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book?
I usually start with a setting as inspiration, but often something I’ve come across in surfing the internet factors in. In The Mason’s Mark, I read about a world-class charlatan who was a renegade Freemason. Since my setting was Old Town Alexandria and the George Washington Masonic Memorial, it was easy to weave in a tale of intrigue, espionage, and treasure. Most of my settings are familiar to me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t do massive amounts of background research to back up my memory and ensure authenticity.
M. S. Spencer. I’m from all over—born in New York state, lived in Maryland, France, Morocco, Boston, Egypt, Turkey, Chicago, Washington, DC, Virginia, and Florida. I write cozy murder mystery and romantic suspense.
How did you become an author? Please share a bit of your journey with us.
Like most writers, I began to write as soon as my chubby baby fingers could hold a crayon. I wrote all the time—from poetry to academic papers, to stories. Until my house flooded, I had journals going back decades. I wrote my first novel in the 1990s which never saw the light of day because my beloved husband threw out the only copy by mistake. I managed to get published in 2009—mainly because the submission process had gone from the expensive and laborious snail mail process to online. Yes, I’m that lazy. Ten years later, my thirteenth has just been released.
What are you working on now? Do you have a recent or upcoming release?
Orion’s Foot: Myth, Mystery, and Romance, released October 30 from the Wild Rose Press.
In its final draft is Mrs. Spinney’s Secret, a mystery romance set in Maine—in the same town as The Penhallow Train Incident. I am not much into series, but I love the denizens of Penhallow and Amity Landing so much I had to let them live on in a new story.
The working title is Mrs. Spinney’s Secret. The story opens with Cassidy Jane Beauvoir, proprietor of Mindful Books and chairman of the Board of Overseers of Amity Landing, confronted with a Hollywood cabal that wants to make a movie in her tiny village. Her objections are overridden by the townspeople, and her initial misgivings must vie with a growing attraction to the film’s director Jasper MacEwan. Unfortunately, both the movie and their romance are hindered by a series of incidents—some fatal, some simply painful. The two must set aside both their differences and their romance to search for answers not only to the mystery, but to the whereabouts of a long lost hoard of English gold.
What is the most challenging part of writing romance?
I write mystery romances, so I have to juggle both the romance and the puzzle. I suppose it gives my hero and heroine something to do besides smooch 😊. The hardest part is probably coming up with new ways to describe the first kiss.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book?
I usually start with a setting as inspiration, but often something I’ve come across in surfing the internet factors in. In The Mason’s Mark, I read about a world-class charlatan who was a renegade Freemason. Since my setting was Old Town Alexandria and the George Washington Masonic Memorial, it was easy to weave in a tale of intrigue, espionage, and treasure. Most of my settings are familiar to me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t do massive amounts of background research to back up my memory and ensure authenticity.
 M.S. Spencer on the Amazon |
 A piranha! |
Please share one piece of advice to aspiring authors - what do you wish someone would have told you?
I would advise aspiring authors to read as much good literature as they can—not pulp-fiction, drug-store dime novels, but the classics. Only well-written stories can build your vocabulary, understanding of character development, grammar and spelling skills, and style. I totally disagree with people who think it doesn’t matter what you read as long as you’re reading. A diet of literary junk only makes your mind fat and sloppy.
What do you love the most about the month of November?
I love the cool, crisp air! It energizes you. Of course, this November in Florida is warmer than usual, but I happened to be in Maine at the peak of fall color, so I got my fix.
Any last words before we go into the speed round?
I hope people will go to my author page—here at LoveRomanceReads and elsewhere—and discover the very wide range of stories and settings I’ve written.
Here are links to some of them:
- The Wild Rose Press: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/m-s-spencer
- I Heart Book Publishing: http://www.iheartbookpublishing.com/m-s-spencer.html
- Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
- Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/M.S.-Spencer/e/B002ZOEUC8/
Speed round!
City, suburb, or small-town? Small town.
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Dark, bittersweet chocolate.
Vampire, werewolf, demon or angel? Angel.
Wine, whiskey or punch? Jack Daniels, thank you very much.
Leather, lace, or silk? Silk.
Cats, dogs, or exotics? Exotics—I love snakes!
Orion's Foot
Petra Steele is wallowing in self-pity after being dumped at the altar, when her brother Nick invites her to come to the Peruvian Amazon. Before she even sets her suitcase down, she's confronted with a murder victim. In a research station peopled with a quirky assortment of scientists, she is drawn to Emory Andrews, a gruff, big man with a secret past. That is, until his beautiful ex-wife shows up. More murders, more secrets, more mysteries ensue, all in the deeply romantic, sizzling jungle.
More About M.S. Spencer
M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents, has published thirteen romantic suspense novels, and has two more in utero. She has two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter. She divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.
Hi! To start off, please tell us your name, where you’re from, and what you write.I’m Valerie Ullmer and I live in Denver, Colorado. I write paranormal, contemporary, M/M, and erotic romances.
How did you become an author? Please share a bit of your journey with us. I’ve always had a love for reading romance books and have thought about writing for years. But in 2010, circumstances allowed me more time to study the art of writing and that led to me actually writing.
I started off with writing exercises, a short paragraph introducing my character, which turned into a two-page story, which then blossomed into something more. I wrote a book in 2015, but I learned from that experience that for me, I needed to outline the complete story before I wrote any of it. Mainly for my sanity, the story’s structure, and to save myself a lot of time. I self-published my first novella in 2016 and haven’t stopped writing since. As of today, I have 13 books and novellas.
What are you working on now? Do you have a recent or upcoming release? I’m working on a Christmas novella and have several book ideas and series continuations to work on in the new year. I’m planning to have my novella, All In, a M/M romance, out sometime in December.
What is the most challenging part of writing romance? I have more issues with how to develop believable conflict and have enough of it throughout my story, than I do with writing romance. When I started, I thought and quickly realized how wrong that assumption was, that I should write stories based on what was popular. But I soon learned that if I don’t love what I’ve written, then others won’t like it either. From then on, I realized I need to write what I want to read. Not everyone will love it, but even if one reader writes a review and likes it, it’s worth it.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book? I would love to say I research everything before I start writing, but that’s untrue. I will research a career choice of my characters and maybe personality traits, but when I write an outline, ideas come together and then I research as the story develops.
Please share one piece of advice to aspiring authors - what do you wish someone would have told you? There are actually two pieces of advice. The first one is from Stephen King. In order to be a writer, you need to write, every day. There is no magical formula, but when you write, you learn you have an innate sense of the flow of a story from those you’ve experienced through the books and movies you’ve read and watched. Sitting down and writing, that is the best thing for an author to do.
The second. Authors need to learn story structure. Plot points, pinch points, what makes the best conflict, and when certain things are supposed to happen in your story. The best resource I have found for this is K.M. Wieland’s wonderful website http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com.
What do you love the most about the month of November? I love fall so I would have to say everything. The cool nip in the air, the scent of apple cider, and the promise of cooler weather. And soon, the holidays and that special feeling you get every year.
Any last words before we go into the speed round? Thank you for having me!
Speed round!
City, suburb, or small-town? City
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Milk Chocolate
Alpha, beta, or both? Both
Vampire, werewolf, demon or angel? Demon
Wine, whiskey or punch? Punch
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, or other? Halloween
Boxers, briefs, or commando? Boxer briefs J
Cowboy boots, biker boots, or flip-flops? Biker Boots
Leather, lace, or silk? Silk
Cake, cookies, or crumpets? Crumpets
Top, bottom, or against the wall? Bottom
Biceps, abs, or buns? Abs
Cats, dogs, or exotics? Dog
How did you become an author? Please share a bit of your journey with us. I’ve always had a love for reading romance books and have thought about writing for years. But in 2010, circumstances allowed me more time to study the art of writing and that led to me actually writing.
I started off with writing exercises, a short paragraph introducing my character, which turned into a two-page story, which then blossomed into something more. I wrote a book in 2015, but I learned from that experience that for me, I needed to outline the complete story before I wrote any of it. Mainly for my sanity, the story’s structure, and to save myself a lot of time. I self-published my first novella in 2016 and haven’t stopped writing since. As of today, I have 13 books and novellas.
What are you working on now? Do you have a recent or upcoming release? I’m working on a Christmas novella and have several book ideas and series continuations to work on in the new year. I’m planning to have my novella, All In, a M/M romance, out sometime in December.
What is the most challenging part of writing romance? I have more issues with how to develop believable conflict and have enough of it throughout my story, than I do with writing romance. When I started, I thought and quickly realized how wrong that assumption was, that I should write stories based on what was popular. But I soon learned that if I don’t love what I’ve written, then others won’t like it either. From then on, I realized I need to write what I want to read. Not everyone will love it, but even if one reader writes a review and likes it, it’s worth it.
What kind of research do you do when you set out to write a new book? I would love to say I research everything before I start writing, but that’s untrue. I will research a career choice of my characters and maybe personality traits, but when I write an outline, ideas come together and then I research as the story develops.
Please share one piece of advice to aspiring authors - what do you wish someone would have told you? There are actually two pieces of advice. The first one is from Stephen King. In order to be a writer, you need to write, every day. There is no magical formula, but when you write, you learn you have an innate sense of the flow of a story from those you’ve experienced through the books and movies you’ve read and watched. Sitting down and writing, that is the best thing for an author to do.
The second. Authors need to learn story structure. Plot points, pinch points, what makes the best conflict, and when certain things are supposed to happen in your story. The best resource I have found for this is K.M. Wieland’s wonderful website http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com.
What do you love the most about the month of November? I love fall so I would have to say everything. The cool nip in the air, the scent of apple cider, and the promise of cooler weather. And soon, the holidays and that special feeling you get every year.
Any last words before we go into the speed round? Thank you for having me!
Speed round!
City, suburb, or small-town? City
Dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or white chocolate? Milk Chocolate
Alpha, beta, or both? Both
Vampire, werewolf, demon or angel? Demon
Wine, whiskey or punch? Punch
Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, or other? Halloween
Boxers, briefs, or commando? Boxer briefs J
Cowboy boots, biker boots, or flip-flops? Biker Boots
Leather, lace, or silk? Silk
Cake, cookies, or crumpets? Crumpets
Top, bottom, or against the wall? Bottom
Biceps, abs, or buns? Abs
Cats, dogs, or exotics? Dog
You For Christmas
Hiding his feelings for his best friend has become second nature to Parker Hunt. Throughout his years of friendship with Jonah Lee, he’d hoped for more, but he’d never been able to tell Jonah how he felt or what he wanted. When Jonah’s plans fall through for holiday break, Parker is determined to spend their last Christmas together and this time, be brave enough to tell Jonah exactly how he feels.
Jonah Lee has always been in awe of his friend, Parker. His energy, enthusiasm, and honesty had drawn Jonah to him from the first time they met. And while he’s always been an open book with Jonah, lately, Parker had been holding something back. On top of that, Jonah has realized that his feelings for Parker has grown and for the first time in his life, he’s curious about what Parker’s lips would feel like under his and what his definite male body would feel against his.
Will the holidays bring everything both men want, or will they let this opportunity pass them by?
Jonah Lee has always been in awe of his friend, Parker. His energy, enthusiasm, and honesty had drawn Jonah to him from the first time they met. And while he’s always been an open book with Jonah, lately, Parker had been holding something back. On top of that, Jonah has realized that his feelings for Parker has grown and for the first time in his life, he’s curious about what Parker’s lips would feel like under his and what his definite male body would feel against his.
Will the holidays bring everything both men want, or will they let this opportunity pass them by?
More About Valerie
Valerie writes romances.
Contemporary, Paranormal, Erotic, and M/M.
She lives in Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and wise black lab, Maddie. Valerie is addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing character-driven romances.
As a voracious reader, she’s believes that all writers are rock stars, and she hopes that people enjoy her stories as much as she loves the romance novels she’s devoured over the years!
When she’s not writing or learning about the craft of writing, she can be found surfing the internet way too much, watching Investigation Discovery and thinking that her neighbors are up to no good, and finding new ways to get her husband to laugh.
Contemporary, Paranormal, Erotic, and M/M.
She lives in Denver, Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and their funny and wise black lab, Maddie. Valerie is addicted to coffee, crime shows, and reading and writing character-driven romances.
As a voracious reader, she’s believes that all writers are rock stars, and she hopes that people enjoy her stories as much as she loves the romance novels she’s devoured over the years!
When she’s not writing or learning about the craft of writing, she can be found surfing the internet way too much, watching Investigation Discovery and thinking that her neighbors are up to no good, and finding new ways to get her husband to laugh.
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~ AMAZON ~ BOOKBUB ~ LINKEDIN ~ MEWE
~ AMAZON ~ BOOKBUB ~ LINKEDIN ~ MEWE
Hi All,
It’s that time of year when I dig out some tried and true recipes. Usually, I find them on slips of paper or yellowing index cards marked with blobs of vanilla or smudges of butter around the edges. What’s in a recipe? Plainly, it’s “a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients,” but if it’s a family recipe, it’s so much more. Like most holiday recipes, each of mine has a story and a family member behind it. I make my sister Nancy’s pumpkin bread, or my quilter friend Patty’s fruitcake. And it’s Mom’s chocolate bars that all my siblings make, even a gluten-free variety invented by Sarah, sibling #5.
Here’s a recipe that turned up in this year’s search. It comes from the grandmother of one of my college boyfriends, who sent it to him every year to remind him of his roots. Warmed on a dorm-room hot plate and topped with vanilla ice cream, it made an instant Thanksgiving feast for the homesick. It’s a version of the so-called “hasty” pudding, not steamed for hours in the copper à la Mrs. Cratchit in Dickens, but boiled in milk until it thickened, and it takes its name from the American ingredients the colonists had at hand—corn and molasses.
Ted’s Grandma’s Indian Pudding
2 ¼ C milk
3 tbsp yellow cornmeal
¼ C molasses
1 tbsp butter
1 egg
¼ C granulated sugar
1/8 C packed light brown sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
Heat 1 ¼ C milk in double boiler over hot water until tiny bubbles appear. Stir in cornmeal, molasses and butter. Continue to cook over hot water until thickened, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Beat egg; beat in sugars, salt, and spices. Gradually stir the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture. Turn into a well-greased baking dish. Bake at 300 deg. For approximately 40 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 C of cold milk thoroughly. Return to oven and bake 1 hr. longer until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Top with ice cream or whipped cream.
For me, baking and writing, go together. Nothing gets a scene unstuck faster than a heated encounter between butter and brown sugar. So here's one more recipe, the best recipe of all, which I hope is in each of my books, especially in my latest story about two people rediscovering the joy of Christmas--The Christmas Husband Hunt, released today. I will definitely bake to celebrate.
It’s that time of year when I dig out some tried and true recipes. Usually, I find them on slips of paper or yellowing index cards marked with blobs of vanilla or smudges of butter around the edges. What’s in a recipe? Plainly, it’s “a set of instructions for making something from various ingredients,” but if it’s a family recipe, it’s so much more. Like most holiday recipes, each of mine has a story and a family member behind it. I make my sister Nancy’s pumpkin bread, or my quilter friend Patty’s fruitcake. And it’s Mom’s chocolate bars that all my siblings make, even a gluten-free variety invented by Sarah, sibling #5.
Here’s a recipe that turned up in this year’s search. It comes from the grandmother of one of my college boyfriends, who sent it to him every year to remind him of his roots. Warmed on a dorm-room hot plate and topped with vanilla ice cream, it made an instant Thanksgiving feast for the homesick. It’s a version of the so-called “hasty” pudding, not steamed for hours in the copper à la Mrs. Cratchit in Dickens, but boiled in milk until it thickened, and it takes its name from the American ingredients the colonists had at hand—corn and molasses.
Ted’s Grandma’s Indian Pudding
2 ¼ C milk
3 tbsp yellow cornmeal
¼ C molasses
1 tbsp butter
1 egg
¼ C granulated sugar
1/8 C packed light brown sugar
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ginger
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp allspice
Heat 1 ¼ C milk in double boiler over hot water until tiny bubbles appear. Stir in cornmeal, molasses and butter. Continue to cook over hot water until thickened, stirring now and then. Remove from heat. Beat egg; beat in sugars, salt, and spices. Gradually stir the egg mixture into the cornmeal mixture. Turn into a well-greased baking dish. Bake at 300 deg. For approximately 40 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1 C of cold milk thoroughly. Return to oven and bake 1 hr. longer until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Top with ice cream or whipped cream.
For me, baking and writing, go together. Nothing gets a scene unstuck faster than a heated encounter between butter and brown sugar. So here's one more recipe, the best recipe of all, which I hope is in each of my books, especially in my latest story about two people rediscovering the joy of Christmas--The Christmas Husband Hunt, released today. I will definitely bake to celebrate.
Whatever your roots, I hope a family recipe makes it to your table flavored with tradition and love. Happy November, Happy Thanksgiving,
Kate
The Christmas Husband Hunt
When a husband is needed by Christmas, a trusted slender volume for ensuring a merry match is indeed a gift! In this Regency delight from beloved, award-winning author Kate Moore, a spirited governess joins a gentleman spy on a daring mission: finding a mate for a jilted debutante—while drawing dangerously close to each other . . .
Behind her seemingly dependent role as an unpaid caretaker—of both children and dogs—Harriet Swanley has in fact astutely avoided a forced marriage. But hers is not the only secret under wraps: Charles Davenham is working covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. The little handbook would be a godsend—if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice! If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame . . .
Praise for The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London
“Appealing protagonists and a slow simmering romance. An ideal choice for fans of traditional Regencies who enjoy the occasional dash of mystery.” –Library Journal
Behind her seemingly dependent role as an unpaid caretaker—of both children and dogs—Harriet Swanley has in fact astutely avoided a forced marriage. But hers is not the only secret under wraps: Charles Davenham is working covertly to unmask a Russian agent—until the younger sister he’s always protected comes to him, recently rejected and clutching The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London. The little handbook would be a godsend—if only the distraught girl didn’t mangle all of its good advice! If Harriet can help Charles find a love match for his sibling, perhaps, in this season of good tidings, a long-buried attraction can set their own hearts aflame . . .
Praise for The Husband Hunter’s Guide to London
“Appealing protagonists and a slow simmering romance. An ideal choice for fans of traditional Regencies who enjoy the occasional dash of mystery.” –Library Journal
More About Kate
A native Californian, Kate taught English to generations of high school students, who are now her Facebook friends, while she not-so-secretly penned Romances. In Kate’s stories honorable, edgy loners meet warm, practical women who draw them into a circle of love whether in Regency London or contemporary California. A Golden Heart, Golden Crown, and Book Buyers Best winner and three-time RITA finalist, Kate lives north of San Francisco with her surfer husband, their yellow Lab, a Pack ‘n Play for visiting grand babies, and miles of crowded bookshelves.
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